BMW iX1 Power Loss and Jerking: EV Owner Seeks Help

Hey there! I faced nearly identical issues with my 2020 BMW i4 last year. The symptoms you're describing sound very familiar, my car also had power drops and jerky acceleration. Turned out a third-party tuning shop had messed with the power control module while trying to increase performance. Had to take it to a certified BMW service center where they discovered the chip tuning had caused conflicts with the original programming. They had to reset the entire power management system and reinstall the factory software. It was definitely a serious issue that could have damaged the motor if left unchecked. My advice: Skip independent shops for this one. These new electric BMWs have complex systems that require proper diagnostic tools and manufacturer-specific knowledge. Better to get it checked by certified technicians who have experience with electric BMW powertrains. Best of luck getting it sorted.

Hey again! Thanks for sharing your experience, this sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with! It's really reassuring to know I'm not the only one who's faced this. I'm definitely going to follow your advice about the certified service center. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the reset and software reinstall? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other quirks? Cheers!

Hey again! Happy to help follow up! After taking it to the certified BMW service center, they confirmed it was exactly what I suspected, the third-party chip tuning causing havoc with the system. The fix ended up costing me 180 € for the complete reset and software reinstallation. I've got great news though, since getting it properly sorted, my i4 has been running absolutely perfect! No more power drops, no more jerky movements, just smooth sailing like it should be. The fault code disappeared completely and hasn't shown up since. It's such a relief to have it back to normal. Honestly, it was worth every penny to get it done right. The car feels just like new again, maybe even better than before that dodgy tuning job. Just stick with the certified techs for anything involving the electrical systems, learned that lesson the hard way! Let me know how yours turns out when you get it checked!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! Just got back from the mechanic and thought I'd update you on what happened. Turns out my situation was a bit different, they found that one of the battery contactors was failing, causing those power issues. The repair wasn't cheap, but at least it's sorted now. The mechanic was actually really great, took time to explain everything and showed me exactly what was wrong. The car's running like a dream again, no more jerking or power drops. Actually feels better than it has in months! Really appreciate your help pointing me in the right direction with the certified service center. You were totally right about needing specialists for these electric vehicles. Definitely learned my lesson about trying to save money by going to regular mechanics for EV issues. Thanks again for all your help!