Second Hand BMW i4 Differential

The BMW i4 is a first-generation model that launched in the UK in 2022 and remains in production; a mid-cycle update (LCI) arrived for the 2024 model year, bringing revised front and rear styling and some powertrain refinements. For a differential, the key details are your exact electric motor code and drive configuration (rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive via eDrive40 or M50), not the facelift year alone. Always cross-reference your registration against the breaker's donor car to confirm the part is from the correct spec.

The 2024 LCI update is a known production boundary for the i4, and while the fundamental electric drive architecture may be shared, ancillary and mounting changes across that boundary cannot be confirmed here. Name the boundary to your breaker and ask them to verify against both registrations before purchasing. Never assume a pre-LCI and post-LCI differential are a straight swap without that confirmation.

These are fundamentally different drivetrain configurations: the eDrive40 is rear-wheel drive with a single motor, while the M50 is all-wheel drive with front and rear motors, meaning the differentials and drive units are not interchangeable between the two. Always tell the breaker which exact variant your car is — eDrive40 or M50 — so they can match the correct drive unit. Your V5 or a VIN check will confirm this.

Trim level alone, such as standard, M Sport or Pro, does not affect differential fitment; the i4 differential is determined by the drivetrain type (eDrive40 or M50) and motor specification, not by cosmetic or equipment-grade differences. An M Sport i4 eDrive40 uses the same rear drive unit as a standard i4 eDrive40, so you should not pay extra or seek a specific trim donor car on that basis. Confirm the drivetrain code with your breaker rather than the trim name.

Year is much less useful on its own than your exact motor variant and drive configuration — give the breaker your full VIN or registration so they can identify the motor code and confirm whether the donor car matches, particularly given the eDrive40 and M50 use entirely different drive units. Whether ECU pairing or coding to your car's immobiliser system is required after fitting is something you must confirm with the breaker and your installer, as we cannot state that as fact here. Providing as much detail as possible upfront will save time and reduce the risk of an incorrect part.

The i4 and iX3 are built on different platforms with different electric drive architectures, so their rear drive units and differentials are not generally regarded as interchangeable. Cross-model fitment is outside the scope of what can be confirmed here, and you should put this question directly to the breaker who can compare part numbers against both vehicles. Stick to sourcing an i4-specific unit and supply your VIN to be certain.