Thanks for nothing BMW NA ( Blue smoke/Oil loss/Oil separator )

[phil47]

This situation is very similar to how home insurance companies handle problems. For instance, I had a plastic water line which leads to the icemaker in my fridge fail (small crack) and flood my kitchen and basement over a period of 8 hours. Damage to my home was $40k to repair. Turns out plastic lines are prone to this failure and copper lines are recommended but not mandatory by building codes. My insurance company paid for the damage.

However, when I go to replace the 1/4" water line the insurance company warns me that replacing the plastic line with copper is ON MY DIME because it is not required by code so they will not pay for the additional cost ($25!!!). Goodwill issues aside, I believe they simply weigh the cost of catastrophic damage in some cases against the cost of preventative measures and decide to take the risk...

[primetime]

Originally Posted by nrgetic99

Let me break it down....

My vehicle is showing early signs of an extremely well known and documented design flaw which may, in my case, in all likelihood lead to some degree of engine damage right up to and including catastrophic failure.

It is well documented as affecting vehicles that were manufactured in the exact time frame that my vehicle was manufactured.

To add to the facts, my vehicle driving habits put me squarely in the small percentage of the owners who are extremely likley to have this concern.

My only choices are :

1. Wait till the engine fails and get towed in from 250 miles away and deal with all the issues surrounding a replacement or potentially remanufactured engine

2. Drop $522 in parts myself plus any labor costs at $110 /hr to avoid 1. even though I have a 100,000 mile CPO warranty AND this is a well documented concern.

3.Advise BMW of the issue and think that at some level, notwithstanding many customers who cry wolf at every creak or groan , someone may be able to make a reasonable decision that performing this simple repair procedure will save BMW in at least $ 10000 at current engine/labor estimates.

In short, I drive it till to fails or drop something north of $750 to address a concern that BMW knows about. That is the trouble with being an engineer and and informed consumer... it just does not sit right that I am using my vehcile in a manner that may lead to premature engine failure and I am going to do nothing about it.

If you don't see why that is a an akward issue then I guess we are not speaking the same language.

I am not married but for those of you that are, try having that conversation with your wife

You : "Hon, be careful when starting car after a weekend at Snowshoe as engine may catasrophically fail and leave you stranded 250 miles from home.."

Wifey : "What you doing about it, you have a warranty and they know ts a problem

You : "Nothing till it fails...I like living dangerously !"

I am predicting frosty relations for some time

David

Sounds like a very unhappy situation. All things considered. i would just go ahead and get the oil seperator replaced at the cost you mentioned. I too had to shell out the cash for this replacement. It came down to just having peace of mind and knowing that my vehicle isn't reliable without the part being replaced. Of course driving around waiting for the vehicle to fail and hydrlock is not going to sit well with anyone who owns this type of car.. To be safe, it looks like you will just have to pay the $$ and get the seperator replaced...

[nrgetic99]

Thanks all...I know I am between a rock and a hard place and really, I am venting more than anything... this is no solution that suits the way BMW underwrite their warranty and my needs.

Reminds me of when I had one speaker of a pair of speakers damaged in transit and the insurance company paid me half the cost to replace both even though they knew that you could not buy the speakers singly.

Seriously, it made me want to put a screwdriver through the cone of the good speaker... hardly made me more honest.

[Werewolf]

Your X5 is $20K+ piece of equipment.

While BMW NA may not be helpful here, spending $500 to ensure you don't get stranded makes sense

Also don't assume BMW NA makes good on a new engine without a fight. My experience with BMW NA is that option #3 never happens.

You can hope a class action lawsuit forces them into recognizing and taking a proactive approach to fixing the issue but that will not likely happen for sometime.

Originally Posted by nrgetic99

Let me break it down....

My vehicle is showing early signs of an extremely well known and documented design flaw which may, in my case, in all likelihood lead to some degree of engine damage right up to and including catastrophic failure.

It is well documented as affecting vehicles that were manufactured in the exact time frame that my vehicle was manufactured.

To add to the facts, my vehicle driving habits put me squarely in the small percentage of the owners who are extremely likley to have this concern.

My only choices are :

1. Wait till the engine fails and get towed in from 250 miles away and deal with all the issues surrounding a replacement or potentially remanufactured engine

2. Drop $522 in parts myself plus any labor costs at $110 /hr to avoid 1. even though I have a 100,000 mile CPO warranty AND this is a well documented concern.

3.Advise BMW of the issue and think that at some level, notwithstanding many customers who cry wolf at every creak or groan , someone may be able to make a reasonable decision that performing this simple repair procedure will save BMW in at least $ 10000 at current engine/labor estimates.

In short, I drive it till to fails or drop something north of $750 to address a concern that BMW knows about. That is the trouble with being an engineer and and informed consumer... it just does not sit right that I am using my vehcile in a manner that may lead to premature engine failure and I am going to do nothing about it.

If you don't see why that is a an akward issue then I guess we are not speaking the same language.

I am not married but for those of you that are, try having that conversation with your wife

You : "Hon, be careful when starting car after a weekend at Snowshoe as engine may catasrophically fail and leave you stranded 250 miles from home.."

Wifey : "What you doing about it, you have a warranty and they know ts a problem

You : "Nothing till it fails...I like living dangerously !"

I am predicting frosty relations for some time

David

[2002Silver4.6is]

Have you only delt with the local dealer? I would write a letter to BMW NA and detail all of the information you have on the issue and what your dealer proposed to do about it. Logic sure seems to be on your side. However, they might have a better understanding of the true probability of your engine failing and figure it is worth the risk for them not to do the preventative work.

[StanF18]

Have to agree with Primetime and Werewolf on dropping the $750. Never underestimate the value of "peace of mind". Yes, its not fair, but as I've gotten older (and hopefully wiser), I've come to realize that some things just aren't worth the aggravation and the time you spend fighting about it.

Try to call a couple of additional BMW dealerships, and if you get the same answer, just drop the coin and get your ride back into shape and put your mind at ease.

[ih82lose]

I'm going through the mess of having the engine replaced due to this probelm, only BMW is not paying a dime (no warranty). I would happily shell out the $ to get the crankcase vent fixed than go through this again, even if I was under warranty.

If it's the cost, there are DIY articles posted here. It's not too hard.

[2002Silver4.6is]

It amazes me why BMW did not do a recall for such a significant problem.

[nrgetic99]

Originally Posted by 2002Silver4.6is

It amazes me why BMW did not do a recall for such a significant problem.

Bingo !

And there, in one sentence, we have the problem.

David

[mkgavula]

Well I just bought a 2004 X5 for my daughter and I was wondering what I would do in your situation. After considering what I paid for it and the reputation of BMW as the ultimate driving machine, I think that car would be back down to the dealer in a heart beat and would stay there until they:
1. Fixed the problem to my satisfaction and assured me it will not break down.
2. Replaced the defective part or parts that caused the problem in the first place.
3. Hear in no uncertain terms you are hiring a lawyer to sue them under the Lemon Law.
That usually gets there attention.
MG