X6 electrical fires
Discussion
Hi there. Hoping to spread this around a little to see if there have been reports of ther similar incidents. Both with the car and the total lack of help from the dealer. Here's my story of BMW ownership so far:
We purcahsed 4 cars from a dealership, at a total cost of £162,000. Of these four cars, there have been faults with 3. The first was that the X5 came without the extras that were requested and paid for. Hand over was then delayed until the dealer could resolve this issue.
The second was a problem with another of the cars. It was an automatic but would fail to build up speed when pressing the accelerator. After a few seconds this would pass and the car would act as normal. The problem would then resurface a few minutes later. The dealer fixed this problem (apparently a common fault on 08/09 3-Series) and the car was returned.
As for the third car, here is where the major issue lies. The car purchased was a brand new BMW X6. After owning the car for a little while there was an issue where the trip computer screen would switch off and not come back on. On contacting the dealer, they requested the number plate. They then said the plate on the car was not from one of their cars. As it transpired, they had put the wrong number plate on and then given the car to us. An HPI check showed the plate (MF58 WHW) actually belonged to a Vauxhall Corsa. Our car should have been plated MK58 WHW. The plate and computer were fixed at the same time.
A few months after that issue, the car cut out whilst driving and then refused to start. After pushing the starter button for ages it would come back on, but never go more than a few miles before cutting out again. The dealer had it picked up and fixed, then returned to us. They said that the seal on one of the computers wasn't done properly and it was getting water inside.
We had hope the issues were all solved, until we came out a few days ago to find it was on fire. The fire service made a report stating that it was a fire in the engine bay caused by an electrical fault. The dealer washed their hands of the situation then, refusing to look at the vehicle or take it in for examination. Although it is under warranty and the only report so far is from the fire service stating it was an electrical problem, this dealership is refusing to provide a courtesy car. They even had the audacity to get in contact and ask if we would like to purchase a new car now that this one has been written off.
Pictures of the car can be seen at
Video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5dAKS6AA14
We're at a loss as to what to do. The dealership have told the recovery company not to bring it to them, they won't have it on their property and will not do an inspection. They have also refused to provide a courtesy car for use until the situation is resolved. We're also not sure if this is just a very poor dealership or if it's standard practise when a car bursts into flames for the dealer that sold it to refuse to provide any assistance.
Thankfully there was nobody in the car at the time. It happened at the best moment (if such a thing can be said) because not more than 2 hours earlier it was parked in an underground car park and any other time it would be parked against the house. The fact we were out and it was on the street meant the minimum amount of damage was caused. With BMW refusing to act though, someone else may not be so lucky.
Pictures removed as associated text names the dealer.
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If you breach the sites N&S policy this thread will be deleted.
We purcahsed 4 cars from a dealership, at a total cost of £162,000. Of these four cars, there have been faults with 3. The first was that the X5 came without the extras that were requested and paid for. Hand over was then delayed until the dealer could resolve this issue.
The second was a problem with another of the cars. It was an automatic but would fail to build up speed when pressing the accelerator. After a few seconds this would pass and the car would act as normal. The problem would then resurface a few minutes later. The dealer fixed this problem (apparently a common fault on 08/09 3-Series) and the car was returned.
As for the third car, here is where the major issue lies. The car purchased was a brand new BMW X6. After owning the car for a little while there was an issue where the trip computer screen would switch off and not come back on. On contacting the dealer, they requested the number plate. They then said the plate on the car was not from one of their cars. As it transpired, they had put the wrong number plate on and then given the car to us. An HPI check showed the plate (MF58 WHW) actually belonged to a Vauxhall Corsa. Our car should have been plated MK58 WHW. The plate and computer were fixed at the same time.
A few months after that issue, the car cut out whilst driving and then refused to start. After pushing the starter button for ages it would come back on, but never go more than a few miles before cutting out again. The dealer had it picked up and fixed, then returned to us. They said that the seal on one of the computers wasn't done properly and it was getting water inside.
We had hope the issues were all solved, until we came out a few days ago to find it was on fire. The fire service made a report stating that it was a fire in the engine bay caused by an electrical fault. The dealer washed their hands of the situation then, refusing to look at the vehicle or take it in for examination. Although it is under warranty and the only report so far is from the fire service stating it was an electrical problem, this dealership is refusing to provide a courtesy car. They even had the audacity to get in contact and ask if we would like to purchase a new car now that this one has been written off.
Pictures of the car can be seen at
Video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5dAKS6AA14
We're at a loss as to what to do. The dealership have told the recovery company not to bring it to them, they won't have it on their property and will not do an inspection. They have also refused to provide a courtesy car for use until the situation is resolved. We're also not sure if this is just a very poor dealership or if it's standard practise when a car bursts into flames for the dealer that sold it to refuse to provide any assistance.
Thankfully there was nobody in the car at the time. It happened at the best moment (if such a thing can be said) because not more than 2 hours earlier it was parked in an underground car park and any other time it would be parked against the house. The fact we were out and it was on the street meant the minimum amount of damage was caused. With BMW refusing to act though, someone else may not be so lucky.
Edited by x6bmw on Wednesday 17th February 19:23
Pictures removed as associated text names the dealer.
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If you breach the sites N&S policy this thread will be deleted.
Edited by Big Al. on Wednesday 17th February 19:31
Dealer name is removed.
We've spoken to BMW UK today, who also refuse to send someone out to look at the car so they can do a report and determine for themselves that the fault is theirs. So we talked to BMW Germany and they have requested a full account of what happened, stating they will look into it.
We've spoken to BMW UK today, who also refuse to send someone out to look at the car so they can do a report and determine for themselves that the fault is theirs. So we talked to BMW Germany and they have requested a full account of what happened, stating they will look into it.
Best of luck with pursuing this. Unfortunately if my experience of them is anything to go by I think you'll find BMW UK customer services absolutely useless and the dealer couldn't give two hoots once he has your cash in his account. My car was delivered (brand new) with a bent bonnet, the dealer wouldn't acknowledge the fault (and told me in no uncertain terms where to go) and BMW Customer Services said if I wanted it fixed I would have to pay as it wasn't covered by the warranty....
Needless to say I won't be buying a new BMW again and nor will my company. At the last count they've missed out on 18 new car orders on the back of my experience so ultimately their loss not mine.
Good luck anyway.
PS New Cayenne hybrid coming out soon, suggest you switch to one of them when you get this sorted!
Needless to say I won't be buying a new BMW again and nor will my company. At the last count they've missed out on 18 new car orders on the back of my experience so ultimately their loss not mine.
Good luck anyway.
PS New Cayenne hybrid coming out soon, suggest you switch to one of them when you get this sorted!
was this near [deleted], may i ask ?
Mods note. Any discussion of location of the dealership and thus allowing identification, is in contravension of this site's "No Naming & Shaming" policy. This thread is being left open to discuss what's happened, provide advice to the OP and see if others have suffered similar problems.
Mods note. Any discussion of location of the dealership and thus allowing identification, is in contravension of this site's "No Naming & Shaming" policy. This thread is being left open to discuss what's happened, provide advice to the OP and see if others have suffered similar problems.
Edited by dazren on Thursday 18th February 10:06
I have recently bought an X6 and am a bit put out by this, hopefully yours is a one off. You would think BMW would want the car back to find out what caused it. Until theres more of them about we wont know if its a common fault. Lets hope we dont find out through someones loss. Keep us posted of any developments with this.
foz01 said:
is this not what insurance is for?
Bad attitude! Insurance is to sort out accidents, if any car sets on fire for apparently no reason, I'd expect the manufacturer to show an interest if only to satisfy themselves that there is not an intrinsic fault which may casue the issue to reoccur elsewhere.If this had occurred in an underground car park or next to a property, the results could have been unthinkable!
If BMW are trying to wash their hands of the issue, they are utterly irresopnsible.
Towards the end of last year, I bought my first BMW, granted, its second hand, but so far I'm very pleased with it and my dealings so far with the dealers. So much so, I plan to stick with the marque if possible.
However stories like this (and the chap with the exploding airbag in the MINI) make me wonder whether my plan is wise.
BMWs apathy is concerning.
I'd like to say thanks for the support I'm getting here.
It's saddening to see that other people are reporting similar levels of apathy. Having owned a few second hand BMWs I've never had any major issues. It's the reason we bought a brand new one.
Still waiting for a response from Germany, though they have assured us someone will be in contact. A few other things in the pipeline as well.
I'll be sure to update here as it unfolds.
It's saddening to see that other people are reporting similar levels of apathy. Having owned a few second hand BMWs I've never had any major issues. It's the reason we bought a brand new one.
Still waiting for a response from Germany, though they have assured us someone will be in contact. A few other things in the pipeline as well.
I'll be sure to update here as it unfolds.
I too have an X6 and I have been very pleased with it. Your tale is very disappointing. The attitude of the dealer is completely unacceptable. The bolshy bit of me thinks that I would have it trailered onto their "new cars" forecourt, take a photograph for the local paper and leave it for the dealer to sort out. I am sure they wouldn't want it there for long - not on a Saturday!
I hope BMW UK do take an interest and sort you out with a new car.
This is not what insurance is for. Any claim will leave you hundreds or thousands out of pocket for what seems to be a manufacturing fault.
Best of luck and keep us posted.
I hope BMW UK do take an interest and sort you out with a new car.
This is not what insurance is for. Any claim will leave you hundreds or thousands out of pocket for what seems to be a manufacturing fault.
Best of luck and keep us posted.
As well as trying BMW AG I would give the SMMT a call http://www.smmt.co.uk/home.cfm
A friend of mine had a probably with his Audi which absically used to get a flooded footwell because of a design fault. Audi wanted nothing to do with it but as soon as my friend got the SMMT involved it was sorted.
I'd also try www.xoutpost.com there are a lot of X6 owners on there.
Good luck!
A friend of mine had a probably with his Audi which absically used to get a flooded footwell because of a design fault. Audi wanted nothing to do with it but as soon as my friend got the SMMT involved it was sorted.
I'd also try www.xoutpost.com there are a lot of X6 owners on there.
Good luck!
paoloh said:
CatherineJ said:
I would think that you would claim via your insurance, who then in turn will use the Fire Brigade report to recover their loss from BMW.
Not in a month of Sundays will that happen.Insurance company will take it on the chin and BMW won't give a toss.
They gave a toss over my lemon of a Z4 Coupe which they bought back from me for what I paid for it. Ford gave a toss when my Focus had an insect infestation, so you would think a manufacturer might be a bit concerned over one of their latest creations going up in smoke.
Glad I amused you Okgo.
CatherineJ said:
paoloh said:
CatherineJ said:
I would think that you would claim via your insurance, who then in turn will use the Fire Brigade report to recover their loss from BMW.
Not in a month of Sundays will that happen.Insurance company will take it on the chin and BMW won't give a toss.
They gave a toss over my lemon of a Z4 Coupe which they bought back from me for what I paid for it. Ford gave a toss when my Focus had an insect infestation, so you would think a manufacturer might be a bit concerned over one of their latest creations going up in smoke.
Glad I amused you Okgo.
The car has gone up in smoke.
Your 2 cars were still alive and well'ish.
Big difference.
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