2008 x5 4.8 cylinder head crack! - Page 2

Suge206 · #11 10-16-2013, 04:00 PM

Trade that biotch in.

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LA08X5 · #12 10-19-2013, 02:08 PM

OK, so here's the latest:

My SA called from the dealer on Wednesday and said that they believed the crack was there all along and disguised by oil that had leaked from the valve cover gasket. He said they felt they shared in the responsibility and therefore would reduce the cost of the job from $12,600 to $9,400!

I told him if they missed it while it was under warranty then I shouldn't have to pay at all. When he got back to me the next day, the story changed... He said they had their most experienced mechanic take a look at it and he told them he didn't believe the crack had been there for that long. He said they would still honor the lower price or... he said they could remove the head and have it welded and that would save even more because I wouldn't have to buy a new one.

I asked the SA how the mechanic thought the crack occurred because the car had never overheated? Now they're leaning toward a defect when it was forged... but of course, no one will know for sure until they get the head removed.

So here's my Dilemma:
I'm done with this car. I want to trade it and get a 2014 x5. But I can't trade it "as is" without taking a huge hit for the cost of repair.

I can have an Indy mechanic do the work and weld the head which will be a lot cheaper, but still cost thousands... What happens if I have an indy remove the head we see that it is, in fact a problem when the head was forged? I think I would have a better chance on getting the work covered if the dealer is doing the work when that discovery is made...

Thoughts? suggestions?

e30cabrio · #13 10-19-2013, 02:15 PM

Is BMWNA involved? If not call immediately.

Seeing as the car never overheated and they have changed the story 2x now, I'd say it is a flaw or dealer error & either way not your responsibility.

I'd say I am ready for a new car, take this one do what you want & give me a great deal on a new one or that (insert other brand here) looks nice adios BMW forever.

LA08X5 · #14 10-19-2013, 02:24 PM

That's kinda where I'm at right now. I'm going to go in in-person on Monday and have that conversation. The "insert brand" would be the new Audi SQ5.

The bottom line here is I'll be pissed if I get stuck with a $6k or higher bill just to trade the car in after all these shenanigans.

e30cabrio · #15 10-19-2013, 02:28 PM

I feel your pain, I just went through this with my 2006 350Z. I installed it's 4th motor just to drive it the next day & trade it in on my X5.

It sucks when manufacturers leave customers holding the bag. You are in a much better position than I was seeing as the car was maintained by the dealer and they just "fixed" it (improperly)

Good luck.

LA08X5 · #16 10-19-2013, 03:07 PM

oh, here's the icing on the cake:

I get a postcard from the dealer yesterday saying "Thanks for bringing your car in for service. While it was here, we noticed what good shape it's in and we'd like to buy it." blah...blah...blah...

I know its a form letter, but come on! It's like the right hand is not talking to the left!

A B Able Truck · #17 10-19-2013, 06:41 PM

It's hard to tell from the photo, but it appears the crack is at the top of the head where the valve cover sits. It probably doesn't leak while the engine is running because the crankcase/valve cover is in a state of vacuum. When the engine is off, the oil is probably coming from what is resting in the head (So it's not a pressure leak). You should be able to pull that valve cover, clean the heck out of the crack/surrounding area, put a sealer both inside and out (something that will penetrate the crack and bond well), let dry and reassemble.

ard · #18 10-20-2013, 03:08 AM

Bend over, eh?

Dealer could go to bat with BMWNA ... but instead they are lying to you.

Get it to a different dealer AND get BMWNA involved. Insist that you want a visit with the regional rep.

LA08X5 · #19 10-20-2013, 11:46 AM

Thanks ARD. I'll ask for the Regional rep tomorrow.

ard · #20 10-20-2013, 05:08 PM

WHO will you ask? Recognize that the dealer is your enemy now....they will get blamed if this crack was there and they didnt fix it first time. You need to appreciate there are three people in play here- you, BMWNA and Dealer.

I've had SAs go to bat for me, with stuff out of warranty.... and I've said "I'll pay you guys $500 towards the repair if you can get this covered by them" (this was not BMW).

Talk to BMWNA consumer affairs. They will take all the info and then talk to the dealer....push for a face to face. Your argument MUST be that the leak was never fixed, and that it was there since the first repair- and therefore it is still under warranty.

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