Engine blew up at 42k miles.

javarithms wrote

+1. My SA keeps asking me, everytime I go in for service, if I take the car to the track. I don't but out of curiosity I asked him once if BMW condone tracking the car and he gave me a "are you kidding me" look and said yeah that's what it was designed for. I took that to mean the warranty is not void if the car is tracked, but who know if they would honor the warranty if/when shit hits the fan.

BMW dealerships will high five you and commend you for taking the car to the track, but show up with a blown motor and the bean counters from BMW USA come to inspect your car, do research about your driving habits online and then figure out how best to deny the warranty claim. Happened to me. The only reason BMW ended up replacing my motor this one time is because I had just recently purchased an i3 which was my 7th new BMW purchase in 5 years. It's always all about the money.

I will never buy another BMW with intentions of taking it to the track (unless it's an old, out of warranty car). It's just not worth the trouble. If you want a new car where the brand and dealers encourage track days, get a Porsche. Hell, some of the local Porsche dealers here rent out the track and invite their good customers out for a free track day.

Don't get me wrong, I love BMW's and and will continue to buy them over the other german makes. But I won't buy one with intentions of taking it to the track anymore. Apparently they aren't designed for that and BMW USA will try to use it as an excuse to deny warranty claims if you do have issues.

radiantm3 wrote

BMW NA thinks it is. When my engine blew they denied my warranty claim because of my HPDE videos on youtube. They called it "racing".

This guy was lucky, they took care of him. It'll be nice yo know what criteria they use for goodwill repairs.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=866284

V1.47fan wrote

This guy was lucky, they took care of him. It'll be nice yo know what criteria they use for goodwill repairs.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=866284

They took care of me in the end too. But only after treating me like a criminal who's abusing the car.

V1.47fan wrote

Maybe that's because most people don't advertise when they have an engine failure at the track or a money shift in general( not pertaining to you).

This.

OP, any resolution/update? I hope things have worked out.

radiantm3 wrote

BMW dealerships will high five you and commend you for taking the car to the track, but show up with a blown motor and the bean counters from BMW USA come to inspect your car, do research about your driving habits online and then figure out how best to deny the warranty claim. Happened to me. The only reason BMW ended up replacing my motor this one time is because I had just recently purchased an i3 which was my 7th new BMW purchase in 5 years. It's always all about the money.

radiantm3 wrote

I will never buy another BMW with intentions of taking it to the track (unless it's an old, out of warranty car). It's just not worth the trouble. If you want a new car where the brand and dealers encourage track days, get a Porsche. Hell, some of the local Porsche dealers here rent out the track and invite their good customers out for a free track day.

Don't get me wrong, I love BMW's and and will continue to buy them over the other german makes. But I won't buy one with intentions of taking it to the track anymore. Apparently they aren't designed for that and BMW USA will try to use it as an excuse to deny warranty claims if you do have issues.

radiantm3 wrote

They took care of me in the end too. But only after treating me like a criminal who's abusing the car.

I agree with your sentiments 100%, Radiant. It's unfortunate that they take this approach with respect to any track usage when a need for a warranty repair arises. That said, I'm not sure BMW's position on the matter is insurmountable though, as you say, it will take a lot of elbow grease which is very unfortunate.

I would be interested in hearing about your situation if you have time to share. Feel free to PM.

Hujan wrote

I agree with your sentiments 100%, Radiant. It's unfortunate that they take this approach with respect to any track usage when a need for a warranty repair arises. That said, I'm not sure BMW's position on the matter is insurmountable though, as you say, it will take a lot of elbow grease which is very unfortunate.

I would be interested in hearing about your situation if you have time to share. Feel free to PM.

Most car companies do this to save on repair costs. In the warranty agreement it talks about car "abuse". What is considered abusive to the car is up to interpretation...

Back when I had my Evos, Mitsubishi was known to go to the track to look at owners cars and void their warranties. Not to mention searching on google and social media for any mention of people tracking their cars when cars go in for repairs. I used to run without any plates on track for fear of my warranty being voided. Mitsubishi also had a generous 10 year/100k mile warranty so they didn't want people to take advantage of it.

Zzhou wrote

My engine blew up, I have dct and no FI, just tunes. I was hearing clicking sound, so I slowed down and trying to drive off, but about 10 sec later, big boom and smoke came off my engine and exhaust, engine oil and coolant everywhere.

Any update on your situation man?

elim11 wrote

OP, any resolution/update? I hope things have worked out.

BMW NA is still diagnosing my car. Hope to hear from them next week.

For what's it's worth, a tech at my last bmw service told me he has seen several holes in the block after throwing a rod and every car was at a sustained period of over 7500. Only place that happens for long durations is a track.

So not sure if it's the track but even on the road if you did it and bmw read your ecu, they likely would deny anyway

At this moment, I wish BMW can cover it, if not, its ok I will buy a new engine and repair this M3. However I will say to BMW REP "I'm only 24 and this will be the last BMW I ever buy"

8600RPM wrote

For what's it's worth, a tech at my last bmw service told me he has seen several holes in the block after throwing a rod and every car was at a sustained period of over 7500. Only place that happens for long durations is a track.

So not sure if it's the track but even on the road if you did it and bmw read your ecu, they likely would deny anyway

8600RPM wrote

For what's it's worth, a tech at my last bmw service told me he has seen several holes in the block after throwing a rod and every car was at a sustained period of over 7500. Only place that happens for long durations is a track.

So not sure if it's the track but even on the road if you did it and bmw read your ecu, they likely would deny anyway

what does that mean? multiple times in a row in that rev range? that can happen anywhere if one likes to wring it out.

Maybe a drifter staying up near the limiter?

BMW NA told my dealer that they will void my warranty due to it has a aftermarket tune software. I'm ordering an engine, quoted around 25K.

Zzhou wrote

BMW NA told my dealer that they will void my warranty due to it has a aftermarket tune software. I'm ordering an engine, quoted around 25K.

What a bunch of Jerks! See if you can source one from a wrecked vehicle. Sorry for your situation buddy. Good luck. How did your dealership find out about the tune? Did you tell them about it, or did they run diagnostics that revealed it?

Zzhou wrote  

BMW NA told my dealer that they will void my warranty due to it has a aftermarket tune software. I'm ordering an engine, quoted around 25K.

The exact reason why I don't get a tune that's worth a measly 10hp.

Zzhou wrote

BMW NA told my dealer that they will void my warranty due to it has a aftermarket tune software. I'm ordering an engine, quoted around 25K.

Sorry bud.

Did they tell you why the engine blew? What tune did you have?
.

M.A.R.C. wrote

on page 53 of the supplemental owners manual it says:

"BMW recommends the following measures before driving on a race track..."

followed by:

"Operation on race tracks results in a higher rate of wear. The BMW M3 is not designed for use in competitive motorsports. This wear is not covered by the vehicle warranty"

I read that a while ago and took it literally (the competitive motorsports part). I guess it's one of those things open to interpretation and if it was apparent it happened at a track maybe the wouldn't cover it?

That may be their official policy to deny claims, but i'd suggest you get copies of past Roundel's, BMW's magazine published to promote their vehicles, and start pulling out articles on them touting the M3 as being a track ready vehicle. It's not like you have the ability to review and negotiate boiler plate disclaimers in warranty language but you can rely to your detriment upon their marketing b.s. they put out to the public for purposes of inducing sales. I personally have a cpo so I'm covered.

They don't know what cause the problem, but we all know its rod bearing isn't it? AA tune.. in my sig.

aus wrote

Sorry bud.

Did they tell you why the engine blew? What tune did you have?
.

Aw sorry man. I've been in that boat before. It sucks. You can get a used engine for about half that price. Just an FYI. Best of luck

Zzhou wrote

They don't know what cause the problem, but we all know its rod bearing isn't it? AA tune.. in my sig.

Just an FYI, sigs don't show up on the phone on Safari or the app.