F30 335i engine replacement at 60000km

[The_Kowz]

Hi guys

Looking to hear some of your views on this.

I started hearing an odd sound at around 2000rpm under little/no load when keeping the revs and speed constant. Sounded like a metallic chatter of sorts. Difficult to explain. Kinda like a cross between a miss and noisy tappets (of old). Would disappear as soon as I gave a little throttle.

I took it into SMG Cape Town in Century City for them to have a look at, and they couldn't find any error codes/faults logged in the ECU. They ended up logging a Puma case with BMW SA who instructed them to remove the top engine covers and sump to have a look around. Suspected a bearing.

They've subsequently been instructed to replace the engine!?!? It arrived on Friday, has been fitted and they're in the process of testing. I've also told them to sort out all the admin to get police clearance, micro dots fitted, etc. should have it back early next week.

Now, although on the one hand I'm kinda glad they're replacing the entire engine (minus turbo, which they're swapping over from the old engine) instead of disassembling and fiddling inside my baby's insides, this does leave me a little concerned. Why would they go such a drastic route and replace the entire engine? I'm thankful motor plan is covering this, but it does leaves me wondering about the quality of the vehicle afterwards. There's something about having the equivalent of heart replacement surgery performed at a dealer, which doesn't leave me with a warm fuzzy feeling.

Some questions:
- Do I have any grounds to ask for a replacement vehicle?
- Should I receive some sort of detailed explanation to what caused this drastic measure?
- Do I worry about future issues relating to quality - parts and the install?
- Do I have grounds to ask for an extended warranty/motor plan, fearing a repeat?
- Does this hurt the resale value on my vehicle?

My confidence in the brand is feeling a little low at the moment, if I'm honest. Granted, they're attempting to resolve the issue, but I have to question why it's necessary in the first place. And before someone climbs into me stating mechanical failures happen, I fully understand and appreciate this. Again, just doesn't leave me feeling all warm and fuzzy. Make no mistakes, I won't be keeping this vehicle outside of motor plan.

Would appreciate your views on this guys.

Thanks
Bernard


Sent from my  iPad

 

[Jaysonl]

Wow, This does make one wonder but i'm glad it's being sorted out with no monetary loss on your side. I would certainly like to know what has happened

 

[Iceman007]

Any explanation yet

 

[China]

Would also want to know about those few questions you posted Bernard, sorry to hear about the ordeal.
Keep us posted wrt the outcome!

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

Sorry to hear about all your chaos.. :blueCry:

I know of a M135i than ran bearings, stock car no mods at around 6k kms. So I went into the N55 purchase myself knowing all too well the motor would/can go at some point. My 2c of the situation is that not all engines are equal, mine is particularly strong for a stock car, so I can only hope it was built very well, time will tell... You might just be unlucky and got a not-so-perfect motor.

Having had the motor in my F30 320d replaced I can share some experience. Extended motorplan will not happen, you will have 2 years warranty on the shortblock, the resale value will not be affected (mine was not) as it's on motorplan. There were no issues with my 320d after this, car was rock solid and truth be told the only reason I sold it was because I wanted a faster car.

 

[zippy320]

This is just me view,experience,opinion based on my family,friends and myself having a few cars on moterplan,

Some questions:
- Do I have any grounds to ask for a replacement vehicle? Nope , Not a chance.

- Should I receive some sort of detailed explanation to what caused this drastic measure? You can ask them for an explanation , put it in your manual etc

- Do I worry about future issues relating to quality - parts and the install? Not really. Its original BMW parts performed by a BMW dealer under motorplan with a warranty , shouldnt be any problem , if the dealer is competent im sure everything should be fine.

- Do I have grounds to ask for an extended warranty/motor plan, fearing a repeat? Nope , engine comes with 2 year warranty .

- Does this hurt the resale value on my vehicle? Nope , never heard of it hurting the value , in fact , I think some people like the fact that the engine has been replaced under motor plan , they get a sort of newish motor in a car at a lower price. It can actually be a Big plus to some.

 

[tivoli786]

Some questions:
- Do I have any grounds to ask for a replacement vehicle? They will say it is under motorplan so no no new car
- Should I receive some sort of detailed explanation to what caused this drastic measure? I am guessing faulty oil pump
- Do I worry about future issues relating to quality - parts and the install? no they replaced complete bottom end
- Do I have grounds to ask for an extended warranty/motor plan, fearing a repeat? Try but I doubt you will succeed
- Does this hurt the resale value on my vehicle? no as your enatis will still state new as far as I know but the work carried out will appear on CIA report


how I know all this is because I also raised some time ago when I was in a similar situation with my 320i I was fortunate though as I had the whole bottom end replaced with turbo and diff.

 

[KarshS]

These things happen to most new cars....

The issue with your motor could be small but maybe they want to change the motor so they can open up your motor and see if there are any weak links which they need to sort out either via a recall or improve on future motors.

 

[ChefDJ]

Personally I think BMW replaced the motor instead of repairing it because their mechanics are not mechanics as much as they are... parts fitters, to be honest.

 

[Ybechan28]

My engine might be getting replaced as well but for a different reason , apparently they found metal shavings in the oil during the 20 point check, and they told me this right after I picked the car up(I just bought it a week ago and the car has 35000km):thumbdo:

 

[ChefDJ]

My engine might be getting replaced as well but for a different reason , apparently they found metal shavings in the oil during the 20 point check, and they told me this right after I picked the car up(I just bought it a week ago and the car has 35000km):thumbdo:

On that basis you should be able to return the car, within 6 months from date of purchase as per the consumer act (I believe).

 

[ChrisBrand]

To be honest, this is BMW's go to solution when they don't know whats wrong. If the computer can't tell them whats wrong they would rather just fit a new engine than go hunting for a problem. I also think it would cost them less to replace than dismantel the entire engine to find a problem.

 

[tivoli786]

lol my car was brand new and had problems from day one and they refused giving me a refund. That being said have had no issues after replacement.

 

[The_Kowz]

Quick update. Got my car back on Friday. New engine fitted and all seems to be going well so far.

Invoice total? R169k. Thank heavens for a maintenance plan. I'd probably have doused it in petrol and burnt it if this happened outside of plan.

 

[sn3rd]

Could you perhaps give us an update on this? How has the car been running and have you had any other issues since the "surgery"?

 

[NavZ]

Personally I think BMW replaced the motor instead of repairing it because their mechanics are not mechanics as much as they are... parts fitters, to be honest.

So true… and so sad...

 

[kilotango]

To be honest, this is BMW's go to solution when they don't know whats wrong. If the computer can't tell them whats wrong they would rather just fit a new engine than go hunting for a problem. I also think it would cost them less to replace than dismantel the entire engine to find a problem.

from a dealers perspective, warranty is probably their only concern with aftersales. once a car is out of warranty... it usually gets treated like a ginger headed stepchild by the manufacturer and dealer.

and i think it has alot to do with liability, corporates hate liability especially when something is still under warranty....

 

[Jeppe777]

Exact symptoms of PCV failure.... all you needed was a new Valve cover and/or rear main seal.