[Hom]

Hello all

Long time lurker looking for some advice. Just over a week ago I suffered a right rear puncture, phoned my local dealer and booked it in for a replacement. This all went well, however just as the keys where about to be handed back to me they told me that there had been a problem with my car when they test drove it to check the tire pressures. They mentioned that it had suffered an engine malfunction and completely cut out. Now I'd never had this issue before so was quite surprised, the car is 10 months old and I've had it for 8 weeks (Bought via the same dealer).

I was told to leave it there since its dangerous to drive it and the replacement part should be in stock within a day or 2. That was over a week ago and now they have no date for the parts to arrive, saying its back ordered and it could be days / weeks. Whats worse is they made me walk home since they had no cars available and they only supplied a car for me 4 days into the wait after I complained about the lack of mobility.

The car has done 6500 miles (N55 335i) and its suffered a valvetronic motor fail and a gasket needs replacing (That's what I've been told). I just find it infuriating that my car could be stuck with the dealer for weeks and there doesn't appear to be a lot I can do about it.

Should I get on the phone to BMW and complain direct?

[bounty78]

engine malfunction on a 2011 E92 335i..i thought this only happens to us with the pre-LCI 4 cylinder 320i engines. I hope they are not charging you for the courtesy car
BMW needs to get all the basics right before thinking about upgrading performance etc..it seems like the new BMW these days lack quality control..much as i am really fascinated about how the robots in manufacturing plants work, obviously they make mistakes like the computers do. They say all Lexus are scrutinised and inspected by master technicians before they leave the factory. BMW have a lot to learn from them. They need to live up to their motto " The Ultimate Driving Machine"!

[the_rangdo]

Lexus/Toyota haven't got much room to speak

Their master technicians haven't twigged how to stop accelerators sticking on carpet mats

[bounty78]

i am merely quoting what has been said in a car magazine..no personal experience with either brand.

[creepy coupe]

Christ, what is it with BMW and Petrol engines?

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Christ, what is it with BMW, Petrol engines & appalling customer service?

EFA

Originally Posted by Hom

Should I get on the phone to BMW and complain direct?

Without a doubt, and let the dealer principal at your dealer know that you have complained.

[the_rangdo]

As I said the in the 320i thread, it all feels like one big beta test in the drive (no pun) to make engines as economical and powerful as possible.

[willhollin]

Did you see the car when you went to collect it?

[Hom]

Only briefly from the side when I walked in to get the keys. They had moved it by the time I had left.

The service manager phoned me to apologise about the delay shortly after I posted this topic. He mentioned it potentially could arrive on Wednesday but couldn't guarantee that.

I'm going to phone BMW anyway to complain.

[willhollin]

WTF do they need to test drive the car for when replacing a tyre?

Something doesn't add up. Who's the dealer?

[Ham09]

Yeah and by test drive they mean...

P.S. Awesome film.

[m1bjr]

I expect they 'borrowed' a part to fix the managers car lol

[ALF_E90]

Originally Posted by willhollin

WTF do they need to test drive the car for when replacing a tyre?

Something doesn't add up. Who's the dealer?

This was what I thought when I read this. The paranoid part of my brain went into overdrive.

[Mccarroll01]

Alarm bells would def be ringin IMO and tbh I'd be surprised that BMW would even sacrifice 1 minute of their time to test drive for repairing a puncture, did they also try and charge u labour for the test drive lol?

[Hom]

It was blue bell wilmslow. BMW emailed me to apologise, and they called the dealer direct who then called me to apologise.

Can't say I'm happy about it, I'm hoping to pick up the car tomorrow now although they say more additional "smaller" parts need ordering which will be in later today / tomorrow.

[carl_d]

1) you should have been given a loan car on the spot, even if they had to hire one or take one from a manager. As they broke the car while testing and the millage is so low and they are the delivering dealer - bad bad bad service!
2) get on the phone to BNW UK customer service asap and state your unhappy
3) ask for a fix date - this is important because if they slip you want 4) each time
4) ask how they will compensate you e.g. next service free, for bad service and ongoing delay
5) tell dealer if they want your 5 star rating you want its fixed and 4)
6) Name and shame that dealer on here

[carl_d]

BTW - what tyres are on your 335i - Bridgestone or Michelin and any issues?

I have Michelin's and they are mega noisy, fronts rumble like a monster.

[Hom]

Bridgestone, and they are the same. Noisy. I had an Audi S5 before this with dunlops (Non RFT) and it was so much quieter. If I had the spare cash I would replace all of them over from RFT

[beemerbird]

This all sounds a bit odd to me Hom, hope you get it sorted!!

No way in hell should you have been made to walk home.

Not being funny but didn't you read t'internet about this engine before buying?

Out of curiosity why did you sell the S5? I sold mine in August last year but only because it was three years old, otherwise I would have kept it as I really liked that car, the whole package actually, build quality and that interior - superb imo, and the sound...........sooo sexy!

Fuel economy...........won't go there eh..........actually not bad for a V8 lump lol.

[Hom]

Well, It was 2 1/2 years old. Otherwise I would have kept it. Lovely car, beautifully built. The fuel economy was horrendous however. 140 miles sometimes out of a full tank - short journeys in the car don't work

I'm getting 12 mpg more out of this car doing the same journeys and heavy footed nonsense, and its not far off the pace

The sound was great, but I only really noticed it over 5k. To be honest I like the rasp of the 355i engine more. Miss the startup rumble though

The 335i was really an impulse buy, I was going to get an S4 avant but the price was getting stupidly high once I specced it out with drive select etc.

[beemerbird]

Fair enough.

Didn't you find the exhaust note became deeper after 'giving it some'. I loved the 'rumble' tbh when decelerating and I could hear the V8 constantly, I did test drive 5 however, and they all sounded different and three were definitely slower than the other two (and the Phantom black one I eventually bought). A wolf in sheeps clothing without a doubt and surprising perhaps how you could chuck it about and it did grip (Pirelli P Zeros on mine).

But yes short journeys would be a killer on the fuel I imagine lol. I'm getting 25% more fuel now with the TTRS and obviously sounds very different to the S5, especially the growl and roar and the run off the 5th cylinder............but overall I would say the noise of the V8 just edges it for me.

Yes, they know what to charge and seem to get away with it and have no qualms about letting peeps 'walk', but they're still in business. Think they will deal a bit more than they used to, but not the same sort of discounts. I daren't even ask about discounts on the RS5, even if I could justify the fuel bills

[Wwt]

I have the same problem with my N55 335i Convertible. My car only had 5500miles and was just 11 months old. Engine was in reduced power mode. I switched off then would start. Eventually started after 15 mins while waiting for BMW Assist.

It's been to the garage for a 2 times over a few weeks as they were waiting for parts from Germany. Eventually pick up car 2-3 weeks ago and no problems after 400miles. Today engine is now in feuded power mode. Not sure if coincidental but this happens when engine warm and on abide sunny day (rare in the UK this time of year).

Would it possible down to something simple like fuel grade?

Hom, Is your car running ok?