Whoops - E46 Stranded in France - Getting it Back Home
Discussion
Hi all,
Long time lurker here. I remember doing a bit of posting over twenty years ago now, but that account is lost to the mists of time!
Anyway, I'm back, and obviously in need of advice from the PH hive mind.
Long story short, my '03 E46 325i Touring's auxiliary drive belt failed longitudinally on the Autoroute coming back from my summer holidays on Friday. The battery warning light illuminated, shortly before the temp gauge started rising. Unfortunately there wasn't a continuous hard shoulder, so I had to drive for 30-60s before I could stop safely. By that time the gauge was illuminated in the red, and there was steam coming from the bonnet.
Luckily the recovery services were quickly on the scene and me, the OH, and car were safety deposited by a jovial E46 owning recovery operator. Many calls to Britannia Rescue's outsourced European operations and we were fixed with a hotel and flights back to blighty.
The E46 remains in a garage compound on the outskirts of Lyon. It is of course, the French summer holiday seasons, so obviously nobody is interested in doing any fixing of said vehicle for a few months.
My European Recovery policy with BR states that repatriation of the vehicle should happen in these circumstances. However, as is standard with these policies, they reserve the right not to repatriate if the cost of doing so is more than the Glass's guide value. They want 10 working days to decide whether they will bring it back, I'm a bit worried it will be a no. Potentially Leaving me in the situation of the car getting scrapped, or me having to find a trustworthy specialist over there to fix it.
It's a decent car (M-Sport, manual) with a significant amount of work done over the last few years by the previous owner. Last month I spent a few k on the bodywork, which may well be a decision I live to regret
. So it would be a shame for it to end up in a French breakers yard.
It had a service in June, and I'm kicking myself a little as I was slightly nervous about the belts, as I knew that was the one thing that would be catastrophic and I didn't have any record of replacement - meant to ask the mechanic to take a proper look. Oh well.
So, thoughts welcome: How f****ed is my engine likely to be? I understand M54's don't like overheating. Is the block or head gasket going to be an issue?
Has anyone had any experience negotiating with recovery operators for reparation with a similar circumstances?
Should I give up and buy something that isn't 20+ years old before motoring in the continent again?
Long time lurker here. I remember doing a bit of posting over twenty years ago now, but that account is lost to the mists of time!
Anyway, I'm back, and obviously in need of advice from the PH hive mind.
Long story short, my '03 E46 325i Touring's auxiliary drive belt failed longitudinally on the Autoroute coming back from my summer holidays on Friday. The battery warning light illuminated, shortly before the temp gauge started rising. Unfortunately there wasn't a continuous hard shoulder, so I had to drive for 30-60s before I could stop safely. By that time the gauge was illuminated in the red, and there was steam coming from the bonnet.
Luckily the recovery services were quickly on the scene and me, the OH, and car were safety deposited by a jovial E46 owning recovery operator. Many calls to Britannia Rescue's outsourced European operations and we were fixed with a hotel and flights back to blighty.
The E46 remains in a garage compound on the outskirts of Lyon. It is of course, the French summer holiday seasons, so obviously nobody is interested in doing any fixing of said vehicle for a few months.
My European Recovery policy with BR states that repatriation of the vehicle should happen in these circumstances. However, as is standard with these policies, they reserve the right not to repatriate if the cost of doing so is more than the Glass's guide value. They want 10 working days to decide whether they will bring it back, I'm a bit worried it will be a no. Potentially Leaving me in the situation of the car getting scrapped, or me having to find a trustworthy specialist over there to fix it.
It's a decent car (M-Sport, manual) with a significant amount of work done over the last few years by the previous owner. Last month I spent a few k on the bodywork, which may well be a decision I live to regret
. So it would be a shame for it to end up in a French breakers yard.It had a service in June, and I'm kicking myself a little as I was slightly nervous about the belts, as I knew that was the one thing that would be catastrophic and I didn't have any record of replacement - meant to ask the mechanic to take a proper look. Oh well.
So, thoughts welcome: How f****ed is my engine likely to be? I understand M54's don't like overheating. Is the block or head gasket going to be an issue?
Has anyone had any experience negotiating with recovery operators for reparation with a similar circumstances?
Should I give up and buy something that isn't 20+ years old before motoring in the continent again?
How far from Dover do you live? And do you have a car capable of towing another car?
If the answers are 'not too far' and 'yes' then id consider hiring a trailer and repatriating it myself.
As for the engine, id hope it'd be ok with a new belt on. Perhaps chuck a new water pump on at the same time if it hasn't already been done.
If the answers are 'not too far' and 'yes' then id consider hiring a trailer and repatriating it myself.
As for the engine, id hope it'd be ok with a new belt on. Perhaps chuck a new water pump on at the same time if it hasn't already been done.
Spec_P said:
Hi all,
Long time lurker here. I remember doing a bit of posting over twenty years ago now, but that account is lost to the mists of time!
Anyway, I'm back, and obviously in need of advice from the PH hive mind.
Long story short, my '03 E46 325i Touring's auxiliary drive belt failed longitudinally on the Autoroute coming back from my summer holidays on Friday. The battery warning light illuminated, shortly before the temp gauge started rising. Unfortunately there wasn't a continuous hard shoulder, so I had to drive for 30-60s before I could stop safely. By that time the gauge was illuminated in the red, and there was steam coming from the bonnet.
Luckily the recovery services were quickly on the scene and me, the OH, and car were safety deposited by a jovial E46 owning recovery operator. Many calls to Britannia Rescue's outsourced European operations and we were fixed with a hotel and flights back to blighty.
The E46 remains in a garage compound on the outskirts of Lyon. It is of course, the French summer holiday seasons, so obviously nobody is interested in doing any fixing of said vehicle for a few months.
My European Recovery policy with BR states that repatriation of the vehicle should happen in these circumstances. However, as is standard with these policies, they reserve the right not to repatriate if the cost of doing so is more than the Glass's guide value. They want 10 working days to decide whether they will bring it back, I'm a bit worried it will be a no. Potentially Leaving me in the situation of the car getting scrapped, or me having to find a trustworthy specialist over there to fix it.
It's a decent car (M-Sport, manual) with a significant amount of work done over the last few years by the previous owner. Last month I spent a few k on the bodywork, which may well be a decision I live to regret. So it would be a shame for it to end up in a French breakers yard.
It had a service in June, and I'm kicking myself a little as I was slightly nervous about the belts, as I knew that was the one thing that would be catastrophic and I didn't have any record of replacement - meant to ask the mechanic to take a proper look. Oh well.
So, thoughts welcome: How f****ed is my engine likely to be? I understand M54's don't like overheating. Is the block or head gasket going to be an issue?
Has anyone had any experience negotiating with recovery operators for reparation with a similar circumstances?
Should I give up and buy something that isn't 20+ years old before motoring in the continent again?
Bad luck.Long time lurker here. I remember doing a bit of posting over twenty years ago now, but that account is lost to the mists of time!
Anyway, I'm back, and obviously in need of advice from the PH hive mind.
Long story short, my '03 E46 325i Touring's auxiliary drive belt failed longitudinally on the Autoroute coming back from my summer holidays on Friday. The battery warning light illuminated, shortly before the temp gauge started rising. Unfortunately there wasn't a continuous hard shoulder, so I had to drive for 30-60s before I could stop safely. By that time the gauge was illuminated in the red, and there was steam coming from the bonnet.
Luckily the recovery services were quickly on the scene and me, the OH, and car were safety deposited by a jovial E46 owning recovery operator. Many calls to Britannia Rescue's outsourced European operations and we were fixed with a hotel and flights back to blighty.
The E46 remains in a garage compound on the outskirts of Lyon. It is of course, the French summer holiday seasons, so obviously nobody is interested in doing any fixing of said vehicle for a few months.
My European Recovery policy with BR states that repatriation of the vehicle should happen in these circumstances. However, as is standard with these policies, they reserve the right not to repatriate if the cost of doing so is more than the Glass's guide value. They want 10 working days to decide whether they will bring it back, I'm a bit worried it will be a no. Potentially Leaving me in the situation of the car getting scrapped, or me having to find a trustworthy specialist over there to fix it.
It's a decent car (M-Sport, manual) with a significant amount of work done over the last few years by the previous owner. Last month I spent a few k on the bodywork, which may well be a decision I live to regret
. So it would be a shame for it to end up in a French breakers yard.It had a service in June, and I'm kicking myself a little as I was slightly nervous about the belts, as I knew that was the one thing that would be catastrophic and I didn't have any record of replacement - meant to ask the mechanic to take a proper look. Oh well.
So, thoughts welcome: How f****ed is my engine likely to be? I understand M54's don't like overheating. Is the block or head gasket going to be an issue?
Has anyone had any experience negotiating with recovery operators for reparation with a similar circumstances?
Should I give up and buy something that isn't 20+ years old before motoring in the continent again?
What's the issue with waiting for a decision?
An accurate diagnosis is impossible without an inspection
Why not ask the garage that are holding it? Sounds like the recovery company will be doing that anyway in order to assess the value.
Hire a trailer and get it back yourself if they won't do it.
That engine is allegedly bombproof (so I was led to believe before buying my old 330) but the cooling system is fragile and defo needs preventative maintenance.
Not sure what happens if that fails and the engine gets too hot though...
If it was me, I'd get it trailered back here before condemning it to a French breakers yard...
Good luck...
That engine is allegedly bombproof (so I was led to believe before buying my old 330) but the cooling system is fragile and defo needs preventative maintenance.
Not sure what happens if that fails and the engine gets too hot though...
If it was me, I'd get it trailered back here before condemning it to a French breakers yard...
Good luck...
I'd be trying to rent or borrow a vehicle capable of towing a trailer with the car on it and getting it back on my own terms. It's exactly this type of scenario you're describing that made me stop bothering with paying for European breakdown cover. If I break down abroad, I don't want a bunch of muppets I'd never authorise under normal circumstances working on my car. I would want it repatriated and fixed at a place of my choosing. Recovery services insist on giving someone over there the opportunity to repair it, that's not for me.
Hello OP,
Got a very similar issue than you last year in August with my e39. A bit further up the mountains near Lyon. No one wanted to look at the car as it was August and most garages were fully booked or closed. The recovery driver told the insurance that the car could not be repaired in France for a while and that he wasn't sure what was wrong other than overheating and one garage thought it was head gasket (without looking at it).
The insurance asked me for a quote from one of my local garages. we quoted for the strict minimum as I knew it wasn't a head gasket. I got my car back one month later. I just had a leak in the radiator.
If you want your car back, make sure to get a low quote in the uk.
Well, was in france a few days ago and the e39 did not disappoint again... radiator fan failed. Found an awesome local garage. I had little time so they ordered the part for the next day. wrong part delivered! the mechanic decided to weld the old one to the engine (just a few points) so it was running continuously. I Managed another 1000kms without any issue. might keep it that way for the next few months.
I do around 2000kms in France every year with that car. it only breaks down in august when I drive with my family...
Got a very similar issue than you last year in August with my e39. A bit further up the mountains near Lyon. No one wanted to look at the car as it was August and most garages were fully booked or closed. The recovery driver told the insurance that the car could not be repaired in France for a while and that he wasn't sure what was wrong other than overheating and one garage thought it was head gasket (without looking at it).
The insurance asked me for a quote from one of my local garages. we quoted for the strict minimum as I knew it wasn't a head gasket. I got my car back one month later. I just had a leak in the radiator.
If you want your car back, make sure to get a low quote in the uk.
Well, was in france a few days ago and the e39 did not disappoint again... radiator fan failed. Found an awesome local garage. I had little time so they ordered the part for the next day. wrong part delivered! the mechanic decided to weld the old one to the engine (just a few points) so it was running continuously. I Managed another 1000kms without any issue. might keep it that way for the next few months.
I do around 2000kms in France every year with that car. it only breaks down in august when I drive with my family...
brillomaster said:
How far from Dover do you live? And do you have a car capable of towing another car?
If the answers are 'not too far' and 'yes' then id consider hiring a trailer and repatriating it myself.
As for the engine, id hope it'd be ok with a new belt on. Perhaps chuck a new water pump on at the same time if it hasn't already been done.
"Not too far", and "no" sadly. Unless I can incentivise a mate with a tour of the local vineyards thrown in...If the answers are 'not too far' and 'yes' then id consider hiring a trailer and repatriating it myself.
As for the engine, id hope it'd be ok with a new belt on. Perhaps chuck a new water pump on at the same time if it hasn't already been done.
Unreal said:
What's the issue with waiting for a decision?
An accurate diagnosis is impossible without an inspection
Why not ask the garage that are holding it? Sounds like the recovery company will be doing that anyway in order to assess the value.
Yes, 100%, crossing my fingers and waiting for the decision. The garage said they can't look at it for 4-weeks, they have a carpark full of other cars on the list once they get back from holidays! I guess I'm preparing for the worstAn accurate diagnosis is impossible without an inspection
Why not ask the garage that are holding it? Sounds like the recovery company will be doing that anyway in order to assess the value.
Siovey said:
Hire a trailer and get it back yourself if they won't do it.
That engine is allegedly bombproof (so I was led to believe before buying my old 330) but the cooling system is fragile and defo needs preventative maintenance.
Not sure what happens if that fails and the engine gets too hot though...scratchchin
If it was me, I'd get it trailered back here before condemning it to a French breakers yard...
Good luck... thumbup
Thanks, I've heard they're bombproof until they overheat!That engine is allegedly bombproof (so I was led to believe before buying my old 330) but the cooling system is fragile and defo needs preventative maintenance.
Not sure what happens if that fails and the engine gets too hot though...scratchchin
If it was me, I'd get it trailered back here before condemning it to a French breakers yard...
Good luck... thumbup
E34-3.2 said:
Got a very similar issue than you last year in August with my e39. A bit further up the mountains near Lyon. No one wanted to look at the car as it was August and most garages were fully booked or closed. The recovery driver told the insurance that the car could not be repaired in France for a while and that he wasn't sure what was wrong other than overheating and one garage thought it was head gasket (without looking at it).
The insurance asked me for a quote from one of my local garages. we quoted for the strict minimum as I knew it wasn't a head gasket. I got my car back one month later. I just had a leak in the radiator.
If you want your car back, make sure to get a low quote in the uk.
Well, was in france a few days ago and the e39 did not disappoint again... radiator fan failed. Found an awesome local garage. I had little time so they ordered the part for the next day. wrong part delivered! the mechanic decided to weld the old one to the engine (just a few points) so it was running continuously. I Managed another 1000kms without any issue. might keep it that way for the next few months.
I do around 2000kms in France every year with that car. it only breaks down in august when I drive with my family...
Interesting - the BR policy document implies the valuation is just done off the book value, and doesn't deduct the cost of getting it fixed. Good to know should it come to that...The insurance asked me for a quote from one of my local garages. we quoted for the strict minimum as I knew it wasn't a head gasket. I got my car back one month later. I just had a leak in the radiator.
If you want your car back, make sure to get a low quote in the uk.
Well, was in france a few days ago and the e39 did not disappoint again... radiator fan failed. Found an awesome local garage. I had little time so they ordered the part for the next day. wrong part delivered! the mechanic decided to weld the old one to the engine (just a few points) so it was running continuously. I Managed another 1000kms without any issue. might keep it that way for the next few months.
I do around 2000kms in France every year with that car. it only breaks down in august when I drive with my family...
Not a car, but my old R1 carbs decided they didnt like French petrol, some 80kms from Paris one misty morning, last September.
I managed to nurse the old warrior some 4kms to a Yamaha main agents, but they were not interested in repairing it.
So i called my Ins co & within 45 mins we were en route in a recovery truck, to a very pleasant hotel on the outskirts of Paris, with the bike being dropped off at long established dealers Patric Pons Yamaha on the Monday.
The parts had to be ordered in, so i flew home, then drove out some 5 weeks later, with van & trailer to fetch it back !
And going out there with van & trailer to fetch it back is exactly what i would be doing re your BMW
I managed to nurse the old warrior some 4kms to a Yamaha main agents, but they were not interested in repairing it.
So i called my Ins co & within 45 mins we were en route in a recovery truck, to a very pleasant hotel on the outskirts of Paris, with the bike being dropped off at long established dealers Patric Pons Yamaha on the Monday.
The parts had to be ordered in, so i flew home, then drove out some 5 weeks later, with van & trailer to fetch it back !
And going out there with van & trailer to fetch it back is exactly what i would be doing re your BMW
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