No Audio/SOS Malfunction/Broken Tail-light (water damage?)

[Tallen234]

I have an 2008 E70 (4.8) that went out of its CPO warranty last year. I've had some off/on electrical glitches (CCC resets, SOS malfunction, etc.) over the past year or so, but they seemed to pass. Today, I took my car to a drive through car wash. My young children like to see the water through the moonroof, so I opened upon the sunroof part way so they could see "the waterfall". On my way home, I get a warning that the drivers side brake light has malfunctioned and then all audio stops working (my daughter starting complaining that she couldn't hear Dora on the rear entertainment system). I then checked the radio, CD, etc.. There was no audio although everything seemed to be working ok (able to operate the radio, CD/Aux). Then I got a SOS Malfunction. When I got home, I checked fuses and reset the system by taking the negative post off for an hour. When I checked the drivers side rear compartment, I noticed that some of the filling material on the wheel well was damp...

Given the timing of the car wash and the dampness in the wheel well, my wonderful powers of deduction have led me to believe they are related to my currents symptoms. I've read that there have been issues with sunroof drainage on the X5.

I know that I am probably SOL as it is out of warranty and probably past any statute of limitations for any other arguable breach of contract/warranty.

So, has anyone attempted to go through their comprehensive insurance policy on something like this? My deductible is $500 and I anticipate that the repair will be 3 to 6 times that.....


Any advice or insight would be appreciated. Thanks

[Jyohay]

Originally Posted by Tallen234

I have an 2008 E70 (4.8) that went out of its CPO warranty last year. I've had some off/on electrical glitches (CCC resets, SOS malfunction, etc.) over the past year or so, but they seemed to pass. Today, I took my car to a drive through car wash. My young children like to see the water through the moonroof, so I opened upon the sunroof part way so they could see "the waterfall". On my way home, I get a warning that the drivers side brake light has malfunctioned and then all audio stops working (my daughter starting complaining that she couldn't hear Dora on the rear entertainment system). I then checked the radio, CD, etc.. There was no audio although everything seemed to be working ok (able to operate the radio, CD/Aux). Then I got a SOS Malfunction. When I got home, I checked fuses and reset the system by taking the negative post off for an hour. When I checked the drivers side rear compartment, I noticed that some of the filling material on the wheel well was damp...

Given the timing of the car wash and the dampness in the wheel well, my wonderful powers of deduction have led me to believe they are related to my currents symptoms. I've read that there have been issues with sunroof drainage on the X5.

I know that I am probably SOL as it is out of warranty and probably past any statute of limitations for any other arguable breach of contract/warranty.

So, has anyone attempted to go through their comprehensive insurance policy on something like this? My deductible is $500 and I anticipate that the repair will be 3 to 6 times that.....


Any advice or insight would be appreciated. Thanks

check the compartment in the trunk where the amp is located for water

[Tallen234]

I think I did mention that there was dampness in the compartment.

Originally Posted by Jyohay

check the compartment in the trunk where the amp is located for water

[ard]

You know the drill. Same as the other forum. Clogged sun roof drains; BMW claims it is due to your failure to clean them out; legally BMW has a duty to inform you as to what maintenance is required; there may be grounds for an action here; anyone have $400k to try?

[Tallen234]

My issue is slightly different as my X5 is not under warranty, so I was hoping there would be some folks who have gone through the insurance claim route and could chime in on their experiences with their carrier. I know that the carrier can also argue that there was a lack of owner maintenance to clean the drains, etc. Argue that it was something that happened slowly over time, etc. I was also wondering if the fact that some damage occurred during a car wash as opposed to rain may have some significance (especially as it is easier with the car wash to show that there was a specific occurrence).

I wish my car was still under warranty as my former partner now handles some class action cases. However, as it currently stands, I would be a poor class representative.

Originally Posted by ard

You know the drill. Same as the other forum. Clogged sun roof drains; BMW claims it is due to your failure to clean them out; legally BMW has a duty to inform you as to what maintenance is required; there may be grounds for an action here; anyone have $400k to try?