Went in for airbag recall and brake fluid change...left with $10k estimate

[mvolps22]

I really need some help here...

After the fluid change the mechanic took my car for a test drive. While on the test drive something catastrophically failed (assuming dual mass flywheel) and came shooting out of the bellhousing. What should I do? They are quoting me $9k for transmission, clutch, flywheel, and labor which is a little bit of a discount but wow that is still a lot of money. Should I get BMW NA involved? Is this a wear item? Could the mechanic have done something during the drive to cause this?

My car is an '09 M3 with only 56k miles

UPDATE: PICTURES ADDED ON PAGE 4

[OzCoE92]

Was it Dealer service and is your car a 6MT? I would definitely call BMW NA, I don't understand how something breaks while on a test drive under the dealer's control and magically you (customer) are expected to foot the bill, that's BS if you ask me. I hope you get this resolved, this type of stuff makes me angry.

[mvolps22]

Originally scheduled dealer service for the takata airbag recall and about a week ago my 2 year brake fluid change reminder came on so I decided to just pay a little extra to have the dealer do it while it was in.

[Z K]

While unrelated to the airbag service, the dealership did drive your car and it happened while it was in their care.

For all you know, the tech could have done a clutch dump at redline and it caused the issue. I would definitely escalate it. Fault can be hard to determine but I would definitely ask BMW to cover at least part of the costs as it was in their care.

[roastbeef]

Fuck that. The guy blew it up. You don't think those guys drive the piss out of your car while it's in for service?

[mvolps22]

I opened a case with BMW USA, should have an update by Monday.

[JackieChiles]

That sounds like some bs to me.

Keep fighting it. F that.

[Kamen]

The probability for such a catastrophic failure to happen during a short test drive is close to zero, unless the dildo that drove the car has been abusing it. Cases like this, mixed with personal experiences, make me dread having to go to the dealer, or any other shop.

[PsychCA]

But why did the guy test drive your car, when you just came in for airbags recall and brake fluid flush ???

Did you ask him the reason of the test drive ?

[lmendz71]

The tech prolly shifted gears without depressing the clutch! That's the only reason I could think of!

[KawBoy]

Question is; what would they even drive your car for? To test the brakes? Hard to swallow that one. Don't pay it. Make sure you tell them you are not going to as soon as they open tomorrow. Tell them you want a loaner and you have already spoken to your lawyer. This is a huge f*%# up. On them.

[W12x]

Sounds like someone really fucked up the MT by either not knowing how to drive it or try to do something stupid and failed.

I went to the dealer for airbag recall today as well (did not make appointment). Talked to a rep months ago and he said he would place a special order for the airbag unit then call me when it arrives, which never happened. Then the rep today said the same and when I told her I don't feel entirely comfortable driving it with the airbag recall she was like oh it's no issue and still wouldn't shut up when I asked why is there a recall is there is no issue.

[KawBoy]

Originally Posted by lmendz71

The tech prolly shifted gears without depressing the clutch! That's the only reason I could think of!

You can actually shift gears with no clutch without any damage. It has to be something else.

[timothy2001]

Originally Posted by PsychCA

But why did the guy test drive your car, when you just came in for airbags recall and brake fluid flush ???

Did you ask him the reason of the test drive ?

This. For an airbag recall and fluid change there is no reason for a test drive for QA purposes or anything else for that matter. Mileage in and out recorded?

Sorry this happened, really sucks and it just doesn’t make sense. They should cut you a huge deal or pay for the repair altogether and if they stonewall you I would check with an attorney.

[NashvegasR]

Um yeah. No.

1) Airbag recall = no test drive
2) Brake fluid flush = routine service, zero need for a test drive

I would raise hell and do exactly what you are doing.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by mvolps22

I really need some help here...

After the fluid change the mechanic took my car for a test drive. While on the test drive something catastrophically failed (assuming dual mass flywheel) and came shooting out of the bellhousing. What should I do? They are quoting me $9k for transmission, clutch, flywheel, and labor which is a little bit of a discount but wow that is still a lot of money. Should I get BMW NA involved? Is this a wear item? Could the mechanic have done something during the drive to cause this?

My car is an '09 M3 with only 56k miles

I wouldn't get BMW NA involved just yet. Have a calm conversation with the service manager about how they are responsible for the car while it's in their care, and you don't understand how this repair bill is your responsibility. Pointing fingers or accusing them of abusing it won't get you anywhere. If the service manager won't play ball, talk to one of the dealer managers or owners. If they won't talk to you, or play hardball, THEN you can take it to BMW NA.

No use escalating things until the situation warrants.

[Solo_M_Tech]

Shit happens at the weirdest times. It could have been you behind the wheel when it failed on the same day had you not went to the dealer. Who knows. It's called coincidence. I doubt the dealer did anything to damage the car.

However, I believe the dealer should float at least 50% of the bill given there was no actual fault on their part. Give them a chance to make it right, but don't expect them to float the whole bill.

[last1left]

It doesn't seem right

[timothy2001]

All valid points above and of course only escalate after rational and reasonable means are exhausted but the question remains why was the technician driving the car? Unless I am missing something, neither item on the Repair Order required a 'test drive'. It appears the technician took it out for a spin and had some shit luck.

If a maintenance item or repair called for a test drive that's a very different story as in most states when you sign an RO, you authorize the dealership to drive the car and they accept no liability. However and again, no reason to drive the car.

This is not necessarily a BMW N.A. issue but more of a dealership employee issue.

[mvolps22]

Thanks for all the feedback, I called BMW NA already to see what normal procedure is when this happens. I haven't pointed fingers and have remained calm during the phone calls. I'm going to call the service manager again today to let him know I opened a case with BMW NA because I wasn't satisfied with a $10k bill at my expense as the outcome.

In response to why they were driving it, the manager made it seem like it was normal after a brake fluid flush. I usually change all of my own fluids so I didn't have a reason to be skeptical. I will follow up on this a little more when I speak with him today.

[DSilk]

The dealer will normally have the car test driven after a brake fluid change to make sure everything is in order and that the brakes are functioning properly. A broken flywheel could be the result of a clutch drop (and yes the people there have no incentive to drive your car carefully when they are on a test drive), although a single one is unlikely to have that effect unless the flywheel was already well worn. It's hard to say who is responsible, however the dealership should offer to help cover the cost.

[EnVe46]

Uhh this is insane. Either really bad luck by the tech or he was driving like an ass hat. At 56k it'd be very hard to convince me this is due to wear and abuse. I'd remain calm and see if you can get something accomplished first then I'd seek council. A dual mass flywheel is pretty stout piece to break catastrophically, not that it can't happen, just highly unlikely. I'm not saying it's not possible here, again shit happens and it will happen, I remain skeptical