A curb can total your i4 | Page 2 | BMW i4 Forum
BMW i4 Forum banner
21 - 40 of 43 Posts
This is the second post about running over something causing damage to the I4. I've now ran into a curb, a different post on that, and ran over a curb with the i4. Both were late night extremely tired and just wanted to get home scenarios. I ran over a standard 4" high curb that divided two different parking areas. I heard a loud thump and jerked the car, no mistaking I hit something, when I went over it with the front wheels, then again with the back. At the time I didn't realize was I was going over. This was the first week I owned the car, driven it 5,600 miles since and never looked underneath. I guess I should now!!!

My only initial concern was...o crap, I'm going to need an alignment soon.
Same, I hate to admit this but I hopped a curb while leaving a parking spot as I had forgotten it was surrounded by curb on three sides. Immediately reversed down, checked the front for damage, and didn't see a thing which was shocking considering how low the car seems to sit.
 
This is a real messed up situation, and I do feel for the OP. Sorry that it happened to you!

For reference, i4 battery is encased in aluminum and is designed to take a hit, it is by no means fragile.
View attachment 35879
View attachment 35880
Right, scraping on a speed bump will be okay, regardless if you’re driving an i4 or Tesla 3.
Driving over a curb/a motor vehicle accident is another story and that is what insurance is for.

That’s why I’d like to see photos from the OP

Moderator:

I have edited your post. Lets keep the discussion friendly please.
 
That sucks, and yea I came very close to hitting a curb while making a (tight) u-turn.....
it seems more common nowdays for insurance Co. to total loss even slight damage to vehicles due to astronomical repair costs and liability risks of non-oem repairs
According to vehicle warranty in theory the battery is NOT explicitly mentioned from curb damage, so some room for lawsuit (but who would bother)
Image
 
@cruzer666 I assume these are stock photos you found. Your top photo looks like a press car, they've removed the side skirts. The bottom picture has the side skirts on and with Jack stands along the side??? Is that a valid way of using jack stands?

Most professional lifts have built in safety, but I always like the manual stand, less to go wrong. But looking at the two pictures, looks like that is the incorrect way to use the jack stand or am I missing something? The aluminum side in the top photo doesn't look strong enough to support the weight of the car!

Really wish BMW put double wide jackpads so I can get a jack and jack stand in each corner like all the other non luxury cars in the world, but I guess they want you to visit workshop only.
 
@cruzer666 I assume these are stock photos you found. Your top photo looks like a press car, they've removed the side skirts. The bottom picture has the side skirts on and with Jack stands along the side??? Is that a valid way of using jack stands?
That 2nd picture, I'm pretty sure the car is on a lift, you can see the yellow arms supporting the car... the stands are support stands... maybe holding something up - maybe the rockers or maybe the battery?

Image


I also have had the back wheels go over a curb in a parking lot scenario the 2nd week I had the car.... luckily other than a loud bang, no damage. I think the car landed on the rear subframe.

In my defense, the parking lot was crowded, and it was the 1st time I was there, and the sight angles were not good.
 
  • Helpful
Reactions: generic.user
@cruzer666 Thanks! I conculded they put those stands for a o-crap case for extra safety. Most of the weight is still probably on the lift. Unfortunitely very differnet in a home garage with a floor jack. With a floor jack you want to put the weight on the jack stands and have the jack as the o-crap. Although I probably won't do my own work on the I4, looking at buying jack and jackstands so I can inspect underneath, I need a friend with a real lift. I don't like taking the car into the dealer without checking things out myself. Plus I'm a tool nut.
 
I'm going to have to use two pictures to tell this story, Googe Street view dates don't work well.

In this photo, notice the brick wall sits on an island. There used to be an ATM there. They pulled the ATM, the brick walls and the white posts, but crucially, did not grind down or remove the concrete curb of the island. There's some parking on the right side that will be important in the second picture due to the date change.

Image


In the second picture, you can see that an EA charging station has been installed in the parking spots I mentioned in the first picture. If you look between the power transformers for the charge station and the white van, you can make out that island is still there...

Image


The curb is concrete, on concrete driveway. While trying to back and fill to get into that last space (the others had cars in them, an ICE an ID4 and one Tesla) I went over that thing with my front right.

Fun times.

Luckily no damage but my pride, but curbs suck.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: generic.user
I'm going to have to use two pictures to tell this story, Googe Street view dates don't work well.

In this photo, notice the brick wall sits on an island. There used to be an ATM there. They pulled the ATM, the brick walls and the white posts, but crucially, did not grind down or remove the concrete curb of the island. There's some parking on the right side that will be important in the second picture due to the date change.

View attachment 35891

In the second picture, you can see that an EA charging station has been installed in the parking spots I mentioned in the first picture. If you look between the power transformers for the charge station and the white van, you can make out that island is still there...

View attachment 35892

The curb is concrete, on concrete driveway. While trying to back and fill to get into that last space (the others had cars in them, an ICE an ID4 and one Tesla) I went over that thing with my front right.

Fun times.

Luckily no damage but my pride, but curbs suck.
Believe it or not, the same identical thing happened to me. That curb should be illegal.
 
Believe it or not, the same identical thing happened to me. That curb should be illegal.
Wait. The one In Bellevue? (OK, Redmond by like 30 feet.)
 
Heh I never realized that road was a one-way, I’ve dropped by that charger a few times and always went out the way I came in.

So many good restaurants in that area
That whole area is bleached by the sun and I couldn't see the arrows. I went out the way I came in, too. (Less going over the island)
 
  • Like
Reactions: kpsuperplane
I had to go look for the 4 jackpads on my i4. Found it installed. Sometimes a dealer forgets to put it in. On the other bimmer subforums we occassionally have owners asking what're these 4 blocks they found in a plastic bag in the trunk. The dealer is supposed to install it after the vehicle arrives at the dealership. It's when they peel the plastic protective sheets off the body panels and interior during the final prep before putting the car out on the lot.
 
That whole area is bleached by the sun and I couldn't see the arrows. I went out the way I came in, too. (Less going over the island)
The arrows were from when it was a bank. The no longer apply. ;)
 
Here is the picture of the curb I hopped, first week I owned my car. Probably going about 8 mph too at night in a poorly lit area. Tired and wanting to go home. I was looking to the right to see if there were cars coming, turning left and bam out of nowhere it jumped out at me. Big jerk, I assumed I hit a pot hole or whatever I hit was over, then kept driving and bam again on the back wheels. Got out then said o-crap. Hit to the ego, looking back, I wish I was drinking heavily so I'd have a excuse. Unfortunately no excuse, just a mental breakdown I guess. 5,600 miles later, I've never had the car checked out. I guess I should based on these cases of things breaking. I parked it outside for two week, just in case battery fire concerns, and took a quick look underneath, but really low car and hard to see anything without lifting. The yellow parking lines look clear it isn't a lane in daytime, they are more faded now than in this picture, still stupid. In person you can clearly see the curb has been hit multiple times by others, need a bush or something to make it more visible.

Image
 
21 - 40 of 43 Posts