Nightmare dealer situation (Updated)

[sapote]

All engines make horrible noise with low oil pressure and BMW engines actually DO shut off with low oil pressure.

This maybe true if car is not moving on the road, but I still would like to see any document about this feature.
With car is driving on the road, no way that BMW lawyer would allow the software to shut off the engine just because low oil pressure.

[maw1124]

Even greedy lawyers didn’t want to take this case. LOL

Greedy lawyers also tend to be lazy lawyers, especially if you want them to get paid only if they win. And your case isn’t a slam dunk. I think you’ve protected yourself about as well as you can if you get them footing a good portion of the rod bearing bill. If the engine didn’t seize I wouldn’t worry about cylinders and with forged internals it doesn’t sound like you ran it dry or hot enough for anything to deform, so you’re probably good. Oil test will show.

maw

[GreyM340i]

You can probably do it on your own dime, shouldn't be too expensive at any good indy. But they should have done it, simply because now they have a way out of something is wrong there.

I’m sure I can have it done however I would rather they check it and document it. When this all first started I mentioned to them how about if I have the engine checked separately at a local Indy and if they find something what will the dealer do. They immediately said well this is a used engine with over 90k miles. All engines will some some sign of wear and they shouldn’t be liable for that. That’s when they said ok how about drive it for 500 miles or so and lets send a oil sample in to see if there is any abnormal amount of metal in the oil. Then we can discuss further action. I wasn't happy however I really had no choice. Even greedy lawyers didn’t want to take this case. LOL

[TexaZ3]

Maybe thats something I can ask for at the 500 mile oil change appointment. They really didn’t think they had to do anything further. I was at their mercy as everything checked out so I had no leverage at that point. Ive been driving it for a few days and I’ve been trying to listen or notice anything just so I can take it back. So far it seems normal however who knows.

You can probably do it on your own dime, shouldn't be too expensive at any good indy. But they should have done it, simply because now they have a way out of something is wrong there.

[GreyM340i]

At a minimum dealer should have done leakdown and compression tests, and boroscoped each cylinder. Then they should have done an oil change, measuring and recording how much oil came out of the car before the oil change.

Maybe thats something I can ask for at the 500 mile oil change appointment. They really didn’t think they had to do anything further. I was at their mercy as everything checked out so I had no leverage at that point. Ive been driving it for a few days and I’ve been trying to listen or notice anything just so I can take it back. So far it seems normal however who knows.

[TexaZ3]

At a minimum dealer should have done leakdown and compression tests, and boroscoped each cylinder. Then they should have done an oil change, measuring and recording how much oil came out of the car before the oil change.

[GreyM340i]

I'm usually not an advocate of dealerships but if the car runs without an issue I don't really see why they should do anything. I bet you someone left a drain plug loose and oil slowly dripped out. If the engine ran dry, it would've locked up. Do a valve adjustment and show us pictures of the cams. Do rod bearings because you just bought the car and who knows how the previous owners drove it. Then, at that point, and of the first things to fail will be taken care of.

All engines make horrible noise with low oil pressure and BMW engines actually DO shut off with low oil pressure. I literally saw it happen yesterday. Whether it specifically applies to the S54 will require some research but it seems like it. The indy was just stirring up your emotions as competing shops typically do. This dealer sounds like it was a decent dealer because a lot of shops would've just filled it and told you screw off. Heck, the fact that they fixed the oil level says something.

Drive your car like nothing ever happened because if the engine does blow, you'll be getting a free one anyways. Enjoy the car and welcome to the community!

The dealer admitted to not tightening the oil plug and thats why they have been pretty cool with the situation. I have receipts for the Valve adjustment along with many other things about 10.5-11k miles ago. As for rod bearings they were done at 35k and I do plan on getting that done in the next few thousand miles however if I can get them to help me out for the situation why not. If not I will take it to a local Indy for $2200 and get them done. Subframe is already set to get done in a few months after the weather gets a little better here.

[maw1124]

GreyM340i Yeah I’ve heard that’s what’s gotta be done (complete strip, paint, polish, clearcoat) but when I was looking it was $400/corner. I was like, “yeah we’ll see.” I’ll show up during the next downturn. I tried to squeeze it in during Covid but other stuff I did to the car took longer than expected.

Please keep us posted.

Cheers,

maw

[Arith2]

I'm usually not an advocate of dealerships but if the car runs without an issue I don't really see why they should do anything. I bet you someone left a drain plug loose and oil slowly dripped out. If the engine ran dry, it would've locked up. Do a valve adjustment and show us pictures of the cams. Do rod bearings because you just bought the car and who knows how the previous owners drove it. Then, at that point, and of the first things to fail will be taken care of.

All engines make horrible noise with low oil pressure and BMW engines actually DO shut off with low oil pressure. I literally saw it happen yesterday. Whether it specifically applies to the S54 will require some research but it seems like it. The indy was just stirring up your emotions as competing shops typically do. This dealer sounds like it was a decent dealer because a lot of shops would've just filled it and told you screw off. Heck, the fact that they fixed the oil level says something.

Drive your car like nothing ever happened because if the engine does blow, you'll be getting a free one anyways. Enjoy the car and welcome to the community!

[GreyM340i]

GreyM340i I think you went about that the right way. I’ve had my car shut off mid hard left turn, once in the 11 years I’ve owned it. I’m sure it was “normal” won’t ever happen again and no one is at fault. Nothing like yours but it makes a point that here is where you can be glad these are fairly stout cars. They take all sorts of abuse and keep ticking. You may end up with 1/2 off rod bearing work after the oil analysis. GL

maw

Yeah I think I will hit them up for a bearing job and maybe offer to pay for the parts if they do the labor. We will see what happens. Also just got a quote to get my 19” style 67 refinished at a local place. Was quoted $980 for everything might just do it and make them look perfect. Said they strip everything, spray the grey finish color that the inside parts have and then they get machine cut plus clear coat. Showed me a few BMW wheels they had sitting there with the same finish looked great.

[GreyM340i]

Honestly Im glad you kept it and I think it will be fine. That sounds like a good plan in regards to the blackstone report. Get to that point, see what's up and then enjoy the car.

I hear ya on the weather. We just got 2 ft dumped on us here in NY, sucks big time. The wife and I discuss Florida daily lol

Yeah I agree! I saw you east coast guys get slammed this past week. Sucks! We are supposed to get some decent snow in the next few hours so we will see what happens.

[maw1124]

GreyM340i I think you went about that the right way. I’ve had my car shut off mid hard left turn, once in the 11 years I’ve owned it. I’m sure it was “normal” won’t ever happen again and no one is at fault. Nothing like yours but it makes a point that here is where you can be glad these are fairly stout cars. They take all sorts of abuse and keep ticking. You may end up with 1/2 off rod bearing work after the oil analysis. GL

maw

[lvm3sm46]

Honestly Im glad you kept it and I think it will be fine. That sounds like a good plan in regards to the blackstone report. Get to that point, see what's up and then enjoy the car.

I hear ya on the weather. We just got 2 ft dumped on us here in NY, sucks big time. The wife and I discuss Florida daily lol

[GreyM340i]

So how did things turn out? Im hoping you still have the car

Sorry didn’t update this. I had them keep the car for a week so the service director could take the car home with him to put about 100 miles on it to see if anything came up while it was in their possession. Car is driving normal with no codes and no weird noises. Had them document everything and agreed that in 500-600 miles I will come back to get another oil change where I will be present and can take a oil sample where I will send it off to Blackstone for a reading. If it comes back abnormal we will have to talk about going into the motor for more info.

There isn’t much else I can do. I talked to a lawyer and he said since there isn’t any real visible damage I would have no case and he wouldn’t be able to represent me. Said if the motor had a issue after they messed up on the oil change that would be a different story and I would have a good case. Also called BMW North America and they said work with the dealership and because the car is running and driving there wasn't much they could offer. It just sucks for both sides and maybe there isn’t a problem however it will always be in the back of my mind that something is just waiting to happen. So I have been driving the car hard with many high RPM pulls for these next 500 miles. Its just hard here in IL with our garbage weather. I need to get out of this state!

[lvm3sm46]

So how did things turn out? Im hoping you still have the car