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Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) carries less risk than the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron: 38/100 versus 43/100 (both moderate risk). The Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire»; the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cells with a damaged cathode in the high-voltage battery (fire risk)».

Risk index

Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

43

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)

38

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

15 sourcesHow we work

Is the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron reliable?

We have found no documented faults with the electric motor or the power electronics; what is on record are two precautionary high-voltage battery recalls: moisture at the connection (first 2019 units) and cell modules with a risk of overheating (built 2018-2022). Check the chassis number and the battery's state of health.[1][2][3]

See the 2 of the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron faults

Is the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) reliable?

The sources consulted record no faults with the motor or the reduction gear. What is documented are small recalls for the battery (cells, modules, pads) and the integrated charger, concentrated on cars built from 2021 to 2023: ask for the chassis number and the paperwork.[4][5][6]

See the 5 of the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron and BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)
Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tronBMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelElectricalElectrical
Displacement——
Timing——
Power249–503 hp282–650 hp
Production2019–2025[7]since 2020[6][8][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults25
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire
  2. Critical severity: Moisture ingress at the battery connection on the early units (2019)
  1. Critical severity: Cells with a damaged cathode in the high-voltage battery (fire risk)
  2. Critical severity: Protective pads for the high-voltage battery not fitted (2021 i4)
  3. High severity: Battery cell and module monitoring circuit out of specification
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Q8 e-tron 50 / 55 and SQ8, 95 and 114 kWh gross batteries (2022-2025)[1][2][7]
  • iX3 (G08) 80 kWh, 286 hp (2020-2024)[5][6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • e-tron 50 quattro, 71 kWh gross battery (2020-2022)[1][2][11]
  • e-tron 55 quattro and S, 95 kWh gross battery (2019-2022)[1][2][3]
  • i4 eDrive35 and eDrive40 rear-wheel drive (2021-)[5][12]
  • i4 xDrive40, M50 and M60 all-wheel drive (2022-)[5][8]
  • iX xDrive40, xDrive50 and M60 (2021-2025)[5][13][14]
  • iX xDrive45, xDrive60 and M70 (2025-)[9][15]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)

Other comparisons

With the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

With the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Audi e-tron (2018 - 2022): recall por sobrecarga térmica de la batería (alerta Safety Gate 8/2024)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 26 February 2024 · consulted 30 October 2026
  2. Audi-Rückruf: Defekte Akkuzellen - Brandgefahr beim E-Tronauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published February 2024 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  3. Schlechter Start: Audi muss verkaufte E-Trons in die Werkstatt rufenWinFuture · General press · published 11 June 2019 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  4. Rückruf BMW i4 und iX: Batterieproblemeauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 24 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  5. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (R/2021/361, R/2022/020, R/2022/330, R/2023/133, R/2023/235, R/2024/211, R/2025/274)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. Probleme mit dem BMW iX3: typische Schwächen inkl. RückrufeCarWiki · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  7. Audi e-tron (2018) - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  8. BMW i4Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  9. BMW iXWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  10. BMW X3 (G01): sección iX3 (G08)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  11. Gebrauchtwagen-Check Audi e-tron (GE): Günstiger als ein elektrischer Fiat Grande PandaAutoScout24 Magazin · Motoring press · published 14 March 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  12. Safety Gate: alerta A12/00124/22, BMW i4 (almohadillas de la batería de alta tensión)Comisión Europea – Safety Gate · Official body · published 18 January 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026
  13. BMW iX (2022): EV/Hybrid, firecar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 21 September 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026
  14. BMW iX Probleme (i20): Mängel, Schwachstellen und RückrufeCarWiki · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  15. BMW iX reliabilityAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026