Gremlins in the electronics?

I tell ya them GREMLINS!!

OK, I dropped off my 335d at the dealer this morning so they could resolve the P203A Code and the low DEF.

They gave me a Hertz rental for the day. A Ford Taurus. Definitely not a bimmer!

Called me back this afternoon to say vehicle was ready. All it needed was two bottles of DEF. I warned that they should have a good explanation for the low DEF and the code and that I would verify the code was cleared with my Garmin.

So, I get to the dealer and meet with my SA. He repeats that all it needed was two bottles of DEF and that all codes were cleared. When i questioned him about how the DEF was low, he said the shop manager, after seeing which mechanic had serviced it last back some 6k miles ago, must not have topped off the DEF and did not reset the P203A code, which is why i was seeing it ever since.

OK, so I think this may pass the plausibility test after all. Failed to reset code at service, and this P203A is a hidden code for the driver. Mechanic fails to top off DEF, so I got the low level before it should have been due.

Get the feeling these guys are still trying to figure out our cars?

Gremlins, or not??? Getting close to holloween!

I'm feeling the extended warranty/service plan will be a must. This must be costing BMW a fortune to service/warrant these cars and provide loaners too.

If the def wasn't topped up at the last service I doubt you could have driven 6,000 miles before the low def warning?

That happened on my second service and a few days later the low def warning occurred.
I sent it back and watched the tech refill the def.
He had to hook the D to the shop computer which actually displayed the % of the def as it was refilled.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Bimmer App

You could drive 6k miles if they only topped off one of the tanks. Seems to be the common cause when someone only makes it that many miles after an oil change(def top off).

Well,

That didn't last 24 hours. Ran an errand at lunch and the SES came back on as well as the P203A Code.

So problem is definitely not solved.

Emailed my SA, so let's see what he has to offer me now.

And I already submitted a shining review.

Originally Posted by Flyingman

Well,

That didn't last 24 hours. Ran an errand at lunch and the SES came back on as well as the P203A Code.

So problem is definitely not solved.

Emailed my SA, so let's see what he has to offer me now.

And I already submitted a shining review.

Can I make a suggestion? Take your car to Braman WPB or Jupiter and stop using Pines BMW service department. Braman sold a ton of 335d's when they were being made and I find their service techs to be quite experienced with this car. Also, they will give you a BMW loaner.

Originally Posted by Alpine300ZHP

Can I make a suggestion? Take your car to Braman WPB or Jupiter and stop using Pines BMW service department. Braman sold a ton of 335d's when they were being made and I find their service techs to be quite experienced with this car. Also, they will give you a BMW loaner.

Service techs make or break the experience with these cars ... or that has been my experience.

Originally Posted by Snipe656

Service techs make or break the experience with these cars ... or that has been my experience.

Very true. The Braman guys have told me a few things about the 335d that has made me realize they are very experienced with this motor. Also, there are a ton of x5d's floating around Palm Beach County so Braman services a ton of diesel BMW's.

Originally Posted by Alpine300ZHP

Very true. The Braman guys have told me a few things about the 335d that has made me realize they are very experienced with this motor. Also, there are a ton of x5d's floating around Palm Beach County so Braman services a ton of diesel BMW's.

Experience of the techs is everything. WPB is not really in my area where I live or work, about an hour+ North of me.

My SA has yet to respond to my email.

That will have to be plan B.

Originally Posted by Flyingman

Experience of the techs is everything. WPB is not really in my area where I live or work, about an hour+ North of me.

My SA has yet to respond to my email.

That will have to be plan B.

I know it is not in your neck of the woods, but I am pretty confident they can get your car sorted out. Might be worth it to ride up here one day and drop off the car and get a BMW loaner and go back home. I also use Coggin BMW in Fort Pierce which is an hour drive for me too (when service is on my nickle since they give me discounts). Coggin does good work as well, but given your location Braman makes the most sense because of the diesel volume they do.

Originally Posted by Alpine300ZHP

I know it is not in your neck of the woods, but I am pretty confident they can get your car sorted out. Might be worth it to ride up here one day and drop off the car and get a BMW loaner and go back home. I also use Coggin BMW in Fort Pierce which is an hour drive for me too (when service is on my nickle since they give me discounts). Coggin does good work as well, but given your location Braman makes the most sense because of the diesel volume they do.

Thanks for the tip.

I never did go back to the dealer for the P203A code. It finally cleared itself and everything had been running fine best I could tell.

I even had one my best MPG for a tank full commuting, 32MPG! My MPG improves during the colder months of winter as I don't need/use the A/C. This is proven to be substantial at approx 1-2mpg better without the A/C. My typical is 29MPG.

Now I have a new code that was thrown yesterday.

P205C Reductant Tank Temperature Sensor Circuit Low. WTF????

The temperature here in South Florida was like 68 degrees yesterday, so I'm wondering if it is really a low temp or just a bad circuit?

Anyway, I'm nearing my next service in about 2k miles so hopefully no other surprises pop up. It would appear that almost all of my issues have been related to the DPF and DEF systems on this car.

I wonder if that code is related to the heater within the one DEF tank, since one has a heater. If so then clearly in Florida a fault in that system would most likely mean nothing at all to you since not like that fluid probably ever needs to be heated in that environment.

It most certainly has not been that cold. My garage was about 68 while outside might have been in the low 60's. I suspect it is an ECU or circuit issue and not an actual temperature or heater problem.

Wonder what temp that heater comes on at anyway?

If I am ever going to do a mod to this car it will be to defeat the DEF system. It causes nothing but problems and error codes best I can tell.

Was just saying maybe it is the temp sensor for the def system
Not that the heater is actually needed in your environment.

Originally Posted by Snipe656

Was just saying maybe it is the temp sensor for the def system
Not that the heater is actually needed in your environment.

Agreed, but has no real impact on operational performance so it will wait until a scheduled pit stop.

I think my next service will be at 49,800 miles, just shy of the 50k. I'm still on the fence in regards to the extended warranty and maintenance, but leaning towards buying it just for peace of mind. Expensive peace of mind.

Originally Posted by Flyingman

Agreed, but has no real impact on operational performance so it will wait until a scheduled pit stop.

I think my next service will be at 49,800 miles, just shy of the 50k. I'm still on the fence in regards to the extended warranty and maintenance, but leaning towards buying it just for peace of mind. Expensive peace of mind.

Before you do that make sure that the extended warranty covers all of these diesel components. There are a few exclusions in the warranty and it might not cover what you want it to cover.

Originally Posted by Alpine300ZHP

Before you do that make sure that the extended warranty covers all of these diesel components. There are a few exclusions in the warranty and it might not cover what you want it to cover.

Daniel @ Pacific BMW has been very helpful. The SCR system is covered. See the attachment (might be too big...)

I did not buy one, because WA is one of the 13 states where emissions equipment is covered to 7/70K, and spending the ~$2200 would essentially have bought me one year of coverage (I drive 18K/year) and it wasn't worth it for that.

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Daniel @ Pacific BMW has been very helpful. The SCR system is covered. See the attachment (might be too big...)

I did not buy one, because WA is one of the 13 states where emissions equipment is covered to 7/70K, and spending the ~$2200 would essentially have bought me one year of coverage (I drive 18K/year) and it wasn't worth it for that.

Thanks, Daniel already sent me a quote which was indeed better than what my local dealer was offering. I've got about 2 months to make my final decision before I reach 50k.

No one ever said BMWs were cheap to own.

Originally Posted by Flyingman

I never did go back to the dealer for the P203A code. It finally cleared itself and everything had been running fine best I could tell.

I even had one my best MPG for a tank full commuting, 32MPG! My MPG improves during the colder months of winter as I don't need/use the A/C. This is proven to be substantial at approx 1-2mpg better without the A/C. My typical is 29MPG.

Now I have a new code that was thrown yesterday.

P205C Reductant Tank Temperature Sensor Circuit Low. WTF????

The temperature here in South Florida was like 68 degrees yesterday, so I'm wondering if it is really a low temp or just a bad circuit?

Anyway, I'm nearing my next service in about 2k miles so hopefully no other surprises pop up. It would appear that almost all of my issues have been related to the DPF and DEF systems on this car.

Update is I brought my car in for 50k service Monday. SA called me the next day to advise they had to order a new DEF transfer pump as apparently the heater is part of that assembly. So I'm WFP (Waiting For Parts!). Meantime I'm back in a new 328i with the sewing machine engine. At least that is what it sounds like. I can wait.

Glad I went ahead with the extended warranty and maintenance plan after all. I rolled in with 50,100 miles and was waiting to see my SA's face when he discovered I had bought the plan elsewhere. I was registered in the system and he could see I bought it from Pacific BMW. He questioned where they were located. I said a few hundred lower than you guys!

I'm @ 43 k miles over 39 mos. I too will consider the extended warranty. Tic toc.

Sent from my MB525 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by Flyingman

Update is I brought my car in for 50k service Monday. SA called me the next day to advise they had to order a new DEF transfer pump as apparently the heater is part of that assembly. So I'm WFP (Waiting For Parts!). Meantime I'm back in a new 328i with the sewing machine engine. At least that is what it sounds like. I can wait.

Glad I went ahead with the extended warranty and maintenance plan after all. I rolled in with 50,100 miles and was waiting to see my SA's face when he discovered I had bought the plan elsewhere. I was registered in the system and he could see I bought it from Pacific BMW. He questioned where they were located. I said a few hundred lower than you guys!

Out of curiosity since the problem pre-dated your warranty going up is the pump being covered by the original warranty on the car? If it is not then don't you have to pay some small fee(like $50?) for the repair being done under the warranty extension?

Originally Posted by Snipe656

Out of curiosity since the problem pre-dated your warranty going up is the pump being covered by the original warranty on the car? If it is not then don't you have to pay some small fee(like $50?) for the repair being done under the warranty extension?

My SA was well aware of the history I have had on this problem area. He said he asked that their technical "expert" review the situation and resolve it. BS? Probably.

Anyway, I'm not expecting to pay a dime and he did not indicate there would be any cost to me. No idea which warranty they would charge it to.

I'm not aware of a $50 charge for warranty on the extended plan, but I haven't read the fine print yet.

In some other thread on here a person said that you pay a small amount for each extended warranty repair. They of course could have been wrong.

Originally Posted by Flyingman

My SA was well aware of the history I have had on this problem area. He said he asked that their technical "expert" review the situation and resolve it. BS? Probably.

Anyway, I'm not expecting to pay a dime and he did not indicate there would be any cost to me. No idea which warranty they would charge it to.

I'm not aware of a $50 charge for warranty on the extended plan, but I haven't read the fine print yet.

I know that CPO warranty had a 50 dollar deductible for each visit. I am not sure if that applies to the extended warranty purchased by the owner. Also, it has been my experience that some dealers do not charge the 50 dollars to faithful customers. This may be why your SA did not mention it.