They clearly DO know it is an issue...State of Californina requires them to give and extended warranty to key parts costing over a certain amount- and BMW therefore lists the tank.

They know it is an issue.

Do they care about replacement cost to the public and second owners past 50k? not so much

BMW clearly is aware of the issue NOW as sulev tanks after the E46 were indeed serviceable. My point is that they obviously had to have felt the pain warranting all the tanks for the E46 platform so you would think designing a non-serviceable tank of any sort would be a thing of the past, clearly not the case.

As for the CA emissions warranty, my understanding is that it has nothing to do with the cost of the parts but rather their relation to reducing emissions. For instance the M56 valve cover, radiator, oxygen sensors, converters, etc were all covered under the 15yr/150k emissions warranty for the E46 sulev regardless of their cost. Also, the warranty was tied to the car, so no matter how many owners the car previously had emissions related parts were covered.

There are more parts that impact emissions than is in that list. However, I agree it may not be cost (the federal warranty does use cost, not sure on CA). It may have to do with expected failure rates? Dunno

For sure. Those were just the common parts. Thankfully I had my fuel tank replaced at 148k otherwise the bill would be $6k just for the parts!

You're right, I called them up again and confirmed they dont have the tank in stock.


Not sure.


Yes, it was on and off the first few months so I never really paid too much attention to it. Plus there were more important things that got in the way.

My last resort of course will be to replace it myself.

The other day I just got my check engine light with it being the DEF level sensor being bad. Also something about a secondary water pump not working, I wonder if that's the active to passive tank pump?

Either way, car is headed to the dealership next week. I just have to hope either they have finally extended coverage on this repair (my X5 is a 2011 with 72k miles) or that my 3rd party warranty will cover it. It specifically says it doesn't cover exhaust components, so who knows.

The secondary water pump is NOT the active to passive tank pump.

The DEF sensor is unrelated to the exhaust. Make sure you discuss this with the SA and make sure they understand how to submit it to your insurance. The word 'exhaust' should not be used anywere when they talk to your 3rd party.

I got a check engine light so I took my 2012 X5D to dealership, it was warning too much oil. they took my X5 in and checked the motor oil sensor is bad, they also took me that my active DEF tank is bad. this is my second active DEF tank being bad......I am still under warranty, so it was free for now......

Got it, thanks!

Also I don't know if I should be more worried or relieved, but my check engine light was gone this morning. :stickpoke

I was getting a sporadic CEL, for active tank temperature sensor code, and asked the dealer to replace the tank under the 7 year/100k mile extended warranty. I believe walking in knowing already knowing the specific code, the integrated sensor/tank replacement issue, and emissions section of the warranty, all made a significant difference - thanks to this forum. The US $50 deductible was the least I've ever spent at a BMW dealer!