Considering trading in for a BMW i3 Rex

[Ronmamacleaf]

Do you guys think it's worth it? I currently own the leaf out right and it only has 36k miles on it. I would be trading it in. What do you think a good trade in value is. The BMW i3 range extender is 19k it's a 15 with 14k miles.

[cwerdna]

Do NOT get an i3 REx: http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.p ... 47#p487347!

See my posts at http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/viewtopic ... 118#p22118 and beyond. I still mostly lurk on the i3 FB group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/) and although the issues have died down in frequency, the REx version still seems to be a POS. Avoid. If you want an i3, get the BEV version. It has lower chances of being a POS.

The only time where it might be worth it is if you have a lot of time and tolerance for a new “hobby” of taking the car to the “spa” frequently, besides having a large budget set aside for out of warranty repairs. To make it “worth it”, means the car must be MUCH cheaper than an equivalent Leaf. So, maybe it’d need to be like $2K or $3K?

I personally have nowhere near the time for the above.

[SageBrush]

The 2014 Model year had drivetrain problems; I am not sure about later years.

[cwerdna]

Drivetrain malfunction errors still happen, even on BEVs and '17 REXes. At least the BEV can't get a CEL (check engine light).

OP should lurk on https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/ and monitor at least daily for a few weeks then compare the severity and frequency of problems to http://www.mynissanleaf.com/search.php? ... ive_topics on '11 to '17 Leafs, excluding gradual battery degradation.

[SageBrush]

Drivetrain malfunction errors still happen

That is not saying much.

I looked at Consumer Reports survey data on i3-ReX last week. It is about average from MY 15 onward.
If I had BMW dealership near me I would be quite tempted to jump on a deal being offered.

[cwerdna]

Drivetrain malfunction errors still happen

That is not saying much.

I looked at Consumer Reports survey data on i3-ReX last week. It is about average from MY 15 onward.

I'm looking at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/bm ... eliability and they give the i3 a 2 out of 5 for reliability. I don't see any separation of REx vs. BEV for any model. Surprisingly, 2016 gets 5/5. 2017 is n/a. 2018 predicted reliability 3/5.

If you haven't already, go lurk on that FB group and you'll see what I mean. You will find no shortage of people hitting check engine lights (or posting a pic w/the CEL light on aka yellow submarine) and those w/drivetrain malfunction errors (some requiring a flatbed), battery discharging while stopped besides issues w/the charging lock pin (which they put unncessary cycles on), some w/restraint system malfunctions and a few with heater and AC probs. At least the body hardware probs at the beginning seem gone and the blown KLEs are a thing of the past, for the most part.

One MNL user (used to be pretty active here), had his first (early) i3 Rex bought back under lemon law. I bumped into him at the Solar Impulse landing at Moffett Field and he said his 2nd one was at the 28 day mark in the shop (nearing lemon law threshold) and his attitude had become far less forgiving, using the words "BMW should be ashamed". I don't know if that car went under lemon law too.

BMW i3 REx? A BIG NO THANK YOU for me!

[TomT]

Drove one for three days and hated it! My wife liked it even less...

[Ronmamacleaf]

What was the reason you didn't like it?

[cwerdna]

FWIW, I was skimming the i3 FB group and going back about 5 days, excluding any issues w/tires or minor issues, I noticed these:
3/23/18 https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 054731180/ - numerous issues he's taking his REx for, unknown year
3/23/18 https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 301476222/ - basically a horror story when to comes to his REx engine
3/22/18 https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 398185079/ - same as 1st guy, one prob is some problem releasing his fuel filler door. Has to emergency release, which triggers a warning light.
3/7/18 https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 827108303/ - looks like he's facing massive repair costs and a day ago, the car's still in the shop w/no news
3/19/18 https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 662005786/ - he's posting about something else but I notice his check engine light is on
3/21/18 https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 875045098/ - check engine light

There was one other post where I accidentally clicked the wrong link, so I don't know what the issue was. As I said, OP, join https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/ and hang out there for awhile, watching the posts.

[cwerdna]

Right on cue, on Tuesday, I spotted some more maladies in my FB feed. Here are a few more from the last few days I could easily find. I only went back to around 3/25.

3/27/18: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 654142720/ - this guy has had a ton of probs
3/27/18: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 624178823/ - brake system error and charging malfunction. Also look at the comments. Car was hauled away on flatbed.
3/26/18: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 980960054/ - CEL (check engine light)
3/27/18: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 234242162/ - claims "trouble free" but if you read his comments, he's had CELs
3/27/18: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 290864423/ - Drivetrain: Stop Carefully. Stop and turn off engine. Do not continue driving. Call Roadside Assistance. Says this happened after he dropped it off for a fuel tank sensor repair. Poster says car will be in shop for another week or so, until fixed.
3/25/18: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 641114688/ - CEL
3/26/18: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 541026098/ - drivetrain error
3/25/18: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/p ... 221114830/ - driver restraint system malfunction

Started hanging out on https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/ yet to see what I mean?