[Samoht]

My boss bought his new 335i back in 2007, never had a HPFP issue until on last weekend when he had long cranks each day up to Monday as he drove for work. Car would not start monday night as he was leaving work. Tried again yesterday morning and it started so we went straight to BMW dropped off the car and i drove him back.

Today at midday BMW called back and told him its an engine problem that requires software update to correct the problem as well as replacing the Fuel pump and another xxx (i forgot what it was). He was quoted $2,500 to replace all that including labor since he is out of warranty. WTF!!! car only had 40,000kms

Any ideas??

[sbce90]

Can you use the US recall to help your (boss's) case?

[orey]

this is whats puttin me off the 335...

print out the us recall and give it to your boss, youll get super brownie points

[mmmmQuattro]

all the software update does is start the low pressure pump running as soon as you open the door or unlock the car. I can hear mine going off.
I had the software update and well at least it still starts

Software updates should have a longer warranty than physical components as it is easier for them to install and the reason they are doing the updates is that there was a bug in the first place. Why should we pay for that? It's not like we wore the software out by driving like a maniac.

[kaishang]

He should demand a goodwill FOC fix-up, since this is a well documented, known design fault which BMW USA are already fixing free of charge.

[O HELLA BMW]

Hpfp has a 10 year/120,000 mile warranty i believe

[WOPALX]

I'd certainly go to the dealer your boss or yourself has a relationship with and ask for a goodwill repair on the item. Offer to pay for the labour and they cover the software / parts.

BMW Sydney did this for my step mothers 325 when the steering lock needed replacing; despite the car never having been there, purchased elsewhere and serviced at the original dealer.

All comes down to the relationship you have.

[cruvon]

yupz, ask for a goodwill. Your dealership can usually request BMW to offer goodwill till a year after the warranty runs out though you will still need to pay for labour, I did get some work done on mine thru" goodwill though I copped a fair bit on labour.

[MFKN3]

I have been told by the dealer that after warranty they will replace parts free but still charge labour.

Failing this, buy a HPFP from the UK and get an indy shop or diy install. The software upgrade isn't necessary and is just a patch

[Jeef Beef]

The N54 is like a temperamental mistress, she'll show you the time of your life one second, and then she'll say she has a headache the next.

[QUM01Z]

It's a worry reading these stories especially because I am currently in 2 minds whether or not to extend my New car warranty which runs out at the end of this year!

[Samoht]

ok, we used the US recall problem...and suprisingly the first sign of our reluctant led to a change of tone. They said they are not sure whether its the HPFP failure now and will try a software update first and see whether that will fix the problem, as a coutesy and goodwill they will be charging him ZERO Dollar$.

[cruvon]

Good job, hope you get a raise for keeping the boss happy

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

thats an awesome result! Hope it all turns out well for him.

That's the only thing putting me off an N54 ... but still, I think it's worth it for the 97% of the time it is running, it's running absolutely beautifully.

[Dec540]

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

thats an awesome result! Hope it all turns out well for him.

That's the only thing putting me off an N54 ... but still, I think it's worth it for the 97% of the time it is running, it's running absolutely beautifully.

It seems all you have to do is question the USA recall and then they will look after you.

I'm unsure why the recall hasn't been issued in Australia but at the end of the day the BMW dealership either charge you or have to claim it back through BMW Germany. I'd imagine it would be far easier just to charge you the cash.

Having said that though the recall is for the part and has nothing to do with weather conditions so the USA recall would still hold some merit over here. If you really have an issue you simply need to write a nice letter with info about the recall or just lawyer up.

[Samoht]

thanks guys... Cruvon too bad my bonus and raise was already determined a month ago!

all they said is a software upgrade. Will see how that pans out, not a sure win yet.

[Jeef Beef]

The software update is merely a bandaid solution designed to hide the long crank - which is a known symptom of imminent pump failure. So instead of 'knowing' when your pump is about to go by how long your cranks are in the morning, your boss' car may suddenly lose all power while he's driving with no warning.

While that's usually a rare thing to occur, they did the same thing for my car. Software update, then 2 months later hpfp replacement.

[chappy]

Originally Posted by QUM01Z

It's a worry reading these stories especially because I am currently in 2 minds whether or not to extend my New car warranty which runs out at the end of this year!

I'm in the same vote it is a great car,my fuel pump has been replace a couple of months ago after a couple of long cranks they just replaced it anyway,but Australia hasn't got the newest version yet,so it can pack up anytime maybe.

How much would it cost for extended warranty, or if anything goes just order the parts from the USA at a quarter of the price.

[VGR00]

I think there is a bigger issue here. The dealer had diagnosed the problem and was ready to charge $2500 to fix the issue. Why has the diagnostic now been downgraded to only a software upgrade? Maybe the dealer is now following warranty procedure for fuel pump failure claim. I'd be concerned that the software upgrade will only mask the issue and if the pump fails in 12 months or so, getting it replaced under warranty or good will, will be a lot harder. And as for peace of mind, your prestege BMW is also 30 times more likely to leave you stranded than a Hyundai under this bandaid fix. Sorry .... I wouldn't be happy with this. I do respect a 3 year warranty being only 3 years however a world wide known issue like this should be dealt with better.

[WOPALX]

Dealer gets paid jack shit for warranty work from BMW vs what they charge out labor rate wise to customers so of course if the customer is daft enough to pay then they will certainly try.

Only a very small amount of customers are savvy enough to question the SA at diagnosis time.

[bcoz]

Here's a recent Drive article on the 'non-recall' in Australia...
http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...101-179ps.html

More info in this thread...
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=447379

[QUM01Z]

Originally Posted by chappy

I'm in the same vote it is a great car,my fuel pump has been replace a couple of months ago after a couple of long cranks they just replaced it anyway,but Australia hasn't got the newest version yet,so it can pack up anytime maybe.

How much would it cost for extended warranty, or if anything goes just order the parts from the USA at a quarter of the price.

Yeah need to weigh it up! 2 year extension up to 100,000 clicks $3147.67.