Not sure what to make of this. - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Pete · 24th June 2004, 01:29

car is 3 months out of warranty. I took it in on the last day of the warranty shortly after I got it and told them to check everything out. They said the car was in great shape. They said they reset a few error codes that had accumulated but no big deal.

Memorial day weekend SES light came on for a day and a half. Finally got a chance to get it in for a look see. Thought it might be something emissions related.

I called at 3 this afternoon and service rep said technician was workingon the car. He had a lot of computer run papers there, and was trying to isolate problem by swapping some parts. First was cam sensor, then some sort of accumulator thing. Service rep said maybe Vanos problem, but didnt want to alarm me yet. I told her if it was a Vanos problem we were going to go to war.

Vanos just doesnt go to hell in 3 months after what was supposed to be a comprehensive inspection. At least not in my mind it doesnt.

Just for the record, is it a fact that 2000 M5s suffered from Vanos related problems? Were there enough problems to perhaps have warranted a recall or is this kind of a problem mostly isolated? In the event that it is a Vanos problem I would like a bit of factual ammo to try and get it done under warranty or at the very least a cost sharing 50/50 thing.

My service rep is a darling and I know she will do her best to treat me fairly, but I have a feeling this is something that a regional rep might have to have his/her hand in and I dont have clue what they are like.

Please, dont bother spanking me over the extended warranty thing. I took it in while still under warranty specifically to be sure the car did not have these issues. If it would have happened a year from now I would not even bother to make a post of it.

You guys think I might have a chance to get some satisfaction from BMW or is this the makings of an uphill battle?

Digi · 24th June 2004, 01:41

You didn't find or observe anything wrong before the warranty ended, and the dealer confirmed your observations. If the error codes reset by the dealer have any bearing on the symptoms now observed, that would be relevant. If the error codes were not related, the dealer would not be able to fix something that was not wrong prior to the expiration of the warranty. I am sure BMW has some latitude in extending the warranty when appropriate. Hopefully they will take care of any issues. Nonetheless, I don't think BMW has any OBLIGATION to fix your car unless the previously reset error codes related to the problems discovered now. Good luck.

Philip · 24th June 2004, 01:52

You may be jumping the gun on your anger towards them. I have a 2000 M5, and the only VANOS issue related to the 2000 model is the addition of the accumulator valve which will reduce VANOS noise on cold startup. You should have that added (if not already there).

Find out from your service record what the error codes were before and after the warrentee expired. I'll bet one or more of them (error codes) will support your position that it was an existing problem.

Also, I would never expect the dealer to do a complete and honest job checking out the car on the last day of the warrentee. Almost makes me laugh. Wait, I think I will........I took my car to an independent (DINAN) and then to the dealer with a report card of what to change (for free).

Pete · 24th June 2004, 01:56

Digi,

I only had the car for 2 weeks before I initially took it in on the last day of the warranty, so I dont have a lot of driving history with the car. I do know that in those two weeks I had a backfire, and one limp mode incident. I guess a look at the reset error codes for the initial service visit might be relevent, and I will mention that to them. It's true , if nothing was wrong when the warranty expired they owe me nothing, but I find that hard to believe. I have babied this car since I have had it. As a mechanical engineer I just have a difficult time believing that so important a system as the Vanos can be good and then in 3 months all of a sudden be bad. I know I could be wrong, but i hope that if I am, they can present to me a logical and engineering wise sensible forensic analysis as to why it failed, or what the failure mode even was.

I will maintain a positive outlook on this issue and hope for a fair resolution.

Pete · 24th June 2004, 02:00

Philip,

LOL I know , but I had a day left for the warranty and I just had this niggling feeling that I should take it in. At least it got me on the record that some error codes were present and they were reset. Maybe it will help, maybe not. But by thunder, I had a day left and I used it! hahahaha

I'm hoping for the best.

Digi · 24th June 2004, 02:11

Pete, I didn't realize you just got the car. Good luck.

Philip · 24th June 2004, 03:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Digi,

I only had the car for 2 weeks before I initially took it in on the last day of the warranty, so I dont have a lot of driving history with the car. I do know that in those two weeks I had a backfire, and one limp mode incident. I guess a look at the reset error codes for the initial service visit might be relevent, and I will mention that to them. It's true , if nothing was wrong when the warranty expired they owe me nothing, but I find that hard to believe. I have babied this car since I have had it. As a mechanical engineer I just have a difficult time believing that so important a system as the Vanos can be good and then in 3 months all of a sudden be bad. I know I could be wrong, but i hope that if I am, they can present to me a logical and engineering wise sensible forensic analysis as to why it failed, or what the failure mode even was.

I will maintain a positive outlook on this issue and hope for a fair resolution.

I had my list of repairs done 3 weeks after my warrentee expired (at dealers request). I asked how the dealer could still get BMWNA to consider it warrentee work, and the mecahnic told me that they can call it "goodwill" and BMW will pay 100% up to 6 months after expiration (your SA won't say this). After 6 months, they will pay half the cost. So the dealer can help you if they want to. Your misfire and limpmode errors speak for themselves. Don't worry yet.

Pete · 24th June 2004, 03:44

Thanks all for the info and encouragement. I will be sure to let you know as soon as I find out what's going on.

Pete · 24th June 2004, 22:26

go here for the resolution: RALPH SCHOMP BMW, A SERIOUS CLASS ACTI felt the need to start a new thread to address this, and acknowledge the dealership.

Cheers

Mitchdubai · 2nd July 2004, 21:32

The Vanos on my 2000 model has been replaced twice. The warranty was long dead. The first time I had a fight, the local dealer wanted to charge me 8000 Dirhams (around 2,300 USD) and I had to go to BMW Middle East directly, finally they did it under "goodwill" and didn't cost me a bean. Second time they did it with no argument. Been running fine since then.