recent M3 E46 RECALL

Andy thanks for the comments and reassurance, however it is always a little uncomfortable to risk an engine of this cost on goodwill.  What does not stack up is that on the one hand BMW insist that they think this time they have solved the problem, however lets not forget that this is not the first time they have replaced the bearings for the con rods on some cars.  What is irritating is that in the US, Cananda and Australia they have offered the reassurance of an officially extended warranty, so there is no need to rely on "goodwill".

Ok Latest news:

First BMW Mr Collins (customer services manager) says

 

This all sounds like a bit of a nightmare for any E46 M3 owners. I'm a long way off being to be able to afford one anyway so it's not going to affect me, but it doesn't make me want to rush out and replace my old E36 with a newer model.

This may sound daft so please correct me if i'm wrong but surely any work carried out on your vehicle under warranty or not is guaranteed for at least 12 months anyway. So even if you had this work done under the warranty 1 day before it expired, if the repaired part failed again within 12 months then BMW would have to fix it free of charge?

 

 

Chris, my point is that owners should not have to spend £500 or so per annum to renew the warranty to cover an inherent defect in the engine, if this is one. If it is not, and BMW UK are as confident in their position as they claim, then they should back thier confidence with an extended guarantee on the engine alone, as has happened in North America, Cananda and Australia.

BMW Uk's attitude is "mind over matter"; we don't mind because you (the customer) don't matter!

So in all us people in the UK loyal to the BMW brand are fortunate enough to:

Pay more for fuel than our overseas colleagues

Pay more in car insurance and road tax

Pay more for the cars themselves M3's are about a third cheaper in the US

Get less support from their dealership via way of extended warranty than our overseas colleagues

Have to contact the dealership to inform them of the rod bearing recall(as was in my case) and arrange (sorry herrang) them into prompt action.

Get given a much less quality car as a loan vehicle (318i Tourer MT as opposed to SMG) with a mere 60 miles of feul(1/3 full tank) in it.

Even the americans are given a free tank of gas (fuel)

Not informed of any running in instructions after having the work done.

Its great to be british roll me over but lube me up next time

 

Oh and your coffee is crap too...

 

 

the latest insult is that it is suggested that BMW will no longer offer their extended warranty, but will replace it with a commercial version from February. the cost will go from about £500 per annum to £1,600 Many people will decide that it is too much, consequently the second hand value of the car will suffer without this safety net.  Ordinarily, I would be happy to buy a reliable car from a reputable manufacturer with full service history and an ower who has looked after it, but with the history of engine problems of this model, I am frankly tempted to look elsewhere.

I'm not an M owner, but reading this and knowing of other engine related issues of significance on BMW's of recent years (e39 M5 oil thirst, Nikasil, etc.) it made me think about what BMW's of the last 15 years that I WOULD buy with reasonable peace of mind today, bearing in mind that I'm spending my own money and won't buy new and generally won't pay inflated BMW main dealer prices. 

Out - all 95 to early 98 e36 6cylinders, 320i and 325i included, Nikasil

Out - all e39 6cylinders to early 98 , Nikasil

Out - all 92 to '96 ish V8's

Out - all e36 M3 Evo's, Vanos

Out - all e46 M's, too early to say that this problem is all there is

Out - all e39 M5's, too early to say that all oil consumtpion is all there is.

I've been thinking about replacing the e30 325i but the number of potential e36's I could consider are limited to pre '95 325i or post Mar 98 328i (more than I want to spend on a toy).  No wonder nice e30's of whatever type are holding their value so well.

A friend had the Niksail problem recently and the hoops he had to go through to finally get a "goodwill" gesture used up more than that quantity of goodwill.  It also leaves huge uncertainty for anyone buying any of the above cars and this impacts on values.  My 523i is an example.  People buying know there are reasons to be afraid of one and either won't take a chance or want the perceived risk reflected in to the price.

Relying on goodwill gestures is not sufficient reassurance.

Edited by Dergside

Stephen.

Maybe I am being a bit hard, but was thinking of it in terms of the potential hidden costs there could be for a buyer.  I dread to think the cost of an M5 engine and it is my perception (but that could be wrong) that more have been replaced than would be expected. 

Also with Vanos, the potential bill here can be big and its hard for a buyer to know if a problem is around the corner because its not just linked to how much they have been caned (the cars, that is!).  Its relatively easy to spy hints that a car has been abused and know that walking away is a good idea.  You'll never truely know how much oil one uses until you buy it and won't know that the Vanos is heading for the bin until it is too late to save it. 

People will factor in the risk factor in what they pay.  Hence the reason that the gap between CAP clean and retail prices for a 00 M5 is 50% wider than a similar age of 740iL where the day one cost was similar.  The trade obviously feel it prudent to build in a safety margin to cover either upfront costs or follow up warranty claims. 

Edited by Dergside

I'll be on Telly

It is best as suggested that all unite on this issue and collectively inform either trading standards....european court or harsher still....watchdog.

I too am of the opinion that suggesting "looking upon a claim favourably" has no legal foundation. They may look at it favourably and say yeah your right we agree.....but cough up the reddies you mug!

Now who is up for a strong representation to BMW UK (via any controlling organistation) about receiving the same level of treatment as the rest of the world.Remember that warranty on new vehicle purchases were extended only recently to bring us the same level of service as the rest of the world but again we are being shortchanged.

In isolation we are weak but as a collective we have a strong voice to be heard

I am still making enquiries about the kind of service afforded to our european brothers and sisters but we know for certain that the USA are given better than us.

Remember this disatissfaction is not..repeat not aimed at the dealerships/service centres but at HQ level where the policies about extension of warranty (or lack of) have been made

My fellow lords ladies and gentleman

As the instigator of this thread I would like to thank you all for your words of encouragement and advice.  In particular Kevin, John and Mark whom I know.

I shall be writing a letter to BMW and will be using some very good content from your own discussions if this is OK with you ?

I will keep you updated as to what happens.  I am also in contact with the members on the other forum BM3W and will be taking their fight (one step further) as the fool that looks after BMW UK customer services couldn't look after a snowman in artic conditions let alone £millions of revenue, past, present and future !

The letters that he has wrote back to us are far from satisfactory and I am sure that the mighty powers in BMW will be interested to read our letter when it is done. 

After all, how many of these top dogs in corporations are kept in the dark and away from the real events - bit like politicains really except the politicians mostly have the facts and tend to ignore them !

We shall shortly be drinking to our victory !!!!!