The Official BMW 3-Series Discussion Thread
08-06-2009, 08:43 PM
#3001
Suzuka Master
I hope by timing your refering to something else and not your engine. The timing would have to be pretty off for the engine to do that and the only way for it to get that off is something major go wrong. Hopefully everything gets sorted out correctly and as quick as possible.
08-06-2009, 08:44 PM
#3002
Administrator Alumnus
I've talked to BMWNA. And they've been great.
To answer the other questions I am not sure what the deal is other than they said the "timing was a bit off". BMWNA told me then I got a call from the dealer.
Let's just say that things have been presented and it's in BMWs court.
08-06-2009, 08:53 PM
#3004
Administrator Alumnus
I hope by timing your refering to something else and not your engine. The timing would have to be pretty off for the engine to do that and the only way for it to get that off is something major go wrong. Hopefully everything gets sorted out correctly and as quick as possible.
And it is engine timing.
08-07-2009, 11:50 AM
#3007
Anyways, I hope BMW can sort out your problems, Scrib.
08-07-2009, 12:08 PM
#3008
My Garage
08-07-2009, 12:09 PM
#3009
Engineer
08-07-2009, 12:34 PM
#3010
Suzuka Master
J, if you sell them, what will you use as your winter setup? or were you planning on buying another set of wheels?
08-07-2009, 12:39 PM
#3011
Senior Moderator
20s normally look good on the M3 but not sure why these 20s look so massive. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202783
Love them though.
I will most likely get VMR 18s for winter. Unless i can talk cM3go to sell me his oem 18s for cheap.
Love them though.
I will most likely get VMR 18s for winter. Unless i can talk cM3go to sell me his oem 18s for cheap.
08-07-2009, 01:01 PM
#3012
Changin bulbs since '73
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20s normally look good on the M3 but not sure why these 20s look so massive. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202783
Love them though.
I will most likely get VMR 18s for winter. Unless i can talk cM3go to sell me his oem 18s for cheap.
Love them though.
I will most likely get VMR 18s for winter. Unless i can talk cM3go to sell me his oem 18s for cheap.
...and whenever you decide what you are gonna get....i have to say that the Icebear's that I had on my 335 are way better then the Blizzak's i have now. Much better winter performance
Last edited by Loseit; 08-07-2009 at 01:04 PM.
08-07-2009, 01:07 PM
#3013
Administrator Alumnus
So here's where we're at.
Checked the fault codes and showed Intake and Exhaust cam timing issues. The tech adjusted the timing by 0.5 degrees.
Tried to start the car and it wouldn't go. Same faults came back plus an under amperage fault.
So then they started digging into the wiring and it led them back to the junction box they replaced a month ago.
And so the story goes... One of the 12 clips that ties to the DME wasn't connected properly. I was told that it must have been just barely touching and something (i.e.a bump) just knocked it lose. (I smell the bullshit from here.)
So yes, the timing was off. And I'm back to the stupid junction box issue. The dealer would not talk about engine damage and BMWNA wouldn't either as they're not techs. But my questions around engine damage, etc have gone unaddressed.
Keeping the car over the weekend and should be put back together after "testing" today and Monday. This testing is driving and code checking.
My case has been escalated to see what my options are at this point. And this has to go all the way up the management chain.
If I am not presented with an option to get out of the car and have to keep it, I'm not sure what I'll do. If I sell it, do I pass this nightmare on to someone else and live with the possibility that the new owner will get hosed or possibly worse?
This is truly a nightmare.
Checked the fault codes and showed Intake and Exhaust cam timing issues. The tech adjusted the timing by 0.5 degrees.
Tried to start the car and it wouldn't go. Same faults came back plus an under amperage fault.
So then they started digging into the wiring and it led them back to the junction box they replaced a month ago.
And so the story goes... One of the 12 clips that ties to the DME wasn't connected properly. I was told that it must have been just barely touching and something (i.e.a bump) just knocked it lose. (I smell the bullshit from here.)
So yes, the timing was off. And I'm back to the stupid junction box issue. The dealer would not talk about engine damage and BMWNA wouldn't either as they're not techs. But my questions around engine damage, etc have gone unaddressed.
Keeping the car over the weekend and should be put back together after "testing" today and Monday. This testing is driving and code checking.
My case has been escalated to see what my options are at this point. And this has to go all the way up the management chain.
If I am not presented with an option to get out of the car and have to keep it, I'm not sure what I'll do. If I sell it, do I pass this nightmare on to someone else and live with the possibility that the new owner will get hosed or possibly worse?
This is truly a nightmare.
Sorry to hear about your car.
08-07-2009, 03:05 PM
#3015
Engineer
my friend is going through a nightmare of his own right now. He has a 02 E46 M3 SMG which he just dropped off for it's 90k service along with a CEL which just popped up...
He was expecting it was just the valve train adjustment...
Well it's a bit more... Small oil leak from some valve in the back, leaky front right brake caliper, one or two minor things, and the topping on the cake. The CEL is being caused by a fault in the VANOS unit, which is about 3500 for just the unit... ouch...
Total cost including the 90k service and valve train adjustment is around 6k. He is shopping around looking at some private mechanics who can do this for a lot less. After seeing this, I definitely won't want to touch an M out of warranty...
He was expecting it was just the valve train adjustment...
Well it's a bit more... Small oil leak from some valve in the back, leaky front right brake caliper, one or two minor things, and the topping on the cake. The CEL is being caused by a fault in the VANOS unit, which is about 3500 for just the unit... ouch...
Total cost including the 90k service and valve train adjustment is around 6k. He is shopping around looking at some private mechanics who can do this for a lot less. After seeing this, I definitely won't want to touch an M out of warranty...
08-07-2009, 03:42 PM
#3018
Engineer
08-07-2009, 06:59 PM
#3019
Administrator Alumnus
For those of you keeping score at home...
Since Christmas 2008 (when I took possession of the car), the car has been to the dealer eight times for non-routine service and has had the car for 27 days (assuming the car is done Monday).
Solid.
Since Christmas 2008 (when I took possession of the car), the car has been to the dealer eight times for non-routine service and has had the car for 27 days (assuming the car is done Monday).
Solid.
08-08-2009, 02:30 PM
#3020
My Garage
That sucks man, it really can be hot or miss with these cars. It's something we all need to have in mind when we sign on the line. Mine has been rock solid, even before my ownership.
08-08-2009, 10:12 PM
#3021
Burning Brakes
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Ya, a shame. I don't blame you anyone who has a pre-disposition against BMW for reliability. Too many of these stories. 
I guess I should consider myself lucky. 71k km now, not a single issue.
I guess I should consider myself lucky. 71k km now, not a single issue.
some of our comments back then is funny. 
my M3
08-10-2009, 04:44 PM
#3025
Administrator Alumnus
Might be done today. Waiting on a regional technician to sign off on it.
Diagnosis was an improperly installed junction box where one of the pins wasn't making contact with the DME, thus throwing all the codes and ultimately killing the car. Timing of the motor was not off.
Diagnosis was an improperly installed junction box where one of the pins wasn't making contact with the DME, thus throwing all the codes and ultimately killing the car. Timing of the motor was not off.
08-10-2009, 06:51 PM
#3027
Administrator Alumnus
Drove home fine. 
Car was detailed when I picked it up, which was nice. Looks like they put on a few miles though; 62 to be exact. No worries. We'll see what happens next.
Car was detailed when I picked it up, which was nice. Looks like they put on a few miles though; 62 to be exact. No worries. We'll see what happens next.
08-10-2009, 08:03 PM
#3029
Administrator Alumnus
Drivers side cup holder doesn't work. lol
They must have fucked it up when they were fixing this whole mess, which is up in that area.
I think I'll wait until the next visit to get this one fixed.
They must have fucked it up when they were fixing this whole mess, which is up in that area.
I think I'll wait until the next visit to get this one fixed.
08-13-2009, 07:57 AM
#3032
Administrator Alumnus
The HPFP has failed for a third time? Based on what I can tell, it doesn't seem that the issue has been fixed, even in the new models and a switch to a different supplier.
08-13-2009, 01:00 PM
#3035
08-14-2009, 06:19 PM
#3037
Safety Car
08-18-2009, 09:15 PM
#3039
Burning Brakes
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Sorry to hear about the problems. The thought that comes to my mind is that the more exotic the sports car, the more problems (and the more expensive they'll be). 
08-19-2009, 08:21 AM
#3040
COME AT ME BRO!
Thread Starter
A few weeks ago I go into an accident in the Bimmer. I got into a front end collision. The hood, windshield , and front bumper needed to be replaced. There were a few panles thats had to be repainted. SO when they were working on the car I had them paint the grill the same color as the car, also I had the reflectors painted. I also picked up a urethane M tech front lip from ebay. I got the lip dirt cheap and it fits AWESOME. Here is a link to the lip http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWNX:IT. I also just placed my order for JB+, L.E.D plate lights, and L.E.D bmw shift knob. (the gear pattern lights up.. I got it in brushed ALum. to match my new e-break, and my trim.)