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Could have been a disaster today... check this out!

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50K views 121 replies 44 participants last post by  markie  
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#1 ·
So I was driving from Houston to Dallas for a meeting... I was about 130 miles north of Houston on 45. I was doing about 90 passing a car when I here a loud BANG and some serious noise from the right rear... slowed down safely and pulled over.... assuming a blowout... Called AAA and then got out of the car to check it out. Holy CRAP!! My right rear suspension had totally collapsed!! Had to get towed all the way back to BMW Houston North. That was a joyous 2 hour ride in a tow truck. Don't know what's wrong yet, but with my Dinan suspension, I'm sure it'll be out of my pocket! Even with the Dinan warranty... anxious to hear what the problem is tomorrow. Could have been a serious situation... managed to pull over safely.

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#2 ·
Holy crap! That looks horrible, any other damage? Why wouldn't Dinan cover the repairs? Please post the cause as there are quite a few Dinan stage 2 around so we be good to know what to look out for. Good luck with getting it fixed.
 
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#4 · (Edited)
I sh*t you not, this happened to me today as well in NYC... I ended up blowing the rear EDC shock from a really big pothole, 2-3 week wait from Germany @ 750 dollars from the dealer. I am also lowered on RD Sport springs but they were not damaged. I already put a claim to my insurance company, insurance adjuster is coming tomorrow to assess the damages. Also bent both wheels in the process...

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M
#7 ·
Unreal!!

Glad both of you were able to come to a safe halt. Please keep us updated on the component failures and your insurers opinions.

Kindest Regards,
MK
 
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#9 ·
Interesting that both cars are AW. Glad everyone is ok.
 
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#11 ·
Wow, glad you're alright. I'm suprised thought, Dinan really comes across as a quality product.
 
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#12 · (Edited)
Wow, I am sorry to hear about what happened to you, and I am glad you are ok and safe.
I guess it's too early to determine if it was a Dinan component failure or something else! it seems like you have some damag on the wheel as well. I hope between Dinan, BMW, and Insurance they cover all the damages.
I have had nothing but excellent experience in BMW of Houston North. I have been dealing with them for several years. In fact, I dropped off my car there this morning to get some minor issues resolve before my warranty goes out in December. Those guys really know what they are doing. Their service manager's name is Billy Todd, and he is a very knowledgable and nice guy. Their Dinan expert name is Scott, and he is also very knowledgable and friendly. I am sure they will take good care of you. These guys always go the extra mile to make customers happy.
Good luck and keep us posted.

-Matt
 
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#13 ·
I'm trying to find words suitable for the good company around here, but it's not easy.

I'd be goddamn livid. I can deal with a car breaking down, but that's so far from excusable it blows my mind.

Dave
 
J
#14 ·
Glad you both are OK. Hopefully that looks worse than it is. Let us know how it turns out.

- Josh
 
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#15 ·
Thanks guys, insurance adjuster is coming to my shop tomorrow morning so I will report what they say in terms of compensation.
(Metlife Insurance, $1000 deductible, full coverage and comprehension)

So far we're looking at:
Blown spring mount
Blown EDC shock
Stress crack from pothole and contact on rear wheel
Bend in the front wheel

Wish me luck!
 
S
#17 ·
Sorry to hear that happened ViKTORiOUS. :sad1: Are you running all stock suspension components?
 
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R
#18 ·
wow. glad to hear you guys are okay. i was thinking about buying dinan stage 2 suspension next month, too. will wait to hear of the root cause of these failures first...
 
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#22 ·
Make that 3 AW M5s that had a blown suspension part. I had the two rear struts blow out as well. Well leaked out a few months back. It's not common but still bothersome. I had Eibachs in and dealership was really cool about it. Replaced under warranty with Eibachs in place.

It's an AW thang? Haha

Glad you are okay and that's most important. Guess you kept the beast? I thought you had sold it for some reason. I remember your Porsche and handle from 6speed and teamspeed.
 
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#24 · (Edited)
Basically the top knuckle that holds the top of the spring blew out and went down the shock shaft, the impact expanded and tore the knuckle, so the spring is able to move freely. Also, the shock itself has a stress fracture. Crazy to know this all happened at 25-30MPH. Some people told me to dispute this with the city, but it would simply be a waste of time to pursue it... the city gets enough claims against them as is, I'll be waiting months, maybe even close to a year before they even review my case. Lesson learned, never take my M into Manhattan.

Maybe AW M5's are cursed, but I'm glad that everyone is okay. Just sucks that I'll have to wait 2-3 weeks, maybe it's time to go with a full coilover setup now.

And for those who asked, I am lowered on RD Sport springs (Spring is okay and was not damaged from the pothole)
 
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#25 ·
Stinks that you have to wait. Claims against the city is crazy and drawn out. But check some cities and counties have pot hole funds that are handled very quickly. I hit one in buckhear here in Atlanta a few years back at night. Bent my HREs two on the right side. Called the police and the city to let then know of the pothole. I came back that next day to take pictures. They wrote me a check for the repairs of over $1200. They had a fund for that type of damage. It apparently has a cap and yearly amount. Also since the pothole was reported over 5 days prior that was part if their reason why they moved so quickly to pay me. I had to sign off any additional claims for damages before accepting the check. Not so lucky for my X5 on a railroad area in another county. It was a year and nothing. They blew me off. Win some lose some.

VIK that sounds painful. Mounting points all good though no damage or bends?

Consider the KWV3 :) probably my next mod. I lowered on Eibachs and really like it but nothing beats a Coilover kit setup correctly.

Hope it all turns out great for you.
 
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#27 ·
I didn't mean to place any blame on Dinan, I love their stuff! I was just saying with aftermarket parts, warranty work is always tricky, regardless if its Dinan or not.

The crazy thing is that I was staright and level doing 90 and then BAM! It happened. From underneath I couldnt see anything. The spring was all the way down behind the rotor, when it should have been at the top!!

Haven't heard anything from the dealer yet today, will post once I do.

Oh, and the wheel was already damaged.... My friend curbed it last week! ugh!
 
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#30 ·
DFrankm5 said:
I wonder if all three cars had aftermarket springs which might have caused the component failure or could this this be the early signs of a BMW production issue (i.e. recall pending).
Click to expand...
Mine was probably started before the springs. That is why I didn't get a hard time for the springs. My springs were on only less than two weeks and I don't drive it everyday. So they knew me and my habits and that I maintain my cars. The relationship really helps I can tell you that. If I had take it to the other dealership it would have been a no go. I called just to see. It was an instant no.

Also these are different years that it happened on.
 
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#32 ·
Disaster Avoidance

ALPINE M5, I am happy everything worked out for you and I hope the other members have similar results. My concern as an enthusiast is that this perhaps should be an area that needs to be inspected on a frequent basis notwithstanding the presence of aftermarket or stock springs. It certainly has peaked my attention and I will endeavor to pay more attention to this area as well as bringing this potential to the attention of my SA. I really appreciate this board membership and the posting of issues experienced. At the end of the day it really helps all of us.:applause:
 
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#33 ·
I doubt aftermarket springs had anything to do with it since there was no damage caused to the actual spring itself... if the spring snapped and caused this mess, then it would be safe to say the aftermarket components were the culprit. My friend with the M6 had stock suspension when it happened to him last year.


avi8tir - I would try to go through insurance on this one, I spoke to my SA at BMW and he agreed, paying out of pocket would be a complete loss... you can even claim your wheels as being damaged due to the suspension malfunction. We pay so much for insurance, it's about time we get some money back into our pockets. However, be prepared to wait a few weeks for the part to come from Germany... time I simply cannot wait for (I have other vehicles at home) but the fact that we must wait for over a month is unacceptable... Thus, I am now looking into coilover options. I hope this issue gets addressed to BMWNA. Be careful out there guys!
 
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#34 · (Edited)
I wonder if the aftermarket springs, because they are generally stiffer than the stock springs and have a higher progressive rate, cause extra stress on the shock brackets, especially with the EDC set on Sport?

It would be interesting to find out if there are any cars with stock springs that had this same problem.

Maybe someone can take a picture of the damage, or where it occured, so that the rest of us can look and see if there is any stress damage on our cars in the same spot?
 
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#36 ·
Ok, just got a call and here is the verdict:

SA said that the bolt at the bottom of the suspension snapped in half which caused the collapse.

Telling me that it will not be covered under warranty due to my aftermarket suspension. BULLSH*T!

What the hell does the bolt have to do with the springs and sways???

Any help on this? Total cost is going to be $3200. Ridiculous!!
 
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#38 ·
avi8tir said:
What the hell does the bolt have to do with the springs and sways???
Click to expand...
Lowering springs are stiffer and this will increase the stress on the bolt :nono:
The bolt should be able to handle the increased stress, but there is some basis to the claim that the springs caused the failure.

Another issue is that BMW recommends this bolt be replaced and not reused.
This bolt is torqued to 165Nm (122 lb-ft) so reuse could increase the chance failure.
I have replaced the rear springs twice, and replaced this bolt each time.
 
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