BMW service get set to spend

[Kiwi Peter]

We had a X5 4.8 V8 dropped off yesterday with an engine miss, the poor owner was frantic with worry as the dealer ONE of Sydney's largest said that the engine was in need of replacement at a cost of $47,000 they say it is not repairable as they did not know what was causing the cylinder combustion problem there is no option but to replace the engine.

Now this car is an 08 top shelf X5 V8 done 73,000km the service book is up to date, After sorting out all the codes and repairing all the dealer stuff ups i found the engine miss was just sludge build up in the valvetronic system after an engine flush and fresh oil she runs as new.

The moral to this story is get a second opinion and don't rely on BMW's so called expert advice. The service they provide as per the service schedule is not saving you money with 20,000+km service plans it will COST YOU BIG TIME in the future,

You must service your engine at least every 10,000 but every 5,000 is the way to go or pay the price.

I know i have said this before but we are seeing more and more slugged up BMW engines coming through the work shop all with service history so do yourself a favor and give you engine a birthday / service or get out your credit card.

By the way the owner has owned the X5 from new

[Liub]

Don't mean to be stupid but... what entails an engine birthday party?

[Kiwi Peter]

Originally Posted by Liub

Don't mean to be stupid but... what entails an engine birthday party?

LOVE, and the gift should be new oil and filter

[Liub]

Originally Posted by skycat

LOVE, and the gift should be new oil and filter

Ah, thought it was a more elaborate party

[aus135i]

does this apply to Diesel?

[pinmagic]

When my Lotus was in the shop, just after the warranty expired, the dealer called to say I needed new front struts. I told them that was a bit of a problem, because they had been replaced under warranty just 5,000 miles earlier. They said they'd double check, and call me back. Their next call? "It was just a tire inflation issue." I had checked the tires before bringing it in - there was no issue. I blasted the hell out of them, and notified Lotus.

[MrBlonde]

Jeez that's scary incompetence.

[Kiwi Peter]

Originally Posted by aus135i

does this apply to Diesel?

YES, YES, YES Diesel engines actually cost more to repair when something goes wrong. Oil change intervals for diesel engines are more important now with the new DI common rail high torque turbo setup.

[pavo335]

47,000

[Kiwi Peter]

Originally Posted by pavo335

47,000

Carrrrrrmon Pav thats not to bad, we often build engines for our Skyline guys that cost way more than that mind you they make 800+hp. But they are serviced every 1000km.

[pavo335]

Originally Posted by skycat

Carrrrrrmon Pav thats not to bad, we often build engines for our Skyline guys that cost way more than that mind you they make 800+hp. But they are serviced every 1000km.

Fark I could buy a 1er for that and tow the x5 around like a bitch

[Eddie135]

Glad to hear it, looks like more frequent oil change is a MUST if we want to keep our engines healthy.

[bfi2906]

I've had that kind of ambit claim from a dealer (not that big). I was told I had 3 buckled wheels that needed replacing. When I asked them to write me a quote, and detail what was needed and why, they back-peddled like lightening, and said it might just be a wheel alignment issue.

I was unaware of any issue, so I took it to a wheel / tyre place i trust, told them the story, and offered to pay for their time.

The outcome -- Not a single thing wrong.

My suggstion - when a dealer comes up with such a claim, ask for it in writing. Then they'll either give it to you if it's real (because they have nothig to hide), or they'll run a mile, confirming that it's just a cash grab.

It'd be great to get this to BMW, naming the dealer and service person. they should be put out of business for giving the brand a bad name.

[1q2w3e4r]

Originally Posted by skycat

Carrrrrrmon Pav thats not to bad, we often build engines for our Skyline guys that cost way more than that mind you they make 800+hp. But they are serviced every 1000km.

Think my parts list totalled that for Stage 1!

Not suprised with BMW's view/take on it.

I'm currently going through the same thing with another make/model where they want $6,500+k to fix a gearbox issue they were made aware of 2 years ago.

[aus135i]

Originally Posted by 1q2w3e4r

I'm currently going through the same thing with another make/model where they want $6,500+k to fix a gearbox issue they were made aware of 2 years ago.

VW DSG box?

[1q2w3e4r]

Originally Posted by aus135i

VW DSG box?

No, not a DSG.

Can't comment at the moment as trying to have it resolved with coverage of the issue by warranty/head office.

[sparoz]

Just want to make a comment not all BMW dealers are incompetent. My currently dealer won me over because of their service department.

I had some issues with my air con in my 318i, and after three attempts of fixing, they decided they are going to replace the face plate which would cost $2000. I kept taking it back to the same place to service because they are nice and always try to look after me even I had to drive an hour back to Brisbane.

I eventually given up and decided to search what might be wrong with the air condition, and found that it is most likely to be the transistor which is very common in the e46s. I than decided to ring my local dealer and ask them what might be causing the issue. After listening to what the problem is, the technical advisor told me it is most likely the transistor as it is very common on the e46.

Unlike most dealers, they make sure they have a mechanic for their customer service. The good thing is they also say what they really think. When asked would you change your oil after the run-in period, the Service Manager response was "I would if it was my car".

[Jeef Beef]

Sounds about right. I don't think the techs there actually do much troubleshooting and the attitude is towards replacing things.

That being said, it might not be such a bad thing at times when under warranty. My mum's X3 got a new accelerator module, transfer case, front AND rear diff because there was an odd clunking noise and the DSC would randomly flash for no reason. No idea what actually caused it but it sure as hell fixed it.

Just like how a brand new 4.8L V8 would've fixed the problem above

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

Sounds about right. I don't think the techs there actually do much troubleshooting and the attitude is towards replacing things.

That being said, it might not be such a bad thing at times when under warranty. My mum's X3 got a new accelerator module, transfer case, front AND rear diff because there was an odd clunking noise and the DSC would randomly flash for no reason. No idea what actually caused it but it sure as hell fixed it.

Just like how a brand new 4.8L V8 would've fixed the problem above

i don't think anyone would complain if they are getting it for free

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by skycat

Carrrrrrmon Pav thats not to bad, we often build engines for our Skyline guys that cost way more than that mind you they make 800+hp. But they are serviced every 1000km.

yeah, but they do all of those 1,000km in 400m trips.

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by RaihaX

i don't think anyone would complain if they are getting it for free

Exactly, though having to go back and forth with the car multiple times is pretty annoying. Quite sure my mum spent more time in various loan cars than her own car back in 2009.

[flinchy]

$47k ahahaha wow, for that price you could just about get any engine on the planet swapped in.. And have enough change for a good holiday