BMW i8 Electrical Nightmare, FlexRay Bus Issues?

Hey there! I've got some experience with hybrid cars, and I actually faced a similar issue with my 2014 BMW i3. When you mention electrical problems, it really rings a bell. I'm not a pro mechanic, but I've got some experience working with hybrid vehicles. When my i3 had a complete electrical system failure, I was pretty worried too. Turned out it was just a faulty connection in one of the main cable harnesses. Took it to my regular workshop, and they had to do a full diagnostic scan. They found that one of the main plug connections had corroded, causing all sorts of weird electrical issues. The fix wasn't too complicated, they cleaned and replaced the affected cables and connectors. Cost me 95 Euro, and it's been running perfectly since then. Could you share more details about when these issues started? Like, did it happen suddenly or gradually? Also, are you getting any specific error messages on your dash? This info would help me understand if it's similar to what I experienced.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My situation sounds quite similar, though I'm a bit more worried since my i8 has higher specs. Just had my latest service done a month ago and everything was perfect until yesterday when this started happening. Currently at 16598 KM, so these issues feel a bit premature. The symptoms came on suddenly, I was driving when the entire system just went haywire. No warning signs before that. Getting multiple error codes, mainly related to the electrical systems, but nothing specific about the FlexRay bus. Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree there. I'll definitely get those cable connections checked out. Did your mechanic need any special tools or diagnostic equipment? Just want to make sure I take it to someone who's properly equipped to handle hybrid systems. The last thing I want is someone learning on my car!

Hey again! Thanks for those additional details about your i8. After reading about your sudden system failure, I'm even more convinced it might be similar to what I experienced, though you're right, the i8 is definitely a more complex beast than my i3. When my issue hit, it was also totally out of the blue, one minute everything was fine, next minute it was like the car had a complete meltdown. And yeah, my mechanic definitely needed some specialized diagnostic equipment. They used something called ISTA+ (BMW's diagnostic system) which was crucial for pinpointing the exact issue. Don't let anyone touch your i8 without proper BMW hybrid certification and equipment, learned that the hard way before finding my current workshop! Something else I remembered, they also checked the battery management system while they were at it. With these hybrid systems, everything's so interconnected that one small issue can trigger a cascade of errors. In my case, though it ended up being that corroded connection, they had to rule out a bunch of other possibilities first. Given that you've just had a service, I'd actually take it back to the same place if you trust them. They might even cover it under some sort of service warranty. Keep us posted on what they find, really curious if it turns out to be the same issue as mine!

Thanks so much for all this detailed info! You've definitely put my mind at ease a bit. I just called my service center and they mentioned they have the ISTA+ system you're talking about. They're taking my car in first thing tomorrow morning. You make a really good point about the service warranty, I didn't even think about that! Just checked my paperwork and yes, I'm still covered. The service manager says they'll do a full diagnostic scan and check all those connection points you mentioned. They're also going to look at the battery management system just to be thorough. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It's always nerve-wracking when these high-tech cars start acting up, but hearing about similar cases and successful fixes helps a lot. I'll definitely update this thread once I know what's causing the problem. Hopefully it'll be something relatively simple like in your case!