When evaporators go bad...
 

My 2002 3.0 went into the dealer on Tuesday for what appeared to be a bad final stage resistor. It was blowing cold air out of the left vents, and warm air out of the right ones. Well, it looks like there is a leak in the a/c evaporator. The total repair cost will exceed $2,000.00 since the labor is 15 hours (they have to remove the entire dash). My saving grace is that I bought a Warranty Direct extended warranty 2 years ago. They are going to pay the ENTIRE bill. If anyone had doubts about EW companies, WD is a good one :thumbup: . I will post the final repair charges when I get the car back on Monday. Oh, and Chapman BMW of Scottsdale also gave me a nice 525i loaner :).

SG,
What a safety net, with WD!

I haven't had to usd my WD yet, but I sense some work
coming up. Your f/up report will be very interesting...
GL,mD

Just want to know can a person get a loaner ,who does not have a warranty and pays out of pocket?

Nice save on the WD SG :thumbup:

How many miles on yours now?

What month/year did you purchase it?

My '04 goes out of warranty at the end of Oct. 17k and some odd miles ;)

I had the same issue with mine. Well, I had it twice. Once was the final stage resistor and the other was a bad/leaking compressor with the same fix you're getting. A/C repairs are insanely expensive!

Good that you have the extended warranty and this incident alone paid you back. :thumbup:

That is awesome. Now you have more money for palm trees, superman outfits, etc.

Here's the interesting part Dave, normally they only pay up to $100 per hour for labor. My dealer charges $125 an hour. Since there is so much labor involved with this replacement, they are covering the whole thing. Seems hard to believe, but that's what my SA was told by WD.

That really depends on the dealer, and your relationship with them ;).

23,500, it was manuf. in early 11/01, I bought in late 11/01.

Are you serious Kev? So they replaced your evaporator? How much? Interesting that yours is a Steel Grey 2002 3.0i as well. I wonder if this is only a 2002 3.0 steel grey issue :rofl: .This is the 3rd incident for me. In 11/05 I had the final stage resistor replaced, and then in 09/06 they said that 2 schrader vavle couplings were leaking, which were replaced. This desert heat really does a number LOL. After this incident, I will have already more than paid for my extended warranty, and it's still good for another 2 years. I think I originally paid ~ $2,200 for the 4 year/40k mile $0 deduct. top of the line program.

Oh, they are also replacing the drivers side door actuator. Last winter, it would become inoperative below 50 degrees F. Who knows how much that is.

EXACTLY :rofl:

You just reminded me that I had a leaking Schrader valve too so our "twins" have had the same A/C issues. The last time was to replace the compressor and associated hoses to the tune of about $3500 including parts. I'm really not sure what the cost was as my BMW extended warranty paid for it but when I priced out the parts alone per RealOEM the total for PARTS was over $2200. Youch!

I just hope that if and when my transmission goes that it happens while my extended warranty is good. I think besides A/C issues the transmission would be one of the most expensive issues.

I'll have to take it slow for the next two years to keep pace :bump:

At least half my 17k is from long highway trips (500+ miles each way).

Fortunately, no problems with my X so far except for three engine management software "upgrades". Knock wood :banghead:

Real OEM shows the evaporator part alone to be $476.00

Wow great call on the aftermarket warranty! I have been thinking of purchasing one from WD after reading you post it is starting to make more sense. Hope all works out for you.

greg i have the same WD warranty! knock on wood i hope they come through when i need repairs too!

I feel GREAT about WD now :thumbup: . I have also used their roadside assistance when I had a flat tire. I wasn't about to change it when it was 110 degrees outside ;). They showed up within 30 minutes, and were done in about 5. No charge.

Thanks, I'll post a full follow up after I pick it up. Hopefully Monday.

Hey SuperGreg, does Chapman always give out BMW loaners? At BMW North Scottsdale, you get a Ford POS from the on-site Hertz rental car dealer for $5.00.

If they have a bmw loaner available, you get one. Just to be clear, I go to:

Chapman BMW
6601 E. McDowell Road

Beautiful save my Brutha'!:thumbup:

Yeah, I think I'm a lucky one this time. Not holding my breath until I pick up the car tomorrow.

**UPDATE**
 

Just got the car back.

Total Bill: $2972 (This was to replace the door actuator, and a/c evaporator)
My portion: $200

Original cost of extended warranty: $2300
Prior covered extended warranty repairs: $225

Value of Warranty Direct extended warranty: PRICELESS :D

NOTE: I also still have 2 years left on the extended warranty :)

Nice! :thumbup:

Where can i get this WD extended warranty,Greg..Thanks

Directly from Warranty Direct of course ;)

Thank, Greg looking into right now:thumbup:

Just had to take her in for the 5th a/c repair. There was warm air blowing from the right side vents. Turns out that the a/c evaporator went bad again! Since the part was just replaced less than a year ago, they replaced it again under the BMW warranty. They also replaced what they are calling the expansion valve, which must be near the evaporator. Warranty Direct covered this as well. She's back to blowing cold air again. This is good since the temps here have been averaging about 112 :).

SG,
Maybe living at the doorway to Hell puts a lil' more pressure on your
ol'A/C?! :D
You are a testimonial for Warr.Direct; thus far, I've only been able to
grab about 2 Bens from the coverage, which expires in 8 thou miles,
or another year. I'm debating as the extension deals they are offering
are really one sided...theirs. :confused:

Good to read you are cool again, though. Where the hell you been,
lately? ;>) :nanana:
BR,mD