Second Hand BMW i3 Door Handle

The BMW i3 ran as a single generation from 2013, with a facelift introduced in 2017 — door handles from pre-facelift cars (2013–2016) and post-facelift cars (2017 onwards) may differ in design, so confirm with the breaker whether the part crosses that boundary before buying. Always specify NS (nearside, passenger side) or OS (offside, driver side) when requesting a quote, as the two sides are not interchangeable. A breaker can check the part against your registration to be sure.

The BMW i3 was only ever produced as a 4-door (5-door in body style terms, with rear coach-style doors), so there is no 3-door variant to worry about — however, because the i3 uses rear-hinged coach doors at the back, front and rear door handles are a different shape and are not interchangeable. Always tell the breaker which door position you need (front or rear) as well as the side (NS or OS). Getting this detail right is essential before ordering a used handle.

The Range Extender is an engine/powertrain variant, not a different body or trim grade, and engine type does not affect door handle fitment — the handle fitted to a Range Extender i3 is the same as on a standard battery-electric i3 of the same year and door position. Trim levels such as Suite or Tera may bring cosmetic differences in handle finish or colour, but the underlying fitment frame is the same, so a handle from a different trim will physically fit even if the colour or finish differs slightly. Colour can be resprayed or you can ask the breaker for a colour-matched handle where possible, but this is preference not fitment.

The 2017 facelift marked changes to the i3's exterior styling, and while the door architecture is broadly similar, whether handles interchange directly across that 2016–2017 boundary is not something to assume — route this question to the breaker, who can check the part numbers against both registrations. State your door position (front or rear), side (NS or OS), and both model years clearly when requesting quotes. Never assume a pre-facelift part is a straight swap for a post-facelift car without the breaker confirming.

Yes — door handles are side-specific, so an NS (nearside, left/passenger side) handle will not fit an OS (offside, right/driver side) door and vice versa. In UK convention, NS is the left side of the car as you sit in it, and OS is the right (driver's) side. Always quote your side and door position (front or rear coach door) when asking a breaker for a price, otherwise you risk receiving the wrong part.

Colour is a preference, not a fitment issue — a door handle from any colour i3 of the correct year and door position will fit your car regardless of the original paint. Many breakers supply handles in the donor car's colour, which may or may not match yours, but the handle can be resprayed to match your vehicle. Focus on getting the correct generation, door position, and side (NS or OS) right first, and treat colour as a secondary consideration.