[etan92612]

Has anyone had this awful experience? I was driving along as usual when out of the blue I got a "Drivetrain Malfunction" error. Then something about low oil pressure and operation of the vehicle is not possible. The car went into limp mode. I had to have it towed to the nearest BMW repair shop. After draining the oil the guys found pieces of the engine in the oil and said they wouldn't spend time fixing it. The engine was blown and needed to be rebuilt. It only has 66,000 miles on it. The last time it was at BMW was for the turbo fix that was covered under warranty a few months ago. I've had my car serviced regularly by BMW and have never had any problems until this. I did see someone else on some other forum with the same problem. I've called the dealer but have not heard back. I'm going to have it towed and dropped off at the dealer to see if they'll help me out with this. Any other suggestions? Experiences?

 

[fomenter]

Is it the timing chain guide?

 

[etan92612]

Timing Chain Issue

I just heard in another forum that it probably is the timing chain. I used this link and entered my VIN and found it on the list for my car.
http://www.bmw-rp.com/production/bmw/reimbursement_bmw_portal.nsf/submit.xsp
I never got notification about this. I wonder if they'll fix it on their own or if I need to fight with them.
Anyone have experience with this?

 

[fomenter]

If it is the timing chain , you are probably covered. Consult a BMW dealer

 

[etan92612]

Service advisor at BMW said the timing chain needs to be replaced. He is very vague and I can***8217;t get much information out of him. It is so frustrating. So the timing chain and rail guides are replaced. How reliable will that engine be after timing chain and guide rail pieces were found in the oil?

 

[CALWATERBOY TRE]

Service advisor at BMW said the timing chain needs to be replaced. He is very vague and I can't get much information out of him. It is so frustrating. So the timing chain and rail guides are replaced. How reliable will that engine be after timing chain and guide rail pieces were found in the oil?

You have discovered why some BMW's are for sale or are traded in.

The cars have a reputation for failure starting @ 60k miles, and that is well deserved. But this is ridiculous....

 

[gtmaster303]

Has anyone had this awful experience? I was driving along as usual when out of the blue I got a "Drivetrain Malfunction" error. Then something about low oil pressure and operation of the vehicle is not possible. The car went into limp mode. I had to have it towed to the nearest BMW repair shop. After draining the oil the guys found pieces of the engine in the oil and said they wouldn't spend time fixing it. The engine was blown and needed to be rebuilt. It only has 66,000 miles on it. The last time it was at BMW was for the turbo fix that was covered under warranty a few months ago. I've had my car serviced regularly by BMW and have never had any problems until this. I did see someone else on some other forum with the same problem. I've called the dealer but have not heard back. I'm going to have it towed and dropped off at the dealer to see if they'll help me out with this. Any other suggestions? Experiences?

Lucky bastard you're lucky the car failed at 66k. Timing chain is covered until 70k most likely they will try to salvage the engine if they can. Otherwise it's an engine replacement.

 

[etan92612]

gtmaster303, you are right. I got the call today. They will salvage the engine and only replace the timing chain. They will clean out the bits and pieces of the timing chain and rails that were found in the engine. I can't believe this but the service advisor actually told me that the warranty on the work and parts is up to 70k..whaaaaaat?!?!?! I have 66k on the car. He was so patronizing...he said he understood my concern.

CALWATERBOY TRE, I guess I'm putting another messed up BMW into circulation. How can I possibly keep that car?

 

[gtmaster303]

gtmaster303, you are right. I got the call today. They will salvage the engine and only replace the timing chain. They will clean out the bits and pieces of the timing chain and rails that were found in the engine. I can't believe this but the service advisor actually told me that the warranty on the work and parts is up to 70k..whaaaaaat?!?!?! I have 66k on the car. He was so patronizing...he said he understood my concern.

CALWATERBOY TRE, I guess I'm putting another messed up BMW into circulation. How can I possibly keep that car?

My car failed at 72k. No coverage from BMW. Yes I'm still butthurt. Assholes...

 

[JayParkside]

Trash... just found out I missed 7 year/ 70K Warranty by 1 Day!!! BMW Service Center is telling me... Bullchit. Definitely jumping on the class action law suits. In service date 12/22/12 brought it in 12/23/12... car actually die on the 12/21 at 6pm on a Saturday. BMW Service Center is close at that time and on Sunday (12/22) so I couldn't bring it in until the 12/23... What is very strange is car die out the blue on the last day and hours of the warranty... very very strange. Merry Christmas to me... super pissed off.. they are trying to offer me a 50% discount on the Timing Chain, Timing check and Compression/leak test as option 1 at $4400, if that doesn't work then a new engine at $12,000.... FU BMW.... I rather get a used engine or scraped the car.

 

[MunichMark]

Should be per contract when the defect happened and is registered in the Fault Codes unless they already erased them so you should be OK... still may need a Lawyer to press though as a backup. Think positive, a few hours later and they would have you by the you know what’s !

So many 528’s out there with >70K Miles and just waiting for the inevitable.

 

[OnlyGerman]

Trash... just found out I missed 7 year/ 70K Warranty by 1 Day!!! BMW Service Center is telling me... Bullchit. Definitely jumping on the class action law suits. In service date 12/22/12 brought it in 12/23/12... car actually die on the 12/21 at 6pm on a Saturday. BMW Service Center is close at that time and on Sunday (12/22) so I couldn't bring it in until the 12/23... What is very strange is car die out the blue on the last day and hours of the warranty... very very strange. Merry Christmas to me... super pissed off.. they are trying to offer me a 50% discount on the Timing Chain, Timing check and Compression/leak test as option 1 at $4400, if that doesn't work then a new engine at $12,000.... FU BMW.... I rather get a used engine or scraped the car.

Over one day? That is crazy. I would have left it in the service bay, at least camera could of showed leaving it.

 

[Ziggy328xi]

id try and explain story see what they say. say it happened on friday night after they closed and couldnt call on a sunday cause they were closed. not like you didnt try.

 

[poconosms1]

Forget it. BMW is NOT interested in helping you. There's a big class action suit over the timing chain. I decided to just pay to have mine done after the 7 year date.

Anyway, See what your local indie can do. A new crated engine from BMW is around 7k, plus installation, at my indie shop.

IF all goes well, you should see some resolution and restitution out of the suit.

 

[houseandtechno]

My car failed at 72k. No coverage from BMW. Yes I'm still butthurt. Assholes...

Can I ask what you ended up doing? Did your engine complete fail? Did you swap engines or get it rebuilt? What were the prices?

 

[houseandtechno]

Forget it. BMW is NOT interested in helping you. There's a big class action suit over the timing chain. I decided to just pay to have mine done after the 7 year date.

Anyway, See what your local indie can do. A new crated engine from BMW is around 7k, plus installation, at my indie shop.

IF all goes well, you should see some resolution and restitution out of the suit.

Where do you get a new engine for 7K?

 

[poconosms1]

Where do you get a new engine for 7K?

I didn't get a new engine, just had the timing chain replaced for around 2.5k at European Auto Repair | eMpower Automotive | United States
also had the turbo done at the same time since it was bad. It was the indi who said around 7k since he was in the process of installing a new motor.

 

[gtmaster303]

Can I ask what you ended up doing? Did your engine complete fail? Did you swap engines or get it rebuilt? What were the prices?

I have a massive thread about the whole ordeal.
Look here

N20 Timing Chain Failure 528i

Update final: bmw told me im on my own. Read the thread if you want more details. Repair will cost close to 5k at the dealer. I have contacted a lawyer that's doing a class action law suit that another member posted http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10621537&postcount=32 Been...

www.bimmerfest.com