But don’t be alarmed X3 owners. It’s only 50 cars produced late this spring. The full release after the break.

Vehicle Make / Model: BMW / X3 / Model Year(s): 2011

• Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
• Mfr’s Report Date: JUN 28, 2011
• NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V341000
• NHTSA Action Number: N/A
• Component: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
• Potential Number of Units Affected: 50

Summary

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 27, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 8, 2011. A CONTROL MODULE IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) UNIT MAY MALFUNCTION, RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE.

Consequence

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Source: NHTSA

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We start off the show talking about why one of us broke down and bought an A3. How does the A3 compare to the new 4 door GTI and MINI Countryman we just drove? We break it down in detail.

From there we talk about Michael’s drive in the X3 28i and how it’s likely going to be a success for BMW. But the X3 is important in more ways than one. For us enthusiasts it gives us a glimpse at the next 3 Series since they will both share electronics and a chassis (to some extant).

Michael gives us the inside scoop on the HPFP issue straight from the sources. If you want to know what (exactly) will happy if the HPFP fails, you’ll want to listen. We also coin the term “the happy pump” which of course is the one you want in your N54 equipped BMW.

What about the 1M? We talk about EVO’s recent drive of the car and the new details we’ve heard. Once you get past the power it’s sounds just about pitch perfect to us.

Finally we’d like to thank our listeners for all the positive reviews on iTunes. We’ve increased sounds quality and we believe we’ve increased the quality of the show at the some time based on your suggestions.

BMW to Conduct Voluntary Emissions and Safety Recalls

• Emissions recall affects models equipped with twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engines
• Safety recall affects X5 Sports Activity Vehicles equipped with inlinesix-cylinder engines

BMW of North America has just notified the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of its intent to conduct a voluntary recall of some model year 2007-2010 BMWs equipped with twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engines, all of which feature BMW’s High Precision Injection direct fuel injection system. It has also asked for approval from the California Air Resources Board to conduct this action. Affected vehicles may experience a failure of the high-pressure fuel pump. This is a known issue with the N54 twin turbo and will come as a very welcome news to owners.

Symptoms include long-crank engine starting times along with the illumination of the “Service Engine Soon” light. In certain cases, the driver may experience reduced engine performance in a Safe Mode accompanied by a tone and the illumination of the “Engine Malfunction” light. Based on the individual service history of the vehicle, the action will entail replacement of the high-pressure fuel pump and/or a software update.

Approximately 130,000 vehicles are potentially affected with about 40,000 expected to require a new high pressure fuel pump. Affected BMW models include:

• MY 2007-2010 335i models.
• MY 2008-2010 135i, 535i and X6 xDrive35i Sports Activity Coupes
• MY 2009 – 2010 Z4 Roadster sDrive35i

In a separate action, BMW has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will voluntarily recall approximately 20,800 MY 2008 X5 Sports Activity Vehicles equipped with normally-aspirated inline six-cylinder engines to replace the low-pressure fuel pump. In this case, should the fuel pump experience a failure, the engine will stop running and the driver will lose power assist for the steering and brakes although both the steering and the brakes remain operational. Letters will be sent by First Class mail to owners of affected vehicles in the coming weeks, requesting the scheduling of a service appointment with an Authorized BMW Center to have the update performed. No injuries have been reported with either of these issues.

In the case of either issue, if the customer experiences a problem, they should contact their authorized BMW Center. Customers with additional questions should contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-563-4269 or email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

BMW has prepared an inspection and repair procedure and will distribute replacement parts throughout the North American dealer network. Letters will be sent by First Class mail to owners of affected vehicles in the coming weeks, requesting the scheduling of a service appointment with an Authorized BMW Center to check their vehicle.

Drivers who experience reduced power braking assistance should immediately schedule a service appointment with an Authorized BMW Center. Customers with further questions should contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email customer.relations@bmwna.com.

Affected BMW models include:

• 2002-08 BMW 745i/Li, 750i/Li, and 760i/Li
• 2007-08 BMW Alpina B7
• 2004-10 BMW 645i and 650i
• 2004-10 BMW 545i and 550i

Affected Rolls-Royce Motor Cars models include:

• 2003-2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom models

(does not include Rolls-Royce Ghost)

According to Consumer Reports and Cars.com BMW is recalling every 1 Series ever sold in the US due to a seat belt pretensioner that could ignite. Apparently the NHTSA has deemed that the pretensioner is too close to the sound insulation materials in the B-pillar and thus could lead to fire.

Because BMW doesn’t have a fix yet for this issue they have halted sales of the 1 Series in the US market. The fix should be coming very soon and rest assured engineers are working on it as we speak.

With several erroneous stories out there about the just announced X5 M recall, we thought it was our duty get a little clarity around the issue and answer some of your questions. So we spoke with with Matthew Russell (from BMW Product & Technology Communications department) about the recall and what exactly is behind it.

BimmerFile: First off what product is affected:

BMWNA: 2010 BMW X5 M SAVs produced between 7/1/09 and 1/25/10. Approximately 735.

BF: What’s the issue exactly?

BMWNA: The affected vehicles were not equipped with the power supply cables for the front side marker lamps (lamps are located in the outer corner of the headlight cluster).

BF: What can happen?

BMWNA: The front side marker lamps will not illuminate.

BF: Does this affect the ability to signal for turns?

BMWNA: No. Turn signal and hazard light operation are not affected.

BF: Can customers continue to drive their vehicles?

BMWNA: Yes, but BMW recommends that owners of affected vehicles, who will receive a letter asking them to schedule an appointment with their Authorized BMW SAV center, do so as soon as they receive the notification letter.

BF: How will customers be informed of the recall?

BMWNA: Owners of affected vehicles will receive a letter via First Class mail asking them to make a Service appointment with their Authorized BMW SAV center. The letters should go out in May 2010, or once the parts have been distributed to dealers. The repair may take up to four hours. Additional time may be required depending on the center’s scheduling and processing. The repair is free of charge.

Thanks Matt! So there you have it. The issue, while enough to warranty a recall is not a serious safety problem and certainly not serious enough to immediately stop driving the vehicles.

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

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

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

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.

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!

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.

BMWNA Statement:

“In an effort to address specific noise concerns, BMW updated the turbocharged engine software on 335i/xi and 535i/xi models built from June 2006 through March 2008. The updated software causes a small amount of increased “turbocharger lag” under certain circumstances and, while not substantial, the lag may be perceptible to the most sensitive BMW drivers. X6, 135i, and 3 Series/5 Series vehicles from March 2008 production onward are not affected. Release of the new software to restore the original turbocharger response is planned for January 2009, and it will be available for vehicles produced from September 2007 through March 2008 when they are brought to an authorized BMW center for a repair which requires a programming update. Clients with vehicles produced from June 2006 through September 2007 may request installation of the January 2009 software update. Clients who get this update should understand that there is a possibility of slightly increased engine noise levels under certain circumstances.”

We would like to thank our friends at the BMWCCA (especially Satch) for initiating the movement for and obtaining the official statement. Further information will also be in the January issue of Roundel (join the Club!). Thank yous go out to our other sources for helping us confirm this information; we appreciate it!

When we have more specifics we will provide you with them.

08/13/2008

Today, BMW announced a voluntary recall regarding the front passenger air bag seat sensor mat involving approximately 200,000 Model Year 2004-06 vehicles. Affected are certain Model Year 2006 3-Series, Model Year 2004-06 5-Series, and Model Year 2004-06 X3 vehicles, depending upon seat type. BMW has found that the sensor mat may become damaged during vehicle usage depending upon the manner and frequency of the front passenger’s entry and exit. BMW will begin sending customer letters in late September 2008. Affected owners may continue to drive their vehicles; however, customers should contact their BMW Center if the air bag warning lamp, and the passenger air bag “on-off” lamp are illuminated simultaneously. In this situation, BMW recommends customers not to use the front passenger seat and have the vehicle serviced immediately. At the present time, we are unaware of any accidents or injuries as a result of this issue.

The German automaker says the recall involves the 2006 3 Series, the 2004-2006 5 Series, and the 2004-2006 X3 compact sport utility vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a posting on its Web site Wednesday that small cracks could develop in a seat detection mat and lead to the front passenger air bags to be deactivated.

It would also turn on the passenger air bag “on-off” light. NHTSA says the head protection system would not be affected.

+ BMW recalls 200,000 vehicles / CNN