BMW i8 VANOS Issues, Poor Performance & Failed Test

Hey there! I have some experience working on hybrid cars. I faced a similar issue with my 2017 BMW i3 last year. The symptoms were almost identical, check engine light, rough running, and terrible fuel economy. Like you, my car wasn't performing well and had a choppy idle. Took it to my workshop and they diagnosed a faulty camshaft solenoid valve. Total repair came to 250 Euro including parts and labor. Fixed all the issues and the car's been running perfectly since then. BMW hybrids can be tricky with these symptoms, though. To help you better, could you share: Any diagnostic codes you've pulled? When did these symptoms first appear? Does it happen more when the engine's cold or warm? BTW, I've seen similar issues on the i8 and i4 models too. Best to get it checked soon, as running it like this could cause more problems.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My i8 has 51253 KM and was just serviced last month. I pulled the codes and got P0011 and P0014, which does point to the VANOS system. The symptoms started about two weeks ago and are definitely worse when the engine is cold, it takes a good 5-10 minutes to settle into a somewhat steady idle. I've been hesitant about taking it to independent shops since it's a hybrid system. Did your mechanic specialize in BMW hybrids? The dealer quotes are pretty steep, but I want to make sure whoever works on it knows what they're doing. Good to hear your repair cost was reasonable though, gives me some hope!

Hey again! Thanks for those details, and yes, those codes definitely confirm what we're dealing with. When my i3 had similar issues, it also showed those exact same codes. I totally get your concern about taking a hybrid to an independent shop. After my experience, I can tell you it's crucial to find someone who knows these systems. My mechanic actually specializes in European hybrids and has specific BMW certifications, that's why I trusted them with my car. The cold start symptoms you're describing are exactly what I experienced too. Mine would shake like crazy for the first few minutes, especially on cold mornings. Once the VANOS solenoid was replaced, it was like having a new car again, smooth idle, power came back, and fuel economy improved dramatically. Since you've got similar codes and symptoms, and your mileage is close to what mine was when it happened (I was at around 48000 KM), I'm pretty confident you're dealing with the same issue. My advice would be to ask around for shops that specifically work on BMW hybrids. Check their certifications and maybe look for reviews from other hybrid owners. Quick tip: When I was shopping around for repairs, I found that some independent specialists actually charged less than half of what the dealer wanted, and they did just as good a job. Just make sure they can show you their hybrid certification credentials. Let me know how it goes, really interested to hear if it turns out to be the same issue as mine!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! You've really helped put my mind at ease about this whole situation. Just called around and found a certified BMW hybrid specialist who's got great reviews, their quote is about 40% less than the dealer's, which is a huge relief. They can take a look at it next week. The fact that your i3 had the same codes and symptoms, and was fixed with just a VANOS solenoid replacement, makes me feel much more confident about the repair. I was worried it might be something more serious with the hybrid system. You're right about the cold morning starts, it's exactly like you described. Can't wait to get that smooth idle back! I'll definitely update once it's fixed. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and tips about finding the right shop. It's made this whole process a lot less stressful!