Cheap BMW i3 Gearbox Mount

The BMW i3 uses a single-speed fixed-ratio reduction drive unit rather than a conventional multi-speed gearbox, so there is no traditional gearbox mount on this vehicle. The electric motor and reduction drive are integrated into the rear axle assembly, and the mounting components involved are motor mounts or subframe mounts, not a gearbox mount in the conventional sense. If you're hearing a knock or noticing movement in the drivetrain, a breaker would be better asked about rear motor mounts or the rear axle carrier bushes instead.

It's worth double-checking with the supplier, as the i3 has no conventional gearbox and therefore no gearbox mount. What's likely meant is a motor mount or rear drive unit mount, which does exist on the i3 and can cause similar symptoms if worn. Give the breaker your registration and engine code from your V5 so they can confirm exactly which mounting component is needed for your specific variant.

On the i3, the relevant mounting components are the rear electric motor mounts and the rear subframe or axle carrier mounts, as these support the drive unit in place of a conventional gearbox and its mounts. The i3 was produced from 2013 onwards, and there were detail changes across the production run, so the exact part may vary depending on your year and whether your car is a standard i3 or the range-extender (Rex) variant, which carries a small two-cylinder petrol engine in addition to the electric motor. Always confirm against your registration and engine code with the breaker, as the Rex variant has additional mountings the pure-electric car does not.

Yes, it matters significantly - the range-extender (Rex) model carries a small two-cylinder petrol engine mounted at the rear alongside the electric drive unit, which means it has additional engine mounting components that the pure-electric i3 does not. If you're sourcing any rear drivetrain or powertrain mounts, tell the breaker clearly which variant you have, and supply your engine code from the V5 or a VIN check to avoid being sold the wrong part. A mount from a pure-electric i3 and one from a Rex may not be interchangeable.

BMW updated the i3 in 2017 with a facelift that included battery capacity changes and some specification revisions, and it's possible that mounting components changed across that boundary too. The part number is the safest guide - check it against your VIN with a breaker or BMW parts lookup before buying. Because mid-production mounting changes are difficult to verify without checking against your specific registration, always confirm compatibility with the breaker rather than assuming year-for-year interchangeability.

No - trim level has no bearing on the drivetrain mounting components on the i3, as trims such as the standard i3 or higher specification versions differ only in interior, equipment, and cosmetic features. What actually determines the correct mount is the drive variant (pure electric or Rex), the model year, and the relevant engine or motor code from your V5. Stick to those details when speaking to a breaker and you'll get a more accurate match.