Bought a lemon?

Hello I bought a 2002 BMW 745i in dec of 2011 and on the test drive it was all good but since bringing it home I had a transmission fault in the first week. Then I have had dynamic drive inactive fault, steering angle fault, and this week a SES light came on. I have a BT cable and shows cat bank 1. Also vvt bank 1 and 2 as well as codes related to CAN and DME. Can all of this come from the alternator battery problems I've read on? Funny thing is power and battery codes were never present. I believe the tranny needs a flush as its at 83k. I don't even know where to start. This is my 3rd BMW and is the only one to have major issues.

They probably cleared all codes before you purchased the car, start with the easy fixes like tranny flush, fluid changes and maybe replace the battery if it's more than 4/ 5 yrs old.

Welcome to the 'fest!
You didn't take it to have inspected by BMW before purchasing it?? It's an '02, be ready to invest a couple of grand into it bud. Sorry can't help you with your questions, G'luck

Hay i had like 4 codes wen my battery died transmission was1 off them and dynamic cantrol check engine

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Dynamic drive is very common. Also how did you not get a pre purchase inspection from an independent mechanic before buying the car? Must also understand you bought a $80,000 car for pennies so price is reflected in repair issues it's still an amazing car for a great value

Sounds like a lemon!!

Many if not all your problems could be voltage related.

You will spend thousands of dollars on repairs assuming you can do the repairs, tens of thousands if you are using the dealer.

But you avoided the really big cost which is $70k of depreciation. The car sold for about $80K new and is now worth $10k. This is truly painful....

Ive gotta 02 745li and the same thing happened to me as well. I Dont believe the car is a lemon because like Ive heard time and time again the alternator on those cars was Bmw's big issue for some reason. So Ima look into that problem for one and see Wat i can come up with after that. Good luck Bro and God bless ya!

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BMW records show that the alternator/battery were replaced in 06. It's probably time. I also bought mbi so powertrain is under warranty. Right now my wife won't drive it so it's invest more money or trade it in an cut my losses. There isn't any coolant leak or smoke on idle that others have complained of. So if it's not burning oil, there probably isn't a major sas issue. I'm also getting a consistent 25mpg on 10% etoh.

If codes were cleared what help would an inspection be? The dealer is just going to scope it an tell you no codes..payme.

Originally Posted by 1bad540

sounds like a lemon!!

+1

I dunno about trans flush.. Heard of them being hyped procedures that can do more harm than help. Maybe somebody knows more though. A lot of good minds on this site...

Good Luck though

Thanks. I'm sure i can do all the work with help from the DIY section.

LOL. Nah, YOUR E65 isn't a Lemon........they're ALL bad.

Still wishing I bought a Lexus.

If you buy abused car, them be ready for a big $$$ to spend on it, if you buy 7 from a person who did all maintenance and never abuse it then it is great car many people on this forum gets more then 200K miles

Originally Posted by slamitlow

BMW records show that the alternator/battery were replaced in 06. It's probably time. I also bought mbi so powertrain is under warranty. Right now my wife won't drive it so it's invest more money or trade it in an cut my losses. There isn't any coolant leak or smoke on idle that others have complained of. So if it's not burning oil, there probably isn't a major sas issue. I'm also getting a consistent 25mpg on 10% etoh.

If codes were cleared what help would an inspection be? The dealer is just going to scope it an tell you no codes..payme.

Man! Stop Stessing! If the car is driving good! 25mpg is good! Because of the battery you are probably getting a lot of false codes! Also, these issues can be fixed! The parts & labor can be a lot more miminal if you do the parts & labor research!

I was the same way regarding my bimmers! I have found mechanics that will take the enging out, head off in 4 hours! They are not BMW or Indy mechanics.

As for the check engine light (02 & Cats). Most of this carbon build-up is due to not running Super & not running these cars to blow out the carbon.

Chill! Do some calling/looking for a mechanic! The electrical items may require a Indy tech. Everything can be done by a SAE mechanic that's wants/can do the work!

Dont feel bad i think i got a lemon last august to. Test drove it for 30 minutes with no problems and now its like everything that could happen is happening.

Your car isn't a Lemon..first how much did you pay for it? if you got a good deal, which i'm sure you did then remember you bought a $80,000 car for peanuts, so expect some issues. again check alternator & battery..AND UPDATE US

i do not care how much of a deal someone gives for a 02.. I would not buy it..that year is a lemon.. No need to buy a car if your gonna have to constant pay for repairs..

Originally Posted by busarider

they probably cleared all codes before you purchased the car

+1

Originally Posted by sooky

i do not care how much of a deal someone gives for a 02.. I would not buy it..that year is a lemon.. No need to buy a car if your gonna have to constant pay for repairs..

Well, the thread wasn't started or directed towards you, the reply was to the OP, who OWNS AN 02 & there are also many on the road that are fine!