EDC Failure and other odd things

[ard]

Originally Posted by KYZRSOSE

Anyone had the brake mileage indicator go UP??

In the last few months, my brakes 'indicators' for both F/R were in the 38/39K range, now they are at 42K...

Dealer says the sensors might be malfunctioning, but even with the key reader at the dealership, the mileage on the key hasn't moved in months....

Computer problem??

The indicator is based on USE not MILEAGE. So if you are driving less aggressively, and therefore using less fuel, the indicator can go up....

These are not 'sensors' but just guesstimates.

On the indy front- you can usually develop a relationship with an indy where you pay maybe 10% more for parts than you can get online... and not get screwed with abuse of book time. I guess I am lucky/cursed that I do everything (non-warranty) myself....

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[Penguin]

Originally Posted by ard

The indicator is based on USE not MILEAGE. So if you are driving less aggressively, and therefore using less fuel, the indicator can go up.... These are not 'sensors' but just guesstimates.


A

I wonder how accurate these estimates are, e.g. I wonder what they read just before the actual wire sensor signals a brake pad change.

Do you know for a fact that it is based on fuel usage? I noticed that my CarChip reading the OBD-II buss can record "hard stops" and "hard accelerations," with a user-specified "G." If BMW was smart, they could use some of that data in the brake life algorithm. Though on the X5 it seems BMW has some non-standard data flowing, as the car chip will record lots of hard stops and accelerations, even with normal driving... I have to set the level at the max in the range to avoid a plethora of hard stops and accelerations being recorded, as compared to what the chip seems on the Ford OBD-II buss.

[blue dragon]

Whch dealer are you going to? Why not get the parts from a US dealer like getbmwparts.com or pacificbmw.com. If you are in Toronto , go see RMP motors. He worked on my M3 for years, only indy I would trust. Just to show you how bad the parts pricing is in Canada, I priced the centre grill piece from getbmwparts.com. It was roughly $30 US. I called BMW Toronto for pricing, $90 CAD. I couldn't help but laugh.

[ard]

Well, the tech may be calling them 'satellites', but BMW calls them "Shock absorbers":

Shock absorber, rear left for BMW X Series (E53,E70,E71,E83) X5 (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) (37126794353)

The tech is steering you wrong- there is only one part, it doesnt sit on top of the shock- IT IS IN THE SHOCK.

Now, maybe he is saying 'it isn't the shock itself, but the electronic valves within the shock- that sit on the top- that control the damping'..BUT that distinction is of no value to you as you cannot buy it separate from the shock.

You should search around for that fault code, and consider 'non-BMW dealer' solutions... parts are only 1400 each. 2800 and an hour or two to pop them on..how do they get to 5200?

I think the warranty is a bust...unless there are other non-shock parts on the list

[ard]

I'm going to add a comment.

The terms of the warranty seem to state that a 'variable dampning suspension' IS, in fact, covered.

So they have a bit of an issue in that one place it is covered, elsewhere a shock is excluded. if you were to take them to court, or otherwise do something other than the ineffective 'telephone chit chat'. they may decide to split it...if they think you might have a case, AND they think you could muster a challenge and win....

[Denalio]

Thanks for your input Ard. Here is the shop print out of parts. It is the control unit faulty that operates the valve coil. This has been my argument. The warranty states that the control module is covered. However, since the control module is part of the shock absorber and shocks are excluded they will not cover it. I have talked to the dealer and they talked to BMWNA and BMWNA have offered to pay for half of the cost which I think is very admirable of them since the car is out of warranty and 129,000 kms on the OD. I know this part has already been replaced and updated twice so obviously there is a manufacturing/engineering issue. Nevertheless, it is good will on BMWNA's part. This is not the first time the dealer has gone the extra mile for me. Now I need to deal with the SAL Warranty people for the other half of the cost of repair. It is difficult to reason with the SAL people because all they see is "shock absorber". The dealer has talked with them as well and I am getting nowhere. I fired of a letter to the claims administrator explaining my issue and argument, but have not heard back. Last time I spoke to the Claims Manager I did suggest we split the cost in an effort to show them I am reasonable and possible "good will" on their behalf, but they refused.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Denalio

It is the control unit faulty that operates the valve coil. This has been my argument. The warranty states that the control module is covered. However, since the control module is part of the shock absorber and shocks are excluded they will not cover it.

Agree with this assessment and the fact that this falls into a grey area of the SAL contract.

I think you would lose in court, however it might be cheaper for them to toss you a bone.

A