BMW iX1's Electrical Gremlins: Battery Or Bigger Issue?

Had the exact same issue with my 2019 BMW i3 last winter. Battery management system was failing, causing the main battery to discharge unevenly and not hold charge properly. Started with dim lights and weird system errors, just like yours. Took it to the dealer, turned out to be quite serious. The battery cells were degrading faster than normal, and the control module wasn't compensating correctly. They had to recalibrate the entire battery management system and replace two faulty modules. Not a quick fix, took them three days to sort it out. These symptoms definitely point to a battery system issue, not just a simple discharge problem. With those kilometers on your iX1, it could be similar to what I experienced. Would strongly suggest getting it checked at a certified EV specialist, these battery system issues can cascade into bigger problems if left unchecked. Not something you want to have fixed at a general mechanic. Need someone who really knows EV systems, especially with BMWs complex battery architecture.

Thanks for sharing your experience! This actually sounds a lot like what I'm dealing with. How much did the repair end up costing you if you don't mind me asking? Have you had any other issues pop up since they fixed it? Been a bit worried about potential long-term problems.

Hey again! Just wanted to update you since you asked about the costs. After taking it to the certified EV specialist, I ended up paying 290 € to fix the heavily discharged battery and related issues. The undervoltage problem that was causing all those annoying symptoms is completely gone now. I know you were asking about long-term problems, happy to report I haven't had a single issue since the repair, and it's been smooth sailing. The lights are working perfectly, no more system errors, and the car starts up like a charm every time. Looking back, I was lucky to catch it when I did before it turned into something more serious. The specialist really knew what they were doing with the BMW's battery system. Money well spent, if you ask me, especially considering how much worse (and more expensive) it could've gotten if I'd waited longer. Your symptoms sound exactly like mine did, so hopefully this gives you a good idea of what you might be looking at cost-wise.

Wow, that's actually a relief to hear! Just got back from the certified EV specialist myself yesterday. They found pretty much the same problem you described, battery management system issues. Ended up being around the same cost range too, which was way better than I expected after my last mechanic experience. The guy really knew his stuff, explained everything about the battery cells and control module. They fixed it in about a day and a half, and I've already noticed a huge difference. The lights aren't flickering anymore, and all those unusual system errors have disappeared. Car starts up perfectly now. Really glad I reached out here first instead of going back to that sketchy mechanic who messed things up last time. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it definitely helped point me in the right direction and gave me the confidence to get it properly sorted. Fingers crossed it stays running smoothly like yours has!