[Kal]

Morning all,

I know this is the wrong forum but wondered if you guys could help.

My sister has a 2004 E46 320d, full BMWSH, 62K miles.

The other week the car broke down due to the inlet manifold cracking and bits falling into the engine. BMW have quoted £7250 for a full new engine and BMW will pay up to 40% towards it.

BMW have stated that it is a common fault but they won’t discuss it any further. I believe if it’s a common fault BMW should issue a recall on them and resolve the issue. Even with the discount it’s a lot of money for a car that’s probably not worth £7k anymore.

Anyone had any similar issues or claims regarding this?

[greatbm]

Some kind of swirl plates in the manifold disintergrate and enter the engine. Only happens on diesel engines and well known about. Not very good as you say even with 40% off a lot of money. I would push BMW for full cost as it is a known issue but may have to settle for some reduction due to mileage.

[xenon]

I agree. The swirl-flap issue is well known - to the extent that some owners have removed theirs altogether. Don't accept the first offer - push them into admitting that for an engine to fail in a premium brand car with FSH is completely unacceptable after just 62K miles. They should acknowledge that the swirl-flap problem is an inherent design fault and I would think their offer should be closer to 80%

[Kal]

Thanks for your replies.

BMW customer services dont want to know when we try to complain.

Ideally want to get it repaired and sell on.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Kal

Thanks for your replies.

BMW customer services dont want to know when we try to complain.

Ideally want to get it repaired and sell on.

BMW CS will always take the tough stance to try it on with you. You need to stand firm, insist that the engine is fixed 100% FOC due to the well-documented historical issues that this engine has suffered from with cracking manifolds and ingested turbos.

Customer Services may still insist that you pay, at which point you write them a courtesy letter informing them that you'll be taking legal action against them under the auspices of the Sale of Goods Act. Because the problem you have suffered is a well known fault and more importantly a frequently occurring fault, that engine can and has in the past been deemed unfit for purpose.

In every single case I know about personally (eight or nine) each claimant has received a new engine from BMW 100% FOC, as a goodwill gesture without BMW actually admitting any liability.

[dxb335d]

Well known issue, LOADS AND LOADS have lunched engines due to this..

Crazy not to re-call them all... Cost thing, Cheaper for them to pay for X-amount for the engine etc.

Good luck and i hope its resolved soon. What a horrible situation for your sister.

[R80TER]

bmw had similar issues with rear subframes cracking in early e46's. mine broke in 07 (2000 330d) and i argued enough to get all the work done FOC while i drive round in a new X3 while it was being fixed.

good luck dude.

[Kal]

So far they have offered a replacement engine FOC but we have to pay labour costs of £1500.

Going in the right direction but they should pay for the labour as well imo.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Kal

So far they have offered a replacement engine FOC but we have to pay labour costs of £1500.

Going in the right direction but they should pay for the labour as well imo.

Glad it's moving forward. And yes, they should definitely be paying for the labour as well.

[dxb335d]

So if it had an extended warranty, you wouldnt have to worry about any cost?

[Kal]

I would assume this would be covered under warranty but I'm sure BMW would try covering themselves as this is wear and tear

[dxb335d]

Nah mate, deffo not wear and tear, if it had 162k... then maybe.. Not 62k tho.

[Kal]

They wont budge on that offer.

Also engine is reconditioned with two year warranty.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Kal

They wont budge on that offer.

Also engine is reconditioned with two year warranty.

Say that you'll seek legal advice then as you know that historically there have been many problems with these engines failing and it is reasonable to suggest that a manufacturing defect is the cause of so many failures.

[scottishpete]

Just keep at them,if that fails torch it lol

[scottishpete]

Ok last post was a joke
Seriously tho as said above they know dam well the problem,but still happy to sell them on forecourts

[Hotcoupe]

Kal, if you have a couple of days free you might like to read an ongoing thread all about the problem your sister is now encountering.

You might find some tips to strengthen your case,plenty of people have experienced this failure, and got both the engine replaced along with the labour all as a goodwill gesture from BMW (with of course no liability nor acceptance of a problem by BMW).


http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?t=53451

[Kal]

Just to make you guys aware of what has happened incase someone has a similar issue.

A refurbished engine was replaced FOC but had to pay £1500 labour costs to the dealer.

BMW customer services refused to accept any blame and all the talk of the fault on the Internet is false, "not all information on the internet is true".

If we were to take legal action then BMW UK would withdraw their goodwill gesture of the refurbished engine

[Neil McRae]

Have you got that in writing?! I think that behaviour from a company such as BMW is absolutely rediculous.

[Kal]

In an email but yes I totally agree you wouldn't expect this from BMW. You pay the premium for the name over a Jap car hoping for better service but clearly not.

Makes me laugh as they believe its not a fault

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by Kal

Makes me laugh as they believe its not a fault

Yet BMW supply a new engine (albeit refurbed) out of the goodness of their heart, bless!

[dxb335d]

Get it fitted elsewhere at a lower cost.