Getting your electric vehicle serviced can sometimes feel like a daunting task, but my recent experience with my 2014 BMW i3 at BMW of Honolulu was surprisingly quick and efficient. I brought my i3 in for a crucial service – the replacement of its original, potentially defective KLE (Kälte-Leistungs-Elektronik or Cold Power Electronics) and a necessary software update from version I001-14-07-503 to the latest I001-15-11-502. Like many BMW i3 owners, I had read online reports about lengthy software update times and delays in KLE delivery, leading to extended service durations. However, my experience was quite the opposite.
Speedy Service at BMW of Honolulu
To my relief, BMW of Honolulu provided incredibly fast service. I dropped off my BMW i3 at 11 am last Monday, anticipating a potentially long wait. To my astonishment, I received a call by 5 pm the very same day – a mere six hours later – informing me that my car was ready for pickup. This swift turnaround was a pleasant surprise and a testament to the efficiency of the service team at BMW of Honolulu. Prior to my appointment, I had proactively confirmed the availability of the KLE to avoid any delays, which likely contributed to the quick service. The software update also proved to be much faster than some online reports suggested, alleviating my initial concerns.
Post-Update Performance and Observations
Following the software update, I took note of any changes in my BMW i3’s performance and features. While some users have reported a reduction in power after similar updates, I personally didn’t perceive any decrease. However, it’s worth noting that I primarily drive in Eco Pro mode, which prioritizes efficiency over maximum power, so a subtle power reduction might not be immediately noticeable in my typical driving style.
One immediate change I observed was the reset of my driver profile settings. Although my profile name remained, the customized settings within it were gone. Fortunately, I had anticipated this possibility and saved my profile to a flash drive beforehand, allowing for a quick and easy restoration of my preferred settings. This is a helpful tip for any BMW i3 owner undergoing a software update – backing up your profile can save you time and effort in re-personalizing your car afterwards.
A welcome addition after the update was the ability to display the state of charge (SoC) as a percentage. While the dashboard’s SoC bar gauge already provides a reasonably accurate estimation (within ±2%), the percentage display offers a more precise numerical representation of the battery level. Although I found the bar gauge sufficient for my needs, the percentage display is a feature that many BMW i3 owners have requested and will likely appreciate.
Navigating through the iDrive menus, I noticed a few minor and seemingly random settings had been altered by the update. However, none of these changes were significant or negatively impacted my driving experience. It’s always advisable to briefly explore the iDrive settings after a software update to ensure everything is configured to your preferences.
Charging and Other Features Post-Update
Regarding charging, my home setup uses a 20 amp circuit, and the public charging stations I frequent do not display charging rates. Therefore, I couldn’t definitively verify if the software update had restored the charging power to the maximum 7.2 kW. However, based on the overall positive nature of the update and BMW’s intentions, I am confident that the full charging power has been reinstated.
Similarly, my charging habits and climate conditions meant I couldn’t test all the reported fixes included in the software update. I rarely charge to 100%, so I haven’t yet confirmed if the charge port now reliably unlocks upon reaching full charge. The Hospitality Charging Feature is also not relevant to me due to the limited availability of public charging stations in Honolulu and their frequent usage. Battery preconditioning is unnecessary in our warm climate, preventing me from observing any fixes related to EVSE relay issues. Furthermore, our electricity rate plan lacks a low-cost charging period, and I haven’t encountered EVSEs charging below 600 watts, so I couldn’t assess the fixes for those specific issues either.
Since my BMW i3 is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) without a Range Extender (REx), fault codes related to the REx engine are not applicable to my vehicle.
Key Benefits of the Software Update
My primary motivations for getting the software update were to restore the full charging power to my BMW i3 and, more importantly, to reduce the risk of motor mount failure, a known issue in earlier models. Based on my experience, the update process was seamless and quick, with no negative repercussions. I highly recommend all BMW i3 owners to get this software update, especially to mitigate the potential motor mount issue, if for no other reason.
While my service experience was remarkably fast, it’s worth considering that some BMW i3 service appointments, especially those requiring more extensive repairs, might take longer. In such cases, understanding the availability of a Bmw I3 Loaner Car Program becomes relevant. While BMW of Honolulu provided efficient service in my case, for services requiring more time, checking with your BMW dealership about loaner vehicle options is always a good proactive step to ensure minimal disruption to your daily routine. Confirming service timelines and loaner car availability when scheduling your appointment can contribute to a smoother and more convenient service experience for your BMW i3.
