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BMW North America Complaint - Power Loss and Loud Noises from the Engine - 2009 BWM 328i coupe

2009 BWM 328i coupe - Complaint
Review by michi201061 on 2011-10-07
I purchased a 2009 BMW 238i. I took it to get an oil change on 30 Sept 11. I dropped it off, got a loner, and went to work. Before I dropped it off that morning the car ran great, it had no ticking, no engine lights nor loss of power. I hadno€™t heard from BMW so I called them, they said that they had talked to BMW NA and I need to agree to them removing my valve cover, at my expense $700. I said that I only wanted an oil change. He told me they terminated my warranty. My warranty was for 4yr/50,000 miles, it had not expired. I was very upset and made multiple attempts to call BMW NA and the supervisor told me that they would have to go with what the service center said and there was no one else to talk to. Disappointed, I picked my car up. The check engine light came on and while I was on the highway the car made some loud ticking noises and the car seemed to be experiencing some power loss, in the mist of high traffic. I was in the middle lane when it started and I immediately got over to got off the highway. And as I pulled off the highway the car suddenly shut off (no power), I barely made it off the road. It just shut off! I had to call for a tow. That weekend the car cranked up and it seemed to be nothing wrong. I took it around the block to see if it was okay. The ticking returned and the car shut off again and I had to coast it off the road onto church grounds and call a tow truck again. And now it will not crank at all. This is my only car and I have to rent a car. I did some research online and found several recalls, for example: BMW High-Pressure Fuel Pump Voluntary Emissions Recall and Voluntary Emissions and Safety Recalls and tons of complaints about safety and how BMW terminates a lot of people's warranties prior to their expiration date. BMW seems to be putting all of our lives at risk and terminating warranties at will.
Comments:
Posted by At Your Service on 2011-10-07:
With all respect, the complaint doesn't make sense. A warranty is a legal, binding contract that isn't likely to be ARBITRARILY canceled at will. There must have been some reason given for the cancellation of this warranty, otherwise you would have a reasonable case for a lawsuit for the cost of repairing the vehicle. I'd like to hear BMW's side of this.
Posted by trmn8r on 2011-10-07:
There are additional important details:

Was this service at a BMW dealer?
Did you buy the car new or used?
When you asked why the warranty was terminated, what was the explanation?
When you asked why you were being asked to perform a $700 procedure, what was the explanation?

It appears that the "service center" felt there was an issue that needed further investigation. It would very interesting to know why BMW canceled your warranty "at will".
Posted by At Your Service on 2011-10-07:
Good points trmn8r. Hopefully michi201061 will post back.
Posted by redmx3racer on 2011-10-07:
Warranties can be voided if a vehicle has been abused, which does not necessarily mean driving like you are auditioning for Fast and Furious. Going too long on an oil change can be considered abuse (failure to properly maintain the vehicle)-not a few thousand miles, but excessive. I've seen people with new cars come in for their first oil change at 20K with no oil on the dipstick. Not saying that is the case here.
Posted by Bete Noir on 2011-10-07:
BMW like M-B tend to be a bit efficacious in a stereotypical German way (on insult intended). I stopped buying BMW because of that. I think your best course is to seek remediation through corporate. One word for the future: Lexus!

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