BMW i3 Blower Motor Dies, DIY or Dealer Fix?

Hey there. Had the exact same issue with my 2014 BMW i8 Hybrid last summer. The blower motor completely died while driving, and I got zero airflow from any vent setting. When I took it to the garage, they found that the blower motor resistor had burned out, which also damaged the motor itself. It wasn't just a fuse issue as I initially hoped. The mechanic showed me the corroded connectors and the burnt resistor, pretty serious stuff that needed immediate attention. They had to replace both the blower motor and the resistor module. The job took about 4 hours total. While it wasn't the most complex repair, it's definitely not a DIY job since they had to partially dismantle the dashboard to access the components. My suggestion would be to get it fixed asap since driving without proper ventilation isn't just uncomfortable, it can be unsafe due to windshield fogging. Also, leaving it too long might cause additional damage to other HVAC components.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Sounds very similar to what I'm going through. Got mine fixed last month and seems okay for now. Just wondering, would you mind sharing how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other HVAC quirks popping up? Just want to make sure I'm not missing anything I should keep an eye on with my i3.

Hey again! Glad to hear you got yours fixed. Yeah, I paid 365 € for the whole repair, which included replacing the blower motor. The mechanic did a thorough job, and honestly, it was worth every penny. Since the repair, my HVAC system has been working perfectly, no weird noises, consistent airflow, and everything's running just like new. It's such a relief compared to before when I was driving around with zero ventilation! The fresh air blower is now working exactly as it should, and I haven't noticed any other issues popping up. I'd say you should be fine with your i3, but it's always good to pay attention to any unusual sounds from the blower, that's usually the first sign something's going wrong. If you hear any grinding or squealing, better get it checked out early. But from my experience, once properly fixed, these things tend to stay fixed for quite a while. Just make sure to use your HVAC regularly, running it helps keep all the components in good working order. And if you notice anything odd, don't wait around like I did initially!

Thanks so much for the detailed response! That's really helpful to know about the cost and long-term reliability. I actually paid a bit more (around 420 €) for my repair, but I guess prices vary. That's reassuring to hear you haven't had any issues since fixing it, mine's been running great too for the past month. Funny story actually, when I finally took it to the mechanic, I was super nervous because of my previous bad experiences. But this time, I got lucky with a really knowledgeable tech who specializes in hybrid vehicles. He walked me through the whole process, showed me the old damaged parts, and explained everything clearly. Even gave me some tips about maintaining the HVAC system. You're absolutely right about not waiting around when issues come up. I learned that lesson the hard way! I'll definitely keep an ear out for any unusual sounds like you mentioned. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it's put my mind at ease about the whole thing.