Transmission problem! I need everyones help!

[HPIA4v2]

I provided the SA with SIB number for my 535i auto-sport tranny thump and lurch problems, but no go. The SA can only fix problem that replicateable at the dealer period. Not sure the logic, must be a good reason by BMWNA. I wonder why is it so hard to check the S/W version on the car. I am in the S/W business and everytime we release S/W to fix bugs on the field it has different part number from the last buggy one, why can't BMW do this?

[m5james]

Because it costs time and money they potentially won't get back. TRUE customer service stopped at the dealerships long ago.

[Weasel]

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

I provided the SA with SIB number for my 535i auto-sport tranny thump and lurch problems, but no go. The SA can only fix problem that replicateable at the dealer period. Not sure the logic, must be a good reason by BMWNA. I wonder why is it so hard to check the S/W version on the car. I am in the S/W business and everytime we release S/W to fix bugs on the field it has different part number from the last buggy one, why can't BMW do this?

We can and do do this, and I quite often fix problems that I can't redily duplicate as long as I know what it is... My suggestion, find another dealer who's service department is managed better.

And yes, our software is labled with different versions, and the software integration level of the vehicle is easily checkable with ISTA-P as well as the last software version it was treated with.

[babysvt]

Where I live we only have on dealership. The next dealerships are about 300 miles away depending on which one you want to go to. This makes is difficult to find a good dealership in an area that is limited to one. Sometimes I think they take advantage of that fact that they are the only local deelarship, so I have driven the extra 300 miles to go to a dealership that I like and get good service at. Finding the right dealership is truly the key.

[m5james]

SpoCompton! I love that color BTW.

I'm in the same boat here w/ only one stealership, but I do all of the work as is anyways. When I was still in Seattle I had two stealerships and about 5 indys to choose from, but none I would really recommend over just doing it myself. I've got personal horror stories from the indy's in Bellevue and Issaquah, so I have a hard time trusting anyone when I can just come here or other forums and get assistance from other owners and/or techs who are members.

[babysvt]

Originally Posted by m5james

SpoCompton! I love that color BTW.

I'm in the same boat here w/ only one stealership, but I do all of the work as is anyways. When I was still in Seattle I had two stealerships and about 5 indys to choose from, but none I would really recommend over just doing it myself. I've got personal horror stories from the indy's in Bellevue and Issaquah, so I have a hard time trusting anyone when I can just come here or other forums and get assistance from other owners and/or techs who are members.

Thanks! I am still under factory warranty through December of this year and then into CPO so I have a while before I will need to take it to an indy but the guys in the local BMW club have steered me in the right direction. We are going to try them out in order to the M3 ready for the track this Friday. My fingers are crossed. I have had really good luck with BMW NW over there and that is where I generally will go. This last time however, I had a warped rotor and my ashtray assembly was falling apart and they said they would not fix either under warranty. I decided to try our local dealership and they had no problems being accomodating. Go figure!

[m5james]

Yeah, it comes down the SA and his willingness to help. I've sold cars years ago, and they don't get paid nearly as much doing smaller jobs vs bigger jobs. I think customer service has gone the way of everything else in life...profits over people...it's pretty sad.

I did goto BMW of Seattle a lot myself w/ the M5, but after they tried to rape me on doing a clutch bid, I've never been back. With help from the forums, 8hrs later and for 1/3 the price I was on the road again. Funny enough, I've noted this experience in my website www.boisebimmer.webs.com. It's actually more for fun, but it's nice money on the side and I feel good saving people money and educating them at the same time.

The forums are invaluable. I've gone to SIR (before it changed ownership)and Bremerton Raceway a few times, even made it into the Zundfolge Which track do you guys goto?

[babysvt]

I have driven on SIR but only since it has been Pacific Raceways. Fun track but it likes to eat tires. We usually run here on Spokane Raceway but it is now called Spokane County Motorsport Park. It is alot of fun. We will be running the M3 for the first time. We usually run a 95 Mustang Cobra with full race suspension. The motor is blown right now and being rebuilt.

[4MoJoe]

Ok, here is my update on my transmission. My Indy mechanic verified the problem with my X5 and it being the mechatronic module. They made the claim with my 3rd party warranty who in turn wanted the car inspected. Yesterday I left the X with them and the inspector verified the symptoms and voila, the warranty co (Security National a.k.a Royal) approved the repair. It's almost $3,000 for the parts and $1000 to install. $100 deductible. YEAH! I paid $3,600 for the warranty and now it's at least paid for itself and I still have 3 1/2 years or 50K miles left on the warranty. But let me tell you what a process to get this approved. My Indy mechanic said they expected the warranty company to not approve the repair and were somewhat shocked when they did. All I can say is I'm quite thankful I bought the warranty because I would have just lived with the transmission problem than paid the $4k to fix it (economic times being what they are).

[babysvt]

I am so glad that you got it figured out and that it won't cost you that much out of pocket. It is cases like this where you just don't know if it will benefit to have the warranty or not. Hope you get it back soon and all goes well.