DEF is actually pretty cheap if you don't buy it from BMW. And it will get cheaper as more diesels are required to use it. Any decent shade tree mechanic can fill the two tanks correctly with a funnel and a modicum of skill/patience. So as long as the sensors, pumps and plumping are working OK this is not a big issue long term (AKA post warranty).
The big issue is the apparent incompetence of at least some BMW dealer technicians in filling BOTH tanks correctly during the warranty period. Obviously some BMW Dealer techs can, and have, filled both DEF tanks correctly (e.g. Craig's dealer). Other BMW Dealer techs seem to have trouble knowing about, finding or correctly filling BOTH tanks. This is almost certainly why some members have reported having DEF issues only after the first refill. IOW they made it to their first oil change OK then started having to top up the DEF very frequently after the dealer techs 'replenished' the DEF. And then there are the few members who have reported DEF sensor/tank issues which led to warranty replacements.
FWIW when our 35d requires it's first DEF 'fix' I will be spending the day at the dealer drinking lattes and eating cookies. I will require a conference with the tech about the details of exactly how the DEF was 'replenished' and how much DEF was used. I won't sign off on the warranty repair until the answer is at least 6 gals of DEF and the use of both fill orifices which I will have previously marked to assure that BOTH have at least been opened
Funf Dreisig
01-07-2010, 07:56 PM
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