Update - X5 problem diagnosed, now awaiting fix...

[BigLew]

Originally Posted by golfer4life

These guys are supposed to be Certified BMW mechanics that's why they charge so much for labor and they can never diagnose it right the first time. It's like a trial and error and let's see if this works. Sounds like my HMO doctor. "Here's a prescription and come back if you don't feel better"

That's Certified BMW Technician.

We can only do what we have the resources for. This is a first MY vehicle so rescources are limited. Almost everything is special order or back ordered. If I am troubleshooting a circuit and there is no published wiring diagram for it in our diagnostic system is that my fault?

Not to mention that we are not allowed to replace many compnents without approval from PuMA.

Don't blame the techs.

[CGSTL]

What's your loaner car? Are you at least getting a 335 or 5-Series?

Originally Posted by Satan1974

Ok well the garage just called. They replaced the injector pump, and the car still won't start. They have "mailed Germany for some help". So we are still X5less.

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by BigLew

That's Certified BMW Technician.

We can only do what we have the resources for. This is a first MY vehicle so rescources are limited. Almost everything is special order or back ordered. If I am troubleshooting a circuit and there is no published wiring diagram for it in our diagnostic system is that my fault?

Not to mention that we are not allowed to replace many compnents without approval from PuMA.

Don't blame the techs.

Nothing personal BigLew, Im sure you are a fine tech...but here is an example of why you are taking a bad rap:

(This is my personal experience on my last 3 service visits- E70 new vehicle)

1st visit-- X5 driver door cable breaks (cant open driver door requiring me to climb over center console to get in vehicle)- Tech "fixes" cable after 3 days in shop. I pick it up and drive home. get out of vehicle and hear a clunk when I close the door. Door will not open, I am locked out again. I have to spend two hours saturday morning waiting for same tech to be called in because he did a crappy job fixing the original problem.

Found set of technicians tools in back of X5, I drove back to dealer and returned them.

not bad only wasted two + days of my time

2nd visit-- Windshield cracked by rock...needs replacing.
wait 4 days for parts. 5th day pick her up, drive home and HUD display is not visable and rain sensor not working. Go back to dealer and waste 2 hours explaining the problem and am told that I needed to turn brightness up on HUD. I explain politley that I am not an idiot, and I know that there is a problem with the HUD. Tech comes out and spends 20 minutes telling me that it is working fine (its actually working just so dim that it is not visable). I again try to explain that he is looking at it in a enclosed shop and the lack of sunlight makes he HUD readable. I finally convince him to to take it out in the sunlight and show him that it is now not visable. He thinks Im crazy and trys to send me on my way. I then demand that they keep it till its fixed.

Receive call next day...Original tech forgot to connect the rain sensor (which is also a light sensor that brightens HUD in daylight). Problem solved.

yet another total waste of my time arguing with the service department.

3rd visit-- Bring in X5 for oil change and several minor issues including reporting that the "3 button" in the dash (programable buttons) does not work when you push it and a blown cig lighter fuse. Pick up X5 and get home before I notice;
a- tech states on ticket "button works fine, not sure if customer is talking about the same thing" SA never mentioned this when I called and asked if everything was fixed. The button DOES NOT WORK, I am not sure the tech knows what he is talking about. (BTW- there is a SIB that discusses this problem- maybe the tech expects me to educate him)
b- I open rear hatch to find That tech left the fuse door removed and set aside in trunk, blown fuse is on floor and paper fuse guide is left out on floor too. WTF

This is my last 3 service visits. Pretty pathetic if you ask me.

[golfer4life]

Originally Posted by BigLew

That's Certified BMW Technician.

We can only do what we have the resources for. This is a first MY vehicle so rescources are limited. Almost everything is special order or back ordered. If I am troubleshooting a circuit and there is no published wiring diagram for it in our diagnostic system is that my fault?

Not to mention that we are not allowed to replace many compnents without approval from PuMA.

Don't blame the techs.

Yeah sure, techs not mechanics. Do you think the customers could care less between techs and mechanics or your hands are tied and there's not enough resources for these issues? People paid 60 - 70K + for a vehicle that things will go wrong after a few days? Somebody will have to take the blame. Unfortunately, that includes everybody in the service department, including "techs", BMWNA and heck even my salesperson has to take the blame for selling me the "ultimate driving machine". BMW has the responsibility to loyal and new customers to ensure that the things that you just mentioned does not happen in the first place.

I'm one of the few lucky ones who can still drive the car and I'm very thankful for that. My car is 5 days old and I have 6 things on my list that needs to be fixed/replaced. I feel for some people in this forum who can't even drive their cars after a few days of taking delivery.

So telling people that your hands are tied is just not good enough. My apologies for sounding pissed off. I'm not taking it out on anybody. Nothing personal, just my opinion.

[Satan1974]

Originally Posted by CGSTL

What's your loaner car? Are you at least getting a 335 or 5-Series?

320d. Manual (we have only ever driven automatics for the last 7 years), cloth seats (how common!) and absolutely NO options at all. My wife hates it so much and just can't wait to get the X5 back. 6 days with the service department and counting...

[Satan1974]

Got the X5 back just a little while ago! It turned out to be a "faulty control module". I wasn't present when it was collected so could not ask any delving questions about exactly what was faulty, why it took so long to diagnose, etc etc. Anyway, the good news is that the car is back on our driveway, no errors, starting when you push "start" (always a bonus), and they even washed it (even though its pouring with rain, so was filthy by the time it got home).

The bad news is that I've just driven home in my E60, and got a tyre puncture warning on the iDrive. OH COME ON what have I done to deserve this!!!

[golfer4life]

Originally Posted by Satan1974

Got the X5 back just a little while ago! It turned out to be a "faulty control module". I wasn't present when it was collected so could not ask any delving questions about exactly what was faulty, why it took so long to diagnose, etc etc. Anyway, the good news is that the car is back on our driveway, no errors, starting when you push "start" (always a bonus), and they even washed it (even though its pouring with rain, so was filthy by the time it got home).

The bad news is that I've just driven home in my E60, and got a tyre puncture warning on the iDrive. OH COME ON what have I done to deserve this!!!

When it rains, it pours. Glad to hear that you can finally drive it. Now go enjoy your ride. As much as we are all experiencing these problems, the E70 is just a sweet ride. We tend to forget these issues as long as the car is not at the dealership.

Now it's my turn to bring mine in on Thursday for some stupid issues, DVD, running board etc.

[TheX5]

Originally Posted by Satan1974

Got the X5 back just a little while ago! It turned out to be a "faulty control module". I wasn't present when it was collected so could not ask any delving questions about exactly what was faulty, why it took so long to diagnose, etc etc. Anyway, the good news is that the car is back on our driveway, no errors, starting when you push "start" (always a bonus), and they even washed it (even though its pouring with rain, so was filthy by the time it got home).

The bad news is that I've just driven home in my E60, and got a tyre puncture warning on the iDrive. OH COME ON what have I done to deserve this!!!

Could it be because your name is.... SATAN!



Sorry, I couldn't resist. Sounds like some really bad luck. Hopefully the last of it.

[Satan1974]

Lol Thanks, me too. Love the car, and great to have it back, but one more major fault and it's legal/refund time - just can't expect to have a car like that without having 100% confidence. Other cars break down, but you can call AA/RAC who usually can come and fix it. With these new BMWs, BMW Assist turn up, realise their spanner doesn't work on computers, and get it towed away. My main concern is that we wanted to drive over to France (via a Ferry, of course), but at the moment, we don't have the confidence. What happens if it fails in the middle of France, rather than 2 miles from our house and 5 miles from the dealer as happened this time. No thanks.

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by Satan1974

My main concern is that we wanted to drive over to France (via a Ferry, of course), but at the moment, we don't have the confidence. What happens if it fails in the middle of France, rather than 2 miles from our house and 5 miles from the dealer as happened this time. No thanks.

Seriously now, dont let this bad experience ruin an opportunity to drive your new car. I have driven mine all over the Southern United States and never had a single issue...sell the car if you are afraid to enjoy it. You cant leave a $60,000 car in the driveway for fear it might break down.