BMW i3 Aftermarket Battery Upgrade - What Options Do You Have?

So much has changed since the debut of the BMW i3 in the market. If you happen to own one of its early production models, then there may either be a pang of regret on your part for buying it too soon back when BMW EV tech is still in its infancy or you may feel like you are now missing out on the advancements brought about by EVs today, especially in range and power. Don't worry though because there is a way around this problem.

EV upgrades highlights

• Commonreasons:range extension, battery modification, more comfort
• Average prices:$500 - $4,500
• Average waiting time:1 - 4 days
• Common problems:unknown battery life, low-quality aftermarket parts
• DIY mods:impossible
• Level of satisfaction:high

What BMW Provides

The option to upgrade your i3's battery pack is available through BMW, and the company offers two different variants for it. The first is a (94 Ah) 33 kWh battery and the other is the (120 AH) 42.2 kWh unit.

Under favorable driving conditions, the former gets you an estimated electric range of 114 miles at full charge while the latter nets you a range of around 153 miles.

The great thing about going with BMW is that the upgrades of your car will definitely be handled by professional mechanics who are best equipped and trained for Bimmer cars.

Likewise, having your vehicle serviced there will let you keep its original warranty or it may even be extended depending on the current terms of the automaker for such a program.

The downside to this is that it can be quite expensive, and you will have to leave your beloved i3 at the dealership for a few days where its specialists will handle the replacement job. The duration may even be stretched longer if they are swamped with other work orders from other customers.

Another benefit offered by the brand's service center is that you can easily find brand-new OEM parts in stock there if you want to ensure the quality of the upgrade. Again, these can be pretty costly so only proceed with this if you don't mind spending extra to guarantee your peace of mind.

On the other hand, if you're short on budget but your dealership happens to offer to finance for the retrofit, then you can enjoy more flexibility in its payments. Likewise, you may avail of perks offered by BMW at the time of your servicing like possible discounts, freebies, and more.

Oh yes, by the way, you will pay about $16,000 at a dealership if you want an OEM battery installed in your BMW i3.

What the Aftermarket Offers

The aftermarket is now full of companies that offer more affordable upgrade options for your i3's battery pack. With the right shop, they can work as effectively and efficiently as any other BMW service center without the premium charges. You can find many service providers that can do the job for you out there, but make sure to do your research first before entrusting your car to anyone. One thing that you will definitely miss out though is the warranty and perks offered by BMW for the i3 battery upgrade as discussed in the previous item.

In addition, it is worth noting that there are many battery upgrade parts sold online nowadays, which will let you shop around and save on your purchases. This provides you with an option to buy a battery pack online, and then just have it installed by your preferred mechanic, later on, to further cut your expenses.

It is best to proceed with caution when sourcing your battery online though because many sellers do not offer refunds or returns for faulty products. Even if you find one that does, it's still quite a pain having to return a defective battery and then waiting again for the delivery of its replacement or your refund.

Be sure to check the reviews of the seller, or if possible, ask someone you know who already had an experience with the merchant where you are looking to get your item.

As for the battery options, aftermarket tuners offer the same set of upgrades that BMW has. The 94 Ah battery pack is a good option if you want to have a longer range without having to spend too much while the 120 Ah unit is perfect for those who want the best performance out of the i3.

The cost depends on the service provider and the quality of the battery itself, but one thing's for sure: the prices are a lot cheaper than what BMW offers. Prices start at $2,500 for used battery packs and $5,000 for new ones.

One more thing about opting for an aftermarket battery pack is that it can be installed in just a few hours, and you won't have to leave your car at the shop for days. Although not recommended, you can also choose to install the battery pack yourself if you have the proper skills and tools.

Whichever the case, take note that installing a new battery pack will also require a software update from BMW and plenty of calibration work. These can be best-taken care of by your local dealer or your chosen aftermarket service provider without much hassle on your part.

Which Is the Better Option?

Installing a new battery in the BMW i3 is no small feat - it's a big job that requires specialized skills and knowledge. In the hands of inexperienced or poorly-equipped mechanics as well as DIYers, many can go wrong with it. So, there are some important things for you to consider if you are upgrading your car's battery pack.

Do know that as of now, your choice is only locked within the battery packs specifically made by BMW for the i3. This is due to the i3 and its battery being designed differently than others.

One thing that makes the i3 different is the presence of an active thermal management system in its battery. The system links the battery pack to the AC lines for better cooling or heating, depending on the prevailing environmental conditions during its operation.

This also makes the battery such a chore to take off the vehicle because you will have to drain the refrigeration coolant with special equipment first before detaching it. Likewise, the refrigerant will have to be refilled once the new battery is installed to prevent damaging the AC compressor.

This, plus the electrical components that you will encounter along the way, is the primary reason why the battery upgrade should only be handled by professional mechanics.

Another reason why you should bring your Bimmer to a shop for the battery upgrade is that you cannot just lift the car with a standard jack. Since the battery is tightly fitted to the chassis of the vehicle, placing tension on or near the part where the chassis meets the battery can damage the aluminum mounting flanges.

In some instances, it's the battery that will take the brunt of this method, which can crush its parts. Therefore, heavy-duty lifting equipment is needed for this purpose.

Moreover, be aware of the fact that there's a strong likelihood that the aftermarket battery you may be looking to buy may have been salvaged from a crashed i3. In this case, the battery may be locked for safety reasons.

What if you have a used battery?

More often than not, BMW dealerships will refuse to have the recovered battery installed in your car due to quality control issues. However, there are ways for aftermarket mechanics to go around this.

Using an unlocking tool purchased from BMW, your mechanic can easily get a locked battery sourced from a crashed i3 working again. An alternative remedy is to replace the SME battery management system of the battery pack with a new one to bypass the software lock. The latter, however, is not merely a plug-and-play affair because it will still require serious coding work during the unlocking process.

Lastly, you may risk causing an assortment of error codes in your car's computer when installing a battery upgrade. Therefore, we can't stress enough why you need a pro by your side in this ordeal.

Overall, these are reasons why some people choose to have their battery retrofitted by an authorized BMW dealership just to be sure. This is the most convenient option if you don't mind spending a little extra. However, if you are on a budget or you want to get the job done as quickly as possible, then opting for an aftermarket service provider is your best bet.

Exercise due diligence if you're gunning for the latter though. With the right aftermarket product and service provider, it's as good as having an official BMW dealership getting the job done for you.

Conclusion

No matter which option you choose, don't forget to do your research first and only entrust your car to a reputable service provider. This way, you can be certain that your BMW i3 is in good hands, and you can avoid any problems in the future.