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BMW 335D repair - help needed
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rosedust
New User
Sep 9, 2014, 5:48 PM
Post #1 of 2
(1893 views)
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BMW 335D repair - help needed
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I have a 2009 BMW 335D (diesel). A few days ago, the indicator “no start within xxx miles" was on. It indicates the diesel fluid need to be filled.
08/13/2014:
I took my car to a car repair shop named XXXX Auto. They said they can fix it. Also they recommended other services that include engine oil change, break pad change and fix the undercover. They charged for $800 and I agreed. I had to leave my car at the shop since they needed time. They said they would call me once it is done.
08/15/2014:
I called. They said it is done. I went to pick up my car. They said they have done everything. I paid. When I sit on the car (in the parking lot), I noticed that the “no start within xxx miles" light was still on. I went back to the guy and told him that the problem was still there. He went to the car and played with the machine (BMW device that checks the status of oil, tire, etc). He also called someone and stayed on the phone for a while. Then he told me that everything is fine. He said normally the light should go away after driving it for a couple of miles. I did not leave and I drove the car around the repair shop for a while (I think it is about 10 miles) and the light was still on. So I went back to the shop. The guy checked again and told me they would need to reset the machine to get rid of the indicator and they would need to have the special scanner from BMW. They said everything is fine and asked me to drive the car back once they reserve the tool from BMW. I drove the car back home. The “no start within xxx miles” indicator was always lighted on my way home. I did not feel the car was as smooth as before. And once in a while I noticed there was other light/indicator flashing. I thought they might have messed up the computer.
08/16/2014 ~ 08/19/2014:
I did not drive the car when I got back home since I did not feel comfortable of driving it. I left the car at home and used a different car for my daily commute.
08/20/2014:
They did not call me after a couple of days. I had to call them to see if they had the tool yet. Eventually they told me to bring the car in and they had the tool.
08/21/2014:
I drove the car to the repair shop on the second day. The car really got worse on my way there. It became a little shaky and I could not drive more than 50 miles/an hour. I tried to drive slowly and managed to reach their shop (about 10 miles away from my home). I told them that the initial problem is still there and now it is getting worse. Once again, the guy said “no problem and we will fix it” and I had to leave my car there. I left my car there once again and went to work. Later on the same day, the guy called me and said they had to drive the car to BMW dealership to diagnose it. I questioned if the car should be driven because of its condition. He said the guys who drove the car knew how to handle it.
08/22/2014:
I called. They said they have not heard anything from BMW yet.
08/23/2014:
They called and told me the message from BMW “No start due to bad starter and Battery also weak and will fall soon” and the engine would not start. They said they can replace starter and Battery with cheaper price. I agreed them to tow the car back from BMW and replace the starter and battery.
08/26/2014:
I called them since I did not hear anything from them. I was told they had to send the car back to BMW again since the car still would not start after they replaced the starter and battery.
08/28/2014:
They called and told me BMW said the engine is bad and need to be replaced, and the cost of replacing the engine is more than 15K and total bill will be around 18K. Oh, my god. I started to realize how stupid I was to trust them.
I went to BMW dealer right away and wanted to understand everything from BMW. I talked with the service adviser and we exchanged the information. He told me the engine was locked up and will not start. I told them I believe “someone” messed up my car. I never had any engine problem and I have done all the services and maintenance. The service advisor was very careful not to point finger for whatever reason, but he did acknowledge my point and agreed that engine should not lock up for no reason. He asked me if the “low Engine oil” light was on when I brought the car back to the repair shop after they had repaired it. I said yes, I did notice the light was on when I drove the car back to the car repair shop that day. They told me that in his 20 year of career, he seen this before. No enough lubricant in the engine will cause the engine to lock up. NO ENGINE OIL = ENGINE LOCK UP. He told me opening up the engine will tell the reason why the engine locked up. They will need to charge more than 1K of labor to diagnose the engine. If this is true, that means the repair shop did not fill the engine oil after they took the old engine out!!!!!
At this point, I already thought about taking legal action. I started to collect all the paper work that BMW dealer had sent to the repair shop. On the first invoice/statement, I found “Diesel Fluid low, filled and reset diesel fluid”. The repair shop did not even fill the Diesel Fluid. That is the root cause of “no start within XXX miles.” The repair shop did not mention any of those to me. I asked BMW if the engine oil was filled when XXXX Auto brought my car in. He said that he did not know and would have to verify with his technician.
08/29/2014:
I went back to BMW dealer and tried to understand if the oil was filled. He said that he verified with his technician. Engine oil was full, but it looks brand new and looks very clear. It did not look like the engine oil which had been operated for a few days.
I engaged a law firm on this day.
09/02/2014:
XXXX Auto said he want BMW to open up the engine so he will also know the reason. He said the engine break down can also cause by sludge in the car. I told him that I am ok to inspect the engine and I would like to consult my lawyer first. Later, after consulting with my lawyer, I told them I will need them to sign an agreement before I authorize BMW to open up the engine.
I went to XXXX Auto in the afternoon with an agreement. The other guy (He is an owner as well) was also there. He said he want to talk with me. He asked me a few questions and then offered me to fix the car at their repair shop without cost. I declined and told them that I do not trust them and I would like BMW to do the repair. We both signed the agreement at the end.
BMW said it would take a few days and probably they would have the result by Friday (09/05) or next Monday (09/08). I asked him to take the picture of the engine. Gary said they can invite me to see the engine once they are ready.
09/03/2014:
BMW called. They informed me to be there at 9:00AM on next Monday (09/08) to inspect the engine with their technician. XXXX Save Auto will be there as well.
09/08/2014:I was there at 9:00AM, but XXXX Auto did not show up. BMW shown me that there is sludge (They said it is large amount) found in oil pan which can damage the engine (PLUGGING OIL INTAKE TUBE). BMW said XXXX Auto will not take any responsibility since they see sludge. BMW is not responsible for it as well since it caused by poor maintenance of the car. I have all the maintenance record (Services, fluid change, brake check, engine oil change by BMW recommended interval…). This is really a painful experience. I acknowledge that I have limited knowledge with car. I want to get help and advices from this forum.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 10, 2014, 3:59 AM
Post #2 of 2
(1871 views)
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Re: BMW 335D repair - help needed
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This is on of several exotic cars that is best only using the new car dealer for service and repair not just shop XYZ with possibly lower prices and frequently lack of specific equipment for it.
If you jump into these type vehicles and do not have or keep exact records of what was done and when you can expect things to get wildly costly.
Sludge! Something terribly wrong is in it's past and can easily kill an engine. Now that you've gone legal you may have shot yourself in your foot for getting real help with this car IMO,
T
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