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BMW X5 Cold Temp Problems

78 messages,  Last post on Feb 24, 2011 at 7:52 PM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW X5, Auto Repair, Engine, Oil, Transmission, SUV

Messages Page 6 of 9

#42 of 78 Wow! by sky23213

Mar 11, 2008 (2:33 am)

Let me start with my thanks to the posters who shared their experience with the cold weather issues the X5/X3s have had.
WOW! I guess it's good to do a little research in advance. We are planning to replace one of our cars this summer, and I started my research early. One of the vehicles considered is the X3, probably CPO 2005-2007. What really concerned me was not only the fact that I live where cold means COLD, but the way BMW NA treated people. This is BMW after all, not Kia.
As a comparison, one of our cars is a '05 CRV, so I follow closely the forums for the vehicle. Older CRVs had an issue with the A/C, but Honda treated people quite differently than the way described here regarding the Oil Separator issue. Many posters were covered 75-100% for vehicles way out of warranty, even though with Honda's A/Cs it was more of a matter of inferior quality part, rather that inferior design which appears to be the case here.
Maybe someone will say that a few people are overblowing rare problem here, but I'll have to disagree - as the previous poster mentioned "The service guy told me literally they had had 35 dead cars brought in that week alone due to the cold weather separator failure.. That seems a lot. And here in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area there are only two dealers, so not much of a choice.
 
I guess I'll have to do some more thinking. We were ready to make a step up, actually waited until we were comfortable not only with the higher price of BMW, but the price tag of its maintenance. I fear $100+ oil changes and $500-700 maintenance no more... but a blown engine on a BMW really brings fear to a man's heart.

#43 of 78 Re: Wow! [sky23213] by psm18

Apr 18, 2008 (8:23 pm)

Replying to: sky23213 (Mar 11, 2008 2:33 am)
Hello,
I have the same problem on my 2002 X5...who do you call at BMW to ask for money?

#45 of 78 Re: cold temp problem [bmwnomore] by stephenabelson

Dec 17, 2008 (5:21 pm)

Replying to: bmwnomore (Mar 14, 2007 1:51 pm)
So I live in New York now, but my hometown is Minneapolis, and eventually will move back there. Right now I have a 5 series, but I really like the X5 a lot. Many people in Minnesota have it and say it's great in the snow and on the dry pavement too. I have heard things that it's not a "cold weather" type SUV or car. People who I have spoken with in Minnesota say that occassionally the doors freeze, or locks freeze up, sometimes there is trouble with starting, the navigation doesn't work always, sometimes the heat isn't great, gas mileage can go way down. So besides looking a heck of a lot better than that of it's competitors, why don't I spend the same or less money on the Lexus RX or LX? I understand it won't be as fun to drive but you never hear about any issues with the Lexus like you do with the X5.
 
Any advice?

#46 of 78 Same problem happened to me yesterday! by meimei0508

Jan 16, 2009 (3:38 pm)

I have a 2003 X5, same thing happed to me yesterday and it was 7F.
The dealer is asking for 3K to fix the oil seperator and gasket...
It is really painful. Should the dealer take some responsibility since it is known problem? Can someone advise?
 
Thanks

#47 of 78 BMW X5 65 to nothing in middle of winter! by jkparker7

Jan 16, 2009 (10:10 pm)

Replying to: meimei0508 (Jan 16, 2009 3:38 pm)
Ultimate driving machine my ass! I am beyond Mad! This is just damn dangerous. You expect more from BMW. My BMW X5 stopped cold in the middle of the highway on January 8th. There I was, wondering what the heck happened! Thank God I made it over to the side of the road without being smashed by a big truck or something! 2 cars pulled in behind me and said that they thought my car was on fire!!! My heart rate went up another 500 points! Pissed... just a little! It was thought initially that my engine locked up, and then it was discovered that the oil separator thingy was the problem because apparently even though they sold a family that lives in the middle of northern Minnesota this vehicle, I guess I was supposed to understand that it was not suited for cold weather and it could be deadly. I would not have purchased this car without a doubt again! I call the after manufacturer warranty company and say... "Was I supposed to move to Florida to not have a dangerous car for my family???" They tell me, I am sorry mam, I can't help you because this part that is the issue is not part of the 'engine'... OH... REALLY????? But, the dang engine won't work if this insufficient dangerous part is not repaired!!! Evidently it is not insulated well enough??? But they sell it to people in frigid corners of the earth and tell them it is great on snow! Yeah! Until your butt is stuck in the middle of nowhere, or hit by a fast moving vehicle behind you, or starts on fire! I bought the car because I thought it was the SAFEST car on the market! I am LIVID! Thank God above that my children weren't in the car and that noone got hurt. Not by any thanks to BMW, but to GOD ABOVE ONLY! Apparently there is a technical service bulletin out about this, and BMW knows this, but still sells me a car after knowing this fact for quite some time! Sounds like negligence to me! BMW better take care of this the RIGHT way! They will pay for the towing and all repairs! This should be an official RECALL, not a Technical Service Bulletin that thankfully was shared with me by a mechanic that knows BMW's (but does not work for BMW) URGHHH!

#48 of 78 Re: Same problem happened to me yesterday! [meimei0508] by dhr48864

Jan 17, 2009 (11:07 am)

Replying to: meimei0508 (Jan 16, 2009 3:38 pm)
I'm familiar with the sick feeling of getting slapped with the bill. I'm glad that is so over! Re-reading posts 20-39 might lead to some resolution. Good luck

#49 of 78 Re: BMW X5 65 to nothing in middle of winter! [jkparker7] by meimei0508

Jan 17, 2009 (1:53 pm)

Replying to: jkparker7 (Jan 16, 2009 10:10 pm)
Thank you for sharing the information. You are right. It is really dangerous.My car failed in freeway too.BMW should take care it right away. Is there a service bulletin?
I talked to the dealer yesterday, but they say BMW is not doing recall or anything so there is nothing they can do.They will not share any cost.Maybe I'd better claim
to BMWNA.Not sure if it will help any.Disappointed with BMW!

#50 of 78 Re: BMW X5 65 to nothing in middle of winter! [meimei0508] by dhr48864

Jan 17, 2009 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: meimei0508 (Jan 17, 2009 1:53 pm)
Please, please consider going the route of asking for a rep review your claim for having the dealershipl work with BMWNA to reimburse you for costs. The idea of having me go public with the info was enough for the dealership to absorb the costs. It sucks for the dealership some, but more for us if we eat the costs and none for the BMW "utlimate driving machine" entity.

#51 of 78 Re: cold temp problem [bmwnomore] by mpls6

Feb 08, 2009 (7:27 pm)

Replying to: bmwnomore (Mar 14, 2007 1:51 pm)
I have an 05 325xi, like many of you, I bought it to have a great car that would be a great winter car also. My oil separator failed in rush hour on a freeway one cold morning last month. $1500 later I am trying to get Motorwerks BMW and/or BMWNA to take responsibility for something they knew was a defect before I even bought the car. So far the closest I have come is a service rep. who said they would have covered it if I had towed it to Motorwerks (he also said it would probably happen again!) and a BMWNA customer service person who said they might cover it if Motorwerks would inspect the work to make sure it was done right. But, I can't get a response from Motorwerks. This has been a huge disappointment.

Messages Page 6 of 9

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