Advice Needed...Issue with Dealer regarding safety recall - Page 2

bcredliner · #1 07-30-2014, 01:19 PM

No reason to be concerned at this point. Nothing bad has happened unless you don't like driving the X3. If they want to charge you for the part in question that is the time to follow JCL's advice.

cn90 · #2 07-30-2014, 01:39 PM

Dealers do this all the time to generate extra cash.
During part of the recall (which is free), they often piggy-back something else.
I have had this with Volvo, Honda, BMW dealers over 25 years.

Best is to install the ebay airbag emulator for $15. I did this on my E39.
This seat occupancy sensor is a piece of garbage engineering.

Qsilver7 · #3 07-30-2014, 04:06 PM

I'm with LVP...if the seat can move fore & aft...then the bolts that secure the seat rails to the floor can be undone.

If they are giving you a free loaner...and the service rep is trying to procure you a new motor (for free)...then you are ahead of the game.

Personally, at this point, I would have made haste to the dealership to see exactly what the issue was with my seat...along with explaining that the seat worked prior to them beginning work on the vehicle (especially if you really know that the seat was working in all directions before you took it in). And if the madness persisted...then I would have asked for a demonstration of the seat's movement...and if they only tried to raise the seat...I would have then asked..."may I"...then moved the seat fore/aft...and then asked at each full extention...are these the 2 bolts that undo this end of the seat...then smile...and say..."gentlemen, looks like we can move on with the recall repair...and I'll return the loaner when you get this all wrapped up".

If for some reason the up/down seat adjustment motor isn't working...by having them show you the motor...you may even be able to find a used one or buy from an aftermarket vendor and replace it yourself for less than $650.

The seat (rails) are held down by four bolts (see #4 in diagram below):

Item #5 in the diagram below is the vertical seat adjustment motor...and you can see that the one for the passenger side only costs approx $180 (BMW part # 52107111909 @ my local BMW dealership: BMW Parts - Genuine BMW Parts and Accessories - Save Money ):

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.4i FRONT SEAT RAIL ELECTRICAL/SINGLE PARTS

Lexicon740iL · #4 07-30-2014, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

I'm with LVP...if the seat can move fore & aft...then the bolts that secure the seat rails to the floor can be undone.

If they are giving you a free loaner...and the service rep is trying to procure you a new motor (for free)...then you are ahead of the game.

Personally, at this point, I would have made haste to the dealership to see exactly what the issue was with my seat...along with explaining that the seat worked prior to them beginning work on the vehicle (especially if you really know that the seat was working in all directions before you took it in). And if the madness persisted...then I would have asked for a demonstration of the seat's movement...and if they only tried to raise the seat...I would have then asked..."may I"...then moved the seat fore/aft...and then asked at each full extention...are these the 2 bolts that undo this end of the seat...then smile...and say..."gentlemen, looks like we can move on with the recall repair...and I'll return the loaner when you get this all wrapped up".

If for some reason the up/down seat adjustment motor isn't working...by having them show you the motor...you may even be able to find a used one or buy from an aftermarket vendor and replace it yourself for less than $650.

The seat (rails) are held down by four bolts (see #4 in diagram below):

Item #5 in the diagram below is the vertical seat adjustment motor...and you can see that the one for the passenger side only costs approx $180 (BMW part # 52107111909 @ my local BMW dealership: BMW Parts - Genuine BMW Parts and Accessories - Save Money ):

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.4i FRONT SEAT RAIL ELECTRICAL/SINGLE PARTS

Thanks for replying Q!

I was looking over the diagrams as well and I agree with you. When he said 650 I was thinking wait till I have ETK up and check out some P/N's and see how this thing comes out of the X.

So what are you thoughts on P/N 1 ? I was thinking it was just one of cheaper actuators like you mentioned that was not letting it raise but then I looked at the diagram a bit more and the description on P/N 1 = Electrical Seat Mechanism

Do you think P/N 1 the frame itself has a motor mechanism internal to it that is integrated and not replaceable and the actuators listed in the Diagram overview are for other functions. Do you think it's possible the actuator listed for vertical is only driving the vertical headrest adjustment?

The reason I asked myself this is if they quoted me 650 and that's more in line with pricing for P/N 1 while the price for the 3 actuators are in the 100-150 range each.

I will ask the SA more about this and have him put the P/N that needs replacing in my final paperwork if it is still not functioning vertically when I pick it up.

If it needs replacing I guess it will be a good excuse for a DIY Seat R&R post.

Qsilver7 · #5 07-30-2014, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexicon740iL

Thanks for replying Q!

I was looking over the diagrams as well and I agree with you. When he said 650 I was thinking wait till I have ETK up and check out some P/N's and see how this thing comes out of the X.

So what are you thoughts on P/N 1 ? I was thinking it was just one of cheaper actuators like you mentioned that was not letting it raise but then I looked at the diagram a bit more and the description on P/N 1 = Electrical Seat Mechanism

Do you think P/N 1 the frame itself has a motor mechanism internal to it that is integrated and not replaceable and the actuators listed in the Diagram overview are for other functions. Do you think it's possible the actuator listed for vertical is only driving the vertical headrest adjustment?

The reason I asked myself this is if they quoted me 650 and that's more in line with pricing for P/N 1 while the price for the 3 actuators are in the 100-150 range each.

I will ask the SA more about this and have him put the P/N that needs replacing in my final paperwork if it is still not functioning vertically when I pick it up.

If it needs replacing I guess it will be a good excuse for a DIY Seat R&R post.

To me, item #1 appears to be a set that includes the frame/rails, actuators, and wiring...which is probably why the cost is so high.

If you go to http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E5...arts#7111909_5 (I love that this site gives way more details)...you'll see that when you click the "+info" link...it gives details that #1 includes wiring on the comfort/sport/upgrade seats.

The actuators (#3/#4/#5) are the motors that move the seats in the multiple directions...and on the e53 X5...the only seats that have electric headrests are the comfort seats...all the other seats have manual headrests.

Lexicon740iL · #6 07-30-2014, 08:19 PM

Update....The SA called me this afternoon and said BMW would not approve a replacement part but he did get clearance for extra labor hours to remove the seat without motor replacement.

It should be ready for me tomorrow.

He made an interesting comment at the end and said yeah you never know sometimes when you pull a seat out and put it back in the motor just start's working again.

I laughed and said yeah make this one of those times if possible please