Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) 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 BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX): 34/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). 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)»; 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

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

38

Moderate risk · 3 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

16 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) 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.[2][4][5]

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) and BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE
BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelElectricalElectrical
Displacement——
Timing——
Power282–650 hp170–184 hp
Productionsince 2020[3][6][7][8]2013–2022[9][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk34Moderate risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  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
  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
  • iX3 (G08) 80 kWh, 286 hp (2020-2024)[2][3]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • i4 eDrive35 and eDrive40 rear-wheel drive (2021-)[2][12]
  • i4 xDrive40, M50 and M60 all-wheel drive (2022-)[2][6]
  • iX xDrive40, xDrive50 and M60 (2021-2025)[2][13][14]
  • iX xDrive45, xDrive60 and M70 (2025-)[7][15]
  • i3 22 kWh gross battery (60 Ah) (2013–2017)[4][16]
  • i3 and i3s 33 kWh gross battery (94 Ah) (2016–2018)[5][16]
  • i3 and i3s 42.2 kWh gross battery (120 Ah) (2019–2022)[2][5]
  • Mini Cooper SE F56, 135 kW motor (2020–2024)[2][10]
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

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

BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE

Other comparisons

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

With the BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. Rückruf BMW i4 und iX: Batterieproblemeauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 24 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  2. 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
  3. Probleme mit dem BMW iX3: typische Schwächen inkl. RückrufeCarWiki · Motoring press · 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. BMW i4Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  7. BMW iXWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  8. BMW X3 (G01): sección iX3 (G08)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  9. BMW i3 (hatchback)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  10. Mini Cooper SEWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  11. Mini ElectricWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  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
  16. BMW i3 reliabilityAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026