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BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

2734 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 129 of 274

#1276 of 2734 Re: My first BMW [lottowinner] by div2

Jun 19, 2005 (3:24 pm)

Replying to: lottowinner (Jun 18, 2005 9:10 pm)
The first thing you need to do is join the BMW Car Club of America. Club members get discounts of up to 25% on parts and/or service at hundreds of dealers and shops. Next, go to www.iaibmwsp.org -the web site of The International Association of Independent BMW Service Professionals. They have several member shops in your area. Finally check out my E39 home page in my profile.
As for your current problems, it sure sounds like the dealer is hosing you-for both scheduled maintenance and repairs. Why were the 02 sensors and cats replaced? Was the check engine light on? Were the cats rattling? As for the cost of an Inspection II, my independent BMW shop only charged me $700 to do the service on my wife's 528i-and that included new BMW brake pads on all four wheels. Now, your V8 would be a bit more, but certainly not over $300 more. As for the brake fluid/coolant flush, my BMW dealer only charged $143(BTW, the brake fluid only gets changed every two years while the coolant should be changed every three). I've owned my 1997 528i since 3/01 and it currently has 122000 miles on the clock; my total service and repair costs have averaged less than $800 per year-and that includes one set of tires.
As for the dealer's current attempt to shaft you, I'd want to know:
Just exactly where is that $1200 coolant leak?
How much oil is leaking past the front seal?
Why do the control arm bushings need replacement-is there a shimmy or vibration in the front end?
It really ticks me off when dealers treat service customers the way you have been treated. I hope this information will help make your BMW ownership experience considerably less expensive.

#1277 of 2734 by poetpindar

Jun 21, 2005 (7:12 pm)

Is there a way to manually turn off that irritating message that shows up on the I-Drive every time you start the car? It is the warning about not using the I-Drive while you are driving. I’d love to turn it off as I have already read it too many times… Any help is appreciated.

#1278 of 2734 Crazy Car-Electrical Problems by jjohnjohn

Jun 22, 2005 (7:06 am)

Hello Everyone,
I am having some crazy electrical problems with my 1998 528i. The car has recently just been shutting down completely after I park. All the electrical system shuts down, Bad Battery? I just replaced the darn thing no more than 2-3 years ago. Now this is the crazy thing, after the car electrically completely shut down, I wanted to put my briefcase in the trunk since I could not even lock my doors, the trunk would not open.When I turned the trunk key lock, the car regenerated itself! All the electrical system kicked back on. What's Up with that?!?! Am I missing something?

#1279 of 2734 Re: Crazy Car-Electrical Problems [jjohnjohn] by div2

Jun 22, 2005 (8:40 am)

Replying to: jjohnjohn (Jun 22, 2005 7:06 am)
The first thing I would do is load test the battery. A bad battery can cause all sorts of glitches on an E39. If you bought a BMW battery then it is very possible that it is at the end of it's lifespan; for some reason the BMW replacement batteries do not last as long as the OEM battery(assuming that you keep the water level topped up). If the battery is bad you should replace it with an Interstate MTP-93. Just make sure that the dealer includes the vent kit so that it will connect to the car's vent hose. If the battery and it's connections are good we'll try a little more long distance troubleshooting...

#1280 of 2734 Re: The 2001 noisy fan issue... [shipo] by jking

Jun 22, 2005 (7:37 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Jun 15, 2005 8:41 pm)
It's interesting to hear that there was actually a replacement for
the fan. Now I know I wasn't going crazy.
 
Great information, thanks.

#1281 of 2734 Re: Crazy Car-Electrical Problems [jjohnjohn] by turnbowm

Jun 22, 2005 (8:57 pm)

Replying to: jjohnjohn (Jun 22, 2005 7:06 am)
FWIW, most replacement batteries only last three years. After that, you're on borrowed time.
 
Martin

#1282 of 2734 How many problems are too many???? by scorpiogal

Jun 23, 2005 (9:13 am)

I own a 2004 525i. Ever since I have had it (new) I have had a myriad of problems, including 2 recalls which seriously cut into my workdays. The first dealer told me that my recurring window problems where the passenger side window would not go up (kept getting to the top then going back down half-way) was due to the fact that there was not enough power to roll up the windows and shut the sunroof at the same time! After unsuccessfully trying to fix that twice and being unable to fix the radio which would not hold the settings, I went to another dealer 30 minutes from my house. Well, they WERE able to fix the window and after 2 attempts to fix the radio - a firmware update. However, I continue to have quality issues and problems - electric headrest not working, fuzzy speakers, auto trunk key not responsive, cupholder knob falling off, etc. Yesterday the car was in for some of these repairs and lo and behold when I got the car home the sunroof would not close! And, an impending storm was approaching. Calls to service soliticted 1) bring the car in right away and 2) "don't worry, the BMW sunroof has drains so too much water won't get in the car. I took it back this morning and supposedly the sunroof needed reinitalizing - which according to the service mgr. the cars don't need, but mine did. Hello - electrical probs here?? Anyway, I am seriously thinking of chucking the beemer and buying something else. How many problems are too many??? The car practically sits in the driveway since I choose to take the metro subway to work. It's awful that I waited 38 years for a BMW and this was an anniversary gift and I am secretly pining for my old VW Jetta . . .

#1283 of 2734 Re: How many problems are too many???? [scorpiogal] by car_rm

Jun 23, 2005 (9:46 am)

Replying to: scorpiogal (Jun 23, 2005 9:13 am)
Scorpiogal,
 
Run, don't walk, to the customer relations manager at the dealership. Take a summary of the dates, issues, number of days out of service and if the issue was resolved with you. I originally had a 2003 325i that was was in the dealer 8 times in 12 months for electrical, water in the car and transmission problems. I kept complaining about my experience to the service manager but it went nowhere. I went to a Lemon Law lawyer here in CA. BMW agreed to take the car back. I replaced it with a 2005 530i and it has been flawless since taking delivery in late Jan. The first comment from the customer relations manager was "Why didn't you come to me in the first place?" Didn't know and wasn't told that she was there to help with these problems.
 
Good luck.

#1284 of 2734 Re: How many problems are too many???? [car_rm] by scorpiogal

Jun 23, 2005 (10:25 am)

Replying to: car_rm (Jun 23, 2005 9:46 am)
Thanks so much for the suggestion! I did not know that there was such a thing as a customer relations manager. Do all dealerships have them? They must keep that person hidden behind a 2 way mirror . . . Luckily I have kept good records and notes. You have given this girl some hope.

#1285 of 2734 Transmission Safe Light and Service Engine Safle Light by quotewriter

Jun 24, 2005 (8:30 pm)

Good Evening,
 
Earlier today, I had the V Belt and Air Conditioning belt replaced on my 99 528i, tonight, when I picked it up at my mechanic's after hours, after I started it, the Canadian "Check Engine Light" and the TrTransmissionafe Mode light were on, do these need to be reset, bebecausehe battery was didisconnecteduring the belt process, or do I now have a bigger problem. thanks Troy

Messages Page 129 of 274

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