[6652]

This particular issue is a BMW i3 issue but the concepts apply to all EVs. None of them are at all as cheap as you might think to replace major parts.

It’s something that just doesn’t need saying, in my opinion, anybody who runs a car knows that repairs can be very expensive indeed. I’m struggling to think of anybody I’ve met who thinks anything but that.

What next, replacing your house roof can be expensive when it gets old and leaks, so make sure you only buy a new one that’s under an NHBC guarantee?

I think we should credit people with more intelligence than that.

I think the OPs situation sucks, and he should push BMW hard as it’s such a known issue, but what also sucks is shouting alarmist nonsense on a forum populated by people who know more about them than most, but is also seen as a place to learn about them for people who know very little.

 

[Snaxmuppet]

I also suspect the manufacturers are going to be increasing the price of spare parts on EV's to recoup money lost on servicing.

Manufacturers don't make much money on servicing AFAIK as servicing is done at dealers. Most dealers are franchises and so are independent businesses and so yes, I could see dealers increasing the price of EV parts for sure. Don't know if it happens though

 

[6652]

This is why we need competition, to keep prices as low as possible.

This EME failure is a case in point, it’s clearly not a £10k fix, and to compound it a perfectly serviceable used replacement part needs coding to work on the host vehicle, but BMW only code new modules.

There was an organisation we used to be part of, can’t remember its name at the moment, but it was pretty strong on anti-competitive laws and was trying to ensure that any garage could fully service any vehicle and that proprietary service information was made available to those independents.

If I remember the name of it, I’ll get back to you… 😉

 

[Orrery]

I think that same applies to almost any vehicle now. There is a trend to integrate parts into larger modules, individual meters in the dash have become complete dash units - more reliable, of course, but a fortune to replace when they do fail.

As for the i3 - I have seen a previous thread titled "Don't own an i3 without a warranty" (or similar).

 

[Snaxmuppet]

As for the i3 - I have seen a previous thread titled "Don't own an i3 without a warranty" (or similar).

IMHO, I think that is a sensible approach for any EV right now and will remain so for quite a few years I expect.

 

[GenerationGav]

I've got an ICE Audi A4, and on the Audi forum I've on I've seen enough similar posts about repairs costing people £5k, £10k, etc. that I didn't hesitate to buy a £40/month extended warranty. If I don't end up leasing and get a car with a 3 year warranty then I'll factor 1 year extended warranty into my ownership costs.

 

[freddym]

This is why we need competition, to keep prices as low as possible.

This EME failure is a case in point, it’s clearly not a £10k fix, and to compound it a perfectly serviceable used replacement part needs coding to work on the host vehicle, but BMW only code new modules.

There was an organisation we used to be part of, can’t remember its name at the moment, but it was pretty strong on anti-competitive laws and was trying to ensure that any garage could fully service any vehicle and that proprietary service information was made available to those independents.

If I remember the name of it, I’ll get back to you… 😉

The EU (wink). Pretty strong laws on anti competitive practise.

 

[JeffG]

It isn't about that particular failure is it... that particular failure may be specific to that brand/model but the reason to raise the issue is more generic. The point being made, and one that is perfectly valid IMO, is that it can be frigging expensive to repair EVs out of warranty and I know that is not restricted to BMWs.

Would it be fair to say that any vehicle - EV, ICE or hybrid - can be frigging expensive to repair out of warranty? It all depends what needs to be repaired. Why single out EVs?

 

[Briggo]

What is the point of this thread.

Would it be fair to say that any vehicle - EV, ICE or hybrid - can be frigging expensive to repair out of warranty? It all depends what needs to be repaired. Why single out EVs?

Exactly.

 

[Snaxmuppet]

If you don't see the point then don't read it... just don't spoil it for everyone else.

Others may find it useful.

 

[Briggo]

If you don't see the point then don't read it... just don't spoil it for everyone else.

Others may find it useful.

I have to read it to determine what it's about and its purpose.

Move on.

 

[Snaxmuppet]

Then if having read it you don't know what is going on then clearly you are not interested so why post at all.

 

[Rbrian]

This is why we need competition, to keep prices as low as possible.

This EME failure is a case in point, it’s clearly not a £10k fix, and to compound it a perfectly serviceable used replacement part needs coding to work on the host vehicle, but BMW only code new modules.

There was an organisation we used to be part of, can’t remember its name at the moment, but it was pretty strong on anti-competitive laws and was trying to ensure that any garage could fully service any vehicle and that proprietary service information was made available to those independents.

If I remember the name of it, I’ll get back to you… 😉

Disastrous as Brexit is, on this particular point I don't think still being in the EU would help. Remind me, where are BMW based, and which country is the most powerful in the EU?

 

[Briggo]

Then if having read it you don't know what is going on then clearly you are not interested so why post at all.

Quite simply these sort of posts are unhelpful, a "Hey guys this part can be real expensive to replace, heads up!" is more helpful.

It's Daily Mail level information. One person had a 10k repair bill so all EVs are going to cost a fortune to run right? 10k to repair part of a motor and another 20k for the replacement battery in 5 years right. Add onto that sky rocketing electric costs, let's scrap the whole idea and get back to ICEs eh because they're just better.

It's a pointless post. Cars of any type, as many others have said can be expensive to repair, end of. The other thread stated in the BMW section that this'll turn EV ownership theory on its head. Really?

While I appreciate the OP may be annoyed at such a bill it doesn't warrant such generalisations, even more so in the adoption phase we're in right now.

Hence my question, what is the point of this post? Is the OP trying to put people off?

 

[Jonathon Marshall]

I damaged the screen on my new LED TV within weeks of buying it and the cost of a new screen was pretty much the same price as I paid for it. So beware folks!

 

[freddym]

Disastrous as Brexit is, on this particular point I don't think still being in the EU would help. Remind me, where are BMW based, and which country is the most powerful in the EU?

Eh?

 

[Harry_Zoe]

Quite simply these sort of posts are unhelpful, a "Hey guys this part can be real expensive to replace, heads up!" is more helpful.

It's Daily Mail level information. One person had a 10k repair bill so all EVs are going to cost a fortune to run right? 10k to repair part of a motor and another 20k for the replacement battery in 5 years right. Add onto that sky rocketing electric costs, let's scrap the whole idea and get back to ICEs eh because they're just better.

It's a pointless post. Cars of any type, as many others have said can be expensive to repair, end of. The other thread stated in the BMW section that this'll turn EV ownership theory on its head. Really?

While I appreciate the OP may be annoyed at such a bill it doesn't warrant such generalisations, even more so in the adoption phase we're in right now.

Hence my question, what is the point of this post? Is the OP trying to put people off?

I understand your point and it makes perfect sense. The value of posts like these though, is in alerting new EV users to something the "propaganda" put out about EVs positively underplays. You'll find lots of references on this site and in the mass media to "how cheap" EVs are to own and run - it's pushed as a major positive. Lots of references to "less moving parts" and "you only need to service the pollen filter".

These things are true, but they are not the whole truth. So making sure that people new to EVs get that little jolt of the real world (preferably before) they opt for an EV over an ICE is a useful public service imo.

 

[Jeremy Harris]

Sooner or later independent repairers will gain the knowledge and take over from main dealers for repairs on older EVs, exactly as has happened with ICE cars. No one in their right mind takes a 5 or 6 year old car to a main dealer for an out of warranty repair, they almost always go to an independent that charges far less, and most probably does a better job.

 

[black_amp]

Both the OP's points are valid to a degree, BMW's are unreasonably expensive to fix and a warranty on any EV is a good idea because Ev's are an emerging technology and good relaibility data is hard to come by so buying decisions are more difficult than they could be. The post could have had a more specific title a bit less 'daily mail'

 

[6652]

Disastrous as Brexit is, on this particular point I don't think still being in the EU would help. Remind me, where are BMW based, and which country is the most powerful in the EU?

I guess we’ll never know, but they were doing ok, forcing all manufacturers to share technical, servicing and repair data with third parties, and also making progress on ensuring that even ‘connected cars’ data could be accessed by independent garages so that they could have service records updated etc.

On the wider point, the EU have never been shy about fining German automakers either.