Used BMW i3: When a £300 Service Reveals £4,600 of Other Work

[@peterwilliams8283]

A really useful video Arthur, thank you. Being taken over the issues with pictures and a description of what has happened taught me a lot. Certainly, when my windscreen goes I shall pay the surcharge for a genuine manufacturers replacement. I bought a 2018 i3 in May of this year from a BMW dealership. It was in desperation because I couldn't get diesel and I have to drive to get to buildings. Without doubt, the best car I have ever owned in the last 50 years; I love it. A brilliant concept car made so that it works. The range limitation has taught me to take things slower in ECO PRO+ and plan ahead for charge points.

[@jonathantaylor1998]

WOW, Arthur... Just WOW... What an absolutely fascinating video - your knowledge of the i3 and your professionalism towards customer satisfaction just shines through. You and your incredible team at Wisely are such assets to the UK i3 community and Facebook groups - thank you for 'being there' for us all... 😎

[@johnlaws3904]

Most impressed by your thorough inspection of this i3, I don't understand how the customer is laid back over an estimate in that region I'd be spitting blood, fire and brimstone. well done.

[@martinfairman9370]

super video, if somewhat chilling! I wish you were just round the corner. All your stuff inspires confidence in your integrity. Well done guys.

[@vinnyjpip]

highly recommend taking the car supermarket to a small claims court, i bought a bmw x5 from a car supermarket, i had to replace all 4 wheels cost me £1k, within 3 months, took car supermarket to small claims court and the car supermarket settle prior to court date, the car supermarket don’t have a leg to stand on.

[@gap9992]

I suspect the Wisely report will be used to support a claim !

[@TimRackstraw]

Great Video tutorial..... you are a credit to your company. It's nice to see a dealer showing such attention to detail. Sadly there are a lot of dealers out there that are only interested in making a profit. Being a car dealer is hard at the best of times. Keep up the good work.

[@colintwyning9614]

So glad I boughtmy I3s from Wisley. Arthur love your attention to detail.

[@genuine74boomer]

This is an amazing video...every prospective owner of an i3/i3s should absolutely watch this video in its' entirety!

[@Tim_underwood]

An excellent video, been an owner for 2 years, and found all the video very interesting. Thank you

[@karlkiernan6863]

I work in the car industry and went with my sister to a few car viewings and was suprised how many cars I found had some sort of damage that would indicate it was fixed on the cheap. Personally I would never buy a used vehicle from a car supermarket and my sister bought her car used from a main dealer and thus paid more but has the reassurance if there is an issue they will sort it out. Just to add I would buy a used car from you guys as I have faith in your buisness having watched a few of your uploads.

[@tonyrobinson362]

Evan's Halshaw are just as bad beware.

[@emadulali1918]

Excellent video, Arthur!

[@froggy0162]

Never ceases to amaze me how even expensive nice cars get so trashed

[@dopiaza2006]

CARWORLD - In case anyone was wondering. Directors Fazal, Tariq and Habib Mahmood. Would be surprised if it's not undeclared salvage. Has Copart written all over it.

[@garrycroft4215]

Looks like quite a bang, possibly a lamp post Ballard . Enough to bend that metal and brake the screen. I would have returned it for a full refund as I’m sure it was miss sold and not declared as crash repaired badly. If it was an insurance repair wouldn’t it show on a vehicle check? or do you think it was not claimed and backstreet bodged?

[@iandonkin6762]

I’m astounded by the poor quality of this example - someone has bought a shed on this occasion! Another excellent video - thanks for sharing.

[@helmutkramer-iy9df]

Do you Work on the Range Extender also, i have Problems with mine. Gretings from Germany

[@Art.MSc.]

17:33 Now I'am very sure that this i3 had a crash. They replaced the door, the windshield and a lot of smaler parts like the rubers but the smashed door handle seams to be the original. Thats why it's so scratched.

[@stevepeacock4265]

That’s shocking condition for the age, regardless of its mileage. Wonder how he paid, car supermarket sound like a right bunch of cowboys

[@gap9992]

That car has had a rough life! Owned by a very careless family or more likely a business. The piece of wrap was probably what's left of the name / advertising. Definitely a return to dealer for full refund situation? Maybe that's why the car is being picked up without the work being done I bought a low miles i3 from a normal dealer because Wisely didn't have the spec I wanted and I was impatient. I am definitely going to have Wisely service and check it before the BMW warranty expires. btw, I love the car and will keep it for a while - unless I chop it in for an S model !!

[@novagiragos]

LOL the Heartbeat sound coming through the mic...

[@mysongdownload]

I was wondering what that was!

[@bobble1476]

the trouble is most windscreen companies will not supply clips and trims to there fitters so the fitter has to bodge the job speaking as a fitter that has been fitting for over 30 years and been around a bit (its not always the fitters fault)

[@simonreeves2017]

Thanks for this video, as an i3 owner, this is useful. Clearly an abused example, shame. I bought my i3 new in Sept 2019 (42kWh BEV) and still like the car very much. I look after it, and hope to keep it for many years. My only major niggle is a knocking front suspension (sounds like this anyway) I noticed it after about 9 months of ownership, if it were an old car I would suspect a ball joint, such as track-rod end based on the noise (low speed hollow knock over bumps). Do you have a video on this issue, as I know others have reported it. It passed its first mot this August, so I doubt there is a failed ball joint. Slightly loose steering rack?

[@samgratis6407]

I would also be interested in coverage of this issue. I have a 25k mile 2019 i3S with the oft reported play in the front wheels (hold either front wheel at 10and2 position and pull) and the ‘loose’ sound from the front over uneven roads at low speeds. BMW say it’s a normal part of the design. Hmm. I’m suspecting premature strut mount failure, but they don’t want to acknowledge that for warranty repair until it properly fails.

[@kc4cvh]

Considering the broad constellation of faults this vehicle has, £4600 appears quite reasonable. If the EKK (air conditioning compressor) were bad, the estimated cost might easily be twice that amount.

[@jamesvdv0]

My worry would be that even though the airbag has been replaced, with the damaged front bumper, would it deploy properly in the event of another frontal collision?

[@nagravox]

A very good video!!! The pre-owners have been complete idiots. How can one abuse such a worthy and expensive car...? Unbelievable!

[@Art.MSc.]

19:47 You are wrong at this point. The silver decal is a detail which was introduced by the i3 120Ah witch was released in november 2018. i3 120Ah with Range Extender were only produced for US market. Unless it is not an import car the decal was never on it.

[@wiselyauto]

Definitely not the case (at least in the UK). Facelifts of that age got them. We had quite a few 2017 LCI 94Ah examples with the stickers fitted from factory.

[@donatasdon1869]

Hey! Maybe you know why mine Idrive screen goes black and everything shuts down everytime i drive the car? Everything vines back to life after i lock the car and leave for 15mins. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@nigellucas560]

Excellent slow build of the evidence.

[@hasij2]

Has anyone had an issue with 2014 Rex, where the computer thinks you have 1/4 battery left then you run out of power, and haven’t enough power for Rex to start? It’s done this to me 3 times. After a little bit, the computer figured out battery was completely dead and showed that instead of 1/4 battery. I towed it a short distance in neutral and the Rex started due to the generated power! 😂

[@tonyrobinson362]

I just cannot believe someone bought this also how did carworld get away with selling it!

[@Art.MSc.]

5:00 Why you need an extra tire? You need a compact repair kit. We aren't in the 90's.

[@Art.MSc.]

5:55 I recommand WOKEBY for replacing that ugly plugs.

[@Art.MSc.]

I'am sure this was a i3 of a company because of the wrapping and the issues.

[@Art.MSc.]

15:55 The first point I agree with. It is a usual issue.

[@gileshalliwell3591]

This was a shocking story! Not a chance of me buying at a car super market now…!

I've had a strange smell coming from the vent of my 2019 i3s for a while now. It smells like some part (air conditioner?) is broken, sort of a plastic smell. Is this a known problem?

[@gathonar]

Great video thanks.

[@mc4130]

That damn dead bird - can’t take my eyes off it!

[@martyndavies1482]

Did you find out the state of health of the battery for this i3?

[@danscar5277]

Does your shop every had to replace the traction battery?

[@bobble1476]

top video😁

[@stefandjordjevic9]

Have you been using this car for farming purposes?

[@zzzide]

Guys, is it possible to retrofit a second S4U8A fast-charger? My i3 only churches at 3.7 kw and I would love to be able to make it charge at 7kw. If yes, any idea how much that would cost me? Thank you!

[@Art.MSc.]

15:28 Is there a war going on in the background? Sounds like automatic fire.

[@Brinslade]

Did you check on Car vertical to se if it was a cat N or S?

[@johnnyzee383]

This is an example of an abused car. I have owned 3 BMW i3's and never had any major issues with any of them. In fact I know of a person in Toronto who owns a 2014 with 201000 kms and he told me he has hardly done anything to it besides regular maintenance which isnt much. Thats an example of a car that someone has taken care of rather than this example...In my expereince the reliability of a car is directionally proportional to the state in which the owner drives and/or abuses it.

[@MAZENBIRA]

Wow that is so pro 😊

[@sbflyer20]

Do you guys buy your parts from your local BMW dealer or somewhere online?

[@wiselyauto]

We mostly order through dealers' parts departments...

[@sbflyer20]

@@wiselyauto Your BMW parts prices in the UK are substantially lower than ours in the US

[@Art.MSc.]

I just want to mention that this is just about this i3. It has nothing to do with the quality of BMW i3 in general.

[@gileshalliwell3591]

Was it undeclared CAT N?

[@ronwhite1273]

Wow!

[@stevepeacock4265]

Clearly a company car before. That car is a lemon and I’d sell it cheaply asap.

[@richardpiper4828]

Very interesting but what a horror story. With a bit of wrap around the tailgate, the high mileage and basic spec does this show the hallmarks of being an ex Police vehicle? I would though have thought they would be pretty meticulous in having any structural damage repaired properly. This video does again emphasise that for specialist or more niche cars you are always best buying from either a main franchise dealer or from a marque specialist who knows all the potential weaknesses of the model. I don’t want to pre-empt what you are going to say in your replacing the wind screen video but is it not the case that it is pot luck as to how good a job the fitters do as your insurance company will generally require you to use their nominated replacement glass company?

[@jonathantaylor1998]

Ooooo.... That's an interesting suggestion - it being an ex-Police car... Looking at a few Google Images of them, this could be a remnant of the red / yellow chevron wrap on the tailgate.

[@richardpiper4828]

@@jonathantaylor1998 I think if it had been another service vehicle - used by the Fire or Ambulance services it probably would not have done as much mileage or had such a hard life. I guess response vehicles get the odd ding. No mention from Arthur though of any interior damage caused by the fitment of additional accessories.

[@gap9992]

good suggestion as all the Met ones are REX

[@midinotes]

Could not help but notice the Carworld logo on the bottom of the number plates.... hopefully that's not where it came from? 😂

[@richardpiper4828]

@@midinotes I think that is the giveaway.

[@brianweston83]

Does it not show as a Cat N on a check ?

[@glengosling5636]

Long video but needed to know .

[@stevepeacock4265]

Bought from car world Peterborough, owned by Asians , what a surprise.

[@londongunner1]

YES because buying a car from a white,black or any other colour or race used car salesman is ALWAYS a reliable purchase right??? Fuk all to do with race when it comes to dealing with car salesmen,get it right!

[@pcr8918]

And so?

[@Art.MSc.]

6:56 Doors issues are common with i3?! WTF are you talking about? Never heared about this. Never experienced something like this. This is not true.

[@newbeginnings8566]

Sell it on and buy one that is good shape..

[@shhs1791]

Greetings... How to remove the switch that controls the heated seats...

[@newbeginnings8566]

Steering wheel not that expensive... £450+vat...... Glad it's not that expensive 😂

[@bobble1476]

lets be honest they bought a shi**ter

[@Art.MSc.]

6:13 Just do not close it like stupid. Close it with care and it will work.

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

What a hacked up car. Too bad.

[@Art.MSc.]

8:20 Ohh it is an i3 with range extender so it is driven by fools... explains everything.

[@69Dobby]

What a pile of Junk these cars are ,BMW taking the p*ss. Its a bloody face lift version and still problems with same old stuff.

[@the1beard]

Hahaha so much for saving money ... bloody money pits. just buy a Citroen C1 Toyota Aygo or Peugeot 107 with A/C These EV's are garbage

[@ДимонКобов]

this car is thrash!

[@PhineasPhlob]

Great... I'm having my windscreen replaced tomorrow and now I'm terrified 🫣