BMW i3 Export from China — Specs & Quote

Why this model

What makes the BMW i3 worth importing

01

An electric 3 Series, not the old i3

This shares nothing with BMW's discontinued carbon-fibre city car. It is the 3 Series body with an electric drivetrain, built for China and sold nowhere else under this name.

02

Rear-wheel drive with 400 Nm

BMW kept the rear-drive layout, so the electric i3 drives like a BMW rather than like a generic electric sedan.

03

China-only model

Sold exclusively in China, which makes it genuinely exclusive in export markets — no local grey competition on the same car.

04

A new long-wheelbase version from 2026

BMW unveiled the i3 50L at Auto China 2026 with an extended body, so the model line is being developed rather than run out.

Specifications

BMW i3 technical data

Manufacturer figures for the China-market car. Equipment and certification vary by trim, production batch and destination — we confirm the exact build sheet before the order is placed.

Request full configuration sheet

Version	Power	Torque	Battery	Range	0–100	Drive
i3 eDrive35L — rear motor BEV · single-speed	210 kW286 PS	400 Nm	70 kWh	526 km CLTC	6.2 s	RWD
i3 eDrive40L — larger battery BEV · single-speed	250 kW340 PS	430 Nm	79.1 kWh	592 km CLTC	—	RWD

A dash means the manufacturer does not publish that figure for this version — we do not estimate it. Range standards differ: CLTC and NEDC read higher than WLTP for the same car, so compare like with like when quoting against a European rival.

Body & dimensions

Production 2022–present

Body Mid-size electric sedan

Seats 5

Doors 4

Trim levels

·eDrive35L — 210 kW, 526 km CLTC
·eDrive40L — 250 kW, 592 km CLTC
·i3 50L long-wheelbase from 2026

Documented equipment

Exterior

3 Series body with electric-specific detailing
LED headlights
18" or 19" wheels

Interior

BMW curved display
iDrive 8
Leather upholstery (trim dependent)

Safety & platform

BMW driver assistance
Rear-wheel drive
Multiple airbags

Only equipment documented by the manufacturer is listed. Trim levels differ by production batch — request the current configuration and colour sheet for your market.

About this model

Where the BMW i3 sits in the market

The Chinese i3 is not the discontinued carbon-fibre city car — it is BMW Brilliance's electric 3 Series sedan, sold only in China. It offers 70 and 79.1 kWh batteries giving 526 and 592 km CLTC from rear motors of 210 and 250 kW, with 400 to 430 Nm.

BMW kept rear-wheel drive, so it retains the driving character the badge implies rather than becoming a generic electric sedan. Being China-only, it is genuinely exclusive in export markets. A long-wheelbase i3 50L was unveiled at Auto China 2026, so the line is being developed. Parallel-export applies with no BMW warranty — a more serious consideration on an electric car, where battery and high-voltage service typically need manufacturer tooling.

Which version are you quoting?

Not the old carbon-fibre i3 hatchback — this is BMW Brilliance's electric 3 Series sedan for China, badged i3. A long-wheelbase i3 50L was unveiled at Auto China 2026.

Buyers cross-shop it against

Tesla Model 3Audi A4LZeekr 007

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Before you order

What an importer must know about the BMW i3

LHD; this China-only model is not produced in right-hand drive. BMW does not export it, so parallel-export applies with no dealer warranty — significant on an electric car, since battery diagnostics and high-voltage service usually require manufacturer tooling that independent workshops lack. Charging is GB/T on China cars, needing an adapter in CCS2 markets. Note the name collision with BMW's discontinued carbon-fibre i3 — be explicit in marketing which car you are selling.

Market fit

Where the BMW i3 sells

Based on documented export presence and how the vehicle suits local conditions — not a guarantee of homologation, which we confirm per market before you order.

Middle East

Premium electric sedan demand in the Gulf with strong BMW brand presence and expanding charging infrastructure.

Central Asia

German badge status with 592 km CLTC covering regional distances; no official route to this model exists.

Eastern Europe

BMW following is strong, charging networks are expanding, and buyers are price-sensitive.

Southeast Asia

Premium electric demand in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia where BMW has dealer presence for parts.

How it works

From your BMW i3 inquiry to your port

Every milestone tracked, every fee disclosed up front. Founder Cai reviews each order personally.

1 < 24 hours

Inquiry

Instant Inquiry Response
2 1-2 days

Order

Contract & Pro Forma Invoice
3 2-3 days

Production

Vehicle Sourcing & Allocation
4 3-5 days

Production

Pre-Shipment Inspection

All eight steps, with what you do and what we do at each → Export process

BMW i3 FAQ

Questions importers ask about this model

Is this the same as the old BMW i3? +

No, and the name collision causes real confusion. BMW's original i3 was a small carbon-fibre city car discontinued in 2022. The Chinese i3 is an electric 3 Series sedan built by BMW Brilliance — a completely different vehicle sharing only the name. When marketing it, be explicit about which car you are selling, because customers who remember the old one will have entirely wrong expectations.

Does it drive like a BMW? +

More than most electric sedans, because BMW kept the rear-wheel-drive layout and the 3 Series chassis underneath. 400 Nm delivered instantly to the rear wheels gives it the character the badge implies. Electric cars in this class are frequently front-drive and numb; this one is not, which is the main reason to choose it over a cheaper Chinese electric sedan.

How serious is the lack of warranty on an electric car? +

More serious than on a combustion car. Battery diagnostics, software updates and high-voltage repairs typically need manufacturer-specific tooling and trained technicians, which independent workshops rarely have. A parallel-imported combustion BMW can be serviced almost anywhere; an electric one is harder. We would want to understand your service arrangement before recommending this model.

Can EV Auto Pro supply the BMW i3 for export? +

Yes, with an honest caveat. BMW sells this model through official channels in China only, so export units move through China's parallel-export channel. We source the vehicles, handle export and destination-market documentation and shipping, and explain the warranty and after-sales position for your country before you commit. Tell us the quantity and destination and we will confirm feasibility and send a real quote.

What does a BMW i3 quote include? +

We quote per confirmed configuration rather than publishing a fixed price we cannot hold. Every quote states the vehicle cost, inland transport, export handling, documentation and shipping separately, as EXW, FOB or CIF depending on your request — so you can see exactly what is and is not included before you commit to a deposit.

How is the vehicle checked before shipment? +

We check condition, appearance, mileage, configuration, battery status and basic functions before loading, and send you a photo and video report. If something does not match the specification you ordered, it is resolved before the unit is loaded rather than after it arrives at your port.

What warranty applies to an exported BMW i3? +

Warranty policy depends on brand, model and destination country, and some manufacturer warranties are limited or void outside China. We explain the actual warranty position for your market before order confirmation rather than after, and we supply common spare and maintenance parts for units we have exported.

More on payment, shipping, documents and warranty in our full FAQ.

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