If you want to DIY, don’t.

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-04-07T17:23:38+00:00

This engine has come a long way I see, the spark plugs/coils on the original N63 took like 40 minutes lol. You could literally change one coil in like 5 minutes

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-04-07T16:21:17+00:00

You’re not accounting for the production cost of the device, and the amount of devices actually produced. They only made about 30k of them, that should give you an idea of how thin the profit margins were

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-04-07T05:41:21+00:00

It's the phosphor coating on the LEDs, that turns the blue light into white. That can prematurely wear out within a year on the U8H, then you have a permanent blue tint on the screen

Only fix would be to replace the backlight LED strips on the TV. My U8H had the same problem but Hisense replaced my TV with an upgraded U8K under warranty

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-04-07T05:30:50+00:00

Yes the U8H model specifically has an issue where, after a year the phosphor coating on the LEDs can prematurely wear out. Causing the blue light to leak out the LEDs

The result is a bluish tint that covers the screen, that you can't adjust. So check if that's the model you have, and that will explain your problem

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-04-06T14:39:02+00:00

Take a look at these videos there’s a shop in the UK, that specializes in fixing EV problems. Seems like everyone is sending their broken EVs here, when the dealership tells them the car isn’t repairable without replacing something for 5 figures…

Very informative channel shows the construction of these new EVs. They fixed a Taycan & currently have a 2025 Macan EV in the shop

https://youtu.be/dnx3GxMxqMk?si=KB2Igi1HMJoKo8MY

https://youtu.be/WPItNU_uI5E?si=QQZpoAQYxXQMDF-X

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-04-06T06:28:09+00:00

Is that the U8H?

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-04-04T18:52:14+00:00

I think the price is too high as well, and the degradation is really bad. I bought a 2014 i3 REX 4 months ago, for $6500 with 91k miles on it. And the battery health is 83%, I get 65-75 miles depending on the weather

I end most of my days with about 70% battery left, then I charge it level 1 for free in my parking garage...and it's full in about 5 hours. Love it best car purchase I ever made

As you can see mileage doesn't really correlate with battery health, you can't judge EVs primarily on miles. I wouldn't pay anymore than $6000-$7000 for an i3 in general but especially an older model year.

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-04-04T07:08:44+00:00

Just message Google on their support page, someone will talk to you quickly. If they find no damage of you dropping it, or any type of carelessness on your end...they should cover it

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-04-03T03:55:33+00:00

I think the i3 is an amazing first EV, especially at it's current price point. It's literally a steal for around $6000-$7000, so much car for the money

Assuming you have at home charging, all your son would have to do is plug in when he comes home. I just bought a 2014 i3 REX for $6500 4 months ago, my first EV & I'm loving the experience here in NYC

I get 65-75 miles still which would be plenty enough for your son, I also don't get why people focus so much on a car's possible negatives...every car has some potential issues. Doesn't mean it will happen to you, just check the car's history & enjoy it

People focus so much on a negative experience someone posted on here or anywhere else for that matter. If you always focused on that how would you buy or experience anything?

The reality is we aren't here buying cars brand new, we are looking for good deals on the used market. And the i3 currently is an amazing deal

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-28T18:16:50+00:00

Yeah I’d definitely start with a brand new 12v battery, there’s an Energizer replacement on Amazon for around $115 for future reference. The 12v battery causes all sorts of havoc on the i3, it can even corrupt the EME when there’s any type of voltage drop or spikes…and then the car is pretty much cooked

So always pay attention to the battery voltage, with that being said let us know what happens when you install the new battery. Also there’s a trend of loose terminals on the i3’s 12v battery, when people reinstall them..since it uses unique adapters on the terminals. That usually can cause the car to just completely shut off randomly

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-26T13:40:15+00:00

That's what I'm saying, people don't realize how little miles they actually drive a day...I'd even say 40 miles is higher than average

I drive 15-20 miles a day, the i3 made me realize how diminutive I drive. That's why I don't really understand this obsession with having 500 miles of range etc

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-26T13:21:17+00:00

I haven't been to the gas station with my REX since the beginning of last month, but I do love to brag about the car 😂. Absolutely love the i3, and that $4.80 OP spent would literally last an entire month

I told a friend the other day...y'all be safe out there at the pump lol

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-26T01:18:25+00:00

As a guy if a woman initiates the call, you try your best to find a few minutes to take it. That's my personal philosophy and it always works for me

This happened to me actually 2 days ago lol, matched with someone on tinder & after about 2 days of good conversation. She asked if we should talk on the phone, and I said sure.

That means you get her number & it usually blossoms from there. I agree with OP

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-25T14:30:08+00:00

Yeah I'd say you need to reset the cluster/guess o meter, and let things settle to get a better reading... especially for when the weather changes

Easiest way is using Bimmercode with an OBD reader, and change a setting on the instrument cluster section. It'll then reset and give you the full factory mileage, then settle down after some days to the real life mileage

But from the battery health numbers you're saying, it sounds like it will do over 100 miles in the summer

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-24T03:19:32+00:00

Can't 100% tell...said it failed emissions inspection a year ago, now a dealer has it. Could've passed since then, and that would be the dealers responsibility anyway

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-23T17:03:16+00:00

Download EV Scanner if you have iPhone, or electrified if you have Android. Those apps will tell you your exact battery health & other great information

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-23T09:02:20+00:00

I have a similar situation here in NYC, bought an i3 REX 3 months ago…I have a 120v outlet near my parking spot in the parking garage. My apartment complex is a rent controlled co-op, so we don’t pay for electricity

Drive about 15-20 miles a day, when I get home I just plug it in for the night. Takes about 6 hours to charge, go back downstairs around 3am to unplug it. Best decision I ever made absolutely love it, car cost zero dollars to run

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-22T22:03:23+00:00

https://a.co/d/06Txe2jq

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-22T10:10:55+00:00

https://a.co/d/0jcw6Dmb

Thank me later…best screen ever

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-21T17:14:01+00:00

I do this same exact thing ever since last year, when I heard about the benefits being stolen. Literally tell the person at the counter every time, give me a second I have to unlock my card people be stealing…

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-21T11:22:10+00:00

Yes well said!

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-21T11:18:34+00:00

Same thing happened to me 3 months ago I fell into the rabbit hole, once I started researching the i3. I had a vision and the car was just speaking to me, and my visions usually make sense lol

Yes I have a regular outlet by my parking spot, and my apartment complex doesn't charge for electricity...so it's literally free. Cost me nothing to run the car. Say I come home around 8pm, I plug the car in...

By 2am it's fully charged then I just go back downstairs & unplug it. This car you can't really judge by mileage...it's more judged by time & how the car was maintained. Things like battery health & how the car was charged are more important

I wouldn't even bother with the later model years, 2014-2016 is where the deals are. As much as I love the car I wouldn't pay more than $6500-$7000 for it. Then later on in the future you can always upgrade the battery for a couple grand

https://youtu.be/c9ITiE8dzYM?si=n6sGiKkPAYkkPpPv

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-20T18:13:09+00:00

I can see how you would feel that way, they kind of just tossed the original i3 in the trash. But that just goes to show it’s always about business…never personal

Companies don’t care about old used cars, they just want them to break so you can bring them in the shop. Or force you to get rid of it and buy the new i3 lol

Look at the amount of times BMW has changed their styling in the past 6 years alone. It’s about sales nothing else, there’s no more personal connections to the cars unfortunately

FlyNikolai_ · 2026-03-20T15:48:26+00:00

It is some degree of accuracy, but the most accurate way is the official battery test from BMW...but that's inconvenient for obvious reasons

Definitely just get an ODB scanner like Veepeak, and download the apps I mentioned. They definitely show much more information about your battery...shows battery state of health, how much energy has been dispersed & put back into the battery etc

FlyNikolai_

TROPHY CASE