Starting to sound like an SMG (pump, etc.) issue. Seems to be a lot of that going around, especially for M6s with a few years and a few miles. PUMA stuff unfortunately does take time. BMWNA only overlaps with Hawaii time for a few hours a day and they have to be contacted, then they get back to the dealership at best the next day, etc. And then once they finally authorize the parts and work, the dealership usually has to order in the parts.
Let me know if you get stuck and I'll let you borrow the Z4.
If you need to re-program your M6, I have a notebook (PC) already setup for this sort of thing.
That's why I love this board. Two of the nicest guys I have ever came across I met on this board (Mark and Dan). Mark, I'm floored by your gracious offer. Actually, this was the second time I've been. A couple of months ago Mark and I met up for lunch and a ride. During our run we stopped and he threw his keys to me so I could test out his beast. My car would be a lot easier to replace than his Individual. I didn't take the privilege lightly. Hell, that was only the second time we had met in person. I am taken back by his genuine kindness and support.
Last year around this time I was on my way back from a year-long assignment to Korea. I happened to stop in the Seattle airport for a short layover. Dan caught wind of this and was set on driving a couple of hours each way to pick me up, take me to dinner and let me cruise the streets in his beast. All of that kindness from a guy I have never actually met. Unfortunately, my layover wasn't long enough so we couldn't get together, but I haven't forgotten his offer.
I'm glad these guys are mods! Right before I read Mark's last post, I was surfing the web for a replacement option for the beast (P-cars, Lambos, GT-Rs, R8s). I was really feeling down in the dumps about my car. After reading his post, I've come to realize that the M experience is more than just the car. It's about the quality people on here who will bend over backward to help others. Sorry to sound sappy, but I honestly feel like I could end up quite a few places around the world and shoot one of you guys a call or email and you'd be there to help. That's the M experience to me. If any of you find yourself in my neck of the woods (Hawaii as of now), your first dinner and mai tai are on me.
The lead tech has said they are going to change the clutch and flywheel, which they'll have to order. They said they have done a few (not M6 models I'm sure) already and it was the clutch/flywheel. I mentioned the SMG pump and he said no. They're not even considering that now. So now I have to wait for the parts to come in, clutch to be done and put back together for testing. After that, I'm pretty sure they will still get faults and then tear it apart again only to realize it was the SMG pump. Then I'll have to wait another week for parts and another tear-down/rebuild. I've read a lot of traffic on here about similar problems. Maybe it's just me, but I'm reading the problem is usually with the pump and not the clutch. Can anyone chime in? Those of you who've had similar issues, was it the pump, clutch, or both? BTW, I am still under the original factory warranty. I asked if the clutch/flywheel was covered under warranty. SA said yes. Is this true? I thought wear and tear wasn't covered, or is that only on the extended warranty? Believe me, I'm not complaining!
Fellow Hawaii Board member M5Drifter (E60 M5) had his clutch throwout bearing go out on him. Ate the transmission along the way. He got a new transmission (under warranty) a while ago. So some clutch issues are not "normal wear and tear" and are covered.
Hey, you're getting a new clutch and flywheel, nothing wrong with that except for the time lost and like you say, it may still be the SMG pump. Which they may also have to replace before it's all done...
Look on the bright side, at least you are getting a lot of new parts while still under warranty.
BTW - how is that shiny, clean Enterprise rental doing? Ha ha ha. Those are the dirtiest and most scraped up rental cars I've ever seen. But at least their office is literally across the street from the dealership.
Hi Brad, sorry just now chiming in. Still very busy at work, still working 10 -14 hours a day at Boeing : (
Thank you so much for the kind words.
I have always believed that in life - what goes around comes around.
You treat people nice, offer and provide help when needed and good things will come your way and people will be happy and grateful.
Some people think its all about money...money cant buy friendship and happiness.
Thanks again for the kind words.
At any rate, I have read lots of thread here about SMG failures and like Mark said - it appears generally around 30K and up miles.
Most of the failures are like mine, SMG pump and two clutch position sensors, and sometimes clutch and pressure plate too.
My SA tried to go the cheap way first and just replaced the two position sensors and gave me my car back.
On the drive home after the repairs - the dang SMG failure light came on again so I had to call BMW roadside for a flatbed.
I told my SA I want it fixed right this time as this is too much trouble.
They replaced the SMG pump this time and all is good from then on.
Like Mark said, clutch and pressure plate is usually not covered under warranty but if you get it replaced for free under warranty - then great!
Its just that your beast will sit at their dealership a little longer.
Keep us posted and hang in there my friend. Things will get better for your beast and you.
Evolve ECU Tune, Tubi Rumore exhaust, BBS RGR rims; Polk Audio Tweeters, 5500K Osram Cool Blue HID,Valentine 1 Radar Detector; Laser Interceptor Laser Jammer; All LED interior lights, LED footwell lights, LED trunk lights, Ultimate Cup Holders, 3rd brake light LED flasher, ash tray delete; LED license plate lights; RPI Ram Air Scoops + Block off plates; BMC Air Filters.......
Fellow Hawaii Board member M5Drifter (E60 M5) had his clutch throwout bearing go out on him. Ate the transmission along the way. He got a new transmission (under warranty) a while ago. So some clutch issues are not "normal wear and tear" and are covered.
Hey, you're getting a new clutch and flywheel, nothing wrong with that except for the time lost and like you say, it may still be the SMG pump. Which they may also have to replace before it's all done...
Look on the bright side, at least you are getting a lot of new parts while still under warranty.
BTW - how is that shiny, clean Enterprise rental doing? Ha ha ha. Those are the dirtiest and most scraped up rental cars I've ever seen. But at least their office is literally across the street from the dealership.
Going to pick the rental up today. We'll see what kind of POS they try to give me.
Brad, sorry to hear about the problems you are going through with your dealer. As in all "human-related" issues, it may become very unpleasant at the end of the day. Hope they will finally give up and admit that your smg pump is shot.
During my experience, just couple of weeks ago, they diagnosed on the same day the car was brought in that the SMG pump needed to be replaced. I received calls from the SA and the Service Manager frequently affirming that they were on top of the issue and would try to finish the repair asap. Thankfully they got the part in stock and it took them 2 days to finish the job. I visited the dealer once to check on how things were progressing and they were very informative.
They also went ahead and replaced the clutch and the flywheel while they were at it. The SM said "i wouldnt want you to come down in a couple of months just for a new clutch and as a proactive maintenance i gave the instruction to the technician to change it". I have to tell you i am dealing with BMW continuously for the last 9 years and in different countries, this kind of attitude was the last thing i expected.
They also went ahead and replaced the clutch and the flywheel while they were at it. The SM said "i wouldnt want you to come down in a couple of months just for a new clutch and as a proactive maintenance i gave the instruction to the technician to change it". I have to tell you i am dealing with BMW continuously for the last 9 years and in different countries, this kind of attitude was the last thing i expected.
That is outstanding. But in the U.S. it does not happen. BMWNA (no doubt in an often failed attempt to cut costs) is very picky about what and when they authorize warranty repairs. Outside of a "campaign" (recall), they don't order pro-active maintenance. It has to be a very well known issue (such as the very early model's VANOS oil line/pump thing or the recent battery cable connection) before they will do anything BEFORE it fails, even though this would have been cheaper in the end. As an example, M5Drifter had his clutch throwout bearing fail. If they had replaced it before it failed, they would have saved the transmission (which broke as a consequence when the clutch stopped working).
Penny wise and pound foolish (an old English expression).
I am experiencing exactly the same thing in with my '06 M5. Once the software was updated, BMW said its not the SMG pump, its the clutch. (Before the software was updated it was the SMG Pump) They are quoting nearly $7k (AUS) just for the clutch excluding labour. I advised to change the Clutch Position Sensor after doing a lot of research on here. I have now also asked that when they do that if they could look at the Clutch Release Bearing as well. I am out of warranty and have already been waiting about a month just to get to this point. I am able to drive my car but it constantly says "Transmssion! Perform adaptations".
Cant really afford $10k on a clutch... only to find out its the SMG pump. Not really sure what to do.
Interested to see what Brad's result is. Luckily his is under warranty!
I am experiencing exactly the same thing in with my '06 M5. Once the software was updated, BMW said its not the SMG pump, its the clutch. (Before the software was updated it was the SMG Pump) They are quoting nearly $7k (AUS) just for the clutch excluding labour. I advised to change the Clutch Position Sensor after doing a lot of research on here. I have now also asked that when they do that if they could look at the Clutch Release Bearing as well. I am out of warranty and have already been waiting about a month just to get to this point. I am able to drive my car but it constantly says "Transmssion! Perform adaptations".
Cant really afford $10k on a clutch... only to find out its the SMG pump. Not really sure what to do.
Interested to see what Brad's result is. Luckily his is under warranty!
I feel your pain brother! I'll keep you in the loop as soon as details flow my way. The parts are on order and should be here and installed by the end of the week (US independence day is this week). I still have the original warranty, but I was under the impression that the clutch and flywheel were still wear and tear, thus not covered. When I asked the SA over the phone, he said I was lucky and it was covered. I still have an uneasy feeling that he was an idiot and told me wrong. I'm dreading the call they give me at the end of this week saying that it isn't covered and they want me to pay $$$. Stay tuned...
I feel your pain brother! I'll keep you in the loop as soon as details flow my way. The parts are on order and should be here and installed by the end of the week (US independence day is this week). I still have the original warranty, but I was under the impression that the clutch and flywheel were still wear and tear, thus not covered. When I asked the SA over the phone, he said I was lucky and it was covered. I still have an uneasy feeling that he was an idiot and told me wrong. I'm dreading the call they give me at the end of this week saying that it isn't covered and they want me to pay $$$. Stay tuned...
Yep. Thanks. Just to got word that the Clutch Position Sensor has arrived and Im taking the car in to BMW tomorrow. I'm going to ask them to look at the Clutch Release Bearing as well. That seems to be the common problem having read all of these SMG/Clutch posts.
Will let you know the diagnosis when they get back to me.
Does $AU7000 seem too much for new clutch? Ive read on here that a new clutch should be from $US1500 to $US4000. With the current exchange rate being basically equal, $7k seems very excessive.
18Likes
Linear Mode
