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2006 BMW 525i (N52) possible wide spread defect

23 messages,  Last post on Apr 01, 2013 at 5:20 PM

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

Messages Page 2 of 3

#10 of 23 Re: 2006 BMW 525i (N52) possible wide spread [hchi] by bdthornton

Dec 05, 2011 (7:24 pm)

Replying to: hchi (Oct 04, 2011 8:51 pm)
Update - completed repairs a couple weeks ago. Like you, I had to "invest" about $2,000 in parts, speciality tools, etc. Based on BMW dealer estimate, this was about half the cost of dealer repair. All 4 aluminum head bolts were broken off -- the heads popped off. I dismantled the valve chain guide and other parts in search of the bolt heads, however, no luck. I suspect they are in the oil pan. However, I do not have the ability to remove front frame section and lift engine to pull the oil pan! What a pain! Before this, I would have recommended BMW to others, but not now. My ownership experience with Mercedes Benz was much better. I suppose this kind of issue also fuels the recent Audi sales pitch. On the bright side, I am now discussing options with an investigative legal firm.

#11 of 23 BMW wide spread defect by hchi

Dec 05, 2011 (7:55 pm)

Some legal firm did contact me about a class action law suit. If there is enough people maybe BMWNA will take some action. I looked at a new 5 series, but I am a little concerned about some of BMW's shady business practices about known defects and soft recalls!
 
Now you have experience as I do to do your own repairs. Glad you got it running!!!

#12 of 23 Re: update [hchi] by wwilliams3

Dec 14, 2011 (7:41 pm)

Replying to: hchi (Jul 28, 2011 1:27 pm)
Today I found out the my 2006 525I bolt head is missing. Funny thing is I just had the car in for service in August and was in service 6 weeks before that. And none of the service people mentioned that it could be a possibility or checked it. My warranty just expired Oct 2011 in august they never said nothing to me. I told the man this is a scam. A car that was sold over 30 or even 25K that is less than 7 years old should not have broken metal bolts. Bolts are suppose to be strong. I am driving the thinking this thing is going to fall apart. I have had all kind of things repaired on this car. I want to speak to a lawyer.

#13 of 23 I want to start class action suit again BMW for 525i head bold scam by wwilliams3

Dec 14, 2011 (7:45 pm)

Like alot of people, we find out after our warranty is over that our head bolts have broken. how Convenient is that. After reading the blog. I think BMW is pulling a scam and perhaps that is why they discounted the model but did not inform the public that the bolts are faulty.

#14 of 23 Re: update [hchi] by wwilliams3

Dec 14, 2011 (7:46 pm)

Replying to: hchi (Jul 28, 2011 1:27 pm)
Please let me know the law firm's name.

#15 of 23 Re: update [wwilliams3] by rwmck

Mar 22, 2012 (9:39 am)

Replying to: wwilliams3 (Dec 14, 2011 7:46 pm)
I have an '06 530i and I was just told i have the same problem. i've contacted BMWNA and am escalating currently. any updates from earlier posts?

#16 of 23 Another one bites the dust by driver114

Mar 25, 2012 (7:54 pm)

We got our 'bad news' from the BMW service dept. in Sept. 2011 for our 2006 BMW 525i sedan. Same problem, the bolts were sheared and 'probably in the engine' (as we were told) No assistance was offered. Our radiator was also leaking so bad that it was 'undrivable' as is... We are in the letter-writing stage. Has anyone had any luck with contacting the 'right people' at BMW corporate?

#17 of 23 Re: Another one bites the dust [driver114] by hchi

Mar 25, 2012 (8:08 pm)

Replying to: driver114 (Mar 25, 2012 7:54 pm)
I have had no luck with BMWUSA and I was contacted by some law firm that wanted me to join in some type of law suit. I decided not to persue it. My neighbor is a mechanic and he told BMW has some class action law suit against them. It was about their failure to recall known defects. I have not confirmed this. I got my car running and it cost me 2k and 3 days of work. The car has been fine since I repaired it. The only other problem we had was oil leaks for all three BMWS. I recently took care of those myself as well. BMW wanted $450-500. It cost me $20 in gaskets and 3-4 hours per vehicle. (oil filter housing leak)

#18 of 23 Same Problem on my 2006 530Xi by myinbox50

Mar 31, 2012 (12:30 pm)

Replying to: hchi (Mar 25, 2012 8:08 pm)
I had this repaired recently costing about $3600. Originally, the dealer wanted $6200 with a lot of unnecessary part replacements. The use of Aluminum bolts in the magnesium alloy casing seems to be a design defect which BMW is not owning up to. I called BMWNA also to see if this was a recall issue---nope. This is my first BMW (most japanese prior) and I may not get another one. If anyone is planning a class action, I am in.

#19 of 23 Re: I want to start class action suit again BMW for 525i head bold scam [wwilliams3] by bimaholic

Apr 27, 2012 (11:48 am)

Replying to: wwilliams3 (Dec 14, 2011 7:45 pm)
Unfortunately, I've done quite a bit of research on the legality of not telling a consumer that a car has had previous repairs to fix a defect or mechanical problem. The automotive industry has a powerful lobby in D.C. because although "unethical" this is not "illegal". Actually, the automotive industry has managed to sneak under legal radar on almost everything regarding the purchase and servicing of autos.

Messages Page 2 of 3

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