S65 Engine Seize at 72k miles, BMW agrees buyback.

[tuxblackedo]

Engine in car seized on the freeway while I was going 65mph, (almost died, came within inches of hitting a big rig truck when my wheels decided to lock up because of the engine seizing).

Tow to the dealer, next day "give us 19k for a new engine and 6k for the labor because your car is out of warranty". Told them I had brought in the car multiple times for ticking noises and random limp modes during warranty and this was to be expected since they didn't replace the engine within warranty, a tech actually told me "drive it until it breaks, so we know what to replace" since these limp modes apparently didn't store any permanent error codes that they could pull up during the warranty. Anyhow, dealership says they would contact BWM NA. Few days go by the dealership says BMW NA isn't going to pay for it. I call in BMW NA, they said they would investigate the good will replacement. They call me back in a few days saying the good will request was denied completely and there is no way I can do anything. I ask to speak to boss/supervisor and person on the phone said "you reached the guy at the top, there is nobody at BMW that can help you". I kept arguing with the dude on the phone to no avail.

So, I originally paid about $70,000 for the car, so now it's a $70,000 paper weight sitting at the dealership collecting dust. I even asked the dealership if they would buy it from me, or if i could trade it in, how much they would give for a trade in, the sales guy called back and said "we don't want it either".

It looks like it’s the main bearing problem that so many others have experienced before with these cars. I was out of warranty by 20k miles, and was looking at a $25,000 bill for a new engine from BMW. After much research I ended up reaching out to my attorney friend in San Diego. He was able to resolve this case for me and BMW purchased my car back for significantly more then the current KBB retail value! I figure, in case you are in the same situation as I was, he might be able to help you too. He is a California based attorney, so you have to have a California car and be a California resident for him to help you. Alternatively, you can google Lemon Law Attorney in your state, to find someone local in your state. Any way, his name is Bogdan, you can email him at brl@sdbr.net, tell him about your case, he might be able to help you. I am not sure about all the legal caveats of my case, so I am not sure if it would work every time, but it’s worth a try.



Not only did BMW pay attorney fees, they paid off the remaining balance on my auto loan ($5-$6k remaining). So I drove a BMW M3 (basically) for 5 years and 72k miles for under $15,000. This 2008 e92 m3 will be my last BMW, considering that I had to hire an attorney to be treated fairly with BMW NA. I am actually planning on getting a Nissan GT-R.

and... that's pretty much all I wanted to say.

[Route 16]

That euro M6 driver that hammered his car should've talked to Bogdan.

[m3less]

Congrats!!!

[SilentAttack]

Yeah its crazy that they treated u that way. We buy expensive cars from them service it with them they need to treat us right!!!

[tuxblackedo]

Originally Posted by Route 16

That euro M6 driver that hammered his car should've talked to Bogdan.

HAHA! I just watched that video just now.

But yeah, Bogdan is awesome.

[tuxblackedo]

Originally Posted by SilentAttack

Yeah its crazy that they treated u that way. We buy expensive cars from them service it with them they need to treat us right!!!

Their excuse was that my car wasn't under warranty at the time. However I had engine related ticking noises/limp modes within my warranty which were directly related to my engine seizing. They didn't want to spend the $1000-$3000 for parts and labor to replace the rod bearings, so they rather have the engine seize when I am out of warranty and have me pay $25k for the whole engine.

[lve2xlr8]

Dude I'm sorry to hear you had to go through the anxiety of that situation. BMW is seriously starting to suck; shitty customer service, fake engine noises through the radio and FI. Too many good cars in this arena to stay with them

[S65V8]

What a nightmare, damn. Thanks for sharing the cautionary tale of BMW CS.

[jwaggen]

Thanks for sharing this! You originally publicized on fwallet correct?

I (and I think a bunch of other forum members) followed your story with great interest and are very happy for you!

[tuxblackedo]

Originally Posted by jwaggen

Thanks for sharing this! You originally publicized on fwallet correct?

I (and I think a bunch of other forum members) followed your story with great interest and are very happy for you!

Correct!

[Stronghammer]

BMW management should be embarrassed by this. So if something catastrophic happens to your BMW you will need to hire an attorney to achieve a fair resolution ? Stories like this get stored in the data bank and are part of future calculations when it comes time for the next automotive purchase.

[Black Gold]

I am really glad you were able to get this resolved mate. Kudos to your lawyer as well.

Disappointingly I am not surprised with your experience with BMW. I too have dealt with them recently (more minor issues than yours) and it was a nightmare / disaster

I still currently drive a BMW because IMO it's the best car for me for the money, but they really make it hard to stick around with this type of servixe

I fear future m3/4 owners who will tune or mod their cars will be in for a hell of a struggle with BMW. As you stated, they are very hard to deal with even for legitimate issues with no modding involved

[gatorfast]

How do you know it was a bearing issue? Did they actually open up the engine and diagnose this?

[Longboarder]

Which dealership in SD did you bring your car to?

[BMRLVR]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

How do you know it was a bearing issue? Did they actually open up the engine and diagnose this?

The wheels locked up....... This would make it almost 100% sure that a bearing seized and the engine locked up.

To the OP, this is not surprising at all in light of the information that has surfaced in the last whole. It is excellent you were able to get a BMW to buy back the car!!!!

[MilehighM3]

In the end they did what was right and fair. I'd consider another one honestly. Nissan will never do that if your GTR fails

[nmehta211]

Originally Posted by tuxblackedo

Correct!

Awesome--I saw it there and directed you here.
In the end I don't understand why bmw didn't just replace the engine rather than buying this car back.

[jacobe92]

Man, I'm sorry you had to go through so much horse shit to get it fixed. Thanks for sharing so myself and the rest of the world knows.

[Top_Gear]

Wow, this story is downright scary!

To the OP:
In the 5 years of ownership did you by any chance sent an oil sample for analysis to Blackstone Labs? I think many of us on this board would be interested in knowing what amounts of metal content your oil had before the failure.

Stories like this make it clear to those of us looking to add power (FI or stroker) that we must be very careful to address the bearing problem with out-of-pocket $$ because I am very sure that BMW would NOT have bought his failed car if the engine was modified.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by Bmw135er

In the end they did what was right and fair. I'd consider another one honestly. Nissan will never do that if your GTR fails

I had a Nissan and they were average at best with warranty work. IMO same as BMW. Sorry, but true.

So yes Nissan could possibly do the same. Everyones situation is different.

For me I would never buy a Nissan again with the problems some of us had years ago. So like I said everyones situation is different.

As for original poster, it was sad you actually had to get an attorney but today in 2013 it seems to be the case with some of these higher end dealers. Sad but true.

I am glad you got what was due to you. Thanks for sharing!

[G80indy]

OP
Sorry to hear of this unfortunate experience
Would you mind sharing details of the maintenance schedule , OCIs, brand of oil used
Was it DCT or 6 sp, driving routine, etc
Just curious about the details
Thanks
Sorry again

[W Cole]

Glad you got a positive resolution!

BMW is so terrible. It seems you need a lawyer just to get them to repair things IN warranty. I've had to go through the BBB arbitration process with them in the past. Really makes me think twice about ever buying another BMW.