CPO not covering radiator
 

Saturday night, driving with wife and 1 year old, "Coolant level low" yellow indicator comes on.... just 2 minutes after that, RED ALERT "Car is overheating". the x5 automatically turns off the heater and also starts to shut down, as in loss of power. I G-L-I-D-E in to a gas station, got a quart of coolant,, all leaked out before I could get on the high way... make a long story short, finally got the X to my house, sunday, called BMW assist, towed to the stealership, and today, they said and I quote:

"Bad news, there is a rock that went through the lower grill, broke it and damaged the radiator... Not covered, the cost to replace is approx $1,300..." WTF???

Not sure what to do at this time...Need advice quick, as I swear that a rock did not hit me, as my daughter was asleep and the radio was off..

Please advise, this is a CPO up until 12-13. Oh, also I just got an oil change last week..:angryfire

ak.

thanks.

Coverage is not determined just by the identification of the component, but also by the mode of failure.

You are suggesting it failed because of faulty manufacturing, I gather. Dealer says something hit it. Should be straightforward to inspect it to see who is correct.

As most people would say, the warranty is very subjective. Try a different dealership. The cooling system IS covered under CPO IF the damage was due to a defect. It's not covered if a rock goes through it, technically speaking.

Would you expect them to cover your hood if a rock hit it and damaged it? Of course not. Same thing with a radiator...just unfortunately, it's a functional part of the vehicle versus some paint damage and a dent.

Again, try another dealer. Maybe one would goodwill this and report it to BMW as a defect.

If it was a rock and you find a dealer that will put it through as a CPO, keep one hand on your wallet. If they are willing to defraud BMW there would be no reason to think they wouldn't also defraud you.

If it has been hit by a rock, then your car insurance should pick up the tab. That would fall under comprehensive repair.

I would also check out an Independent shop that can do it for a more reasonable price just in case. The BMW dealership doesn't want to eat the cost of the radiator if they knowingly submit a claim that will be turned down due to outside influences such as a rock. Ask them to show you the hole and play nice. Call BMWNA and plead your case. You never know what they might offer. A dealership can absorb small losses if they wanted to for customer services reasons. I know this first hand more than once from personal experience.

Like others say ask another dealership for opinion or a compromise. But a rock is clearly on you unfortunately and an insurance claim might not net you any better then an Indy shop can install a new one for.

Well, the service advisor, whom I've known for 10+years sent me a pic yesterday. In trying to attach it, but it's not letting me. Clearly a rock is still the culprit, since its still in the area. I will attach later. I will try the good will way, if not... Still not sure,
Btw, Thanks for input, the advise is priceless.

Ak

I would agree with this, how is it any different than if same rock hit the windshield and cracked it?

You would be amazed what comp insurance covers. Had a wire harness on our old '01 X5 covered by comp after some mouse damage.

That definitely seems like a good option...

i had a rock punch through the gas tank on E39 - the gas leaked on the highway as i limped to the parking lot... i literally saw the gas needle go down to E right before my eyes.

The insurance picked up the tab (minus deductble $50) and the dealer replaced the tank. They have never heard of gas tank being punctured, they did not stock the part, so it took them about a week to get the part, and replace the tank. I had a rental for the duration, paid by the insurance...

i had a good samaritan try to call the authorities on me for "polluting" the environment with the gas leak... but... that is a whole different story... lol...

If it's a rock, file a claim with your auto insurance. Seems like there won't be any problems with proof - the dealer documented everything for you already, and even got pictures.
I don't see it as a warranty issue.

Terminator - thanks for polluting our environment with your gas spillage. If the Exxon Valdez wasn't enough.... :)

hahaha...

what about the BP in the Gulf? and after so many months, the oil just "disappeared"...

my spill did not make it about 1/4 of an inch to the rain drain, as was documented by the local fire department, and i was off the hook!!!...

As I heard, if something like that would have happened in Germany, there would have been a full HazMat response team (insurance would have paid for it)... over here - the fire department said everything was cool, and off i went...lol...

LOL - I can't believe it got to the point of a fire department. Can you imagine the HazMat team showing up and saying umm why were we called? That will be $5000 dollars please.

That's the first I heard that a rock has actually punctured a gas tank. They were designed with flying debris in mind. Can you imagine is a metal bolt/nut that could have caused a spark? Scary

the insurance company sent out an investigator, as they have not heard of rocks puncturing the gas tank either...

in the OP situation everything is already documented by the dealer, so, he should be good... just call insurance company, and tell them that it was discovered that a road debris has damaged the vehicle. They should pay up, assuming that the OP has the correct coverage - i think, comprehensive...

speaking of insurances - i always have the comprehensive coverage, with as low deductible as possible - that coverage is separate from the collision... covers broken windshield, vandalism, road debris... unfortunately, does not cover nails in the tires...

Or engine damage unless you can prove that a rock or bullet went through your block :)

bullet, ehh?..

that makes me think... :gun:

A new radiator from BMW cannot cost more than $500 and I am sure there are many good after market radiators out there for $300-$400. This is a very straighforward job. I would suggest doing it yourself.

Hey it's one of the very things you don't have to get coded by BMW. :)

don't give the Munich any ideas - next thing you see, you will need to code a replacement cigarette lighter or a cup holder!!!


:bustingup:bustingup:bustingup

I had to code the cup holder. It Chimed with a message saying "Wo ist das Bier?" When I first installed it.

:bustingup:bustingup

Why would you insult them and use up your personal relationship asking for goodwill????????

People wonder why dealers treat honest owners like crap...it's people like you trying to get what you dont deserve.

You're car insurance should cover it under comprehensive with no impact on your rates, but subject to your deductible. (of course this varies by state and policy)

A

Damn, Ard, why all the negativity?

I did PM you initially to seek your advise !:dunno:

I feel that I am not entitled to anything and I know that, as you can see from my post, I have had numerous autos, for example: In my CLS, the airmatic suspension when out, and as "Good will" they replaced the part, and I paid for the labour. I have had a pretty good rapport with this dealership, I purchased 3 cars from them last year.

So the final result is this: my insu deductable is $1,000 and the cost of repair is $1,300. So they might help me on the part maybe a 10% discount, being a BMW member. and YES, there is and was a chunk of concrete that broke the mesh and damaged the radiator!!!

Thanks for all of your help.

Ard,

I noticed you PMed me after your post,

No hard feelings! ALL GOOD!! :fencing: