Looking for some Advice - after BMW Dealer services

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Good afternoon,

After some advise - sense check.

Own a BMW i8 - on 11/01/2023 Vehicle taken to Vertu BMW after breakdown - diagnosis alternator drive belt.


investigated non start of petrol engine - electric drive working ok
Aux drive belt and tensioner had failed - and fouled up starter motor - this has locked up and sheared starter motor generator

Remove broken bolts from engine block.


Cost £2513.22 which was simply due to aux drive belt, despite car having full service history and new engine.


BMW i8 Timeline


31/10/2014 Date of First registration
05/11/2014 Put onto Private Plate by previous keeper
12/09/2017 First MOT - MOT - BMW Lloyds Newcastle 16,648
17/10/2018 MOT - BMW Lloyds Newcastle 22,357
24/09/2019 MOT - BMW Lloyds Newcastle 28,917
10/06/2020 Engine replaced in June 2020 - Car went into garage in March 2020 31,697

24/08/2020 "I acquired vehicle - Mileage when acquired - 32,619 - Vehicle had full dealer service history when acquired
" 32,619
24/08/2020 I acquired vehicle 32,619
25/08/2020 Vehicle Put onto private plate
02/10/2020 MOT - Cooper BMW Sunderland 35,176
02/10/2020 Health Check and Service - drive belts checked 35,176 £292.89
19/10/2020 Vehicle Health Check replaced front and rear shock gaitors 35,485 £428.81
19/01/2021 Investigate fault getting into gear - reprogrammed - also replaced horn 37,292 £196.08
24/09/2021 MOT - Cooper BMW Sunderland 46,228
24/09/2021 MOT and Health Check 46,228 £54.85
24/09/2021 Replace Brake Disc & Pads 46,228 £440.86
24/09/2021 Vehicle health Check - including belts 46,228 £0.00
15/01/2022 Brake fluid Service & Vehicle health Check 48,797 £70.67
29/09/2022 MOT - MMC 60,932
11/01/2023 Vehicle taken to Vertu BMW after breakdown - diagnosis alternator drive belt Not given £930.18
17/01/2023 Car returned after works completed 64,049 £2,513.22
18/01/2023 Today - current day 64,062

32,365 Mileage since engine replaced 32,365 £3,997.38



Question When engine was replaced was drive belt replaced? should it have been?
Question What is the lifespan for a aux drive belt?
Question During health checks - why was belt not picked up?
Question During services - why was belt not picked up?


Welcome anyones thoughts.


Many thanks

Tim

[timharding]

BUMP

[timharding]

Clearly not read the post !

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Thanks Mike - no info given on warranty when new engine fitted

vdn - that was my thoughts.

Ive emailed BMW to say what is the lifespan of a belt, also what is involved with the change of an engine.

They have not replied to both requests from 14/2.


Next steps im thinking raise a formal complaint.

Im not unfair, but I think this is contributory from the dealers side.

Tim

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AdeTuono said:

I'd be more concerned that the vehicle had less miles registered when you bought it than when the engine was changed. Not many, granted, but sounds a bit odd.

Can you explain?.


10/06/2020 Engine replaced in June 2020 - Car went into garage in March 2020 31,697

24/08/2020 "I acquired vehicle - Mileage when acquired - 32,619 - Vehicle had full dealer service history when acquired
" 32,619
24/08/2020 I acquired vehicle 32,619

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darreni said:

Parts & labour carry a 2 year warranty with BMW (i assume the engine was supplied & fitted by BMW?). The aux belt can let go at any time.

Have you decided to run without the BMW warranty on the car?

The extended warranty had expired by about a month.

Good shout out VDN on calling a couple of dealers.

The engine swap took about 3 months - from the previous owner he states they did not have a clue how to do it.

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darreni said:

Parts & labour carry a 2 year warranty with BMW (i assume the engine was supplied & fitted by BMW?). The aux belt can let go at any time.

Have you decided to run without the BMW warranty on the car?

Yes was done under warranty by Cooper BMW which was taken over by Vertu BMW.

Tim

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bennno said:

That’s how I read it, has it really not been serviced for 3 years and 30k miles?

Yes been serviced twice in the 30k.

Belts not replaced as deemed ok.

Had also inspections, and no recommendation to replace the belts.



Tim

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Mr Squarekins said:

On a i8, the belts are not replaced as routine items now, at any mileage, I asked at my last service.

So are you just expected to drive until they break? - meaning big bill.

Seems that way.

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wpa1975 said:

Agreed, I have been in warranty for 15+ years, this will go nowhere, they would have checked the belt before refitting it.

Should have / could have / would have.

Who knows,