Used BMW i3 CV Joints

Yes, the BMW i3 does have CV joints — it is a rear-wheel-drive electric vehicle and the driveshafts that deliver torque from the rear-mounted motor to the rear wheels use CV joints in the conventional way. Because the i3 has no front-driven axle, there are no front CV joints; only the rear driveshaft CV joints exist on this car. If you are looking for a front CV joint or driveshaft, this model never had one, so you may be thinking of the wrong part or the wrong vehicle.

The BMW i3 ran from 2013 to 2022, with a mid-life refresh arriving for the 2017 model year; the basic rear-drive platform and driveshaft architecture remained fundamentally the same across both phases. However, whether a CV joint or driveshaft from a pre-2017 car will directly interchange with a post-2017 car is not something you should assume — confirm the part number against your specific registration with the breaker before buying.

The different battery capacities across i3 generations primarily affect the floor weight and range, but the rear driveshaft and CV joint design is driven by the motor output rather than battery size alone. The Rex range-extender variant also adds a small petrol generator but does not change the driven axle layout, so CV joint fitment is unlikely to differ on that basis. That said, always quote your full registration to the breaker so they can verify the exact driveshaft specification fitted to your car.

The BMW i3s is a higher-performance variant with a more powerful motor and sportier suspension setup, and because it produces more torque the driveshafts and CV joints may well differ from the standard i3. Trim levels such as Lodge, Loft, Suite, or Atelier are purely interior and cosmetic packages and will not affect CV joint fitment at all. However, standard i3 versus i3s is a meaningful distinction, so always tell the breaker which variant you have.

Yes, side absolutely matters — the nearside (NS, left, kerb side) and offside (OS, right, driver's side) rear driveshafts are different lengths and are not interchangeable. Always specify NS or OS clearly when contacting a breaker, and double-check by measuring or confirming the part number if you have any doubt. Fitting the wrong side will result in a driveshaft that either does not reach or sits under unnecessary stress.

Used CV joints sourced separately are less commonly available from breakers than complete driveshaft assemblies, and most dismantlers will sell the full rear driveshaft as a unit rather than stripping individual CV joints off it. Buying a complete used driveshaft is often the more practical and cost-effective route when sourcing from a breaker. Ask the breaker specifically whether they can supply a bare CV joint if that is what you need, but be prepared that a full driveshaft may be the only option available.