Nightmare dealer situation (Updated)

[GreyM340i]

So engine didn't die on itself but making some noise with red oil light, and you turned it off.

Red oil light with noise is never good. You should insist that with most of the oil leaked the bearings could be damaged and the rod and main bearings need to be checked, period. This is fair and the dealer should do this.

Red oil light went on and the engine died. I pulled to the side then tried to start it and it made a noise and sounded ruff. I quickly shut it off and checked the oil. They now say its running fine and put it in writing that I can drive it 500 miles then come back for a oil change to send a sample to Blackstone then go from there.

[sapote]

I don’t think this model M3 will shut off with low oil, newer ones probably do. If you heard noises and it stalled, I don’t think the dealer is in for a good time. Just be nice to them, if the SA pushes back, escalate it nicely, don’t be a jerk, it was a mistake that will cost this dealer several thousand to remedy. I wouldn’t accept the car until the bottom end is opened. They will agree eventually. At a minimum, check the oil filter right now with you and the SA present (so they don’t play games) and use a flashlight. Any sparkles, they own it. No sparkles, open bottom end. If you take it home without them doing anything and the engine blows next week you will own it. Tell them all you want is conformation the bottom end is ok and you will walk away happy. You shouldn’t have to pay for a thing.

To avoid fatal accident -- say in the middle of a left turn front of traffic -- I don't think the DME software would shut off the engine just because a red oil light signal, it's just too dangerous.

As about checking the oil filter, this short event could scratch the bearings but not running long enough to have the metal flakes collected in the filter yet. The bearings need to be checked.

[sapote]

Well on the drive home right before I get off the exit for my house I saw the oil light flash on and the engine died right on the turn.
....

I turned it off the second I heard that noise and it sounded like it wanted to die. I just hope we can come to a agreement to open the bottom end and check the rods and crank. Maybe get some rod bearings out of this. Haha

So engine didn't die on itself but making some noise with red oil light, and you turned it off.

Red oil light with noise is never good. You should insist that with most of the oil leaked the bearings could be damaged and the rod and main bearings need to be checked, period. This is fair and the dealer should do this.

[/M3]

These motors already have vanos and rod bearing issues. Who knows what no oil did to it.

I joined the old M3forum in like 2004 and we had these posts around the forum, which was understandable, BMW having the rod bearing recall and not many aftermarket options etc. However here we are in the year 2022 and still the same garbage comments. How about you maintain those two items in your race engine that produces over 100 horsepower per liter and not call it an issue anymore?

[GreyM340i]

You aren't going to be able to prove if anything is wrong with the car on a tech drive. You will know if something is catastrophically wrong within 100 miles. Commonly when you have to rebuild engines with spun bearings, if the crank is not replaced it will spin the bearing again under 100 miles.

I don't think you are anywhere near that point with this car. Draw a line in the sand with them that you are going to come in when you hit an additional 500 miles. Get a free oil change, have them cut the filter open and send out the oil to Blackstone. Have him give the analysis with the precursor as to what has happened.

If the readings are fine then sleep at night but if not that is when you have the dealer do the work. Kind of a bind right now as they can just tell you to take the car and go considering there is nothing wrong with it in the moment. Thats my 2 cents on it I hope it works out and you keep the car.

I think this is what I’m going to have to do. Just want to get the wording perfect in the dealer notes and hope for the best. Also right when I leave the dealership I will be running the car to redline in multiple gears just incase something lets go on the drive home. They will be a hard 500 miles just to make sure its ok.

[Slicktop]

You would accept the car back at this point? I feel like if I take the car back I’m on my own. He mentioned he would put it in the notes and if something happens in the next 500 miles they would work with me however I don't trust that. And what if it happens in 1500 miles then what? I think I have to do something now.

You aren't going to be able to prove if anything is wrong with the car on a tech drive. You will know if something is catastrophically wrong within 100 miles. Commonly when you have to rebuild engines with spun bearings, if the crank is not replaced it will spin the bearing again under 100 miles.

I don't think you are anywhere near that point with this car. Draw a line in the sand with them that you are going to come in when you hit an additional 500 miles. Get a free oil change, have them cut the filter open and send out the oil to Blackstone. Have him give the analysis with the precursor as to what has happened.

If the readings are fine then sleep at night but if not that is when you have the dealer do the work. Kind of a bind right now as they can just tell you to take the car and go considering there is nothing wrong with it in the moment. Thats my 2 cents on it I hope it works out and you keep the car.

[GreyM340i]

I seriously doubt you blew your motor. Also, I don't know why you would want the dealership to teat down your motor if they couldn't even tighten an oil plug. Get the car back, drive it for a few hundred miles, get the oil changed at the dealer again. If there are any scary things then go from there.

You would accept the car back at this point? I feel like if I take the car back I’m on my own. He mentioned he would put it in the notes and if something happens in the next 500 miles they would work with me however I don't trust that. And what if it happens in 1500 miles then what? I think I have to do something now.

[Slicktop]

I’ve had all my new BMW’s serviced there with no problems. This was just one of those things with human error. At this point I’ve asked them to make me an offer and buy the car from me, of course for more than I paid a week ago because finding another one might be a issue for what I paid. I will never feel good about it unless they replace the motor or open it up and check everything out. So we will see what happens.

I seriously doubt you blew your motor. Also, I don't know why you would want the dealership to teat down your motor if they couldn't even tighten an oil plug. Get the car back, drive it for a few hundred miles, get the oil changed at the dealer again. If there are any scary things then go from there.

[GreyM340i]

Really? Don't sell the car, let them make it right and it will be ok.

Nothing has happened yet however last time I talked to them they said they ran the car drained the oil through a filter and no metal particles then filled it up again and drained it again through a filter with no metal. Said its driving fine and ready to go. Told them I’m not happy and don't trust the motor anymore then asked how about they open the bottom end and check everything with video and pictures. They said they weren’t willing to open the bottom end and check because they think the car is ok. When I mention what if I would have anther shop do it and if they find anything its on them. He said thats not fair since the car has 95k miles on it and it probably wont be 100% perfect inside. So I mentioned I’m still not happy about it and need another option or pay me to buy the car from me. Super unhappy about this whole thing. I still haven't received the title from the last place I purchased the car from and this happened.

[lvm3sm46]

I’ve had all my new BMW’s serviced there with no problems. This was just one of those things with human error. At this point I’ve asked them to make me an offer and buy the car from me, of course for more than I paid a week ago because finding another one might be a issue for what I paid. I will never feel good about it unless they replace the motor or open it up and check everything out. So we will see what happens.

Really? Don't sell the car, let them make it right and it will be ok.

[jet_dogg]

What a terrible situation for any new owner to endure. They probably had an apprentice or trainee work on your shit.

I would be surprised if they actually do anything.

[GreyM340i]

Man, sorry to hear. I went for the same recall and after some marketing I ended up buying a super cheap 3 oil change package for 100 I think. Makes me wonder if I should forget about it and simply not use it.

I’ve had all my new BMW’s serviced there with no problems. This was just one of those things with human error. At this point I’ve asked them to make me an offer and buy the car from me, of course for more than I paid a week ago because finding another one might be a issue for what I paid. I will never feel good about it unless they replace the motor or open it up and check everything out. So we will see what happens.

[CachacoE46]

Man, sorry to hear. I went for the same recall and after some marketing I ended up buying a super cheap 3 oil change package for 100 I think. Makes me wonder if I should forget about it and simply not use it.

[sleeks]

The car currently has 95k and rod bearings were done at 36k. I only took this car in for the recall and asked them to check the oil before I left. Then this nightmare happened. Went into the dealer this morning and talked to the service manage. Just waiting to hear back from him for a acceptable solution. I told him how can you prove to me that the internals are fine and healthy? I said at the minimum the oil pan has to come off and rod bearings and crank have to be inspected with pictures and video. He was being super cool and admitted it was their fault for the oil issue. Hope they will do the right thing.

Really sorry you are having to deal with this. Puts a damper on the new car feeling for sure. Hopefully they do the right thing and you can get back to enjoying the car!

[GreyM340i]

How many miles on your car now? If the original rod bearing replacement was done close to 100K miles in the past, you could argue for them to pull the pan and inspect and since a bunch of the labor is done, just do the bearings. Offer to split labor on that - if the inspection is good. If the inspection shows any issue, then it should be all on them.

For the future, I would go reach out to one of the great independents in the Chicago area for work - I personally go to Performance Eurowerks with mine. They are very familiar with the E46 M3.

Thanks for the recommendation for Performance Eurowerks I will give them a call.