BMW i8 Multiple Sensors Failing, Common Issue?

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2016 BMW i3. I've got some experience working on cars, but nothing too advanced. Those symptoms sound exactly like what I dealt with last month. In my case, the gel pad under the rain/light sensor was bubbling up, causing all those features to go haywire. My local workshop spotted it right away. The fix was pretty straightforward, they replaced the sensor unit and recalibrated the system. Cost me 62 Euro and took about an hour. Before I share more specific details about my repair, could you tell me if you've noticed any bubbles or discoloration around your sensor area? Also, are you getting any specific error codes? Knowing these would help determine if you're dealing with the same issue I had. Feel free to ask more questions. Always happy to help a fellow BMW owner!

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! My i8 has 7646 KM and was last serviced 3 months ago. I'm actually seeing something similar to what you described, there's definitely some bubbling near the sensor area that I initially thought was just condensation. I should've mentioned this earlier, but I'm getting error code 2F3A54. Your solution sounds promising and much less expensive than I feared! Did you need to do any coding after the sensor replacement? Really appreciate your help with this.

Hey again! Yeah, that's exactly the same error code I got with my i3. Since you mentioned the bubbling, I'm now pretty much certain it's the same issue I faced. And with only 7646 KM on the clock, it's definitely not a wear and tear thing, these sensors can just go bad sometimes. About the coding, in my case, they did need to do a quick coding after the replacement, but it was included in that hour of labor I mentioned. The workshop just plugged in their diagnostic tool and it was sorted in about 10 minutes. Super straightforward stuff. Just a heads up though, make sure they use the genuine BMW sensor unit. I initially considered going with an aftermarket part to save some cash, but my mechanic advised against it. Apparently, some in our BMW forums had issues with aftermarket sensors not playing nice with the car's systems. The whole repair was actually pretty quick, the most time-consuming part was waiting for the new adhesive to properly set. By the way, has your car been parked outside a lot? Just curious because extreme temperature changes can sometimes speed up that gel pad deterioration. Either way, it's a known issue and should be a pretty simple fix for any decent workshop.

Thanks so much for all this detailed info! You've honestly made my day way less stressful. I was worried this would turn into some major repair nightmare, but it sounds pretty manageable. I'll definitely follow your advice about getting the genuine BMW sensor unit, not worth risking problems with aftermarket parts just to save a bit of money. Interesting you asked about parking outside, yeah, my i8 does spend most nights in the driveway. That could explain why the sensor went bad so quickly. I've already called my regular workshop and they can get me in next week. They confirmed they'll do the coding too, just like in your case. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Nothing beats getting advice from someone who's actually dealt with the same problem. I'll update the forum once it's fixed in case anyone else runs into this issue!