Nightmare dealer situation (Updated)

[GreyM340i]

So I wanted to update my post. Its been a while since this happened January this year. Since then I drove it about 700 miles and had a Blackstone test (attached) done per the deal I made with the BMW dealership. As you can see I was a little concerned about the health of the motor. Also at the same time of the test I mentioned that there was a little rattling sound around 3000 rpm so I thought it was the Vanos. They said lets monitor it and sent me on my way. I wasn't happy with that and didn't feel like it was a normal noise. I parked the car and I emailed the service manager asking them what are they going to do? I asked if I was on my own at this point because they weren’t taking really taking any responsibility for their original mistake. I didn't hear back for a week so I shot off another email asking them to please put it in writing if they were going to help me further or am I on my own. Well after a week I get a response saying he was on vacation and that I wasn't on my own to bring it in so they could investigate what that rattle noise was.

Well after 3 days of them having my car he called me and said they think its from the bottom end of the motor and wanted my permission to open the bottom end up to investigate. I said as long as I’m not paying they had permission. I just wanted the car I purchased to run so I can enjoy my first summer with it. The next week I get a call and he tells me that a rod bearing had failed and they will be ordering me a brand new crank, rod bearings, main bearings, and new piston rings. Said they would take about 3 weeks to get here from Germany. I asked why not just replace the short block and his answer was that they were properly repairing the motor and a short lock wasn't a option. Right now the block is at a machine shop and next week they will be assembling it. I’m happy they stepped up and took care of their mistake however would someone take this as a positive or negative if I ever sell this car? I’m thinking its a positive thats its all new and refreshed with no miles on the bottom end however not sure. What do you guys think? Sorry about the long post. Lol

[Arith2]

I’m still going to do the Blackstone test and see what they say just incase the dealer will be at fault for excessive metal in the oil. If its normal then in the spring/summer I will be getting the rod bearings done along with the subframe.

The metal caused by this will most likely be too large for their test. Some people live and breath by oil analysis but they only give you a very specific picture. Not all info is useless like if there's alot of gas in the oil but what you're looking for isn't going to be a reliable data point. This can't be your baseline because running low oil pressure did cause extra wear somewhere. There is no previous data to compare to of normal operation. It's like a dyno. You need a baseline in this case. If you want to use this one as a pre-bearings data point, change the oil a couple of times after the bearings and then check, that would be much more accurate. If there is excessive metal in your oil, you're going to see it in the filter.

[GreyM340i]

Dude do them now while the weather is still shit. Better safe than sorry.

RE: vacuum keeping oil in, see my post at the beginning of the thread

I don’t think another 1000 miles is going to a big deal. It’s a chance I’m willing to take.

[Nate047]

Dude do them now while the weather is still shit. Better safe than sorry.

RE: vacuum keeping oil in, see my post at the beginning of the thread

[GreyM340i]

Have you considered doing the rod bearings now?

Not sure how many miles on this car or if it’s had the rod bearings done by the previous owner but if you have the means I would highly consider just doing them and getting it out of the way so you can drive the car in confidence and get some sleep at night as well. Especially if you plan to keep this car for a while.

The car had the rod bearings done at the dealer at 35k miles and it now has 95k miles. Its winter here in Chicago so its not being driven much at all. I plan on getting them done in the next 1000 miles or so.

[SteelGreyM]

Have you considered doing the rod bearings now?

Not sure how many miles on this car or if it’s had the rod bearings done by the previous owner but if you have the means I would highly consider just doing them and getting it out of the way so you can drive the car in confidence and get some sleep at night as well. Especially if you plan to keep this car for a while.

[GreyM340i]

A loose drain WILL drip that much especially when it starts backing out I doubt you ran dry, just low enough to pop the light. I would absolutely get those rod bearings changed as a safety measure because no one knows the damage, not even a pointless oil analysis lab, without actually looking. I've never seen vacuum hold oil in. The vacuum is only at idle anyways.

I’m still going to do the Blackstone test and see what they say just incase the dealer will be at fault for excessive metal in the oil. If its normal then in the spring/summer I will be getting the rod bearings done along with the subframe.

[Arith2]

Didn’t see a drain bolt. The dealer is 12 miles from my house.

A loose drain WILL drip that much especially when it starts backing out I doubt you ran dry, just low enough to pop the light. I would absolutely get those rod bearings changed as a safety measure because no one knows the damage, not even a pointless oil analysis lab, without actually looking. I've never seen vacuum hold oil in. The vacuum is only at idle anyways.

[GreyM340i]

We’re you sure it’s drain bolt in that dark pic?
Total miles from dealer to red oil light?

Didn’t see a drain bolt. The dealer is 12 miles from my house.

[sapote]

We’re you sure it’s drain bolt in that dark pic?
Total miles from dealer to red oil light?

[GreyM340i]

What picture?
A loose bolt could not empty the oil this fast with a negative pressure in the pan.

I think he’s talking about the pictures I posted on the first page of this thread. Oil was dripping out after I stopped.

[sapote]

It looked like a loose drain plug in the pictures.

What picture?
A loose bolt could not empty the oil this fast with a negative pressure in the pan.

[Arith2]

They said it was there when they got it back however not tightened correctly. Who knows if they’re telling the truth.

It looked like a loose drain plug in the pictures.

[GreyM340i]

Maybe the drain bolt just fell off — too quick for the yellow light to be seen and the red light took over.
Too bad we don’t know if for sure the drain bolt missing or not.

They said it was there when they got it back however not tightened correctly. Who knows if they’re telling the truth.

[sapote]

No never noticed a yellow light. Just saw the red oil light and then the car shut off.

Maybe the drain bolt just fell off — too quick for the yellow light to be seen and the red light took over.
Too bad we don’t know if for sure the drain bolt missing or not.