BMW i8 Hybrid Misfiring: Camshaft Sensor Failure?

I had very similar issues with my 2016 BMW i3 Hybrid. Started with sluggish performance and rough starts, just like yours. Initially thought it was the battery, but turned out the camshaft sensor connector was corroded and had a loose connection. The garage found that moisture had gotten into the wiring harness, causing intermittent signal issues to the ECU. They had to replace the entire sensor assembly and rewire some connections. Not a major repair in terms of components, but it required specific diagnostic equipment for the hybrid system. The symptoms matched yours exactly, misfires, power loss, and rough starting. If you're getting a cam sensor fault code, that's likely your culprit. The fix took about 4 hours at the shop, including testing. Definitely get it checked soon though, running with a faulty sensor can cause more serious engine damage if left too long. Just make sure whoever works on it has hybrid certification and proper BMW diagnostic tools. These systems are quite different from regular combustion engines.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That definitely sounds like what I'm dealing with. The corrosion issue makes total sense given the symptoms. I'm feeling a bit more confident about getting it looked at now. Would you mind telling me how much the repair set you back? Also, have you had any other issues pop up since getting it fixed? Just want to know what to expect.

Hey there! Happy to give you an update. The repair was actually pretty straightforward, turned out to be exactly what I suspected with the camshaft sensor. I got it fixed last week and honestly, the car runs like new again. The whole thing cost me 95 € to fix, they just needed to sort out a dodgy cable connection on the sensor. Way cheaper than I was expecting! The best part? Haven't had a single problem since. No more rough starts, no misfires, and the power's back to normal. The engine's purring like a kitten now. It's such a relief not having to worry every time I start the car. Definitely worth getting it sorted quickly, these hybrid systems don't like running with faulty sensors for too long. Just make sure you get someone who knows their way around BMW hybrids. The diagnostic equipment they use is pretty specific to these models. Let me know how you get on with yours! Always good to share experiences with these cars.

Update on my BMW situation, just got back from the mechanic and I'm actually relieved! After reading about your experience, I took my i8 to a certified BMW hybrid specialist. They diagnosed the same issue, corroded camshaft sensor connections. The repair was quick and cost me around 110 €, bit more than yours but still way less than I'd feared. They cleaned up the connections, replaced a few worn parts, and ran a full diagnostic check. The difference is incredible, my car's running smoothly again, no more rough starts or power issues. Thanks for encouraging me to get it checked out promptly. You were right about finding someone with proper hybrid experience, they really knew their stuff. The mechanic even showed me what was causing the problem and gave me some tips to prevent future issues. Really appreciate everyone's help here. It's such a relief to have this sorted without breaking the bank or dealing with more serious engine problems!