Springs, Extended Warranty and Wear and Tear
Discussion
2007 e93 325i - now at 72k miles and on the comprehensive extended warranty. I slipped up by not changing to monthlies so I'm on a £100-excess to reduce the annual cost a bit.
Went to go out this evening (car has been parked up about a week), drove out of space and could hear a funny noise from front left - looking in the wheel arch to my untrained eye it looks like the spring has snapped - I can see a corroded part obscured by the tyre and what looks like the spring bent inside itself.
This isn't the first suspension part to go - rear dampers done , something on the front done that was expensive - all BMW prices to keep the warranty straight! I assume it's the weight of the e93?
Anyhuw - when looking at the warranty book (I remembered reading on here about some changes recently wrt. wear and tear) it says:
[i]Comprehensive Insured Warranty covers your BMW's mechanical and electrical components for defects that may arise - with the exception of those items specified below:
Batteries, all exhaust components (except Catalytic Converter), brake and clutch facings, discs and drums, bulbs and fuses, channels and guides, weather strips and seals, handles, hinges and check straps, trim, upholstery and cosmetic finishes, wheels and tyres, wiper blades and arms, glass, auxiliary drive belts, coolant and fuel hoses, the cleaning or adjustment of any component, all service items which will require periodic replacement. However all insured components, even if the failure is due to normal degradation (wear and tear), are included up to 100,000 miles from date of registration.[/i]
I'd like to check my interpretation:
1) it doesn't mention springs as excluded
2) they would normally be wear and tear
3) but because the car <100k miles it should be covered?
And an unrelated question - I believe the engine is coked up - bad mpg, drinks oil, always puffed out a lot of smoke - but BMW always say no issues - is that something walnut blasting would resolve and does anyone have experience of BMW agreeing to do it on a 3-series?
Went to go out this evening (car has been parked up about a week), drove out of space and could hear a funny noise from front left - looking in the wheel arch to my untrained eye it looks like the spring has snapped - I can see a corroded part obscured by the tyre and what looks like the spring bent inside itself.
This isn't the first suspension part to go - rear dampers done , something on the front done that was expensive - all BMW prices to keep the warranty straight! I assume it's the weight of the e93?
Anyhuw - when looking at the warranty book (I remembered reading on here about some changes recently wrt. wear and tear) it says:
[i]Comprehensive Insured Warranty covers your BMW's mechanical and electrical components for defects that may arise - with the exception of those items specified below:
Batteries, all exhaust components (except Catalytic Converter), brake and clutch facings, discs and drums, bulbs and fuses, channels and guides, weather strips and seals, handles, hinges and check straps, trim, upholstery and cosmetic finishes, wheels and tyres, wiper blades and arms, glass, auxiliary drive belts, coolant and fuel hoses, the cleaning or adjustment of any component, all service items which will require periodic replacement. However all insured components, even if the failure is due to normal degradation (wear and tear), are included up to 100,000 miles from date of registration.[/i]
I'd like to check my interpretation:
1) it doesn't mention springs as excluded
2) they would normally be wear and tear
3) but because the car <100k miles it should be covered?
And an unrelated question - I believe the engine is coked up - bad mpg, drinks oil, always puffed out a lot of smoke - but BMW always say no issues - is that something walnut blasting would resolve and does anyone have experience of BMW agreeing to do it on a 3-series?
Edited by cgauk on Friday 5th January 01:26
Given the definition of a spring is; an elastic device, typically a helical metal coil, that can be pressed or pulled but returns to its former shape when released, used chiefly to exert constant tension or absorb movement.
The key phrase being "when pressed or pulled returns to its former shape when released", your spring cannot do this any more.
For wear; damage, erode, or destroy by friction or use, to occur some interaction with itself or other component needs to have taken place.
The spring is likely to have fractured mid coil where there is no other component in contact with the spring.
A spring failing is not wear and tear.
All IMO of course.
The key phrase being "when pressed or pulled returns to its former shape when released", your spring cannot do this any more.
For wear; damage, erode, or destroy by friction or use, to occur some interaction with itself or other component needs to have taken place.
The spring is likely to have fractured mid coil where there is no other component in contact with the spring.
A spring failing is not wear and tear.
All IMO of course.
On the one hand a spring failure has to be down to wear. If the spring had not been used it would not have failed. On the other hand, as said, it's supposed to go up and down and so should be made to accept this OR be listed as a service replacement item at some point.
Either way you should be covered. Remember your warranty is just an insurance policy and if they start turning you away you'll not come back for another extension.
Either way you should be covered. Remember your warranty is just an insurance policy and if they start turning you away you'll not come back for another extension.
Springs are covered, had them replaced on two cars so far. My experience of the bmw warranty is that it is the dealers that cause issues not the warranty company. If you have problems phone the warranty company, they are extremely helpful, last time I called them they told me which page in the warranty booklet the dealer needs to be looking at and if they still have an issue for the dealer to phone them. I think they must get it alot.
You need to bypass the dealer and phone the insured warranty direct. Springs are covered. I've had them done, others have had them done. The stupid arse at the dealer probably doesn't want the punitive rates the insured warranty pays and instead is trying to lube you up for full retail.
This sort of BS is why i cancelled insured warranty, not worth the hassle. Its a scam largely, because the dealers will claim it cost £20000 for a spring whereas in fact bob's backstreet garage can do it for less than £150 in all likelihood and do a better job.
This sort of BS is why i cancelled insured warranty, not worth the hassle. Its a scam largely, because the dealers will claim it cost £20000 for a spring whereas in fact bob's backstreet garage can do it for less than £150 in all likelihood and do a better job.
I spoke to BMW UK who spoke to the dealer and said can’t cover because of corrosion
Then I spoke to Allianz who said the same it’s corroded so can’t cover it apparently it’s a clause in the terms , don’t get it though the parts going to interact with the elements so will be some corrosion...
Thinking about cancelling the warranty they will probably try to get out of any claim with similar clauses , corroded, water damage, external factors etc
Then I spoke to Allianz who said the same it’s corroded so can’t cover it apparently it’s a clause in the terms , don’t get it though the parts going to interact with the elements so will be some corrosion...
Thinking about cancelling the warranty they will probably try to get out of any claim with similar clauses , corroded, water damage, external factors etc
I had an issue with my car and the dealer (note, they always tried to get out of doing the work) said my lower thrust arms needed replacing as there was play in the joint.
They quoted me something eye watering to which I said aren't components covered for wear and tear and they replied no.
I pulled up my policy booklet on my phone, showed them the page stating it is and they said they got it wrong and duly fixed it.
Reading it again it says they don't cover corrosion, doesn't really state that they wont cover parts which fail due to corrosion.
I'd try fighting your corner a bit more.
And as for the walnut blast, not covered under warranty.
They quoted me something eye watering to which I said aren't components covered for wear and tear and they replied no.
I pulled up my policy booklet on my phone, showed them the page stating it is and they said they got it wrong and duly fixed it.
Reading it again it says they don't cover corrosion, doesn't really state that they wont cover parts which fail due to corrosion.
I'd try fighting your corner a bit more.
And as for the walnut blast, not covered under warranty.
Edited by TheGreatDane on Tuesday 23 February 15:22
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