F10 M5 issues since 5/2012 no one can fix

[rich1231]

Wills2 said:

They should offer to replace the engine at least, thing is all this leaves a bitter taste in your mouth whereby the car becomes a source of anger and resentment not what you expect of a 80k+ car.

The issue sounds strange, does it just lose power to 4 of the cylinders?

Usually when driving a sudden loss of power and Drive Train error occurs. The symptom has been explained to me as half the engines cylinders switching off to "protect the engine", the error appears to occur in both sets of cylinders. The sudden loss of power usually results in sudden deceleration without warning and passengers being thrown around. Issue has also been occurring (assuming its the same cause), of misfires which don't leave to drive train warning but excessive movement of passengers and me.

A few weeks ago it was happening every few miles on a trip down from up north back south.

[JMRS4]

rich1231 said:

I have had an F10 M5 since May 2012 and shortly after delivery I have had constant issues with the car suffering drive train issues. The car will appear to switch off half the engine at random intervals. The worst being approximately 30 times on a trip back from Lincoln to Essex. It has been to the dealers many times with different fixes tried on instruction from BMW but nothing has fixed the issue.

How many chances do I give them fix the issue?

Rich seriously mate I would have dumped it by now, back-heel it to them and ask for a new car.

This is the man to speak too.
BMW Group UK
Tim Abbott
Managing Director
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA

01344 480100

Edited by JMRS4 on Monday 10th June 19:03

[Wills2]

rich1231 said:

Usually when driving a sudden loss of power and Drive Train error occurs. The symptom has been explained to me as half the engines cylinders switching off to "protect the engine", the error appears to occur in both sets of cylinders. The sudden loss of power usually results in sudden deceleration without warning and passengers being thrown around. Issue has also been occurring (assuming its the same cause), of misfires which don't leave to drive train warning but excessive movement of passengers and me.

A few weeks ago it was happening every few miles on a trip down from up north back south.

Dreadful, get it sent back.

[Spuffington]

What you need to do is to send a letter to the leasing company disputing payment and telling them you are making payment under protest for goods which are not of satisfactory quality. It is then up to them to revert since thy are the ones providing the service/goods to you, you have no contract with BMW.

Detail each and very incident and cite SoG Act and that you are reserving your rights to reject the vehicle.

BMW and the leasing co are playing off against you. Neither can be bothered with the other nd are selling for time IMO.

Also talk to your local CAB for advice.

[rich1231]

Well its a few weeks later and a nice lady at the dealer called to see if I was satisfied with the service I have received concerning the works on the car.

Oh I said, you mean on the car you still have and still cant give me an eta on when it will be repaired.

[Wills2]

They really are robots aren't they!

[David 997t]

Rich I have had the same with mine, it came up with a "drive train fault" on the computer this got reset three times and fourth occasion I took it in and said keep it till it is sorted!!!

They traced the problem to the vanos and replaced it all, it has been fine up to yesterday (which has been around 10 months) when the fault has come up again with limp home mode cutting in. It has now cleared but i have informed dealer who are ready for it to come in again for maybe ANOTHER vanos unit.

Hope this helps.

Edited by David 997t on Wednesday 3rd July 14:35

[ITP]

I presume you are still paying M5 lease rates. What courtesy car have they supplied, another M5?
I guess not, so as much as I detest them, maybe in this case you could look into using one of those insurance style solicitors to hire you an 'equivalent' car , chargeable to the lease company until it is resolved. That should spur them into action!

[rich1231]

David 997t said:

Rich I have had the same with mine, it came up with a "drive train fault" on the computer this got reset three times and fourth occasion I took it in and said keep it till it is sorted!!!

They traced the problem to the vanos and replaced it all, it has been fine up to yesterday (which has been around 10 months) when the fault has come up again with limp home mode cutting in. It has now cleared but i have informed dealer who are ready for it to come in again for maybe ANOTHER vanos unit.

Hope this helps.

Edited by David 997t on Wednesday 3rd July 14:35

Odd that I have been told my car is the only one with the issue.

Just to add, BMW Corporate customer service should be ashamed of themselves they are still not talking to me. I have had a patronizing email from the Corporate Customer services Manager in the UK after yet another unmet deadline for repair of the car.

Edited by rich1231 on Tuesday 9th July 16:06

[Wills2]

I'm no lawyer, but is it time to get one to contact the leasing company claiming that the goods supplied are unfit for purpose and you want to return the car for a full refund (deposit/payments)

I would have thought you have now given them or their agents (the dealership?) a reasonable amount of time to resolve the issue.

[Contigo]

First thing I'd do is cancel direct debit payments, they will soon contact you to ask why the payments are in arrears to which I'd respond "Cos I ain't driving the car as it's been in the garage for x months and no one is interested in fixing the issue"

Then add:

"There will be no further payments until the car is replaced, you have one week to either fix or find an identical car and after this deadline you can collect the car from the dealer and consider this finance agreement terminated!"

See how that stokes them up for a start.....

[martin mrt]

Contigo said:

First thing I'd do is cancel direct debit payments, they will soon contact you to ask why the payments are in arrears to which I'd respond "Cos I ain't driving the car as it's been in the garage for x months and no one is interested in fixing the issue"

Then add:

"There will be no further payments until the car is replaced, you have one week to either fix or find an identical car and after this deadline you can collect the car from the dealer and consider this finance agreement terminated!"

See how that stokes them up for a start.....

I agree with you contigo, but cancelling the DD can quickly have an adverse effect on your credit rating.

A more suitable approach would be to inform the Lease company via a Solicitor, that you are going to be holding further payments until a satisfactory outcome with the car has been reached, be it the car repaired or replaced

The amounts held will be transferred immediately on completion of a satisfactory outcome.

[Wills2]

I would continue to pay but throw everything at them trading standards, consumer rights etc and call them to court for their actions, what they seem to need is some fire under their feet.

You cannot provide goods that are not fit for purpose and just shrug your shoulders.

I'd also be inclined to contact the boss of the finance firm and fax him a solicitors letter, yes a fax, most offices still have one but they are rarely used, his PA will put it straight on his desk.

That worked for me when I had an issue with a large national dealership I faxed the MD and he called within the hour.

[King Eric]

Sticker it up and park outside Bracknell HQ for a few hours. You'll attract someone who actually wants to help. Or go vital with a video blog on YouTube....

[Tornado100]

Not had any issues with mine

Not related to BMW but I did have a major issue from new with a 2010 Discovery 4 HSE which was smoking like crazy
Blue smoke everywhere, it broke down on me 3 times had to have both turbos replaced under warranty which involved removing the body. This went on for 10 months, I was puling my hair out so had major talks with LR in which they offered to replace the engine or the car.
So I know how your feeling.

3 months later i got knowhere so sold the Efing thing, BUT if I had been more determined I would have been given another car of the same year / spec for sure, the problem at that time for LR was finding one.

Get hold of BMW customer services at kick up some st, its an M5 for christ sake !!!!! I'd be going apest, tell em you want a like for like replacement while yours is being dealt with.
It's not at dealer level you want to be talking you need to go above them, the dealer will try their best to help you and keep trying tech fixes - KICK SOME ASS MAN

My LR spent at least 4 months being repaired and being used as a guinea pig to try fixes and develop mod kits - it's not acceptable

[Tornado100]

King Eric said:

Sticker it up and park outside Bracknell HQ for a few hours. You'll attract someone who actually wants to help. Or go vital with a video blog on YouTube....

Nice one

I remember a guy did that near me a while back, the car had a complaint about the garage in huge writing all over the car, the local paper even did a feature on it and interviewed him.
LOL think it even made the local TV news

[rich1231]

To take a formal complaint forwards with the BVRLA I need to get a formal "Final Word" from the leasing company who are refusing to do so as the car is still at the Dealer waiting for parts. It has been there for nearly 6 weeks I have only had updates when I have chased. No one has updated me on the delivery of the parts at all despite the dates indicated passing. I have already told the leasing company that the payments will still be made but are in dispute, funny enough no one replied to that.

I held back with Solicitors taking it further but I have a meeting with them later on another matter so will get the ball rolling then.

I am updating this thread to shame those involved as I have sent them links. I am telling everyone about how poor the car has been, and how useless BMW and specific members of staff have been and will never purchase another BMW no matter what.

[paulmc]

Deffo keep this post upto date. I pic up mine this week and stuff like this is very informative and worrying at the same time.

[bennygee]

Can't believe that BMW are trying to wash their hands of one of their flagship models. Absolutely disgraceful behaviour!

[Skrambles]

rich1231 said:

the car is still at the Dealer waiting for parts. It has been there for nearly 6 weeks I have only had updates when I have chased.

Why so long for parts? What do they think is wrong? It must be infuriating. At this rate, the car will be half way through its warranty period without the problem having been fixed. That's absurd.