BMW i3 Aerial Replacement Parts

The BMW i3 does not have a traditional whip or mast aerial – instead it uses a shark-fin antenna module mounted on the roof, which handles DAB radio, GPS, and in some cases mobile data signals. If yours is damaged or missing, it is the shark-fin unit you need to search for, not a conventional aerial. Confirm the exact connector and specification with the breaker against your registration, as the module can vary.

The BMW i3 was produced from 2013, with a significant facelift arriving in 2017 (the 120Ah battery update); there was also a further update around 2019. The shark-fin module and its roof grommet are largely consistent across the range, but the internal connectors and the number of aerial feeds can differ between pre- and post-facelift cars, so crossing that 2017 boundary is something you should confirm with the breaker against both registrations before buying.

No – the trim level (for example standard, Suite, or the later range-topper trims) does not change the aerial unit itself on the i3. You may find cosmetic colour differences if the shark-fin was body-coloured or finished in a contrasting colour on certain specs, so check the colour match with the breaker, but electrically and mechanically the part is the same across trims.

For the shark-fin antenna specifically, the BEV versus REx drivetrain difference does not affect the aerial unit – it sits on the roof and serves the same infotainment and navigation functions regardless of whether your car has the small petrol range-extender engine. Either variant's antenna should be the same part, but always quote your full registration to the breaker so they can verify the part number before you commit.

Some BMW shark-fin antenna modules are shared across models, and it is plausible that units from other BMWs of a similar era could physically fit the i3's roof aperture, but the connector pinout, the number of aerial cables, and any integrated SIM-card or telematic features can differ significantly between models. This is genuinely something to confirm with the breaker – give them your registration and ask them to check the part number against whatever donor vehicle they have.

A used shark-fin from a breaker is a very common and cost-effective repair on the i3, since the unit itself is straightforward to swap and new OEM or dealer-supplied modules can be expensive. Make sure the breaker tests the unit where possible and confirms the connector type matches your car's registration, as a faulty or mismatched module can drop DAB, GPS, or Connected Drive functions. A reputable breaker should be able to confirm the exact variant before despatch.