Front Driveshaft Issue

[kctoothdr]

I ended up with intimate knowledge of this recall in the last few weeks.

My 2011 X5 50i with 65K was part of the recall and was checked (and passed) in July 2014. Fast forward to November...my drive shaft failed on the highway and punched large holes in the oil pan and transmission housing. The engine block also suffered a crack so ended up with full replacement of engine and transmission.

I was at the dealership inspecting the carnage this morning and the SA told me that my drive shaft was actually of the newer design and so it was not expected to be problematic. He also said it was the first one that had passed the recall and then failed.

BMW is apparently switching manufacturers for the front drive shaft assembly and will likely end up expanding the scope of the part replacements.

SA took a bunch of pics I will post when I get my hands on them.

[bawareca]

Originally Posted by kctoothdr

I ended up with intimate knowledge of this recall in the last few weeks.

My 2011 X5 50i with 65K was part of the recall and was checked (and passed) in July 2014. Fast forward to November...my drive shaft failed on the highway and punched large holes in the oil pan and transmission housing. The engine block also suffered a crack so ended up with full replacement of engine and transmission.

I was at the dealership inspecting the carnage this morning and the SA told me that my drive shaft was actually of the newer design and so it was not expected to be problematic. He also said it was the first one that had passed the recall and then failed.

BMW is apparently switching manufacturers for the front drive shaft assembly and will likely end up expanding the scope of the part replacements.

SA took a bunch of pics I will post when I get my hands on them.

It is good that you explained why your engine and tranny will be replaced,because from your previous post I was left with the impression that they failed in some way.

[kctoothdr]

Originally Posted by bawareca

It is good that you explained why your engine and tranny will be replaced,because from your previous post I was left with the impression that they failed in some way.

Ah, sorry for the lack of clarity. No internal mech failures, just some impressive shrapnel wounds!

[bawareca]

Yeah,i can imagine.So did the bolts backed out or the joint gave up?
The fact that your '11 has the new design DS gives me some hop that my '12 D has the undestructible design No warranty here

[ard]

Originally Posted by kctoothdr

I He also said it was the first one that had passed the recall and then failed.


BMW is apparently switching manufacturers for the front drive shaft assembly and will likely end up expanding the scope of the part replacements.

SA took a bunch of pics I will post when I get my hands on them.

1. Good luck with the pictures....

2. Someone posted elsewhere about a failure, not sure if it was 'outside the recall'...$12000, no warranty. Although they are apparently 'in talks' with BMW... story comes out 12 posts down...Here:

Bimmerfest - BMW Forums - View Single Post - neutral?

[GPSnV1]

Originally Posted by MAK3N3

Mine was in for an oil change last week and said my front drive-shaft/u-joint needed to be replaced part # 26207556020 for $1220+2Hrs labor...I declined and I'm buying part this week. I have an 08 4.8...SA said mine isn't covered in recall.

I also have an 08 4.8 that will go in for an oil change next month, so I need to be alert for this possible complication?

I will be driving the 2012 5.0 at least 3K over the next 3 weeks and hope my SA got it right when he said my X5 was not part of the recall. But the posts upthread by the dentist from KC has me on edge.