BMW i8 Stalling Issues, Possible Camshaft Sensor Problem

Hi there! I've got some experience with hybrids, and I actually faced almost identical issues with my 2015 BMW i3. I also own a BMW 3 series, so I'm quite familiar with these engines. Those symptoms sound exactly like what I dealt with last year. Mine turned out to be a defective encoder wheel on the camshafts. The car was doing the same thing, rough starts, weird idling, and that annoying stuttering during acceleration. Took it to my regular workshop and they diagnosed it pretty quickly. The whole repair, including parts and labor, set me back 695 Euro but solved all the problems completely. Haven't had any issues since then. Before I share more specific details about my repair experience, could you tell me your current mileage and if you've had any other warning lights or symptoms? Also, have you noticed any specific patterns when these issues occur (like cold starts vs. warm engine)?

Thanks for sharing your experience! My i8 has 72214 KM on the odometer, and I just got it serviced last month. The issues started happening out of nowhere, regardless of whether the engine is cold or warm. No other warning lights except the check engine light. I'm relieved to hear your similar symptoms were fixed with the encoder wheel replacement, gives me some hope it might be a straightforward fix. Do you remember how long the repair took at your workshop?

Hey again! Yeah, your symptoms are really similar to what I experienced, same unusual timing and everything. In my case, the repair at the workshop took about 4-5 hours total. They had to remove quite a few components to access the encoder wheel, but it wasn't super complicated for them since they work on BMWs regularly. Just be aware though, after dealing with both my i3 and 3 series, I've learned that these symptoms can sometimes be tricky. While the encoder wheel fixed my issue, I'd recommend having them do a full diagnostic scan. With hybrids, especially the i8, there could be other related sensors causing similar problems. The good news is that at 72K km, you're still in a pretty good spot maintenance-wise. My i3 had about 85K km when this happened. Been running perfectly since the fix, no more jerky acceleration or stalling issues. Keep us posted on what your workshop finds. Always good to share these experiences with other BMW owners. And if you need any other specific details about my repair experience, just let me know!

Thanks so much for all that detailed info! It's super helpful to hear about your experience, especially since our issues sound so similar. I'll definitely get that full diagnostic scan you mentioned, makes total sense with these complex hybrid systems. I've already called my workshop and booked it in for tomorrow morning. They estimated about 5-6 hours for a complete check and potential encoder wheel replacement. Honestly, you've really put my mind at ease about this whole situation. Was worried it might be something major, but knowing your i3 was fixed with a relatively straightforward repair is reassuring. I'll definitely update this thread once I get the results back from the workshop. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and advice!

Fault code 02A9A on bmw E89 2010 Cam sync / cam inlet error. Car has been sat a couple months, and was perfect last time driven, also slower than usual to start, like twice as many turns

Start by checking the battery voltage, as a weak battery can cause slow starting and may lead to various error codes. If the battery is low, try charging it fully or replacing it if it's old. Once the battery is in good condition, clear the fault code and see if it returns. Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions!