Drivetrain Malfunction

7674 Views 14 Replies 8 Participants Last post by SexieWASD, Mar 30, 2018

[email protected]

Discussion Starter · Jan 15, 2018

Has the issue with the everlasting problem of “DriveTrain Malfunction” ever been resolved? I have a 2011 X3, 35i, with only 25,000 miles. The day before my warranty expired that message popped up. Took to the dealer and picked up the next day saying “Bye Guys I hope this doesn’t happen again after the warranty ran out. During the years, five loaner cars, many many hours at dealerships, NO BMW SERVICE CENTER HAS FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM. I have dealt with Corporate and the decision was NOT to fix it or even offer me an extended warranty. That was QUITELY whispered to me. I wish I knew about this site before the purchase as I am thoroughly disappointed with my “dream car” I saved for a loooong time!! I’m petrified to drive long distances as it appears to pop up RANDOMLY!! I wish I had reported this car as a lemon. On top of that the glove compartment fell apart, the moonroof material split in half, and the wonderful drive train malfunction. This happened under warranty. What have others done with their X3 having this issue? I’ve read about all of the problems on this site since 2013. I would tell individuals NOT to ever buy any X3. It’s a shame because I love the car, but it’s no point, as of today, to have a car sitting with only 25,000/2011, with a drivetrain malfunction popping up intermittenly. WHAT HAVE OTHERS DONE (SOLD, TRASHED, REACHED A RESOLUTION)? I’m very very interested in your responses.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

leejim

· #2 · Jan 16, 2018

Drive train warning.

You say what have others done? Well I still have my 0-11 3.5i at 71000 kilometers and have never had a warning sign or any other problem ! The X3 with the N20 4 banger gives all the trouble. I drive my car where ever I want to go also tow a 24ft caravan long distances . Sorry for your problems but don't please make it sound like they all do the same!!!!

[email protected]

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 16, 2018

Fine. That’s your opinion. This site is loaded with this problem and I don’t see any resolution . BMW NA explained to me that they usually don’t see this problem THIS early with my mileage. I advise to probably not speak to soon.

pgold1230

· #4 · Jan 16, 2018

Issues are more typical with the 2.8 engines - timing chain etc. My '13 x3 3.5, now at 45K miles, has never given me any issues other than a rattling moonroof (common) and the glovebox door separating, both of which were repaired at no cost to me. These 3L sixes are solid as rocks. If you are covered under warranty, great (I'm assuming you haven't put any money into the car. You say you love your car - with that issue and the time/effort you've put into it to try to resolve it, I'm not sure I would. If the problem can't be found, personally, I would trade the car on something else. If you've begun to pour money into it, the decision should be a no-brainer.

poker838

· #5 · Jan 16, 2018 (Edited)

"Drivetrain Malfunction" is really incredibly vague and of no help without grabbing an OBD scanner and figuring out what the computer is really saying behind the scenes.

have you looked at spark plugs and ignition coils? These items are what our car needed when that malfunction came up.

[email protected]

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 16, 2018

Yes the sunroof was replaced under warranty-took one day to accomplish, the glove compacted was reattached since they broke it to begin with and on the LAST day of my warrenty, they kept the car a few more days and changed and cleaned a few things—I actually have 5 pages of work that was done (they say costing them an additional $17,000)—thank goodness I keep all my service records. Even after all that the light came back on. They did more diagnostics and fixed a few fuses. After two months it reappeared again. I shutter to think of the engine seizes!! What I’ve been told is to pull over and restart the car. Sorry, in Washington DC no one has time for that nor do I. I thought I was investing into something to drive 4 hours to see my 92 year old mom. At the time they did the work, the car had only 17,500 and I should have reported it then as a lemon. I just thought better of BMW. I’ve been Lexus And Benz are way more reliable. I just always loved bimmers. Even here people talk of getting rid of those. My mouth fell open after seeing a car a gentleman had just purchased within the last two days—looked VERY expensive and nice to drive, surrounding by two fire trucks and up in flames. Thank God He is alive.

[email protected]

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 16, 2018

And yes spark plugs replaced and ignition coils—the works!

[email protected]

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 16, 2018

I don’t have a lease or car note-I truly hate those! I was trying to hang in there, but at some point??

[email protected]

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 13, 2018

Drive Train Malfunction

I'm back one year later with X3, 35i, 25,800 Miles. Drive train malfunction. Offers?

[email protected]

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 13, 2018

pgold1230 said:
Issues are more typical with the 2.8 engines - timing chain etc. My '13 x3 3.5, now at 45K miles, has never given me any issues other than a rattling moonroof (common) and the glovebox door separating, both of which were repaired at no cost to me. These 3L sixes are solid as rocks. If you are covered under warranty, great (I'm assuming you haven't put any money into the car. You say you love your car - with that issue and the time/effort you've put into it to try to resolve it, I'm not sure I would. If the problem can't be found, personally, I would trade the car on something else. If you've begun to pour money into it, the decision should be a no-brainer.

You are exactly right! This is a no brained! Perhaps Lexus will work out better.

Save

envisiondl

· #11 · Mar 13, 2018

I bought a '13 x28 x3 with 84k miles for 17,500 from my local authorized BMW dealer(+3k for warranty) and within the first 13 miles received the dreaded drive train error, they said it was just 'recalibrating' after the timing chain was replaced but it kept doing it every 20 miles or so. After 4 months of driving loaners and them trying to fix it they told me they would give me a 'good deal' buying it back with trade in.. couldn't believe it, they were gonna do me a favor and give me 12k for the x3 they sold me for 17,5K. Totally ridiculous , after weeks of going back and forth I ended up buying a CPO 2017 with an 'ok' package but 4+ years with an unlimited mileage warranty on the last year(CPO), all for $35k which I feel pretty good about in the end, although they started way higher than that, I didn't back down. Anyway bottom line is I know these drive train errors are likely on a small scale compared to X3's without the issue but I'm done with buying any BMW without a substantial factory warranty. I've never owned a pretty much new car with factory warranty before and I've never felt this content with a car.. really loving it. I guess what I'm getting at is if you really like the X3 .. go trade yours in for a CPO 2016+ , years of worry free driving.

omanjbmwx3

· #12 · Mar 25, 2018

My 2013 X3 28i had the dreaded drivetrain malfunction error and I wound up trading it in for a used 2017 X3 28i with a 100,000 mile warranty and never looked back. They told me it would cost $25,000 for a new engine and offered to pay half even though I had 1,000 miles past my warranty. If I had it all to do over again, I would have bought an RX350 or RX 200 when they came out. I love the feel of driving it, but I feel like I'm driving a ticking time bomb.

pgold1230

· #13 · Mar 25, 2018

This was recently posted and may help.

"The 35i is a straight 6 cylinder turbocharged engine, the N55. Worry about systemic problems with the water pump, the thermostat module, and an oil leak around the oil filter housing, but not the timing chain.

The original F25 X3 28i engine was a straight 6-cylinder normally aspirated engine, the N52. I haven't seen any common problems reported with the N52, but I wouldn't have been looking for them either.

Somewhere around end-of-year 2011, for the 2012 model year, BMW changed the 28i engine to the N20, a straight-4 turbocharged engine. The N20 is the engine which people are currently talking about, with failed engines due to problems with the timing chain guide.

Somewhere around the 2014 model year, which would have begun with April 2013 production, BMW modified the timing chain guide in the N20. That may or may not have cured the problem - time will tell.

So, bottom line, your 35i may have different problems, but they're significantly less expensive to repair then the N20 timing chain issue. You're potentially looking at $2000 or so if you experience all three. N20 owners are looking at $15,000 - $20,000 if they have a timing chain failure and can't get any assist from BMW NA."

I have the 3.0L six in my 3.5i and have had no significant issues to date (46.6K miles), and no engine issues. Time will tell for sure.

dano89

· #14 · Mar 29, 2018

Since you reported it during the warranty period, you need to insist that they fix it. If you are the original owner the lemon law may apply. Either way, a lawyers letter might be necessary, but get them to fix it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

SexieWASD

· #15 · Mar 30, 2018

[email protected] said:
i'm back one year later with x3, 35i, 25,800 miles. Drive train malfunction. Offers?

$1000

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