recent M3 E46 RECALL

Dear fellow M members

 

I am not sure how many of you are aware\effected by this occurance but for the second time my vehicle has gone in to have the con rod shells replaced.  Anyhow, I am a little annoyed at BMW for not doing anything about extending my warrenty (but instead trying to sell me an extended one!) just in case the shells go bad again.  If this does happen beyond the remaining 6 months of warrenty then I am liable which I don't think is fair.

 

Can anyone help\advise in this matter please ?

 

kind regards

 

Sammy

 Sammy1, You write a letter to BMW GB-Customer Relations-Bracknell, saying how disappointed you are , that the recall on the s54 Engined M3, has now happened to you twice, and you wish to have your money back.

Under the UK sale of goods act, the product is obviously not fit for the purpose that it was purchased for.

The Fact that you now have problems AGAIN ,with the second Engine, proves that an unsatisfactory short term solution was used as a quick fix, not what you would expect from a prestige marque.

You no longer have confidence in your car, and your enjoyment has been  reduced to nil.How many more Engines must you have, before an answer is proposed for your long term satisfaction.

This has been a big problem with s54 engines, and is well documented in Europe & USA.Spun bearing shell probs in Engines dated from 1 Oct 01  -- 28 Feb 02.Perhaps a NEW 3 year warranty may be a point to consider.

I'm watching this one with interest - I have heard of one owner having 2 new engines in 2000 miles from new!

STEPHEN B

On another web forum BM3W, the members have organised a letter to BMW GB from all the owners who have been affected by this recall and the previous 1, all surrounding the S54 Engine. It appears that the US owners are receiving much better service than those in the UK. Not much detail is coming from other countries.

The communication of this recall etc. has not been very good as some dealerships were originally unaware of a recall until THEIR customers contacted them, cars being booked in without parts available and on back order and disappointingly, some dealerships quality of work has been called into question.

I dont wish to criticise BMW completely but I am not an owner of an S54 enginer M3 and after some of the stories I have read I dont think I would buy a 2nd hand one in the future that is built before March 04. I can imagine in a few years time, the 2nd hand market for these being flooded and BMW dealers might start giving them away. This version of the M3 is fantastic but I question the quality system BMW were so famous for.....not a good comparison, but look how MB have been critcised over the last couple of years for their downfall in quality/Service etc.

E30 M3 - Simply the best, I will stick to my baby for the time being,

2p over

Edited by Nostrils

This is also close to my heart, as we have just purchased a 2002 ZM Coupe with the s54 engine in it, although BMW say that these particular models are not affected, it seems strange, that the engines are identical but not affected, only time will tell, I will be keeping the warranty going anyway, but it would be nice to know if the same applies to all s54 models.

P.S. I am in agreement, that as a good will gesture, BMW should extend the warranty on all affected models.

                                    steve.

 

                               

Perhaps BMW said cars that were affected included June 2003 models, as copuesport mentioned 'theorectically cars after 2003 were not affected'?

Does anyone know if this recall is official yet? After all the only way that BMW know of a problem is when it occurs in long term testing and a fix must then also be tested, which takes some time.  BMW may just be sticking new engines in the cars to keep the cars on the road until they have come up with a definate fix, which would explain the engines going bang for a second time.

Pikey

The Rev limit on the S54 was reduced to 7800 from 8200 after the problems started, says it all.

100K-6 year warranty is required for UK owners suffering first time probs, treat everyone the same.Someone--Somewhere -is forgetting the power of the Web.!!!!!!!!!! and is losing the Plot.

During this recall the engine management control unit (DME) is reprogrammed by the dealer. This later version software is improved over the earlier variants and gives smoother running from cold / during warm up and slicker shifting when in conjunction with an SMG gearbox. I am not aware of any restriction with regards to max engine speed and I am sure that BMW would not get away with reducing the power output below the assured 343BHP figure. Anyone had a dyno run before and after the recall ? (run in of course)

I believe that the max engine speed has been reduced on SMG equipped models IN NEUTRAL ONLY. Possibly to reduce engine damage due to abuse ... but don't take that as gospel.

Some earlier E46 M3 vehicles have been recalled previously for a similar recall. During this recall the big end shells AND the oil pump where replaced. The new recall is a shell only issue.

There are 2 types of big end bolt fitted to the S54. Earlier vehicles us a 10mm item which must be replaced once removed (some supply problems here) and later engines use an 11mm item which is re used. Dealers should be able to tell from the engine number / production date which type of bolt is fitted BEFORE stripping the engine.

Cheers,

Andy.

Latest; BMW UK say that they do not think it is necessary to extend the warranty as they ahve done in Australia and USA, because they think the latest (3Rd?) fix is certain to work.  So that is fair then, in their estimation, despite at least 2 attempts at fixing this issue, they are satisfied that we should take the risk that the engine fails again out of warranty, at a cost of say £8,500 to £12,500 to replace:

 

From the BM3W forum:

If that is their attitude then I hope they read this.
1. I will be going to my dealer tomorrow morning and getting my deposits back on 1,M5 1,X5dsport, 2M4s.These will be replaced with either Audi or Mercedes. When the six 330ds come up for renewal next march the will be replaced with Audi.
They can put there cars where the sun don't shine