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Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE carries less risk than the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron: 34/100 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 i3 / Mini Cooper SE has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Defective cells in the high-voltage battery of the i3 from 2018 to 2021».

Risk index

Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

43

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE

34

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

12 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 i3 / Mini Cooper SE reliable?

The sources consulted record no faults in the i3's electric motor or its power electronics, apart from a small 2019 campaign. What is documented is charging (charger and port, in owner testimonies) and a 2022 recall for defective cells in the 2018–2021 battery. Always ask for proof of that campaign.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron and BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE
Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tronBMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelElectricalElectrical
Displacement——
Timing——
Power249–503 hp170–184 hp
Production2019–2025[7]2013–2022[8][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk34Moderate risk
Documented faults23
Of high or critical severity21
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: Defective cells in the high-voltage battery of the i3 from 2018 to 2021
  2. Medium severity: Failure of the on-board charger and the charging port on the i3
  3. Medium severity: Motor electronics board (EME) built 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]
None
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]
  • i3 22 kWh gross battery (60 Ah) (2013–2017)[4][12]
  • i3 and i3s 33 kWh gross battery (94 Ah) (2016–2018)[5][12]
  • i3 and i3s 42.2 kWh gross battery (120 Ah) (2019–2022)[5][6]
  • Mini Cooper SE F56, 135 kW motor (2020–2024)[6][9]
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 i3 / Mini Cooper SE

Other comparisons

With the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

With the BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE

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. Tous les problèmes sur BMW i3 2013 (testimonios de propietarios y llamadas a revisión)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  5. BMW i3 (2018 – 2021): EV/Hybrid, firecar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 22 October 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (R/2019/289, R/2022/322)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 30 October 2026
  7. Audi e-tron (2018) - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  8. BMW i3 (hatchback)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  9. Mini Cooper SEWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  10. Mini ElectricWikipedia (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. BMW i3 reliabilityAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026