Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchronixity
... the service person stated that BMW is rolling this out slowly to not overwhelm the dealerships... They said they could not do anything for me yet
|
Welcome to the Forum!
Guess YOU will have to
DO IT YOURSELF then.
DIY Remedy:
You don't say WHAT your issue (if any) is at this time. If YOU want to know if any of your VANOS Bolts are loose or broken, get a $20 USB Endoscope which you can attach to Laptop or Android device, insert scope through oil filler cap, & observe the bolt condition. You will need to rotate the engine to see ALL 8 bolts. If you use a Breaker Bar to turn Crank, rotate CLOCKWISE as viewed from front.
RANT (Cynical Views Expressed May NOT be Applicable to YOUR Case ;-):
1) If the "Service Person" you spoke with was the SA or Service Advisor, he is normally NOT a Technical Person. As Fewer customers understand their vehicles, and as the current Business Model is increasingly "Salemanship" rather than offering "Technical FACTS", even IF the SA had specific technical Facts to convey, he would be encouraged by his employer NOT to discuss those facts. To get any REAL FACTS, one would have to Ask Questions/ Cross-Examine the "Agent". Then you MIGHT learn something. Is the SA really a "BSA"?? That's NOT Boy Scouts of America. That's BS-Artist.
2) Suggested Questions:
a) What is meant by "Rolling out slowly"? Nice BMW is concerned about its Dealers, but what about the folks who BOUGHT (Rented without Shop Manual? ;-) a BMW?
b) Is there any "RCRIT" or written Procedure for performing the Recall? Is Dealer supposed to follow previous 2014 RCRIT?
c) If there is one or more Broken or Loose Bolt(s) on one of the VANOS units, is Tech required to REPLACE that VANOS Unit?
d) If there is a missing bolt, NOT on the top of the head (bolt has fallen into Crankcase) is Tech required to drop Pan & retrieve missing bolt(s)?
e) WHAT parts are currently NOT available & WHEN is delivery to THAT Dealer reasonably expected?
f) WHY can't Dealer AT LEAST use Endoscope to determine if ANY Loose/ Broken VANOS Bolts?
g) WHY are certain assembly dates subject to recall? Are Broken/ Loose Bolts the result of Faulty Bolt Supply, or Assembly Error (such as improper torque)? Are there Multiple Theories as to CAUSE of Broken/ Loose Bolts, and the whole thing is really a Guessing Game? Should we ALL be on notice to periodically Check Bolt Condition using Scope?
h) Will the "Bean-Counters" ever let whatever technical information is available in Munich BE KNOWN by Owners? (yeah -- I'm CYNICAL ;-)
Rant 2:
1)See Invoice Scan attached to Post # 136 above. That invoice shows Parts & Labor (9.0 hours). Case involved: Intake VANOS Unit replacement, due to MULTIPLE broken bolts on Intake VANOS, All 8 VANOS Bolts replaced, Pan dropped to retrieve broken bolt heads, New Gaskets for VC & Sump, new sump bolts. That's > $2,000 Retail Value folks. NOT Sustainable.
2) Is BMW trying to convince the NHTSA that "Aluminum Bolts" are NOT a "Safety Defect", NOTHING lasts forever, & that it is unrealistic to expect BMW to "warranty" those bolts in 11- to 19-year-old E9x vehicles? ACTUALLY, there's a LOT of merit in that argument as it relates to the NHTSA, effective 54 years ago (1970). MOST vehicles in 1970 had SOME major engine issue BEFORE 10 years old, were no longer under ANY warranty, and NHTSA Recalls did NOT pertain to general engine failure. Is Engine failure REALLY a "Safety Defect"?
3) What "Goes Around Comes Around": Proponents of "Forever Recalls" could reasonably argue that Auto Manufacturers have created/perpetuated the MYTH in the minds of Vehicle Owners that "Only I (here "Dealer") Can Fix It". After all, nearly every CC-ID code description in the Owner's Manual states: "Contact your BMW Center".
4) "Right to Repair" (Owner's RIGHT) would ONLY confuse the Ignorant Owner, and Manufacturer won't share ISTA, TIS, etc. unless YOU PAY $2,700 per annum. That marketing/sales approach offers SOME justification for requiring BMW to pay for Recall Parts & Labor. TWO "wrongs" do NOT make a "Right".
5) You can find a Lawyer that will argue ANYTHING for a Buck, e.g. DJT Atty. arguing President can Order Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival & be IMMUNE from criminal prosecution.
How about NOT treating customers like the "Ignorant Idiots" you force them to BE by NOT providing technical information needed to Diagnose or Repair the Vehicle PURCHASED (NOT Rented ;-) from Manufacturer. $2,700 per annum is NOT a "Fair Price" for that information on ~ 11-19 Year-old vehicles that have NOT been produced in last 10+ years.
6) In Northern Virginia, a Clothing Salesman appeared on TV in late 70's stating: "An Educated Consumer is our BEST Customer". Unfortunately, the current business model is to convince the "Customer" that he cannot possibly understand the product, and to take $ADVANTAGE of "Customer Ignorance".
7) DIY is NOT for Everyone.
The majority of folks will continue to pay OTHERS to Diagnose & Repair their vehicle, 'cuz they do NOT have the time, knowledge, tools, space, desire, etc. to maintain the vehicle themselves. Maintaining an OLD, Out-of-Warranty vehicle yourself is sustainable, up to ~ 30-years-old, for MANY vehicles today. Paying $hop Rates to someone else to do that is NOT sustainable.
8) Manufacturers should "Re-Examine" their Business Model, and accept that there are SOME folks (like me ;-) who will NEVER buy a NEW car. They are a Different Market Segment. Those folks "pad" the stats for "% still on road after 10/15 years", maintain Resale Prices, Parts Sales, etc., but provide NO Direct income (except perhaps at Parts Counter) to BMW or its Franchised Dealers. One size fits all/ NOT.
YMMV
George