Hi everyone. Well my 2002 M5 is now 6 days old and today I had quite an experience. As I was driving for say 30 seconds I noticed that my tachometer was not working. About 1 minute later I pulled into the supermarket parking lot, and turned off my car. I then noticed that my tachometer lights (the one orange and red) were still on, even though my key was out of the ignition. Also my on board computer lights to the side were still on but I could not scroll through to any of the functions. My central locking system button worked inside the car, but the remote lock & unlock features did not (only the trunk release).
I put the key back in and tried starting the car, it would turn on for 1/2 a second (like it had turned over) but then went dead. Keep in mind the tachometer lights are still on, as are my reverse lights for no aparent reason.
I finally called BMW Roadside Assistance (or that poor excuse that they call road side assistance) and they sent a tow truck. The towing guy was very helpful. Before trying to tow me he tried jumping the car. That didn't work. Then he disconnected the battery for a minute, then reconnected it and now my car starts and works fine.
One thing is that my time, date, consumption, trip counter, etc. are all reset (everything in the on-board computer). I figure this is just from disconnecting the battery.
Anyway, do I have a lemon. I mean WTF. The car is only 6 days old!!! As BMW is closed, I will drop off my car first thing tomorrow morning but now I am afraid to use my car until. What bullshit is this? Anyone have a similar experience or any comments/ideas?
It is no fun at all to have a problem with a new car. I'm sorry for your frustation. But no, you don't have a lemon - at least, not yet, anyway. A lemon is a car with problems the dealer can't fix after 3 visits.
What you experienced is a well-known phenomenon in electronics called "infant mortality." The likelihood that an electronic component will fail continues to decrease over time. No matter how much you "burn in" and test, if it is going to fail at all, the chances are that it will fail very soon.
SO - you got an unfortunate but unusual failure - sounds like the computer just took a big dump. The dealer will fix it for you.
__________________
'00 M5 - The Ultimate Ultimate Driving Machine! Greg's M5 Page
'01 996 TT - Greg's Porsche Turbo Page
'00 A6 4.2 - doesn't deserve a web page
Don't take her out tonight buddy, it's raining bad in my area. That sucks about the car man. Take her back first thing in the morning and ***** them out, you all ready had a small problem with the car right?? Ask for a case of oil or something.
__________________
Harry
'02 Jet Black on Sport Black w/Allum. int.
Euro-spec headlights (clear corners)
Stage II (6000K) HID highs, lows & fogs
Dinan exhaust
SuperSprint "X" pipe
AC Schnitzer pedals & e-brake
AC Schnitzer front spoiler
Blacked out grills
TV/DVD/MP3 player
I had a similar scare with our car last week -- driving along, the temperature gauge pegged itself all the way to the right! I immediately pressed the Check Control button on the gauge panel and it said "CHECK CONTROL OK", so I knew it was just a bug. I pulled into the next gas station and shut the car down and restarted it. Gauge is fine now, and hasn't done it since...
I guess thats one of the drawbacks of these cars -- they are packed with so much technology we do have some bugs Not that that is a good thing in a 80k car, especially what you went through.
-Chris
__________________
'00 M5 Anthracite - Imola Red/Black, bone stock, 11,000 miles (Yep she's a garage queen)
I think Greg is correct- sounds like an electronic gremlin they need to fix. Sorry that this happens and it kind of shatters the excitement of having a new car.
btw- did they actually tow the car or did they flatbed it. I remember reading somewhere that the M5 must be flatbedded. If they towed it- check the owners manual on this- and if it says it has to be flatbedded you should tell BMWNA that you will hold them responsible for any damage to the drivetrain that could result from the towing- put it in writing and send along a copy of the reciept from the towing company.
__________________
All the best,
Jerry 00 Z8 Jet Black/Red Sport / some others
Please tell me that it wasn't towed!! Flatbed is a must!!
__________________
Harry
'02 Jet Black on Sport Black w/Allum. int.
Euro-spec headlights (clear corners)
Stage II (6000K) HID highs, lows & fogs
Dinan exhaust
SuperSprint "X" pipe
AC Schnitzer pedals & e-brake
AC Schnitzer front spoiler
Blacked out grills
TV/DVD/MP3 player
John, you are correct. No towing/flatbedding was involved. I drove the car straight to my garage. According to the owner's manual the car could be towed or flatbedded (of coarse I would prefer flatbed) but you must use that special peg to put in the front or rear bumper that is in our on-board tool kit.
Anyway, wish me luck as I am going at 8:00 AM to bring my M5 in. Stupid computers! Hopefully it's better it died now and wont happen again!
Do I have a lemon???
As BMW is closed, I will drop off my car first thing tomorrow morning but now I am afraid to use my car until. What bullshit is this? Anyone have a similar experience or any comments/ideas? 
)
Not that that is a good thing in a 80k car, especially what you went through.
According to the owner's manual the car could be towed or flatbedded (of coarse I would prefer flatbed) but you must use that special peg to put in the front or rear bumper that is in our on-board tool kit.
Linear Mode
