F20 125i major failure, astronomical bill

[AceRally]

- 2012 F20 125i MSport Auto with about 80 000 KM on the odo.
- Acquired October 2015 and is still under finanace.
- Went out of motor plan in November 2017.
- Under BMW Financial Services Extended Warranty (Platinum option) since November 2017.
- Car lost power on the highway, drivetrain error message, lots of white smoke coming from exhaust. I pulled over and got towed by a truck to BMW dealership.
- Dealership wants to replace Turbo and Engine for R285k.

This quote exceeds value of the car, please advise on other options.

Report from Dealer:

"The vehicle came to our workshop with engine light illumination as well as white smoke from exhaust and no power. Upon diagnoses we found a loud noise emanating from the engine when running, the vehicle also smoking excessively from oil in the exhaust system. Oil level very low, suspected turbo damage allowing oil through the exhaust system.

We quoted on a complete engine as well as the turbo charger as we do not know the extent of the damage in engine due to driving with low oil level.

Other defects could be evident after replacing the above components as complete testing is not possible with the current state of the vehicle."

 

[Iceman12596]

Get the car to Chris at CCD, BMW don't fix motors they replace them.

 

[AceRally]

Get the car to Chris at CCD, BMW don't fix motors they replace them.

Thanks Iceman, will contact CCD.

 

[NtandoN]

What does the warranty cover?

 

[AceRally]

What does the warranty cover?

Hi NtandoN, check "Option A" on the last post on this thread: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81351

I'm on the Platinum option.

 

[Jeremy.d]

Get the car to Chris at CCD, BMW don't fix motors they replace them.

Agree. Get a private mech to diagnose. He will probably isolate the issue and fix for a fraction of that quote.

 

[cRed001]

Did the engine failure occur on the R21 by any chance?

 

[AceRally]

Did the engine failure occur on the R21 by any chance?

No, N1 in Limpopo.

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Get the car to Chris at CCD, BMW don't fix motors they replace them.

Agree. Get a private mech to diagnose. He will probably isolate the issue and fix for a fraction of that quote.

Thanks, this sounds like a better option.

 

[NtandoN]

Hi NtandoN, check "Option A" on the last post on this thread: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81351

I'm on the Platinum option.

That cover does not help with your bill. Can your warranty be used anywhere else other than the stealership?

Take it to someone else as recommended above.
I have a colleague who also had a similar issue with his F30 320i two months after his MP expired and BMW quoted R200k for an engine replacement. He sat with the car for 18 months fighting with BMW but did not get anywhere :dunnoanymore:

 

[officially_kage]

Faark me.... That definitely is a major failure but complete new engine?!
You should be able to repair at fraction of the price?
I will be the first to admit that I am a noob when it comes to engine rebuilds (although I have been through one) but from my estimate;
Pistons: R17000
Rings: R1900
Bearings: R2700
Crankshaft (if it is beyond just a polish): R10000
Head gasket set (head, valve cover, intake manifold etc: R6500
Turbo: R15000
Rebore: ?
Labour: R10000

Again, my estimates could be completely off

 

[SubLoaded]

N20 life. Hope you get the issue solved without having to fork out so much.

Alternatively, I'd suggest doing something dodgy with insurance but I shall remain quiet :hammerhead:

 

[Twinz]

285k is way too much to fork out on your own for repairs that are yet still unknown.

 

[AceRally]

Hi NtandoN, check "Option A" on the last post on this thread: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81351

I'm on the Platinum option.

That cover does not help with your bill. Can your warranty be used anywhere else other than the stealership?

Take it to someone else as recommended above.
I have a colleague who also had a similar issue with his F30 320i two months after his MP expired and BMW quoted R200k for an engine replacement. He sat with the car for 18 months fighting with BMW but did not get anywhere :dunnoanymore:

Yes, I can use repairer of my choice according to the policy.

---

Faark me.... That definitely is a major failure but complete new engine?!
You should be able to repair at fraction of the price?
I will be the first to admit that I am a noob when it comes to engine rebuilds (although I have been through one) but from my estimate;
Pistons: R17000
Rings: R1900
Bearings: R2700
Crankshaft (if it is beyond just a polish): R10000
Head gasket set (head, valve cover, intake manifold etc: R6500
Turbo: R15000
Rebore: ?
Labour: R10000

Again, my estimates could be completely off

The new engine is R145k according to their quote, but other people I spoke to doubt if the engine was damaged given the circumstances. Turbo, yes.

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285k is way too much to fork out on your own for repairs that are yet still unknown.

Ja, can get a complete car for that amount.

 

[Nikhil]

Clowns at BMW are taking chances again.

Go to an independent mechanic

1) Remove turbo and inspect
2) Compression test engine
3) If compression is in order strip all piping, intercooler and intake manifold and clean to ensure no debris from the turbo are present.
4) Replace the turbo
5) Engine flush and oil change
6) Then enjoy your BMW further

 

[Nobz330i]

Find a second option & Get it fixed or repaired.... as you said you could get another car for that amount.

 

[Rayzor]

Clowns at BMW are taking chances again.

Go to an independent mechanic

1) Remove turbo and inspect
2) Compression test engine
3) If compression is in order strip all piping, intercooler and intake manifold and clean to ensure no debris from the turbo are present.
4) Replace the turbo
5) Engine flush and oil change
6) Then enjoy your BMW further

Just to add to what Nik said, if the turbo is shattered, remove the sump to clean and refit :thumbs:

 

[Danny2]

285k is way too much to fork out on your own for repairs that are yet still unknown.

U will be surprised, got a mate thats sitting with a quote for R209k for a engine replacement F30 320i :dunnoanymore:

 

[S1NGH 911]

285k is way too much to fork out on your own for repairs that are yet still unknown.

U will be surprised, got a mate thats sitting with a quote for R209k for a engine replacement F30 320i :dunnoanymore:

Sad reality that the early N20 motors were terrible :dunnoanymore:

 

[Danny2]

the car went in for service and "whine/whistle" noise.

Told him engine requires replacement etc etc etc.

 

[Wes]

"The vehicle came to our workshop with engine light illumination as well as white smoke from exhaust and no power. Upon diagnoses we found a loud noise emanating from the engine when running, the vehicle also smoking excessively from oil in the exhaust system. Oil level very low, suspected turbo damage allowing oil through the exhaust system.

We quoted on a complete engine as well as the turbo charger as we do not know the extent of the damage in engine due to driving with low oil level.

Other defects could be evident after replacing the above components as complete testing is not possible with the current state of the vehicle."

Did it look like this?

Turbo Failure by Wes F, on Flickr

Go to an independent mechanic

1) Remove turbo and inspect
2) Compression test engine
3) If compression is in order strip all piping, intercooler and intake manifold and clean to ensure no debris from the turbo are present.
4) Replace the turbo
5) Engine flush and oil change
6) Then enjoy your BMW further

+1 on the above advice. This man knows his stuff.

Just to add, the motor would definitely have been low on oil because most of it would have been lying in the exhaust.

If it was shut down quickly enough and the rest of the inspection shows no alarming bits and pieces, then you should be ok.

Just make sure that everything is inspected and cleaned or replaced as necessary.