BMW 3 Hybrid: Multiple Electrical Issues & Power Loss

Hey there! I've got some experience with cars and had a very similar issue with my 2018 BMW 5 Series Hybrid (also own a BMW X3). Those symptoms sound exactly like what I experienced, power issues, dim lights, charging problems, the works. Turned out to be a faulty generator, just as you suspect. My car was showing the same warning lights and battery-related issues. I took it to my trusted workshop, and they ran a full diagnostic. They confirmed the generator was shot and needed replacement. The whole thing, including parts and labor, set me back about 960 Euro, but it fixed all the problems completely. Before I can share more specific details that might help you, could you share: What warning lights exactly are you seeing? How long has this been happening? Does it happen more when the engine is cold or warm? This info would help me give you more targeted advice based on my experience.

Thanks for the detailed response! My car's got 84605 KM on the clock and had its last service about 4 months ago. Been seeing a battery warning light and a powertrain malfunction warning. Started about two weeks ago, and it's definitely worse when the engine is cold, especially in the morning. The generator/charging issue seems spot on based on what you're describing, really helpful to know the fix worked for you! If it's similar, at least I know what I'm potentially looking at cost-wise.

Hey again! Yeah, those symptoms you're describing are identical to what I dealt with on my BMW 5 Series. When you mentioned it's worse in the morning with a cold engine, that's exactly what I experienced too. Mine also had around 80K on the odometer when this happened. Actually, I forgot to mention in my first reply, before I got it fixed, I tried waiting it out for about a week (big mistake). The problems just got worse, and one morning the car wouldn't start at all. Had to get it towed to the workshop, which added unnecessary cost. The battery and powertrain warnings you're seeing are the same ones I had. In my case, the generator wasn't providing enough charge to the battery, especially during cold starts. This affected the hybrid system too, which explains the powertrain warning. Quick tip from my experience, if you decide to get it checked out, make sure they test both the generator and the battery. My mechanic initially thought just replacing the battery would fix it, but thankfully they did a full diagnostic first. Saved me from paying for an unnecessary battery replacement. Let me know what you decide to do. If you need any more specific details about the repair process or what to expect, just ask!

Thanks so much for all the details and that extra tip about the battery testing! You've definitely convinced me not to wait around on this one. The similarities between our situations are really striking, and I'd rather not end up needing a tow truck. I've just booked the car in for tomorrow morning at my local BMW specialist. Really appreciate you sharing your experience about the battery vs. generator diagnosis too, I'll make sure to mention this to the mechanic. It's actually quite reassuring to know that there's likely a straightforward fix, even if it's not the cheapest repair. Will probably cost me a bit, but better than risking more damage to the car. I'll let you know how it goes after the diagnosis. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience, it's been super helpful in understanding what I'm dealing with!