New 535d M Sport Estate delivered this week - PROBLEM!?

[tangoecho]

So I picked up my new 535d Touring Sport (RHD UK model) from a Munich dealer this week (about 10K cheaper to order over there...). Had it re-mapped via the German dealer by Wetterauer (sort of the German DMS) to 350bhp. Also ordered the 19" 172 M-Sport alloys usually only available for the Sedan, first they wouldnt do it, took some convincing... Head-up display is also great but too far down unless u've got Clarkson's upper body length u'll never see it if you slouch like me.

So all good stuff, goes like stink, looks great, BUT: SLIGHTLY SCARY PROBLEM: ANYONE ELSE EVER SUFFERED THIS? I drove it back via France (Munich - Strassbourg - Reims - Calais) and (French coppers reading - look away now), obviously since the French motorways are always empty stretched its legs a bit, say a good continuous 120-140mph, and TWICE throughout it simply cut the revs to 3000rpm and reduced speed to about 100mph. I pushed the pedal to the floor, nothing doing, wouldnt go faster, no kickdown available, nothing. Scary in the middle of French nowhere in the rain... Went away by itself after 5 mins both times, nothing else happened when I stopped for fuel it smelled a bit burned (brakes?) but no engine error. WHAT'S THAT? Anyone else ever suffered this? I'm paranoid now... I know I should have treated it gently during the first 1K miles but come on, that's no reason for the engine to crap out...

[Aeroresh]

Sounds broke, could be any number of things including your remap which may complicate matters if the dealer wises up to it.

Trip to the dealers Im afraid.

[RS4john]

Just why did you get the car remapped in germany?, and why did you not give the engine and all else a bedding in period?....... you could be in some trouble as IF the dealership you take it to gets wind of the remap... it's straight back to HQ with results and NO warranty!!!
I do hope it works out for you ok.

[Donut]

Do you know that the 19" wheels are going to cause the self levelling suspension alot of grief, hence why you can't have them as an option!

get it into a dealer and see what they say.

[Catherine197]

140mph in a car that isn't run in and a remap from a company not in this country doesn't sound a good receipe that one.

[tangoecho]

Thanks for the input but whoa, easy there tigers.... So firstly, Wetterauer are the mothership of re-mapping and work closely with BMW. The remap came with a 3 year 60K miles warranty and I think/know they have a UK rep.

Second BM are now offering 19" rims for the Touring (albeit boring 5 spoke ones and only as dealer fitted extra at the back of the pricelist, the 172s were special order but via the factory), so they addressed the suspension problem (but only very recently when I ordered in early summer it was still a no).

On not running it in gently - point conceded but you try driving 800miles on dreary empty motorways knowing that if you just go a liiiittle faster you'll be home 2 hours earlier.

[Catherine197]

Ok then I think 1st port of call should be to the uk rep of the tunning company.

[StuB]

Haven't heard of anyone suffering similar problems to yours, so I guess it's a fairly unique set of circumstances ......

I'd recommend a discrete trip to a UK franchised dealer first and just say you've experienced some unexpected behaviour of the engine and could they check it out for you.

Can't say I've heard of the tuner you refer to, but could be showing a total ignorance of the european BMW tuning scene.

[tangoecho]

Thanks - will do. Running normal for the time being anyways. Tuner is www.wetterauer.de

[535dman]

Problem - urm I think so! 140 in a brand new engine - sounds like you've upset the newborn

[Vixpy1]

Sounds like its going into some kind of protect mode, a dealer should be able to pull the fault codes off for you.

[GT Chipper]

You do know that you can get a nearly £8000 saving buying from a uk dealer ?

[Cyclone1]

Vixpy1 said:

Sounds like its going into some kind of protect mode, a dealer should be able to pull the fault codes off for you.

This sounds right.

120-140mph in a new engine should not be a problem unless you were gunning it everytime. What is more likely to be the problem is the remap, if it's a strong remap then I'd say that there is definitely a possibility that it is going into limp mode and this is possibly as a result of the gearbox not being able to deal with the torque (has happened on some 335d's), failing that then I would say that it is fueling related, but Wetterauer are pretty well known and should have installed a decent map, other than that then there could have been a problem already with the car. I must say though that I am suprised that such a renowned Tuning company would remap a car from new to 350bhp (which is at the highest end of remaps for thse cars), most normally recommend at least 1k-2k miles, as the engine certainly loosens up as the miles pile on.

Take it back to the UK arm of Wetterauer and let them firstly run a diagnostic check on the car, this will flag any apparent issues, thereafter they'll will be able to find the cause of the problem, it may mean putting the original map back on to see if the problem is still there.

Jules.

[tangoecho]

GT Chipper said:

You do know that you can get a nearly £8000 saving buying from a uk dealer ?

So what price d'you reckon then for a fully spec'ed model? The only thing mine hasn't got is night vision and I paid £36 incl UK VAT. Plus that tedious drive obviously... Mind you I'm a private buyer so if you do a company deal you can probably get the same price in the UK but I cant - I just bought it cos it was the fastest thing I could get a hold off that slips under Ken Livingstone's proposed £25pd congestion charge from next year onwards (225 g/co2 and over)...

It certainly felt like the engine went into protection mode, at the time I thought if felt like something was overheated and needed cooling down (call me stupid but at the time I really thought brakes... hence also the slightly burned smell) later when it started raining it was fine and I checked again on the Eurotunnel - no smell no signs of anything wrong in the engine bay... think will take it to my dealer to see if there's a fault code. Car really rocks now I've been a Merc man so far but this is really capable provided no more hickups...

[GT Chipper]

tangoecho said:

GT Chipper said:

You do know that you can get a nearly £8000 saving buying from a uk dealer ?

So what price d'you reckon then for a fully spec'ed model? The only thing mine hasn't got is night vision and I paid £36 incl UK VAT. Plus that tedious drive obviously... Mind you I'm a private buyer so if you do a company deal you can probably get the same price in the UK but I cant - I just bought it cos it was the fastest thing I could get a hold off that slips under Ken Livingstone's proposed £25pd congestion charge from next year onwards (225 g/co2 and over)...

Vehicle BMW 5-Series Estate diesel TOURING 535d M Sport 5dr Auto
Factory Options DAB Digital radio
Individual audio system
TV function including reception of digital TV stations
USB/audio interface
Electric folding and auto dimming door mirrors
Electrically adjustable tilt/slide panoramic glass sunroof
High beam assistant
Sun protection glass w/graduated tinted windscreen
Dakota leather upholstery
Driver + front passenger electric lumbar support
Front comfort seats
Heated front seats
Interior lights pack - 5 series
Media pack - 5 Series
Storage compartment pack - 5 Series Touring
Visibility pack - 5 Series
Metallic - Carbon black
Rear side airbags
Comfort access system
Sports function on gearbox with steering wheel mounted gearshift paddles

Additional Options
Basic Price £37234.04
Factory Options Price £9489.37
Discount £7008.51
Additional Options Price £0.00
Sub Total £39714.90
Manufacturer's Delivery Cost £503.83
Admin. Charge £300.00
VAT £7090.78
Road Fund Licence (12 months) £165.00
First Registration Fee £50.00
ON THE ROAD PRICE £47824.51


I've used Coast myself but if you've got a fully specced 535D for £36000 then kudos to you as thats a saving of nearly £20000 on the UK price. How difficult was it buying through them ?

[vincenz]

where have you got £20k saving from?
£48k specced and OP says he paid £36k?
How have you amassed £20K?

[1]

vincenz said:

where have you got £20k saving from?
£48k specced and OP says he paid £36k?
How have you amassed £20K?

The £48k OTR already has £7k discount!

[GT Chipper]

vincenz said:

where have you got £20k saving from?
£48k specced and OP says he paid £36k?
How have you amassed £20K?

If you look and add it up the vehicle above RRP is just under £55000 . If he's paid £36000 for a similar spec car then its a saving of nearly £19000

Edited by GT Chipper on Tuesday 27th November 10:02

[davidd]

tangoecho said:

So what price d'you reckon then for a fully spec'ed model? The only thing mine hasn't got is night vision and I paid £36 incl UK VAT. Plus that tedious drive obviously... Mind you I'm a private buyer so if you do a company deal you can probably get the same price in the UK but I cant - I just bought it cos it was the fastest thing I could get a hold off that slips under Ken Livingstone's proposed £25pd congestion charge from next year onwards (225 g/co2 and over)...

I'm very interested in that deal, did you go directly to a dealer or was there a uk broker involved? Can you give me some details please?

Cheers

D

[MK4 Slowride]

Bit silly spanking it from brand new & after a re-map. I predict a life of problems for this car, the turbo's won't appreciate it much either. Also why I think some or all demo's should be limited for the first 1200 miles at least.