Section: Recalls/Bulletins

BMWNA E46 Class Action Settlement

Sections: E46 3 Series, Official News, Recalls/Bulletins, Safety, Video May 30th, 2009 4 Comments

Many owners of 99-06 model year BMW 3 series vehicles have reported failures of the rear-axle supports in the vehicles sub-frame caused by cracking and defects. BMW has steadfastly denied any charges of wrongdoing made against it in the lawsuit but has issued the following statement and owners or leasees can refer to an established website for further information.

BMW NA Official Statement. BMW has agreed to a proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit concerning the Sub-Frame structures on 3 Series (“E46”) models produced from 1999 through 2006. Under rare conditions the attachment points of the Sub-Frame may develop a fracture or crack. BMW has prepared an inspection, approved repair procedure, and reimbursement policy in keeping with the terms of the proposed class settlement. Details will be forthcoming, pending the court’s final approval of the proposed class settlement. In advance of the final settlement, BMW customers with questions should visit www.E46subframeclassactionsettlement.com.

Here is a video displaying the aforementioned fracture

BMWNA Extends Fuel Pump Warranty 10yr/120K

Sections: E60 5 Series, E71 X6, E81/82/E87 1 Series, E90 3 Series, Official News, Recalls/Bulletins May 23rd, 2009 1 Comment

We have received many questions regarding the longevity of the high pressure fuel pump in N54 powered BMW models (335, 535, X6 35, 135) since their inception. While the longevity has not been established for the pumps as they are still fairly new in concept, there have been some premature failures. These failures have affected a small percentage of cars but they have been widely discussed on the internet.

BMW recently sent out letters to customers of 2007/2008 MY cars announcing that the warranty on the HPFP has been increased to 10 years or 120,00 miles. This shows BMW’s commitment to engineering a reliable product and standing behind it. So all you on the fence about buying that used 335i because of possible fuel pump issues can feel a bit more comfortable.

Here is an example of the letter sent out to customers/ Warranty Extension Letter

BMW Recommended Oils

Sections: //M\\, E60 5 Series, E63/E64 6 Series, E65/E66 7 Series, E70 X5, E71 X6, E81/82/E87 1 Series, E83 X3, E85 Z4 Roadster/Coupe, E86 Z4 M Coupe, E89 Z4 Roadster, E90 3 Series, F01 7 Series, Official News, Recalls/Bulletins Mar 11th, 2009 2 Comments

A while back we had reported BMWNA was working on publishing a list of recommended oils to be used in gasoline engines.

This was a welcomed move as oil specifics have not been listed in the owner’s manual and some people like to have an independent garage (or alone) complete a mid recommended interval oil change. Then there is the occasional need to top the engine off; it has always been a question as to whether that quart of oil, the life blood of the motor, was up to spec.

The oils listed below meet BMW’s Long-life rating and are acceptable for use in BMW Passenger vehicles and SAVs in the US market with gasoline engines. (Excludes ///M and Alpina models).

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market

• Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
• Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
• Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30

• Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

  Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher.

For ///M or Alpina models as well as the view the BMW document here

Cold Weather & Your Experience

Sections: Ask BF, Recalls/Bulletins Jan 22nd, 2009 19 Comments

Since the recent record breaking cold-snap in much of Northern America (and even some parts of Europe) we’ve heard all sorts of MINI/BMW owners experiences with their cars. While the vast majority of them have been quite positive we wanted to reach out to those who have had some issues with the extreme cold. At temperatures as low as -30F we expect some issues, so lets hear about them. What have you experienced with this kind of cold? And if you haven’t had issues let us know that as well.

BMW ///M3 DCT Recall

Sections: //M3\\, Recalls/Bulletins Nov 20th, 2008 No Comments

According to the NHTSA, BMW will be instituting a recall campaign on 2500 ///M3s equipped with the DCT double clutch transmission. It affects cars built before Sept 10, 2008. Covering 2008 and 2009 model year cars.

The issue is that when the car is rapidly slowing the transmission software may trigger a mulit-stage downshift. At low speeds this may cause the engine to stall; increasing the possibility of a crash.

To rectify this issue customers will have the engine and transmission software updated free of charge as part of the recall.

This process has reportedly begun and owner’s of ///M3s with the DCT option can call BMWNA at 1-800-831-1117 with any questions.

Full PDF

Thanks Tim!

BMWNA Official Statement: N54 Turbo Lag

Sections: E90 3 Series, EfficientDynamics, In the Press, Official News, Recalls/Bulletins Nov 18th, 2008 16 Comments

We have confirmed the following with BMWNA and is in fact an official response to complaints about turbo lag. Models affected are the 135i, 335i/xi, 535i/xi and the X6 xDrive35i.

The turbo lag is not overwhelming for most and to some it is not noticeable. The cause of the lag is due to a change in the engine software; some were built with the new software while others obtained it through an update at the dealer. The reason BMW was updating the software was because of certain noise concerns and the by-product of the update was the increase in lag and the desired decrease in noise.

For some time the lag was denounced and was never officially acknowledged; this statement changes all of that. It also indicated engines may be updated with software that does not cause lag but may cause this “noise”. We would think most enthusiasts would welcome the noise over the lag but for certain others it may be the other way around. You apparently will have a choice.