08 x5 3.0, died at stop sign, 1 1/2 hr wait for BMW Assist-tow

Judyd · #1 09-23-2008, 11:30 PM

Six blocks after starting from home, car died at stop sign this afternoon. Called BMW Assist (mistake) and waited 1 1/2 hrs. for tow. I've read from other posters to get 3A which I have but thought I would try Assist. The truck came from miles and miles away in heavy traffic. BMW must have contracts with just a few tow guys. Bizarre since I live in the SF Bay Area with lots of bimmers. Fortunately I stopped by the side of the road since I was making a right turn, in daylight in a safe place and on a beautiful day. Waiting that long in an unsafe place, middle of the road, at night, etc. would have been totally unacceptable. The people answering Assist were very polite and understanding. They said the average wait is 45 to 70 minutes!

Tow driver started to pull the x5 on the tow truck without releasing brake or putting in neutral until I hollered at him. Then he didn't know how to put it in neutral manually. (I'd read the manual so told him there's a tool in the tool box and the release spot is under the cup holders-lift off the rubber cup holders-in case you ever need manual operation.) Assume your tow driver knows nothing about your car's operation.

Won't know until tomorrow what the problem is. The car has about 9,000 miles and has had no problems except transmission "bump" which was fixed at about 500 miles. I've loved the car so far...crossing my fingers...

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dkl · #2 09-23-2008, 11:39 PM

I thought BMW Assist recently contracted with AAA...that isn't true?

rh71 · #3 09-24-2008, 12:03 AM

really scary these things just die randomly.

Meiac09 · #4 09-25-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkl

I thought BMW Assist recently contracted with AAA...that isn't true?

I wish!

Judyd · #5 09-25-2008, 09:28 PM

Finally heard from the dealer as to why my 08 x5 died at a stop sign. They said the sending unit to the gas gauge failed. Therefore, even though the gas gauge showed the tank was 1/4th full, it was actually empty. (I'm a little doubtful about this. There were no signs from the engine like faltering that it was out of gas. It just died. No coughing or wheezing, just dead.) Of course they had to order a part, hoping to get it back late tomorrow.

ltglenn13 · #6 09-26-2008, 07:50 AM

My E70 with ~7000 miles just died after I stopped at a stop sign and then attempted to pull into traffic on a busy road about 2 minutes after starting the vehicle in the AM to go to work. Just as the vehicle started to pull into intersection it just died! No hesitation or puttering. The engine light came on and the vehicle put itself in park as soon as I rolled to a stop. Unfortunately it happen as I pulled out in front of an Audi speeding down the road. No accidents but dangerous. Mine just started up with no further problem.Dealer "unable to duplicate problem", but I am going through hell with a bunch of other issues (see my other posts).

Judyd · #7 09-26-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judyd

Finally heard from the dealer as to why my 08 x5 died at a stop sign. They said the sending unit to the gas gauge failed. Therefore, even though the gas gauge showed the tank was 1/4th full, it was actually empty. (I'm a little doubtful about this. There were no signs from the engine like faltering that it was out of gas. It just died. No coughing or wheezing, just dead.) Of course they had to order a part, hoping to get it back late tomorrow.

Now needs two parts related to fuel gauge issue, of course, one part has to be ordered from out of the area...none available in the whole SF Bay area! Now car will be out of service until Monday at the earliest.

Judyd · #8 09-28-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judyd

Six blocks after starting from home, car died at stop sign this afternoon. Called BMW Assist (mistake) and waited 1 1/2 hrs. for tow. I've read from other posters to get 3A which I have but thought I would try Assist. The truck came from miles and miles away in heavy traffic. BMW must have contracts with just a few tow guys. Bizarre since I live in the SF Bay Area with lots of bimmers. Fortunately I stopped by the side of the road since I was making a right turn, in daylight in a safe place and on a beautiful day. Waiting that long in an unsafe place, middle of the road, at night, etc. would have been totally unacceptable. The people answering Assist were very polite and understanding. They said the average wait is 45 to 70 minutes!...

Now for the good news: got two calls on Friday from BMW National in Illinois. Both were to apologize for the length of response time for tow truck to arrive and that it took so long before BMW could look at the problem. They said the 1 1/2 hr. tow response time was way beyond their acceptable limit. When they contact a tower they ask how long it will take and won't authorize a tow unless it is a reasonable time. Obviously the tow company didn't perform as promised. The BMW callers were very pleasant and gave me a phone number in case there was a further problem. Their attitude was excellent and was much more in line with what I would expect from BMW.

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