Discussion
Would appreciate some advice on a potentially complex issue.
I had the manual gearbox changed in my BMW 530i under warranty in 2006, by a main dealer. At the time I figured it was prudent to change the clutch as a precautionary measure whilst the box was out of the car. They did this for me.
3.5 years and just 35,000 miles later, the clutch is slipping badly.
Fearing that perhaps something else was wrong and rather mindful of getting myself into a quagmire of £100 an hour diagnostic bills on an 8 year old car at a main dealer, I chose to get the clutch changed at a local independant whom I trust very well.
He began work on the car at 8am this morning and has just called me with an update.
It isn't good.
He feels the gearbox was very badly fitted - the bolts to remove the bell housing are apparently badly threaded (He reckons they were done up using an airgun or similar) and proving a complete nightmare to remove. He identified that the gearbox had been fitted to the car since it left the factory without me having to previously tell him. As a result, what was potentially a straightforward clutch change is now going to turn into an expensive nightmare even with my reasonable independant.
What exactly can I do here? 35,000 miles is a ridiculous time for a clutch to last anyway - I don't exactly abuse the car.
Is it possible that premature clutch wear could have been caused by the fact the gearbox and clutch were poorly fitted?
What on earth can I do? The car is being taken apart now by the independant, so I can hardly rock up at BMW and say 'fix this'. They carried out the work 3.5 years ago, well outside the 2 year warranty given on parts. They are obviously going to say they want to carry out the new work on it to be in with any chance of getting them to correct any damage they previously caused, and if it turns out that it needs something like a flywheel the price of this being done at the main dealer, even if they cough for the extra work as a result of the previous bodge, will far exceed the cost of just letting the indy get on with it.
I've honestly no idea what to do here. Advice would be appreciated!
Thanks
I had the manual gearbox changed in my BMW 530i under warranty in 2006, by a main dealer. At the time I figured it was prudent to change the clutch as a precautionary measure whilst the box was out of the car. They did this for me.
3.5 years and just 35,000 miles later, the clutch is slipping badly.
Fearing that perhaps something else was wrong and rather mindful of getting myself into a quagmire of £100 an hour diagnostic bills on an 8 year old car at a main dealer, I chose to get the clutch changed at a local independant whom I trust very well.
He began work on the car at 8am this morning and has just called me with an update.
It isn't good.
He feels the gearbox was very badly fitted - the bolts to remove the bell housing are apparently badly threaded (He reckons they were done up using an airgun or similar) and proving a complete nightmare to remove. He identified that the gearbox had been fitted to the car since it left the factory without me having to previously tell him. As a result, what was potentially a straightforward clutch change is now going to turn into an expensive nightmare even with my reasonable independant.
What exactly can I do here? 35,000 miles is a ridiculous time for a clutch to last anyway - I don't exactly abuse the car.
Is it possible that premature clutch wear could have been caused by the fact the gearbox and clutch were poorly fitted?
What on earth can I do? The car is being taken apart now by the independant, so I can hardly rock up at BMW and say 'fix this'. They carried out the work 3.5 years ago, well outside the 2 year warranty given on parts. They are obviously going to say they want to carry out the new work on it to be in with any chance of getting them to correct any damage they previously caused, and if it turns out that it needs something like a flywheel the price of this being done at the main dealer, even if they cough for the extra work as a result of the previous bodge, will far exceed the cost of just letting the indy get on with it.
I've honestly no idea what to do here. Advice would be appreciated!
Thanks
I'm certainly no expert but surely after 3.5 years and 35k miles BMW would not be interested especially if the car is being repaired elsewhere. I think all you can do is get the car repaired and ask your specialist to provide you with a report on his findings. Take that to BMW requesting some contribution but don't hold your breath.... Bad luck though mate.
John Laverick said:
Just one of those things I'm afraid .... you've got no chance of getting anything out of BMW in my opinion.
I think you've missed the issue - it isnt so much the clutch - more the fact the gearbox and clutch were badly fitted is, currently, preventing repair of the car.Yesterday I dropped the car off quite happy that its 'one of these things' and I was facing the bill for a new clutch.
Now I'm facing at best many hours of labour to perform a normally simple job as a result of the way the work was carried out by the previous dealer, and at worst, an unrepairable car.
Fox- said:
John Laverick said:
Just one of those things I'm afraid .... you've got no chance of getting anything out of BMW in my opinion.
I think you've missed the issue - it isnt so much the clutch - more the fact the gearbox and clutch were badly fitted is, currently, preventing repair of the car.Yesterday I dropped the car off quite happy that its 'one of these things' and I was facing the bill for a new clutch.
Now I'm facing at best many hours of labour to perform a normally simple job as a result of the way the work was carried out by the previous dealer, and at worst, an unrepairable car.
Have not approached them yet - I'm stuck at work for now - but am planning to take the car to them and see what they say if possible. I've got a normally good relationship with this dealer and all our cars are serviced there (I use an indy for complex jobs involving diagnosis but BMW for routine servicing and straightforward repairs).
Just wanted to know if you guys had any advice, thats all
Just wanted to know if you guys had any advice, thats all
John Laverick said:
Just one of those things I'm afraid .... you've got no chance of getting anything out of BMW in my opinion.
i think this,Colleague of mine had an E46 M3 SMG, had done something silly like 30k and when it needed a new clutch they said he had done too many 'full bore starts'. Considering he is an older guy and i cant see him doing racing starts it seems hard to believe but they basically told him to jog on. Needless to say told them to keep the car, got the trade in money back and vowed never to buy a bmw again.
Now drives an SL55.
I've been confusing in my OP, sorry. The premature clutch wear is a seperate thing, its merely the reason this has come to light. I completely understand the clutch is out of warranty, and thats life. As for if they changed it or not - I presume so, it was on the invoice.
I'm purely asking for advice about the badly fitted gearbox and where I stand with that.
I'm purely asking for advice about the badly fitted gearbox and where I stand with that.
Edited by Fox- on Wednesday 12th May 12:23
Regarding the badly fitted gearbox issue that is your specialists view (rightly or wrongly). If you think BMW are culpable then really you should not do any work on the car and get in touch with the BMW workshop that completed the original repair and get the car recovered to their workshops.
Fox- said:
Indy thinks he can fix the mess without massive additional cost, and although its obvious to us who has caused the problem he beleives its impossible to proove.
So thats that chalked down to experience, then.
Yep, sometimes you just gotta suck it up. Could still be worth going to the BMW dealer if you say you put a lot of business their way and have a good relationship with them. Get the Indy to document the repair on the invoice perhaps? You never know.So thats that chalked down to experience, then.
hornetrider said:
Fox- said:
Indy thinks he can fix the mess without massive additional cost, and although its obvious to us who has caused the problem he beleives its impossible to proove.
So thats that chalked down to experience, then.
Yep, sometimes you just gotta suck it up. Could still be worth going to the BMW dealer if you say you put a lot of business their way and have a good relationship with them. Get the Indy to document the repair on the invoice perhaps? You never know.So thats that chalked down to experience, then.
Regarding the clutch, there is no defined lifespan. How long is a piece of string. I've seen clutches shagged in 2000 miles. I've seen cars on 200000 miles still wearing the original clutch. However, I appreciate this is not the issue.
Personally I'd get it sorted and forget about it. The dealer will never take responsibility.
Fox- said:
John Laverick said:
Just one of those things I'm afraid .... you've got no chance of getting anything out of BMW in my opinion.
I think you've missed the issue - it isnt so much the clutch - more the fact the gearbox and clutch were badly fitted is, currently, preventing repair of the car.Yesterday I dropped the car off quite happy that its 'one of these things' and I was facing the bill for a new clutch.
Now I'm facing at best many hours of labour to perform a normally simple job as a result of the way the work was carried out by the previous dealer, and at worst, an unrepairable car.
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