2005 E90 Recall Notice

[Mr Tidy]

I got one through the post today for the driver's airbag.

But it seems it may only affect cars that have had a change of steering wheel, but I need to post photos of the VIN and the steering wheel on a BMW website to find out if it needs a recall.

Just thought it may be useful for other E9* 3 Series owners to know.

[bgunn]

Yep, same, my 2005 car has a retrofit M sport wheel (from an LCI with shift paddles). Took photos, uploaded to the link and had a response within the hour that I need to book it in.

Amusingly there’s a strong suggestion not to drive the car - given the potential for fatality in an accident, and I know there’s a do not drive notice for the same cars in the USA.

I gather the original SE wheel doesn’t have an affected Takata airbag.

I’m tempted to pop the airbag out and unplug it for now, yes I’ll get a code, but at least I wouldn’t have my face blown off with shards of metal if deployed.

[The Conflated Outlier]

It's the earlier 1 Series and 3 Series E87/E90 etc with the circular airbag. Mainly 04-07 cars I believe.

[Dannbodge]

It's for the E46 as well.

Had a letter a few months ago, still haven't had it done though

[JakeT]

Just had one also. I think mine has an affected bag, but I’ve just submitted my information.

[E92_325]

I’ve just had this recall come through today. Surprised it’s taken this long considering this thread is over a year old. Car is a 2006 E92 325i.

[preacherman]

Yeah, I've not had a letter but just checked and it is due the recall. Nice! Imagine my letter is lost in the post. Booked in now.

[Mr Tidy]

I never updated this!

I sent BMW the photos and was told my SE didn't need a recall.

[7 5 7]

Mr Tidy said:

I never updated this!

I sent BMW the photos and was told my SE didn't need a recall.

Yeah, it was only M-Sport steering wheels that were affected.

[Fred Smith]

I have an M-sport steering wheel (fitted by last owner) on my SE. What's the issue?

[7 5 7]

Fred Smith said:

I have an M-sport steering wheel (fitted by last owner) on my SE. What's the issue?

Takata airbag recall affecting m-sport steering wheels apparently - you will likely receive a letter or ookup your VIN here: https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/footer/quick-links/bmw-ve...

Might be worth contacting BMW seems yours was fitted aftermarket if you like.

[JakeT]

BMW will swap it if your wheel has been changed I’d imagine. So many E90s got different steering wheels it’s hard to track. Hence the picture needed.

[De Sisti]

Be aware that the dealerships will ask you if you want a free car wash (ie, they will throw a bucket of water over it) and, without your permission, carry out a free 'health check' of your car and, lo and behold, find faults with it that need to be immediately rectified (at substantial cost).

Here's what they discovered on my E46 Touring (after it went in for an airbag replacement). My local independent BMW garage did my service and MOT a few days later and disagreed with the dealership's assessement.

• Water ingress on fog lights: Dealership wanted £165.48

Not water ingress, but condensation. This is common on older cars.

• Suspension rear damper dust cover: Dealership wanted £374.63

The shock absorbers are fine. The covers do not affect their operation. One is loose, but will be removed when both rear shock absorbers need replacing.

• Under tray cover damage: Dealership wanted £544.87

There was no damage, but just loose. It was re-attached (with a couple of screws) and is very secure now.

I did rebuke them in an email response and the clerk who dealt with me partially agreed with my comments but wouldn't go as far as saying they were 'trying it on' to fleece money out of me.

[Fred Smith]

De Sisti said:

Be aware that the dealerships will ask you if you want a free car wash (ie, they will throw a bucket of water over it) and, without your permission, carry out a free 'health check' of your car and, lo and behold, find faults with it that need to be immediately rectified (at substantial cost).

Here's what they discovered on my E46 Touring (after it went in for an airbag replacement). My local independent BMW garage did my service and MOT a few days later and disagreed with the dealership's assessement.

• Water ingress on fog lights: Dealership wanted £165.48

Not water ingress, but condensation. This is common on older cars.

• Suspension rear damper dust cover: Dealership wanted £374.63

The shock absorbers are fine. The covers do not affect their operation. One is loose, but will be removed when both rear shock absorbers need replacing.

• Under tray cover damage: Dealership wanted £544.87

There was no damage, but just loose. It was re-attached (with a couple of screws) and is very secure now.

I did rebuke them in an email response and the clerk who dealt with me partially agreed with my comments but wouldn't go as far as saying they were 'trying it on' to fleece money out of me.

Condensation is water. Whilst a small bit of condensation is not the end of the world it will get worse until it fails an MOT.

They are a main dealer - they are always going to advise you to do everything possible.

[JakeT]

De Sisti said:

Be aware that the dealerships will ask you if you want a free car wash (ie, they will throw a bucket of water over it) and, without your permission, carry out a free 'health check' of your car and, lo and behold, find faults with it that need to be immediately rectified (at substantial cost).

Here's what they discovered on my E46 Touring (after it went in for an airbag replacement). My local independent BMW garage did my service and MOT a few days later and disagreed with the dealership's assessement.

• Water ingress on fog lights: Dealership wanted £165.48

Not water ingress, but condensation. This is common on older cars.

• Suspension rear damper dust cover: Dealership wanted £374.63

The shock absorbers are fine. The covers do not affect their operation. One is loose, but will be removed when both rear shock absorbers need replacing.

• Under tray cover damage: Dealership wanted £544.87

There was no damage, but just loose. It was re-attached (with a couple of screws) and is very secure now.

I did rebuke them in an email response and the clerk who dealt with me partially agreed with my comments but wouldn't go as far as saying they were 'trying it on' to fleece money out of me.

To be fair, I’ve had a few E46s go through BMW for recalls and my high mileage E91. They’ve never tried to drum up business, but have to do a health check and report. They know 95% of people with old rotters aren’t having any work done so will advise, and send you on your way. I do always request that they don’t wash it though.

[Mr Tidy]

I've never experienced that upselling malarkey after 2 airbag recalls for my E46 or the heater fan ones for my E91 and E90 even thought they were all well over 10 years old.

It wouldn't have done them any good anyway.

[SlowV6]

Checked DVLA MOT History and mine is showing the recall notice. 2008 58 reg E91 - last of the M57s. How long does the airbag work take if anyone happens to know?

Eta: 180k miles so they probably won't bother quoting for extras!

[CDR]

My 2012 E91 Touring had the airbag replaced as part of the recall a couple of weeks ago. The service advisor told me that all E series BMW’s were impacted by the recall, and because of this the cars are being recalled in batches, as and when BMW have sufficient replacement air bags. It’s an interesting approach. My mothers Citroen D3 was recalled for the same reason, and she received a do not drive letter from Citroen.

[twokcc]

SlowV6 said:

Checked DVLA MOT History and mine is showing the recall notice. 2008 58 reg E91 - last of the M57s. How long does the airbag work take if anyone happens to know?

Eta: 180k miles so they probably won't bother quoting for extras!

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My E91 a 325d(still 3 litre) reg. Aug 2009 SE but M Sport steering wheel when new Lat M57 but only half the mileage of yours.
Currently speed related noise from rear health check may tell me what it is - so I can take it too my indie.

[8Tech]

Most will inevitably get a recall for the airbag, but as the dealer earns almost nothing from all the work, they will offer you a free "health check" to find anything they can to drum up work on an almost 20 year old car. Just say thanks and either refuse it, or just refuse all the work they say is required and take it to your preferred garage, or yourself, to check everything they mention.