BMW E92 M3 Oil service botched by BMW?
Discussion
Hi
After some advice I dropped my E92 M3 in at BMW to have it's oil and brake fluid service (17,000 miles).
I was supposed to be collecting at 5 but they said the cars not going to be ready because there is a problem. Apparently the technician replaced the oil but it said the level was too high. So they drained some out. But it still says the level is too high so they want to keep it overnight to 'investigate' the sensor.
My fear is they have botched it, I've a vague recollection that the oil change needs to be done in a very specific way and they have probably done it wrong. I further suspect they are going to charge me to replace the sensor or something.
Can anyone offer some advice (ideally before I go and collect tomorrow) on whether I should expect to be paying extra to have this problem (which it didn't go in with) fixed or some ammunition as to why this is more than likely their doing?
Regretfully I'm not mechanically minded and I've got a suspicion they are going to lead me down the path on this one...
After some advice I dropped my E92 M3 in at BMW to have it's oil and brake fluid service (17,000 miles).
I was supposed to be collecting at 5 but they said the cars not going to be ready because there is a problem. Apparently the technician replaced the oil but it said the level was too high. So they drained some out. But it still says the level is too high so they want to keep it overnight to 'investigate' the sensor.
My fear is they have botched it, I've a vague recollection that the oil change needs to be done in a very specific way and they have probably done it wrong. I further suspect they are going to charge me to replace the sensor or something.
Can anyone offer some advice (ideally before I go and collect tomorrow) on whether I should expect to be paying extra to have this problem (which it didn't go in with) fixed or some ammunition as to why this is more than likely their doing?
Regretfully I'm not mechanically minded and I've got a suspicion they are going to lead me down the path on this one...
If I was you I would ring an Indy & find out how the sensor works before believing the stealer.
I would be suspicious for the following reasons:
Overfilling. Garages aren't that generous to give oil away.
On my model I do not get a reading unless the car has been driven for a min of 30 minutes. A few short journeys less than this time gives no reading.
If I remember correctly a technician said it only reads in steps of 0.2l for your model, or it could have been the M5. This has resulted in many debates where the owner claims the oil is under filled when the correct amount has been used.
Me, I prefer a good old dip stick. You can then also check if your new oil has been changed.
Good luck
I would be suspicious for the following reasons:
Overfilling. Garages aren't that generous to give oil away.
On my model I do not get a reading unless the car has been driven for a min of 30 minutes. A few short journeys less than this time gives no reading.
If I remember correctly a technician said it only reads in steps of 0.2l for your model, or it could have been the M5. This has resulted in many debates where the owner claims the oil is under filled when the correct amount has been used.
Me, I prefer a good old dip stick. You can then also check if your new oil has been changed.
Good luck
The engine will take a specific quantity or oils as specified in the owner's manual and the BMW technical literature. The technician should have filled engine with the specified amount, started the engine and waited for the sensor to deliver a reading (time dependant on oil temp).
If the reading was then too high, the tech will question three things;
1, Did I not drain enough out?
2, Did I put too much in?
3, Is the sensor faulty?
1 is pretty much impossible, unless he put the plug back in when the oil is still draining.
2 is possible if he had a brain fart.
3 is possible.
The path to discovery is simple, drain some oil out and see if the level changes. If yes, we have a brain fart, if no, we have a possible sensor fault.
Leaving the car to cool overnight and restarting will allow the sensor to take a fresh reading. If still not delivering the expected reading, you have a faulty sensor and you are paying for a new one.
If the sensor reads what is expected. All good.
The other option is, say nowt and give you the car back. Then the sensor might always read full even when you are low on oil. Would you like that? No, I though not.
Not so hard to understand.
If the reading was then too high, the tech will question three things;
1, Did I not drain enough out?
2, Did I put too much in?
3, Is the sensor faulty?
1 is pretty much impossible, unless he put the plug back in when the oil is still draining.
2 is possible if he had a brain fart.
3 is possible.
The path to discovery is simple, drain some oil out and see if the level changes. If yes, we have a brain fart, if no, we have a possible sensor fault.
Leaving the car to cool overnight and restarting will allow the sensor to take a fresh reading. If still not delivering the expected reading, you have a faulty sensor and you are paying for a new one.
If the sensor reads what is expected. All good.
The other option is, say nowt and give you the car back. Then the sensor might always read full even when you are low on oil. Would you like that? No, I though not.
Not so hard to understand.
Yes I get that, and I'm aware the iDrive reading isn't that acurate and takes about 15mins to come up. Being a main dealer I thought they might have a more accurate way to determine the oil level rather than waiting for iDrive - which research suggests is notorious for misleading readings. Cars without dipsticks - who on earth thought that was a smart idea...
The local dealer doesn't have the best reputation so i wouldn't be surpised if they did overfill it...
I'm kind of hoping it does resolve itself overnight, I wonder if they are too - incredibly vague on the phone...
The local dealer doesn't have the best reputation so i wouldn't be surpised if they did overfill it...
I'm kind of hoping it does resolve itself overnight, I wonder if they are too - incredibly vague on the phone...
Edited by dodge586 on Friday 7th July 21:27
They're a pain in the arse to get the last half a litre of oil out. I usually measure how much I've drained and refill the same amount. There are also two drain plugs in the sump and it's common to only drain the main one and leave another half a litre or so in the sump.
Either way possible the tech drained it and refilled with the quoted capacity and it's ended up with an overfilled reading.
It won't have hurt it sat idling in the workshop, but they'll likely have to drain it and refill it again to make sure they haven't cocked it up.
Either way possible the tech drained it and refilled with the quoted capacity and it's ended up with an overfilled reading.
It won't have hurt it sat idling in the workshop, but they'll likely have to drain it and refill it again to make sure they haven't cocked it up.
I don't get why OP appears to be getting pretty hot under the collar about the potential cost of a faulty electronic dipstick. More to the point BMW should pay rather than good job that fault was found so that it now reads correctly and I'll not risk running engine low or dry of oil without knowing/ruin the engine.
Well obviously the only reason I go is the same reason as most to get the 'BMW' stamp. The car is not new but as a 2011 with only 17k on it's not exactly abused either. Plus it’s in perfect condition, yes I am a little sensitive about it.
But to conclude the story I picked it up today. Apparently the sensor needed 'recalibrating'. It wasn't until I got home I noticed the mileage was +32 and the MPG had dropped to 15.9 (from 22).
Immediately rang the service manager and asked for an explanation... apparently to recalibrate the sensor they needed to do an 'extended road test'. The reason the MPG is so low because they also disconnected the battery which reset the average. But 30 miles is quite some test, and given fly massacre on the screen I’m not entirely convinced someone wasn't having a bit of fun at my expense...
But to conclude the story I picked it up today. Apparently the sensor needed 'recalibrating'. It wasn't until I got home I noticed the mileage was +32 and the MPG had dropped to 15.9 (from 22).
Immediately rang the service manager and asked for an explanation... apparently to recalibrate the sensor they needed to do an 'extended road test'. The reason the MPG is so low because they also disconnected the battery which reset the average. But 30 miles is quite some test, and given fly massacre on the screen I’m not entirely convinced someone wasn't having a bit of fun at my expense...
dodge586 said:
Well obviously the only reason I go is the same reason as most to get the 'BMW' stamp. The car is not new but as a 2011 with only 17k on it's not exactly abused either. Plus it’s in perfect condition, yes I am a little sensitive about it.
But to conclude the story I picked it up today. Apparently the sensor needed 'recalibrating'. It wasn't until I got home I noticed the mileage was +32 and the MPG had dropped to 15.9 (from 22).
Immediately rang the service manager and asked for an explanation... apparently to recalibrate the sensor they needed to do an 'extended road test'. The reason the MPG is so low because they also disconnected the battery which reset the average. But 30 miles is quite some test, and given fly massacre on the screen I’m not entirely convinced someone wasn't having a bit of fun at my expense...
Have a word with yourself!But to conclude the story I picked it up today. Apparently the sensor needed 'recalibrating'. It wasn't until I got home I noticed the mileage was +32 and the MPG had dropped to 15.9 (from 22).
Immediately rang the service manager and asked for an explanation... apparently to recalibrate the sensor they needed to do an 'extended road test'. The reason the MPG is so low because they also disconnected the battery which reset the average. But 30 miles is quite some test, and given fly massacre on the screen I’m not entirely convinced someone wasn't having a bit of fun at my expense...
They get to drive all manner of M cars. You really think some (relatively) old hat M3 is the height of interest? You really think 30 miles has destroyed your engine? Would you have rather they let the car go back to you with over or under filled oil? What more can they do?
This is why dealers hate a lot of customers! They don't want to pay for anything. They lie about things. They never admit fault. They blame the dealer for everything etc etc etc!
And NO I have never worked for a BMW dealer But it's the same regardless of brand.
Rich_W said:
Have a word with yourself!
They get to drive all manner of M cars. You really think some (relatively) old hat M3 is the height of interest? You really think 30 miles has destroyed your engine? Would you have rather they let the car go back to you with over or under filled oil? What more can they do?
This is why dealers hate a lot of customers! They don't want to pay for anything. They lie about things. They never admit fault. They blame the dealer for everything etc etc etc!
And NO I have never worked for a BMW dealer But it's the same regardless of brand.
I'm sure OP has already complained in the dealers thrashing cars thread. They get to drive all manner of M cars. You really think some (relatively) old hat M3 is the height of interest? You really think 30 miles has destroyed your engine? Would you have rather they let the car go back to you with over or under filled oil? What more can they do?
This is why dealers hate a lot of customers! They don't want to pay for anything. They lie about things. They never admit fault. They blame the dealer for everything etc etc etc!
And NO I have never worked for a BMW dealer But it's the same regardless of brand.
5 minutes of idling from cold and 10 mins of stop start driving and 30 minutes open-ish road and you'd be lucky too get 15mpg from many performance petrol cars.
I wouldn't worry too much about the mileage or MPG.
If the mpg has been reset and the car has been stood idling for a while (which it will have done to get the oil warm to get a instant reading) then the mpg will be effectively zero for say, 20mins. Then a bit of a trundle round to get an accurate measurement, in which respect 15mpg is fairly reasonable.
When I picked my M5 up it took the whole 27 mile way back from the dealers to update the display.
I understand the frustration and concern, but for this car in the scenario it sounds right too me.
If the mpg has been reset and the car has been stood idling for a while (which it will have done to get the oil warm to get a instant reading) then the mpg will be effectively zero for say, 20mins. Then a bit of a trundle round to get an accurate measurement, in which respect 15mpg is fairly reasonable.
When I picked my M5 up it took the whole 27 mile way back from the dealers to update the display.
I understand the frustration and concern, but for this car in the scenario it sounds right too me.
Rich_W said:
Have a word with yourself!
They get to drive all manner of M cars. You really think some (relatively) old hat M3 is the height of interest? You really think 30 miles has destroyed your engine? Would you have rather they let the car go back to you with over or under filled oil? What more can they do?
This is why dealers hate a lot of customers! They don't want to pay for anything. They lie about things. They never admit fault. They blame the dealer for everything etc etc etc!
And NO I have never worked for a BMW dealer But it's the same regardless of brand.
You seem angry. Any particular reason? They get to drive all manner of M cars. You really think some (relatively) old hat M3 is the height of interest? You really think 30 miles has destroyed your engine? Would you have rather they let the car go back to you with over or under filled oil? What more can they do?
This is why dealers hate a lot of customers! They don't want to pay for anything. They lie about things. They never admit fault. They blame the dealer for everything etc etc etc!
And NO I have never worked for a BMW dealer But it's the same regardless of brand.
InductionRoar said:
Rich_W said:
Have a word with yourself!
They get to drive all manner of M cars. You really think some (relatively) old hat M3 is the height of interest? You really think 30 miles has destroyed your engine? Would you have rather they let the car go back to you with over or under filled oil? What more can they do?
This is why dealers hate a lot of customers! They don't want to pay for anything. They lie about things. They never admit fault. They blame the dealer for everything etc etc etc!
And NO I have never worked for a BMW dealer But it's the same regardless of brand.
You seem angry. Any particular reason? They get to drive all manner of M cars. You really think some (relatively) old hat M3 is the height of interest? You really think 30 miles has destroyed your engine? Would you have rather they let the car go back to you with over or under filled oil? What more can they do?
This is why dealers hate a lot of customers! They don't want to pay for anything. They lie about things. They never admit fault. They blame the dealer for everything etc etc etc!
And NO I have never worked for a BMW dealer But it's the same regardless of brand.
dodge586 said:
Well obviously the only reason I go is the same reason as most to get the 'BMW' stamp. The car is not new but as a 2011 with only 17k on it's not exactly abused either. Plus it’s in perfect condition, yes I am a little sensitive about it.
But to conclude the story I picked it up today. Apparently the sensor needed 'recalibrating'. It wasn't until I got home I noticed the mileage was +32 and the MPG had dropped to 15.9 (from 22).
Immediately rang the service manager and asked for an explanation... apparently to recalibrate the sensor they needed to do an 'extended road test'. The reason the MPG is so low because they also disconnected the battery which reset the average. But 30 miles is quite some test, and given fly massacre on the screen I’m not entirely convinced someone wasn't having a bit of fun at my expense...
Have you ever MOT'd this car?But to conclude the story I picked it up today. Apparently the sensor needed 'recalibrating'. It wasn't until I got home I noticed the mileage was +32 and the MPG had dropped to 15.9 (from 22).
Immediately rang the service manager and asked for an explanation... apparently to recalibrate the sensor they needed to do an 'extended road test'. The reason the MPG is so low because they also disconnected the battery which reset the average. But 30 miles is quite some test, and given fly massacre on the screen I’m not entirely convinced someone wasn't having a bit of fun at my expense...
If so the engine is running for the full test (so zero MPG) for about 40mins give or take.
When changing the oil you want the engine up to temp first then it means it drains far quicker
I think your getting a bit touchy about the idea of someone else driving your car and possibly red lining it a lot. To the it's a what 6-7year old car way slower than the latest kit which they all drive frequently. They will have driven countless versions of your car.
Do you let your wife drive the car or do you restrict it to just yourself?
No one drives it apart from me.
My concern is not the MPG - so much as the mileage, I can sort of understand the MPG figure if the average had been reset, though it does still seem a bit on the low side for sensible driving. Its the fact that they did over 30 miles in it, that's one heck of a test drive. The oil will be at temp after 15 mins idle or 5-10 min at a pootle.
30 miles isn't far off Northampton to Oxford... seems unnecessary.
My concern is not the MPG - so much as the mileage, I can sort of understand the MPG figure if the average had been reset, though it does still seem a bit on the low side for sensible driving. Its the fact that they did over 30 miles in it, that's one heck of a test drive. The oil will be at temp after 15 mins idle or 5-10 min at a pootle.
30 miles isn't far off Northampton to Oxford... seems unnecessary.
dodge586 said:
No one drives it apart from me.
My concern is not the MPG - so much as the mileage, I can sort of understand the MPG figure if the average had been reset, though it does still seem a bit on the low side for sensible driving. Its the fact that they did over 30 miles in it, that's one heck of a test drive. The oil will be at temp after 15 mins idle or 5-10 min at a pootle.
30 miles isn't far off Northampton to Oxford... seems unnecessary.
Why does no one else drive it?My concern is not the MPG - so much as the mileage, I can sort of understand the MPG figure if the average had been reset, though it does still seem a bit on the low side for sensible driving. Its the fact that they did over 30 miles in it, that's one heck of a test drive. The oil will be at temp after 15 mins idle or 5-10 min at a pootle.
30 miles isn't far off Northampton to Oxford... seems unnecessary.
OCD ...
It's a car a mode of getting from A to B. It will not fall apart when someone else drives it and if it did then it's been shockingly maintained.
dodge586 said:
No one drives it apart from me.
My concern is not the MPG - so much as the mileage, I can sort of understand the MPG figure if the average had been reset, though it does still seem a bit on the low side for sensible driving. Its the fact that they did over 30 miles in it, that's one heck of a test drive. The oil will be at temp after 15 mins idle or 5-10 min at a pootle.
30 miles isn't far off Northampton to Oxford... seems unnecessary.
FWIW, 30 miles surprised me . My concern is not the MPG - so much as the mileage, I can sort of understand the MPG figure if the average had been reset, though it does still seem a bit on the low side for sensible driving. Its the fact that they did over 30 miles in it, that's one heck of a test drive. The oil will be at temp after 15 mins idle or 5-10 min at a pootle.
30 miles isn't far off Northampton to Oxford... seems unnecessary.
I'm sure when my 335i was test driven after a new DCT and subframe , i had hit a rock in the road , it wasn't driven that far.
However , it's unlikely anyone at BMW is going to risk their career driving inappropriately and even if it was driven fast, as you know they can take it.
Ask though ,if it's bugging you, best to see what they say.
You could also take it to a good independent in future if you don't rate this dealer.
I don't see it devaluing your car as it gets older.
Main thing is problem sorted.
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