740i AC Condenser Punctured

I took my 2011 740i to the dealer because the AC was not working. The service advisor called me today and said the AC condenser was punctured by most likely a rock and that is not covered by the warranty. The repair will cost $1800 plus tax. Has anyone ever had this happen? I have owned many different cars and never had this happen. I called BMW Customer Service and they basically told me it is not covered because it is not a defective part. My insurance agent said it would be covered (minus my deductible) but then my insurance will go up over the next three years, and if I happen to get a ticket or get involved in an accident it will then go up a lot more because it will be considered a second incident!

That's how things go. Personal responsibility. The unknown happens every day. You would have been in the same situation if you backed into someone while parking.

See if you can shop around for an air con place that will replace the condenser for less.

Where is the condenser located? Why the heck wouldn't it be hidden or difficult to reach??

That really sucks, I'd bite the bullet with my insurance. I guess it'd be the same as say road debris hitting your windshield or puncturing a tire - **** happens

The service advisor said the condenser is in the front and that the rock probably went through the vent grill holes that are in the bumper. Sounds pretty crazy to me. I also don't recall driving over anything that might have caused it. The AC just suddenly stopped cooling and when I took it in he said the freon had drained out. I was thinking it would be a hose or something. Seems to me that the condenser should be built out of something that can not be so easily penetrated or have something around it to protect it from road debris, or perhaps something that could be welded. He said the hole was very small and that the condenser is aluminum. I have never heard of it happening before. The service advisor said it has happened before to others which makes me think there must be some kind of design flaw.

See the E65 forum. Today one genius got a ticket driving 144mph, 79mph over the limit. If a rock hits a titanium made condenser at that speed, will still puncture it.

P.s switch insurance company after repair. You will be fine.

Even by switching insurance, the record still stays on for three yrs. And depends on discount level, you might lose the longivity disc as well. But when the ins goes up, it doesn't hurt to shop around though. I would first call couple indy shops to see if it can be replaced for cheaper, bmw's labor rate is too high, and this is just a matter of replacing a condensor.

I am not going to report it to my insurance. My agent said my rate would go up 15% for three years and if I get another ding in three years it will go up 40%! It's not worth filing a claim after my deductible besides. I have researched this a little more and have found this happens to lots of cars, not just BMW's. Just read lots of stories on the Internet involving all makes and models. I already authorized them to do the repair. It is apparently more involved than it seems. I'd rather have them repair it because if I have further problems I want them to stand behind it. It's a leased car too...only one year left on my lease. Bummer!

Originally Posted by carolwolfe

I am not going to report it to my insurance. My agent said my rate would go up 15% for three years and if I get another ding in three years it will go up 40%! It's not worth filing a claim after my deductible besides. I have researched this a little more and have found this happens to lots of cars, not just BMW's. Just read lots of stories on the Internet involving all makes and models. I already authorized them to do the repair. It is apparently more involved than it seems. I'd rather have them repair it because if I have further problems I want them to stand behind it. It's a leased car too...only one year left on my lease. Bummer!

Are you Carol Wolfe, the realtor in the San Fernando Valley? If so, we did a transaction years ago with you in Sherman Oaks. We were friends with Barbara Crouch (I think you two went to school together).

Anyway....this totally sucks, and I have NEVER heard of this happening, ever!! I wonder if cars made for off roading, have more protection? We used to take our G-Class and Range Rover on some pretty rocky roads! No problems....but I guess you were doing highway speeds, and the little rock had power to make a small hole. I cannot believe BMW, or other makes, would not encase the aluminum AC Condenser in steel! Sorry. Good Luck!

Yep, that's me. What transaction did we do? I remember the name Barbara Crouch but just can't remember the connection. Agreed this totally sucks and it's the frist I have heard of it....although if you google it you will find it is not so uncommon.

Originally Posted by carolwolfe

Yep, that's me. What transaction did we do? I remember the name Barbara Crouch but just can't remember the connection. Agreed this totally sucks and it's the frist I have heard of it....although if you google it you will find it is not so uncommon.

It was a house South of the Blvd. I think it was around 1998 or maybe 2000. When we did our Home Inspection, they found issues with the hillside, pool., foundation, etc.. We paid for a Geological Inspection, and they found the pool and most of the yard was basically inching it's way into the neighbor's yard below us. We had to pull out, but we LOVED the house. It was at the end of a private Street, South of Valley Vista!

This still sucks, about the AC Condenser. Yeah, I see it can happen...but seems very "freak accident". So sorry!

Originally Posted by carolwolfe

I am not going to report it to my insurance. My agent said my rate would go up 15% for three years and if I get another ding in three years it will go up 40%! It's not worth filing a claim after my deductible besides. I have researched this a little more and have found this happens to lots of cars, not just BMW's. Just read lots of stories on the Internet involving all makes and models. I already authorized them to do the repair. It is apparently more involved than it seems. I'd rather have them repair it because if I have further problems I want them to stand behind it. It's a leased car too...only one year left on my lease. Bummer!

Pay it, then forget it. One of those things. Yes, BMW and others could make their cars stronger, but that would likely add expense and weight to the point where it's better to have a few failures every so often. Ever heard of a punctured radiator? That problem has been around since almost the dawn of the motor car, and it still happens. There's just no way to make something that is 100% impregnable and fail safe.

The part is about $510, so it really should not cost $1800 to replace it. Look for some independent BMW mechanics in your area.

http://www.trademotion.com/parts/201...agramCallOut=1

The same thing just happened to our 740... And it does not get beaten on!

Is this becoming common?

They said literally the SAME EXACT thing on the phone!!

We also have an 06 E55 that gets the crap beat out of it... has like 70k on it.. yet that condenser doesn't leak?

BMW fixes these one a day.