Wrong diagnostic by main dealer

lemans 330d · 05-15-2011, 02:13 PM

i took my 330i into sandal huddersfield last week as the fuel gauge is only reading between three quarters and full when i fill up to the brim.
They diagnosed it as needing a new instrument cluster at a cost pf £646 with 10% discount.
i came away and made enquiries like you do and found a dutch guy in marsden who is highly recommended by bmw mechanics quietly and he plugged on the computer and showed me that 1 level sensor in the tank shows 35 ltrs and the other shows 21 ltrs after another fill up so clearly the sensor is out by 14 liters which accounts for the inaccurate fuel gauge.
it cost me £45 which was half price of main dealer and is booked in with dutch guy for work doing.

Dont always trust main dealers.

I will be having a chat with the service manager tomorrow(mon) to recover fees charged.

rich1068 · 05-15-2011, 02:22 PM

Let us know how you go on.

toxicnerve · 05-15-2011, 02:46 PM

So let me get this straight.

A main-dealer diagnosed your issue as an issue with the instrument cluster and wanted to charge you £646 for it, it's not clear if that figure is inc. 10% off or not but for the purposes of my post it matters not.

I assume they charged you £90 for this diagnosis too?

You then went to an independent and for the princely sum of £45 he has illustrated to you that the problem with your fuel gauge is down to a faulty level sensor (I assume in one half of the "saddle" tank).

How much is the independent charging you for the repair/replacement of the dodgy sensor?

A damn sight less than the £646 quoted to you by the dealer no doubt...

sheps · 05-15-2011, 02:50 PM

I read the OP to mean it was all done and dusted for £45?

rich1068 · 05-15-2011, 02:53 PM

I read it as £45 for diagnostic and the fix is extra.

sheps · 05-15-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich1068

I read it as £45 for diagnostic and the fix is extra.

Yup, I think you're right, I've just re-read the OP and the clue is in the "it's booked in"

lemans 330d · 05-15-2011, 04:17 PM

the main dealer charged £80 for diagnostic with a estimate for £646 for new cluster and coding inclusive of 10% discount.

The indy has charged me £45 so far for diagnostic and is going to remove the tank as there is a smell of fuel when full and also replace the faulty level sensor.
he has said for the full job i will be looking at £100 labour plus parts and if its the level sensor that fixes to the fuel pump it will be around £86.

saving of £460.

lemans 330d · 05-15-2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

So let me get this straight.

A main-dealer diagnosed your issue as an issue with the instrument cluster and wanted to charge you £646 for it, it's not clear if that figure is inc. 10% off or not but for the purposes of my post it matters not.

I assume they charged you £90 for this diagnosis too?

You then went to an independent and for the princely sum of £45 he has illustrated to you that the problem with your fuel gauge is down to a faulty level sensor (I assume in one half of the "saddle" tank).

How much is the independent charging you for the repair/replacement of the dodgy sensor?

A damn sight less than the £646 quoted to you by the dealer no doubt...

the dealer is not aware yet of the sensor till tomorrow when i open my dispute with them.

Cafe.Racer · 05-15-2011, 05:11 PM

Post up your indy's details - sounds like a good guy.

creepy coupe · 05-16-2011, 02:55 AM

It would have been intersting to know how the dealer would have handled it, once they fitted the new cluster and it still didn't work, would they have come clean, or screwed another £200 out of you for the correct fix?

toxicnerve · 05-16-2011, 03:07 AM

Can't wait to hear what happens after you've had a word with the dealer.

rich1068 · 05-16-2011, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

It would have been intersting to know how the dealer would have handled it, once they fitted the new cluster and it still didn't work, would they have come clean, or screwed another £200 out of you for the correct fix?

In my experience dealers do this. It usually involves throwing parts at a problem in the vain hope of solving it.

dghdgh · 05-16-2011, 03:22 AM

It may be worth waiting to see if the indy fixes the problem with the sensor before you get going with the dealer.

toxicnerve · 05-16-2011, 03:40 AM

Out of interest, what tool did the Indy use? Bavarian Technic, GT1 or Autologic?

HighlandPete · 05-16-2011, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dghdgh

It may be worth waiting to see if the indy fixes the problem with the sensor before you get going with the dealer.

That was going to be my comment... don't want egg on your face.

You are probably OK, but I'd certainly wait until you know the other guy is correct.

HighlandPete

I6Touring · 05-16-2011, 04:25 AM

Perhaps of interest is that the fuel level in left and right fuel tank can be found in the hidden menus. Scroll to 06.00:

http://e90.wetpaint.com/page/BC+hidden+menus

lemans 330d · 05-16-2011, 07:10 AM

ive just been in a meeting with the dealer principle and service manager and im going to fill my car again on weds morning and they are going to check their readings of fuel then drain the tank and check again at no cost.
if the fuel level sensor is found to be at fault they will replace and check the readings again.
if this solves the reading then they will update bmw with their findings if not they want to change the cluster as they are saying there maybe 2 faults.
Hopefully the level sensor will be at fault and leve me with a clean face(no egg).

lemans 330d · 05-16-2011, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

Out of interest, what tool did the Indy use? Bavarian Technic, GT1 or Autologic?

dont know tn but it was a blue machine bit bigger than an ipad.

lemans 330d · 05-16-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

It would have been intersting to know how the dealer would have handled it, once they fitted the new cluster and it still didn't work, would they have come clean, or screwed another £200 out of you for the correct fix?

i asked that and he said without spending hours on diagnostic the would have asked the customer if he wanted to go further as diagnostic equipment throws faults up in order of find.
it will all depend on weds outcome.

lemans 330d · 05-16-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cafe.Racer

Post up your indy's details - sounds like a good guy.

his name is peter van der veer and his number is
07768 671569 if this helps anyone.

toxicnerve · 05-16-2011, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemans320d

dont know tn but it was a blue machine bit bigger than an ipad.

Sounds like an Autologic unit then...

Thanks for letting me know.

bimmaguy · 05-16-2011, 07:29 AM

isn't Marsden in London? fair way to travel for an indie?

isn't there any decent ones up Yorkshire ends?

05-15-2011, 02:13 PM	#1
lemans 330d Colonel 166 Rep 2,445 Posts Drives: 330d M sport Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Secret Location U.k iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 335d [0.00] 2006 330D M Sport [0.00] 2012 320d sport [0.00] 2006 Bmw 330d M Spo ... [6.66] 2007 320d M sport l ... [10.00] 2006/56 320d m spor ... [0.00] 2005/55 M Sport 330 ... [0.00] 2007 320d m sport ( ... [0.00] 2005 320 Cd m sport ... [0.00]	Wrong diagnostic by main dealer i took my 330i into sandal huddersfield last week as the fuel gauge is only reading between three quarters and full when i fill up to the brim. They diagnosed it as needing a new instrument cluster at a cost pf £646 with 10% discount. i came away and made enquiries like you do and found a dutch guy in marsden who is highly recommended by bmw mechanics quietly and he plugged on the computer and showed me that 1 level sensor in the tank shows 35 ltrs and the other shows 21 ltrs after another fill up so clearly the sensor is out by 14 liters which accounts for the inaccurate fuel gauge. it cost me £45 which was half price of main dealer and is booked in with dutch guy for work doing. Dont always trust main dealers. I will be having a chat with the service manager tomorrow(mon) to recover fees charged.
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05-15-2011, 02:22 PM	#2
rich1068 has left the building 90 Rep 3,359 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Let us know how you go on.
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05-15-2011, 02:46 PM	#3
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	So let me get this straight. A main-dealer diagnosed your issue as an issue with the instrument cluster and wanted to charge you £646 for it, it's not clear if that figure is inc. 10% off or not but for the purposes of my post it matters not. I assume they charged you £90 for this diagnosis too? You then went to an independent and for the princely sum of £45 he has illustrated to you that the problem with your fuel gauge is down to a faulty level sensor (I assume in one half of the "saddle" tank). How much is the independent charging you for the repair/replacement of the dodgy sensor? A damn sight less than the £646 quoted to you by the dealer no doubt...
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05-15-2011, 02:50 PM	#4
sheps Colonel 73 Rep 2,396 Posts Drives: C63 AMG Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cambs, UK iTrader: (2)	I read the OP to mean it was all done and dusted for £45? __________________ Gone but not forgotten: 325i M Sport (E92), Black Sapphire, Coral Red Dakota, 19" 225's, Seat Heating, 6FL and de-badge Replaced by 6.2 litres of AMG powered C class.
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05-15-2011, 02:53 PM	#5
rich1068 has left the building 90 Rep 3,359 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I read it as £45 for diagnostic and the fix is extra.
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05-15-2011, 04:17 PM	#7
lemans 330d Colonel 166 Rep 2,445 Posts Drives: 330d M sport Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Secret Location U.k iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 335d [0.00] 2006 330D M Sport [0.00] 2012 320d sport [0.00] 2006 Bmw 330d M Spo ... [6.66] 2007 320d M sport l ... [10.00] 2006/56 320d m spor ... [0.00] 2005/55 M Sport 330 ... [0.00] 2007 320d m sport ( ... [0.00] 2005 320 Cd m sport ... [0.00]	the main dealer charged £80 for diagnostic with a estimate for £646 for new cluster and coding inclusive of 10% discount. The indy has charged me £45 so far for diagnostic and is going to remove the tank as there is a smell of fuel when full and also replace the faulty level sensor. he has said for the full job i will be looking at £100 labour plus parts and if its the level sensor that fixes to the fuel pump it will be around £86. saving of £460.
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05-15-2011, 05:11 PM	#9
Cafe.Racer Captain 27 Rep 896 Posts Drives: 320d Touring Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Nottingham, UK iTrader: (1)	Post up your indy's details - sounds like a good guy. __________________ Phil
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05-16-2011, 02:55 AM	#10
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	It would have been intersting to know how the dealer would have handled it, once they fitted the new cluster and it still didn't work, would they have come clean, or screwed another £200 out of you for the correct fix?
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05-16-2011, 03:07 AM	#11
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Can't wait to hear what happens after you've had a word with the dealer.
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05-16-2011, 03:22 AM	#13
dghdgh Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 210 Posts Drives: E91 sports+ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Teesside UK iTrader: (3)	It may be worth waiting to see if the indy fixes the problem with the sensor before you get going with the dealer.
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05-16-2011, 03:40 AM	#14
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Out of interest, what tool did the Indy use? Bavarian Technic, GT1 or Autologic?
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05-16-2011, 04:25 AM	#16
I6Touring Private 5 Rep 88 Posts Drives: F31 330d sDrive Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Edinburgh iTrader: (0)	Perhaps of interest is that the fuel level in left and right fuel tank can be found in the hidden menus. Scroll to 06.00: http://e90.wetpaint.com/page/BC+hidden+menus
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05-16-2011, 07:10 AM	#17
lemans 330d Colonel 166 Rep 2,445 Posts Drives: 330d M sport Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Secret Location U.k iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 335d [0.00] 2006 330D M Sport [0.00] 2012 320d sport [0.00] 2006 Bmw 330d M Spo ... [6.66] 2007 320d M sport l ... [10.00] 2006/56 320d m spor ... [0.00] 2005/55 M Sport 330 ... [0.00] 2007 320d m sport ( ... [0.00] 2005 320 Cd m sport ... [0.00]	ive just been in a meeting with the dealer principle and service manager and im going to fill my car again on weds morning and they are going to check their readings of fuel then drain the tank and check again at no cost. if the fuel level sensor is found to be at fault they will replace and check the readings again. if this solves the reading then they will update bmw with their findings if not they want to change the cluster as they are saying there maybe 2 faults. Hopefully the level sensor will be at fault and leve me with a clean face(no egg).
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05-16-2011, 07:29 AM	#22
bimmaguy Major 83 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: BMW F01 730d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (3)	isn't Marsden in London? fair way to travel for an indie? isn't there any decent ones up Yorkshire ends?
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