BMW i3 Ignition Barrel Replacement Parts

No — the BMW i3 does not have a traditional ignition barrel at all. Because it is a fully electric vehicle (and in the case of the i3 REx, a range-extended electric vehicle), it uses a push-button start system operated via the key fob, with no physical barrel or key cylinder fitted anywhere in the steering column. If you are looking for a replacement for the starting or immobiliser system, you may actually need the push-button start switch, the EWS/immobiliser module, or the key fob receiver — a breaker who specialises in BMW i3 parts will be able to point you in the right direction.

Rather than an ignition barrel, BMW i3 owners typically need the start/stop button, the steering column switch cluster, or a replacement key fob and its associated EWS control unit if there is a fault with the starting system. The i3 was produced from 2013 onwards and went through a significant update around 2017 (often referred to as the Phase 2 or 94Ah battery refresh), so confirm with the breaker which phase your car is by providing your registration, as the switch gear and electronics may differ. A breaker with a dismantled i3 on the shelf will be able to match the correct part to your vehicle.

Neither the standard battery-electric i3 nor the i3 REx with its small petrol range-extender engine uses an ignition barrel — both variants use keyless push-button start, so there is no barrel to transfer between them. The REx does have additional components related to its petrol engine, but the starting and immobiliser electronics are shared architecture; always confirm any control unit or switch part with the breaker against your exact registration to make sure the software and hardware versions align.

Trim level does not fundamentally change the starting system architecture on the i3, since all variants use the same push-button start and EWS immobiliser setup. That said, higher specifications may include different steering column switch packs or upgraded key fobs with additional functions, so there can be cosmetic and minor functional differences between donor and recipient cars. Confirm the specific part number with the breaker against your registration to avoid ending up with a switch that looks the same but has a different button layout or missing feature.

Almost certainly yes — when a garage refers to an ignition fault on a BMW i3, they are likely talking about the start/stop button, the key fob or its battery, the EWS/immobiliser module, the steering column electronics, or a high-voltage interlock issue rather than any physical barrel. Because the i3 is electric, there is no ignition barrel or key cylinder to wear out in the traditional sense. Sharing the exact fault code with a breaker or specialist will help identify the precise component you need from a donor vehicle.