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

[12mpgm3]

I would start with having them explain exactly what happened mechanically. If you can get more details, I assume someone here with great mechanical perspective could help determine if this was indeed a coincidental mechanical failure or more likely the result of abuse. Really sorry about this OP and hoping for a good outcome here for you. I think either way, you can make the case the "something like this should never happen to a car like this so it seems that it is either a manufacturing flaw or abuse by the driver at the dealership and either way you shouldn't be on the hook".

This is why I have a front and rear dashcam hardwired into my fuse box. I sleep better when my car is at dealer.

[BOOF-M3]

Can't they test for over rev? See exactly where the RPM's were when it was last driven? If they can show 0 miles per hour and any kind of RPM's over 3,500 then I would have to assume the tech was dumping the clutch from a standstill.

[rcracin]

Something else had to have gone wrong. A flywheel flying off isn't common. A clutch dump or hard launch would be what caused it but it shouldn't happen. M3's aren't that fickle.


Did the car ever have the clutch changed under warranty or something? Only thing that makes sense is that someone touched that clutch and flywheel before and didnt properly torque the bolts. Imagine the flywheel bolts were messed up and the threads going into your crank are damaged. Now you have a whole other issue.

[mvolps22]

They can look at the computer data to see how the car was being driven during the test drive (rpm, mph). I believe that is something BMW NA will look at.

[mvolps22]

The clutch was replaced under warranty by a dealer in PA at 6000 miles.

[rcracin]

Originally Posted by mvolps22

The clutch was replaced under warranty by a dealer in PA at 6000 miles.

My money is on that dealer not using loctite on the flywheel bolts and not torquing them correctly. The bolts slowly backed out over time.

[doogee]

I've had a flywheel fail on my 06 325. Happened at high rpm. The internal springs shoot out the side.

But, whether the tech was driving it hard or not, it was going to fail on you. No way around it.

There really isn't any sort of "abuse" he could have done to cause it.

[mvolps22]

Originally Posted by rcracin

My money is on that dealer not using loctite on the flywheel bolts and not torquing them correctly. The bolts slowly backed out over time.

Sounds plausible. Still very coincidental timing.

Any idea if there is a higher likelihood of the bolt (or whatever it was) blowing a hole in the bellhousing if the engine was being revved? Im assuming if the bolt doesn't blow through the bellhousing I save $6,000 by not having to replace the transmission.

[rcracin]

I guess, yea. It might have blown a hole in it regardless.


I could sell you a good used trans for a hell of a lot less.

[quicktwinturbo]

Oh screw that.. They better replace the whole thing for free and provide you with a loaner..

[doogee]

Originally Posted by quicktwinturbo

Oh screw that.. They better replace the whole thing for free and provide you with a loaner..

Why? If you drained the oil out of your car and took it to the dealer and it blew up on a test drive would you ask them to replace it? No.

Extreme example but cars break. If it didn't happen while the tech was driving, it would of happened when the OP was driving.


I really don't see how this is the dealers responsibility. They didn't physically damage the vehicle. A part failed.

Either way, we are all guessing here. Wait to see what actually failed. If it was the clutch and not the flywheel, I would then suspect some foul play.

[spazzyfry123]

Good luck! I just had a very similar instance with my '13.5 VW GLI. Timing chain tensioner snapped @ 70k (I'm the original owner that's an ultra stickler for maintenance) causing catastrophic engine failure and the door locking mechanism broke in the dealer's possession. Took me nearly two months to settle that one between the dealer and VWoA.

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by mvolps22

The clutch was replaced under warranty by a dealer in PA at 6000 miles.

Interesting, as the E9X is advertised as having a heavy duty clutch.

Was the clutch replacement a result of driver inexperience? How much does a clutch replacement cost?

[Dr. Dre]

A catastrophic failure should throw a code. You should probably be able to determine the engine speed at the time of failure.

[Mr. BMW]

Originally Posted by doogee

Why? If you drained the oil out of your car and took it to the dealer and it blew up on a test drive would you ask them to replace it? No.

Extreme example but cars break. If it didn't happen while the tech was driving, it would of happened when the OP was driving.


I really don't see how this is the dealers responsibility. They didn't physically damage the vehicle. A part failed.

Either way, we are all guessing here. Wait to see what actually failed. If it was the clutch and not the flywheel, I would then suspect some foul play.

OK, so if he had blown up his loaner car in the same way, the dealer would just be like "oh, don't even worry about that, the car probably had a defect before we gave it to you"?

No, I'm pretty sure they would do some diagnostic to see if you were abusing the car!

[McSwine]

Originally Posted by mvolps22

They can look at the computer data to see how the car was being driven during the test drive (rpm, mph). I believe that is something BMW NA will look at.

I was wondering about that myself.

[R3dliner]

I wonder why this kind of stuff only happens on tech test drives in 6mt cars

[DSilk]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

I wonder why this kind of stuff only happens on tech test drives in 6mt cars

Let's not start this tired old argument again. This is the first post I have seen where someone has suffered a flywheel failure. Moreover, if you really want to compare repair issues and costs between the manual and DCT transmissions...be my guest.

[Banana Hammock]

Originally Posted by DSilk

Let's not start this tired old argument again. This is the first post I have seen where someone has suffered a flywheel failure. Moreover, if you really want to compare repair issues and costs between the manual and DCT transmissions...be my guest.

Whoa slow down, turbo.

I think he's taking a stab at the techs in ability to drive manual rather than the reliability of 6MT vs DCT.

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by DSilk

Let's not start this tired old argument again. This is the first post I have seen where someone has suffered a flywheel failure. Moreover, if you really want to compare repair issues and costs between the manual and DCT transmissions...be my guest.

I was just making a point that dealer techs can easily clutch dump a 6mt than a dct and break something.

[mvolps22]

After getting BMW NA involved the service manager reached out to me within a few hours and offered to cover 50% of the bill. I haven't decided if I want to continue to pursue this to get it all covered or accept their offer and write it off as bad luck.

[Castel]

Tough decision... why would he change his mind with NA involved if they are not at fault?