I need advice

I own a 2008 328ix and the car stopped working on Tuesday when a red oil tank came up and the engine stopped. I had it towed to the dealer and they informed me today that they were not covering the repair under the certified pre-owned warranty because we didnt react to two prior codes in the past 4k miles. We never saw any other warning messages. I am convinced this is all a fabrication to prevent BMW from standing behind their product and fixing the car. The dealer called me today saying it would be between 14 and 19k to fix the car. has anyone had an issue where BMW didn't stand behind their warranty and what did u do. i am not letting this go because I fell they are doing this to avoid putting a new engine in a car with 74k miles. I called BMW NA and they told me tough luck. any suggestions on where I go with this next because I am getting royally screwed.

Try another dealer?

Keep this updated- I am interested in seeing what happens.

Call BMWNA andspeak to a manager........what dealer is it so we stay away from them. What were the other codes that you allegedly ignored?

I would get yourself an attorney or at least consult with one that can intervene on your behalf. Sounds like they are saying you pretty much burned up your engine. I am sick to my stomach for you right now but I would definitely be seeking legal action if I was told tough luck and was under warranty, and I would want to see the proof (as I type this a BMW commercial comes on). Any signs prior to this happening? And please let us know who the dealership is.

Can you describe as accurately as possible:

1) "the two prior codes"

2) specifically and in detail the exact sequence of events between the car driving normally, 'the red oil can' showing up and 'the car stopping'

Imagine I'm an impartial person making a decision to award you $19k on the basis of your statements.

I don't know specifically what codes they won't share any information with me. I know for a fact that there were no visible warnings / lights that we saw. There is a very simple explanation for all of this. The trade in value on the car is 16k, the repair cost they quoted me was between 14-17k. Makes sense why BMW would create a smoke screen and not stand behind the warranty. BMW NA was useless. They took my call and stood behind the dealer and techs. Offered no help whatsoever.


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Originally Posted by MMME30W

Can you describe as accurately as possible:

1) "the two prior codes"

2) specifically and in detail the exact sequence of events between the car driving normslly, 'the red oil can' showing up and 'the car stopping'

Imagine I'm an impartial person making a decision to award you $19k on the basis of your statements.

Yessir.

And, OP, exactly what repairs are proposed? Posting their printout would be good.

Very minimal info - most want to know much more....

You said:

"I own a 2008 328ix and the car stopped working on Tuesday when a red oil tank came up and the engine stopped."

Please elaborate.

OP disappear?


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Originally Posted by MMME30W

OP disappear?

Looks like. 2 posts a week back, both here.

red oil tank usually means some kind of lubrication failure.
the fact he's now being faced with a 20K repair bill and the engine suddenly stopped sounds like the engine seized.

since the op disappeared i can offer some theories.

1) the dme shows that the car gave an oil level low warning that was ignored
2) the dme shows that the car driven for a while after the red oil warning came up, untill the engine seized from lack of lubrication
3) something external caused the engine to drop all of its oil. punctured oil pan perhaps.

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Looks like. 2 posts a week back, both here.

Shame. I was genuinely interested in what happened, exactly.

Catastrophic engine seizure, absent grave neglect by the operator, is unheard of in this age.

Ah well.


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Something does not sound right,I think a GREAT lack of attention by the driver caused this to happen,I know my oil level everyday,I drive my car as if I were flying,if it fails I'm dead.

Not to beat a dessicated corpse of a horse but ...

A dipstick would be a nice low tech back up to the electronic oil level indicator.

It would give some clue to oil condition as well as level.

I changed my oil when I first got my 2007 335i last Nov, then realized it didnt have a dip stick, I then figured out the oil check senor and how to check it, currently its about 1/2 way down the scale after 5000 miles, which I learn that it means its 1/2 a quart low. Now my question, the car holds 7 quarts, I would think it would be OK running on only 5 quarts maybe even 4. but when the car is 1 quart low do you get a light come on saying its a quart low? and if the guy ran it bone dry, he must have lost something, maybe a drain plug that dumped all the oil in a matter of minutes, or he did ignore the oil can light for a long time

Could be electronic sensor problem (not uncommon in older models) did not warn him of low oil. They really should put the dipstick back...it's a low tech, low cost option

Originally Posted by hondo402000

I changed my oil when I first got my 2007 335i last Nov, then realized it didnt have a dip stick, I then figured out the oil check senor and how to check it, currently its about 1/2 way down the scale after 5000 miles, which I learn that it means its 1/2 a quart low. Now my question, the car holds 7 quarts, I would think it would be OK running on only 5 quarts maybe even 4. but when the car is 1 quart low do you get a light come on saying its a quart low? and if the guy ran it bone dry, he must have lost something, maybe a drain plug that dumped all the oil in a matter of minutes, or he did ignore the oil can light for a long time

When you are down to 6 or so quarts, the car will warn you and request that you put in a quart. Ignore it. It's not THAT accurate.

Put in only half of a quart, and it'll read full. There's no reason to dump an entire quart when the warning shows up.

Dipstick would be nice,there aint much gonna happen to my car and me not know about it the moment it happens,never gonna run out of oil and seize up my engine,no way no how,one must be ever vigilant,Some people just need to stick with mass transit or bicycles or horses.

I guess I should go by BMW and at get another oil change kit and filter, plus a quart to carry with me

Originally Posted by hondo402000

I guess I should go by BMW and at get another oil change kit and filter, plus a quart to carry with me

When I buy oil for my 6k mile change up, I buy 7 quarts, and put one in the little zipper case in trunk. Because with how I drive, that quart sure comes in handy around 4-5k miles.

Originally Posted by gbholowach

I own a 2008 328ix and the car stopped working on Tuesday when a red oil tank came up and the engine stopped. I had it towed to the dealer and they informed me today that they were not covering the repair under the certified pre-owned warranty because we didnt react to two prior codes in the past 4k miles. We never saw any other warning messages. I am convinced this is all a fabrication to prevent BMW from standing behind their product and fixing the car. The dealer called me today saying it would be between 14 and 19k to fix the car. has anyone had an issue where BMW didn't stand behind their warranty and what did u do. i am not letting this go because I fell they are doing this to avoid putting a new engine in a car with 74k miles. I called BMW NA and they told me tough luck. any suggestions on where I go with this next because I am getting royally screwed.

Seems that you are up against what the diagnostic computer shows for codes thrown (and icons displayed...and for how long). For example, it seems unlikely that a "red oil tank" warning light would immediately result in the egnine freezing. Red icons (such as "Engine pressure too low" require the operator to STOP IMMEDIATELY...not at the conclusion of their trip.