Considering trading my E53 for an E70

[ard]

SW = software

patch = term used when they recode software to correct something initially released, but now realize there is a better way to do it...etc

In BMW speak, they will have a SIB (service bulletin) that may instruct them to recode the charging system to use a different charging algorithm. I am NOT sure if this will apply to your car, and I didnt bother searching to find it.

Remember, you can always decline to pay them $1000. Have the wife drive you to a store, pick up a battery and pop it in at the dealers lot. Did you sign a WO with anything other than $0 where it says 'estimate'??? Technically they need your approval BEFORE they do any work that would increase that past the approved amount.

GL

Report back

[JAH1]

Nice! Didn't think of that, will start searching for battery replacement DIY posts!

Any quick reply as to relative cost for battery? I have an awesome set of tools! (Spicoli reference) and would have no problem swapping in lot. Thanks

EDIT: Wow, lots of info: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ement-diy.html

[OlyS4]

Originally Posted by JAH1

OlyS4,

Was wondering how your car is running after your above noted experiences. I too moved from an e53 to e70 4.8. I love the power but you're right, too many slow electronic computer issues.

Today I drove for a while and then parked to enter a store. Came out, started fine and then couldn't shift out of "P". Turned off car and wouldn't restart. Called roadside assistance and the tow truck guy was a riot. Asked him if he knew where the dealership was and he said "oh yeah, I'm constantly towing these things!". Great.

Has your issue returned? I am dreading the "...we found out what it is but it's not covered under CPO" call.

Joe

2008 4.8 w/61K miles.

Joe, My wife had the exact same thing happen to her. Went to the store, came back out and it wouldn't shift out of park. Turned it off and it wouldn't start, just cranked like the starter was going out. Had it towed to BMW and after a couple days they were ready to give it back saying it was a fluke (said it threw a transmission code is all they could find). I told them BS and it wasn't coming back to me until I knew exactly what happened and that it was resolved, this issue has the potential to strand a family on a road trip where it may not be as easy to get help.

They called BMW USA and BMW told them to reprogram every system in the entire car and update all the software. They had the car for about 6 days and it was fixed but then a day after we got it back the rear lift gate quit opening on its own! That started working again and now randomly quits and resumes working. My wife drives it daily and says that every once in a while it doesn't start instantly and cranks a little, or it won't shift immediately out of park quickly or hesitates. It is an 08 with 58,000 miles but the CPO warranty is up in February 14. I think we are going to get rid of it before the warranty is up as I don't want to deal with issues like this on my own dime, we shouldn't have to. I will stay with an X5 but look for something 2010 or newer as they seem to have a lot less of these issues, BMW has solved the problems that plague the earlier models. Its a shame though, its a beautiful car with really low miles, we should be able to keep it until its over 100k! Hope this helps. -J

[JAH1]

Unbelievable. Still waiting on the call from dealer and I will report back thereafter.

Thank you for such a long, detailed reply. PM sent.....

Joe

[JAH1]

Not sure I buy it but..... Fuel pump failure covered under cpo. I guess it could have caused the inability to shift out of park? Oh well, love the thing so I'll look past it's faults for now.

Thanks for the input fellas.

Joe.