Great to see another i3 video from Wisely! I bought mine new in 2019, still have it, still love it. After previous Wisely videos, I chose Continental tyres when the factory Bridgestones wore out at 38k miles. The Continentals have more tread, are quieter and more comfortable than the Bridgestones imho. If you want to avoid ally wheels corroding, spray them with a rinse wax after washing, this is a water activated protection that is very fluid and flows into all the crevices (like the centre badge) protecting from corrosion - I use Auto Finesse Aqua Coat, others are available.
You are 100% right about the sunroof. I was convinced I had to have one but have hardly used it. I don't even bother opening the blinds most of the time.
I consciously avoid cars with a sunroof, in my experience they are just a pain in the arse, especially as the car ages. Water leaks, blocked drain hoses, perished rubber seals, corrosion in the mechanism. Avoid!
Interesting to see the sunroof - I excluded it when I spec'ed my i3 in 2016, as it reduces the roof height and I'm over 6ft. Seeing it for real, very glad I excluded it!
I'm quite happy for you to fit second hand parts rather than buying new, seems a bit over the top for such a high mileage car especially as used parts are available. keeping the costs down for the repair can be passed onto the end user plus reusing stuff it good for the Planet !
£10,950 is (was!) probably a fair price for a 99k miles i3 with everything sorted so well. Shows how well the i3 can carry the miles if looked after. Problem is there are lots of low miles "bargains" on Autotrader - like a 2020, i3 120Ah with less than 12k miles for £13,500. I was going to sell mine but with prices so low I think I will just hang on to it for a very long time as it's a brilliant car and costs peanuts to run I will definitely take it to Wisely when it's due its next checks in September, maybe to save a bit over the cost of the main dealer but mostly because it will get done properly !!
Also interesting on the 12v battery - mine's still original from 2016, no warnings, and last time it had its MOT BMW said no need to change it. Might ask BMW to do the ISTA check next time it goes in for MOT, but not worried.
Had this 'battery stationary' warning after only driving 7k km over a year and the car sitting still for weeks at a time while working from home. ISTA says the 12V is charged by the DC/DC converter - I couldn't top up the 12V by driving normally for 1h, only by going on some country roads for 2h and diligently using regen as much as I could the warning disapeared. No electrical faults during the recent checkup, however all four brake discs show rust and look worn, will replace them with ceramic coated ones this summer.
great info. So glad my car went through this process. A friend bought a "bargain" bmw from a, hmmm, not good dealer. they have had to pay a big price to put it right and have had breakdowns on trips due to this.
Hi Wisely Team, my second comment here. You are the go-to source for us i3 owners, as such a video on long term maintenance would be great, my i3 is the BEV and I don’t service it with BMW because I think it’s a ripoff. I plan to keep mine for as long as possible, my questions would be… Should the transaxle fluid be changed? If so how often and what is the spec of the fluid? Does the battery coolant need to be changed? If so how often and the spec of the fluid? Brake fluid is hydroscopic, BMW say to change it every 2 years, but this seems unnecessary to me, and 5 years a more real world requirement. I should add that I am 58YO and have been a DIY mechanic for all my cars, my first being a 1974 Renault 12. 🤗
Brake fluid is indeed Hygroscopic - it absorbs moisture from the air, You can buy a cheap £15 fluid tester, you dip it in the master cylinder reservour and press a button - it will measure the moisture - change fluid if it reaches 3% - which for an average car will be 8 to 10 years
@@Gripper-ie2qg Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think your observation that brake fluid is good for 8 to 10 years is about right. I’m all for cars being safe, and effective brakes are essential to this, hence my suggestion to change the fluid at about 5 years.
@@rp9674 Hi, I don’t fully understand your comment, but I assume you’re saying that your wife has a BMW and she takes it to the dealership for servicing. Personally I think this is a ripoff; especially for an EV, as no critical maintenance is required imho. Combustion engines are high maintenance, without regular oil changes, cambelts etc. the integrity of the engine is severely compromised. This does not apply to an AC electric motor.
Thanks very much again for a both entertaining and educating video. I am almost sad that my i3 is so new I will probably not need your services that soon ;-)
You are quite unusual in that you do proper checks on cars before sale, all say they have a 200 point vehicle check but some of the faults found by customer demonstrate the retailer didn't do anything at all. To be honest if a dealer just cleaned and sold a car as is, then if it came back for a fault and the dealer apologises, fixed the problem promptly and wished them bon voyage - most customers would be pleased with them. I had never heard of you guys prior to buying from you, bought back in 2021, still have the same car and it remains without scratch, dink, dent or fault - though i have added many extras and improved the car. My car was the White Tesla M3P, traded in my unblemished Focus RS.
Thanks again! I would love to See how to replace the driverseat cushion. You said it's covered before, but I can't find somewhere how to replace it. Would be very helpful. Sadly I don't live in London, otherwise in would visit your workshop! All the best !
Hello great video....i have a tera world and my door handle light went out when i unlock the 1 on the other side works...but i am trying to figure out how to replace the bulb or led thats in the door handle...thanks for any help.
Another great video. Much as I'd love to own an i3 looking at your videos about things that can go wrong or need replacing and the costs involved is frankly putting me off buying one, I know as your preparation and refurbishment is second to none it obviously leads to a resale price that is obviously going to be premium as you have to cover your costs and make a profit, if I was to get an i3 it would definitely have to be from you, from any other dealer it would be a lottery, big question for me is could I afford it 🤔 (won't stop me regularly checking your stock list)
What you need to remember is that this channel is dedicated to repair & maintenance. Of course you’re going to see lots of repairs & faults. Pick any other brand & you’ll find someone doing the same.
you don't buy an i3 with a sunroof because you want a sunroof. You buy it with a sunroof because you don't want the carbon fiber on the roof to peel or blister in a couple of years as they are not CF if it has a sunroof.
Top is blistering, don't know how to fix it Had to replace a 20-inch, not fun, wish they were 19-inch. I purchased a rubber pad for the top of the bumper where the paint doesn't fare well, one of these years I might even apply it
Thanks
Thank you so much for your generous comment! We’re pleased you enjoyed the video :)
Nice!
Great to see another i3 video from Wisely! I bought mine new in 2019, still have it, still love it. After previous Wisely videos, I chose Continental tyres when the factory Bridgestones wore out at 38k miles. The Continentals have more tread, are quieter and more comfortable than the Bridgestones imho. If you want to avoid ally wheels corroding, spray them with a rinse wax after washing, this is a water activated protection that is very fluid and flows into all the crevices (like the centre badge) protecting from corrosion - I use Auto Finesse Aqua Coat, others are available.
You are 100% right about the sunroof. I was convinced I had to have one but have hardly used it. I don't even bother opening the blinds most of the time.
I consciously avoid cars with a sunroof, in my experience they are just a pain in the arse, especially as the car ages. Water leaks, blocked drain hoses, perished rubber seals, corrosion in the mechanism. Avoid!
Excellent refurbishment. Done as it should be done. 👍
It looked ok to start with but what a transformation! Must book my service in with you soon.
Glad I'm not too far from Wisely and I'm sold on the expertise, time and effort.
Great job for this unique car! Thanks for showing us everything so detailed.
Yes please for the 12v video!
Another great in-depth video, thanks very much.
Interesting to see the sunroof - I excluded it when I spec'ed my i3 in 2016, as it reduces the roof height and I'm over 6ft. Seeing it for real, very glad I excluded it!
I'm quite happy for you to fit second hand parts rather than buying new, seems a bit over the top for such a high mileage car especially as used parts are available. keeping the costs down for the repair can be passed onto the end user plus reusing stuff it good for the Planet !
I was offended when a shop used used parts to repair my car until I remembered the car is used also
Very in-depth review of an i3 prep.🥇
Sad I live in Belgium, wish we had same service point here for my I3S (2019)
£10,950 is (was!) probably a fair price for a 99k miles i3 with everything sorted so well. Shows how well the i3 can carry the miles if looked after.
Problem is there are lots of low miles "bargains" on Autotrader - like a 2020, i3 120Ah with less than 12k miles for £13,500. I was going to sell mine but with prices so low I think I will just hang on to it for a very long time as it's a brilliant car and costs peanuts to run
I will definitely take it to Wisely when it's due its next checks in September, maybe to save a bit over the cost of the main dealer but mostly because it will get done properly !!
Also interesting on the 12v battery - mine's still original from 2016, no warnings, and last time it had its MOT BMW said no need to change it. Might ask BMW to do the ISTA check next time it goes in for MOT, but not worried.
Had this 'battery stationary' warning after only driving 7k km over a year and the car sitting still for weeks at a time while working from home. ISTA says the 12V is charged by the DC/DC converter - I couldn't top up the 12V by driving normally for 1h, only by going on some country roads for 2h and diligently using regen as much as I could the warning disapeared. No electrical faults during the recent checkup, however all four brake discs show rust and look worn, will replace them with ceramic coated ones this summer.
As they sat you pay for the quality and in the long term it's pays for it self great video
great info. So glad my car went through this process. A friend bought a "bargain" bmw from a, hmmm, not good dealer. they have had to pay a big price to put it right and have had breakdowns on trips due to this.
Hi Wisely Team, my second comment here. You are the go-to source for us i3 owners, as such a video on long term maintenance would be great, my i3 is the BEV and I don’t service it with BMW because I think it’s a ripoff. I plan to keep mine for as long as possible, my questions would be…
Should the transaxle fluid be changed? If so how often and what is the spec of the fluid?
Does the battery coolant need to be changed? If so how often and the spec of the fluid?
Brake fluid is hydroscopic, BMW say to change it every 2 years, but this seems unnecessary to me, and 5 years a more real world requirement.
I should add that I am 58YO and have been a DIY mechanic for all my cars, my first being a 1974 Renault 12. 🤗
Brake fluid is indeed Hygroscopic - it absorbs moisture from the air, You can buy a cheap £15 fluid tester, you dip it in the master cylinder reservour and press a button - it will measure the moisture - change fluid if it reaches 3% - which for an average car will be 8 to 10 years
@@Gripper-ie2qg Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think your observation that brake fluid is good for 8 to 10 years is about right. I’m all for cars being safe, and effective brakes are essential to this, hence my suggestion to change the fluid at about 5 years.
OMG… That Renault 12! 😍
My wife gets excessive service from the BMW dealer because how could I possibly know anything about cars I've been working on for decades
@@rp9674 Hi, I don’t fully understand your comment, but I assume you’re saying that your wife has a BMW and she takes it to the dealership for servicing. Personally I think this is a ripoff; especially for an EV, as no critical maintenance is required imho. Combustion engines are high maintenance, without regular oil changes, cambelts etc. the integrity of the engine is severely compromised. This does not apply to an AC electric motor.
Another great video guys 👍👍👍
I wished you were in the United States! Specifically Denver!
Great video! If were in the market for an i3 I'd come knocking, if fact you'd be the first place I'd call. Also, this is the exact spec I'd purchase.
Thanks for another very interesting and informative video.
Superb video
Thanks very much again for a both entertaining and educating video. I am almost sad that my i3 is so new I will probably not need your services that soon ;-)
You are quite unusual in that you do proper checks on cars before sale, all say they have a 200 point vehicle check but some of the faults found by customer demonstrate the retailer didn't do anything at all. To be honest if a dealer just cleaned and sold a car as is, then if it came back for a fault and the dealer apologises, fixed the problem promptly and wished them bon voyage - most customers would be pleased with them. I had never heard of you guys prior to buying from you, bought back in 2021, still have the same car and it remains without scratch, dink, dent or fault - though i have added many extras and improved the car. My car was the White Tesla M3P, traded in my unblemished Focus RS.
Thanks again! I would love to See how to replace the driverseat cushion. You said it's covered before, but I can't find somewhere how to replace it. Would be very helpful. Sadly I don't live in London, otherwise in would visit your workshop! All the best !
Hello great video....i have a tera world and my door handle light went out when i unlock the 1 on the other side works...but i am trying to figure out how to replace the bulb or led thats in the door handle...thanks for any help.
Not a bad looking car!! It’s not really my style, but there again it’s not a camper!!
Thanks
Nice!!!
Another great video. Much as I'd love to own an i3 looking at your videos about things that can go wrong or need replacing and the costs involved is frankly putting me off buying one, I know as your preparation and refurbishment is second to none it obviously leads to a resale price that is obviously going to be premium as you have to cover your costs and make a profit, if I was to get an i3 it would definitely have to be from you, from any other dealer it would be a lottery, big question for me is could I afford it 🤔 (won't stop me regularly checking your stock list)
What you need to remember is that this channel is dedicated to repair & maintenance. Of course you’re going to see lots of repairs & faults.
Pick any other brand & you’ll find someone doing the same.
Do you have worries about the ac unit? Is there merit to replacing it ahead of time? 2016 rex with 100k miles
Is there any value in updating the car’s software and is it problematic if that has never been done?
i think i see a groove on the right front brake disc, maybe its time for a new one
you don't buy an i3 with a sunroof because you want a sunroof. You buy it with a sunroof because you don't want the carbon fiber on the roof to peel or blister in a couple of years as they are not CF if it has a sunroof.
What happened to the project car you took all the body panels off?
This is how car dealers should work… Why would anyone risk buying elsewhere?
Top is blistering, don't know how to fix it Had to replace a 20-inch, not fun, wish they were 19-inch.
I purchased a rubber pad for the top of the bumper where the paint doesn't fare well, one of these years I might even apply it