First Service Needs a Full Day - 2014 BMW i3 Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

First Service Needs a Full Day - 2014 BMW i3 Long-Term Road Test

After being in our fleet for nearly a year, our 2014 BMW i3 is due for its first service. Maintenance alerts show up not only in the instrument panel, but also in the i3's mobile app.

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allthingshonda

Why oh why do German cars require procedures that no other car on the planet need? The Chevy Volt doesn't need a battery drain and recharge test, neither does a Toyota Prius or Tesla. This is like newer VW diesel cars that require you to access the computer to prime the fuel pump after changing the fuel filter. Everybody else just turn the ignition on and off several times.

kirkhilles1

I guess I understand for a first generation BMW pure electric, but yeah. Dedicated i3/i8 specialist? Oh geez. Whip out the credit card unless this is covered.

5vzfe

The Toyota Prius has been out since 1997, even longer in Japan. The Volt has been out for years now too - they've both had time to iron out their batteries' performance and reliability. Tesla and BMW are new to the game so it's pretty nice to know that BMW is doing something to fully examine their cars. I'm pretty sure Toyota and Chevy won't offer a free rentals either! I've left my 4Runner overnight before and I sure wasn't offered one.

websterize

For this type of work on the i3, the tech has to pass high-voltage training. (Being electrocuted on the job would be a bummer.) And there's no charge to the customer for this routine service.

mercedesfan

@allthingshonda,

Actually, Tesla service typically does take a full day. I usually have their techs pick up my car right when I get to work and they don't return it until the end of the business day. I know part of the service includes battery analysis, but I've never actually looked into what that specifically entails.

blackvoltguy

@5vzfe

Actually, every time my Volt has been in for service I have been given a Volt as a loaner at no cost. I'm not sure who's paying for it but it's definitely not me.

thecardoc3

blackvoltguy said:

Actually, every time my Volt has been in for service I have been given a Volt as a loaner at no cost. I'm not sure who's paying for it but it's definitely not me.

You paid for it when you bought the car.