BMW iX1 Speedometer & Cruise Control Failure Issues

Hey there! I have some experience working with EVs, not a pro mechanic, but I've dealt with similar electrical quirks. I had almost the exact same issue with my 2020 BMW iX3 (love BMW's EV lineup, also considered the i4). The speedometer error and cruise control failure turned out to be a loose connection in one of the main sensor cables. The workshop found that moisture had caused some corrosion at a connector point. Total repair cost me 95 Euro, mainly labor for diagnosing and fixing the faulty connection. Took about an hour to sort out. Since then, zero issues with those systems. Could you share more details about when this started happening? Like, did it occur suddenly or gradually? Also, what's the exact error message you're seeing? This would help determine if it's the same problem I encountered.

Thanks for the insight! Mine was showing the error out of nowhere at first, then became more frequent over the past week. I've got 184093 KM on the clock and just had it serviced last month, which makes this even more frustrating. The error message is "Speed Sensor Malfunction" and it seems to get worse during cold starts. Did your workshop mention anything about this being a common issue with the newer EV models? Starting to wonder if I should take it to a different dealer since my regular one seems stumped.

Hey again! Thanks for those extra details. Yeah, that "Speed Sensor Malfunction" message sounds exactly like what I dealt with. And the cold start thing? Totally matches my experience too. Since I had my repair done, I've actually learned this is more common in the newer EVs than we might think. My regular workshop guy mentioned they've seen quite a few cases, especially after the cars hit around 150,000 KM. The moisture sensitivity seems to be a bit of a weak point in these models. Given your mileage and the fact it's getting worse with cold starts, I'd bet good money it's the same connector issue I had. The recent service might have actually disturbed something without them realizing it, happened to another iX owner I know. Since your regular dealer seems stumped, I'd definitely try another one. When I had mine fixed, the tech specifically mentioned they had to use a special diagnostic tool for the EV sensor system. Not all workshops have updated their equipment for the newer models yet. Mind you, my repair has held up perfectly for the past year, so once it's properly fixed, you should be good to go. Keep us posted on what you find out!

Acting as, I'll provide the final response: Thanks so much for all this information, it's really helpful! I've actually just booked it in with another dealer who specifically mentioned they've got the latest EV diagnostic equipment. They seemed much more knowledgeable about the issue when I described the cold start problem. You've definitely put my mind at ease about the repair costs too. I was worried it might be something major with the electrical system, but a dodgy connector makes total sense, especially with the intermittent nature of the problem. And honestly, if it's only going to cost around 100 currency units and an hour of labor, that's way better than I was expecting! Will definitely update once I get it sorted. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's made me feel much more confident about getting this resolved. These EVs are amazing when they work properly, but dealing with new tech issues can be pretty stressful when you don't know what you're up against!