First issue with my F30 320i

[Zenith]

Hi guys,

As you guys might remember, took delivery of this car about 3 months ago (preowned).

Anyways, was driving quite fast on the N1 a few days ago. Then a warning light flashed : Drive Train. The message advised me to drive at moderate speeds and send the car in to a BMW technician.

Car has virtually no power. So I sent the car to SMG this morning (car is still under plan). They tell me the car has to be stripped. Should have it by tomorrow, end of business day.

What is this problem? Should I be concerned?

 

[tman]

Too vague to tell. If it's under motorplan don't worry. What ever it is it will get sorted

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[Tinuva]

Yeah motorplan you lucky.

Sounds like gearbox or something possibly.

 

[Zenith]

Too vague to tell. If it's under motorplan don't worry. What ever it is it will get sorted

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A friend of mine said that his friend, that apparently works as a technician for BMW, says that drive train issues mean I'm going to have lots of issues down the road.

He tells me I should sell the car. I told him to fuck off, I just got the car! Maybe his friend is full of shit.

Anyway, I'm going to add a motor plan warranty (from SMG themselves) to cover mechanical issues. It costs R10K and covers me for 2 years.

I just don't need additional stress right now.

 

[tman]

Too vague to tell. If it's under motorplan don't worry. What ever it is it will get sorted

Sent on the move via Tapatalk

A friend of mine said that his friend, that apparently works as a technician for BMW, says that drive train issues mean I'm going to have lots of issues down the road.

Haha, please read that sentence. You started out with a vague diagnosis, now you ending up in Huigenoot territory.

Dont be too concerned if your uncles sisters, brother, who has a kitten that apparently lives in an old M5 tries to tell you whats what!

 

[Zenith]

Too vague to tell. If it's under motorplan don't worry. What ever it is it will get sorted

Sent on the move via Tapatalk

A friend of mine said that his friend, that apparently works as a technician for BMW, says that drive train issues mean I'm going to have lots of issues down the road.

Haha, please read that sentence. You started out with a vague diagnosis, now you ending up in Huigenoot territory.

Dont be too concerned if your uncles sisters, brother, who has a kitten that apparently lives in an old M5 tries to tell you whats what!

I thought he was just trying to wind me up and make me stress out more. I'm glad I'm taking this warranty extension plan because a lot of things can go wrong in a 2 year period.

 

[Ratslaaf]

Take the extra warranty. N20 motors can be fickle. Based on what you found I'd say either buggered VVT or timing chain tensioner

 

[Zenith]

Take the extra warranty. N20 motors can be fickle. Based on what you found I'd say either buggered VVT or timing chain tensioner

They told me it was a timing chain and the turbo. Both replaced under motor plan and they also tell me the parts have a 2 year unlimited km warranty.

 

[individj]

damn

 

[Beemer3series]

I'm not understanding the need to take out an additional warranty? Surely the motor plan would cover any issues? Unless I'm mistaken?

 

[Zenith]

My motorplan is taking care of everything. But it's expiring in November. So I need to make a plan for potential issues down the line and an extended warranty is the plan.

Car wasn't ready yesterday, so they gave me a loan car - Mini Cooper. Not a bad car.

 

[individj]

ja i wouldnt own a F30 out of motorplan at all!

 

[Fruks]

ja i wouldnt own a F30 out of motorplan at all!

y not?

 

[Zenith]

Car only will be ready on Friday. But I must say I'm pleasantly surprised with the Mini Cooper loan car. It's a lot of fun! And it's not even the S variant. It's a nippy little thing.

I'm even thinking maybe a year from now I sell my F30 and get a Mini Cooper S. Just really fun to drive and I'm sure the S will be a monster.

 

[S1NGH 911]

ja i wouldnt own a F30 out of motorplan at all!

y not?

Probably because he's clueless about modern day cars


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[Ratslaaf]

Like I said before, N20 motors are fickle things and pre '14 ones did have a few niggles; mostly timing chains and guides. Some are also plagued with Valvetronic issues; the VVT motor failing and in some cases, damaging the ecu. These are all issues that can be remedied preventatively but something to keep in mind.

This is not to say the are bad motors; I only get to hear of the broken ones which is probably a small fraction of all motors sold anyway. Just something to be aware of.

 

[Zenith]

Like I said before, N20 motors are fickle things and pre '14 ones did have a few niggles; mostly timing chains and guides. Some are also plagued with Valvetronic issues; the VVT motor failing and in some cases, damaging the ecu. These are all issues that can be remedied preventatively but something to keep in mind.

What do you mean can be remedied preventatively?

 

[Ratslaaf]

Chain guides are a known issue, so these should be replaced before it results in wear in the chain itself


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[individj]

ja i wouldnt own a F30 out of motorplan at all!

y not?

Probably because he's clueless about modern day cars


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boring. modern day cars are the problem....great tech but when shit breaks you want cover. little things can cost the price of a nice bike

 

[Zenith]

Chain guides are a known issue, so these should be replaced before it results in wear in the chain itself


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Yeah but how do you know it's a problem until it's too late? I'm not a mechanic. I don't have an eye for things that are looking kinda/sorta not 100%.

My motor plan expires next month. Is there anything I need them to look at specifically - anything else that might require attention?