Let's play 'Will my car start today?'

Audionut · 10-12-2009, 10:58 PM

I have to confess that I am a BMW fanboy but this is getting ridiculous. I love my 335xi but 2 weeks ago the nav stopped working so I brought it in to service. It took 2 days to update idrive. The next day I got it back, while driving at night, without any warning, all lights, headlight included, idrive & dash lights all go off! Luckily, we were on a local road lit by streetlamps, so we pulled over and restarted the car. Ever since then, sometimes the car won't start or will start with this message. It's almost enough to make me consider an S4 (haha like that's going to be more reliable).
Notice I'm 8k miles away from no warranty, so maybe I should get rid of it. Any advice?

balance · 10-12-2009, 11:01 PM

what the..
take it into the dealer!!

VTECaddict · 10-12-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balance

what the..
take it into the dealer!!

Lenaxia · 10-12-2009, 11:04 PM

And what will that solve? It took his dealer 2 days to update idrive, you actually would trust any of their other service this close to warranty end?

Either take it to another dealer or get rid of it before warranty is up.

schnell325 · 10-12-2009, 11:08 PM

Get it fixed then trade it off.

balance · 10-12-2009, 11:09 PM

your not planning to get the extended warranty?
i agree, if you have been having alot problems with your car then its best to just get a new car.

service@shellybmw.com · 10-12-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audionut

I have to confess that I am a BMW fanboy but this is getting ridiculous. I love my 335xi but 2 weeks ago the nav stopped working so I brought it in to service. It took 2 days to update idrive. The next day I got it back, while driving at night, without any warning, all lights, headlight included, idrive & dash lights all go off! Luckily, we were on a local road lit by streetlamps, so we pulled over and restarted the car. Ever since then, sometimes the car won't start or will start with this message. It's almost enough to make me consider an S4 (haha like that's going to be more reliable).
Notice I'm 8k miles away from no warranty, so maybe I should get rid of it. Any advice?

it might likely software error. It need to have software update. i would recommned you to bring your car for further diagnosis on your vehicle.

Audionut · 10-12-2009, 11:28 PM

Believe it or not, the extended warranty for which I was quoted $3k does not cover idrive! I specifically asked the rep at rallye this, as it's my primary concern with this car. On a slightly positive note, the $2k upgraded maintenance plan will cover my clutch.

service@shellybmw.com · 10-12-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audionut

Believe it or not, the extended warranty for which I was quoted $3k does not cover idrive! I specifically asked the rep at rallye this, as it's my primary concern with this car. On a slightly positive note, the $2k upgraded maintenance plan will cover my clutch.

extended warranty have different package. . it come with basic warranty like lube job and brake pad and rotor. other extended package warranty only cover electronic issue.

freshnezzz · 10-12-2009, 11:57 PM

if its too late to extend warranty go 3rd party if you plan to keep

Craig@SupremePower · 10-13-2009, 12:16 AM

caseybc · 10-13-2009, 12:22 AM

Perhaps its a wheel speed sensor?

Mahhvinn · 10-13-2009, 12:26 AM

try taking it to the dealer and tell them about how this problem can be life threatening and so on. most likely they will keep your car for like a week to run their "TESTS" and give it back saying we cannot replicate your indicated problem.. but best of luck to you OP

gos · 10-13-2009, 12:44 AM

I think legally if you report a problem and bring it in for service before the expiration of your warranty, they need to solve the problem on their dime, even if you continue driving the car past the warranty expiration. It's not fixed until it's fixed.

faz · 10-13-2009, 01:22 AM

Battery and alternator issues cause a lot of strange problems that show up in the form of random electrical problems. May be the dealer should look at that as well.

Also, the 4x4 problem in my other car (X5) was due to faulty steering angle sensor, that was fixed under warranty at around 45k miles.

I was in the same boat as you are with my X5 just last February. I decided that I wasn't going to spend 3-4k on a warranty and will just fix whatever I can myself and have an independent fix other stuff that may go. So far it has worked in my favor.

wasup1357 · 10-13-2009, 02:02 AM

usualyl if u take it in and complain about it, even if they cant find the issue and then ur car goes out of warranty and the issue comes up, you can bitch about it to ur SA and they will goodwill it. I had mutliple oil leaks and they good willed it for me (3 weeks after warranty expried) gl op

John 070 · 10-13-2009, 04:19 AM

My opinion is that BMW's are designed to be fun to drive, when they're working. I'm starting to doubt that these issues are taking BMW or the dealerships by surprise, they're functioning as designed. There's no way that German engineers are not capable of producing reliable cars, they simply have geared the co. towards leasing and selling extended warranties. So I wouldn't get rid of the car unless you really don't want it. Features didn't disappear over 4 model years while the price went up nearly 4k on a 3 Series, that was by design.

Also, the dealership isn't necessarily the ultimate panacea either. Half the time they don't fix anything and simply state what I did, vehicle performing as designed. So the question becomes can you live with the BMW way or not. If not, then there is the Lexus way. 100% reliability, but less fun to drive.

deathsightx · 10-13-2009, 07:04 AM

When that light comes on again (the 4x4 DSC), see if turning the steering wheel from lock to lock a couple times gets rid of it. Sometimes if you're battery goes low, or after programming, it can mess with the steering angle sensor (mentioned earlier). If you take it to the dealer they should fix it and if the problem comes back after your warrenty is expired it should still be honored because they didn't fix the problem when it was under warrenty.

Audionut · 10-13-2009, 07:45 AM

thanks for all the advice. I have an appt next monday (earliest appt with loaner) so will see what they say. what i forgot to
mention is that the message goes away after driving a block or 2. it's the sudden malfunction and the non-start ( vehicle behaves like battery is dead but wakes up with a pull on the trunk) that is disconcerting.

i had every intention of buying the ext
warranty but when they told me that idrive is not covered, i started thinking alternatives. I can't say bmws aren't unreliable, my 04 330 zhp was bullet proof. sometimes it's the luck of the draw.

ianthegreat · 10-13-2009, 08:53 AM

I've never experienced those symptoms but I've been driving around with that warning light for the past couple months. It disables traction control (mine is not an xi though).

30k service is next week. Where is this steering control sensor? I have my brake air ducting removed on the front driver side. Do you think they'll give me crap for that not being there? I hit an animal, cracked some of it and removed the ducting (long before i had this error message come up).

Blubaron79 · 10-13-2009, 10:07 AM

wow...that looks like fun. Get it fixed!

deathsightx · 10-13-2009, 10:35 AM

Ianthegreat, I think the steering angle sensor is in your steering column, shouldn't have anything to do with the part you described if thats indeed what is wrong with your car. Audionut, it sounds like you either have a low battery issue, or the car thinks it has a low battery, or maybe a steering column lock problem. I'd be interested in what they find.

10-12-2009, 10:58 PM	#1
Audionut Private 9 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Let's play 'Will my car start today?' I have to confess that I am a BMW fanboy but this is getting ridiculous. I love my 335xi but 2 weeks ago the nav stopped working so I brought it in to service. It took 2 days to update idrive. The next day I got it back, while driving at night, without any warning, all lights, headlight included, idrive & dash lights all go off! Luckily, we were on a local road lit by streetlamps, so we pulled over and restarted the car. Ever since then, sometimes the car won't start or will start with this message. It's almost enough to make me consider an S4 (haha like that's going to be more reliable). Notice I'm 8k miles away from no warranty, so maybe I should get rid of it. Any advice? Attached Images
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10-12-2009, 11:01 PM	#2
balance Colonel 122 Rep 2,090 Posts Drives: F32 435i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OC iTrader: (6) Garage List 2014 BMW [0.00]	what the.. take it into the dealer!!
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10-12-2009, 11:04 PM	#4
Lenaxia Lieutenant 41 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi 6MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	And what will that solve? It took his dealer 2 days to update idrive, you actually would trust any of their other service this close to warranty end? Either take it to another dealer or get rid of it before warranty is up.
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10-12-2009, 11:08 PM	#5
schnell325 Bored at work.... 891 Rep 5,393 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 M4 GTS//2022 M235iGC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Comox Valley iTrader: (8)	Get it fixed then trade it off. __________________ Grey Matter:2008 E92 M3:608/425. SG/PS SOLD! Dark Matter:2015 F80 M3:495/505. SOLD! Anti Matter :2016 F82 M4 GTS What next?!? A 2022 M235i GC- I must be getting old
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10-12-2009, 11:09 PM	#6
balance Colonel 122 Rep 2,090 Posts Drives: F32 435i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OC iTrader: (6) Garage List 2014 BMW [0.00]	your not planning to get the extended warranty? i agree, if you have been having alot problems with your car then its best to just get a new car.
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10-12-2009, 11:28 PM	#8
Audionut Private 9 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Believe it or not, the extended warranty for which I was quoted $3k does not cover idrive! I specifically asked the rep at rallye this, as it's my primary concern with this car. On a slightly positive note, the $2k upgraded maintenance plan will cover my clutch.
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10-12-2009, 11:57 PM	#10
freshnezzz First Lieutenant 65 Rep 396 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Albuquerque, NM iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	if its too late to extend warranty go 3rd party if you plan to keep __________________
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10-13-2009, 12:16 AM	#11
Craig@SupremePower G.O.A.T.! 1001 Rep 74,998 Posts Drives: '18 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (14)
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10-13-2009, 12:22 AM	#12
caseybc Average Member 3 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 335i M sport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Vancouver Island iTrader: (0)	Perhaps its a wheel speed sensor?
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10-13-2009, 12:26 AM	#13
Mahhvinn EUROPROJEKTZ 187 Rep 7,958 Posts Drives: backwards Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Jose, CA (Bay Area) iTrader: (15) Garage List 2008 E90 335i [7.00]	try taking it to the dealer and tell them about how this problem can be life threatening and so on. most likely they will keep your car for like a week to run their "TESTS" and give it back saying we cannot replicate your indicated problem.. but best of luck to you OP __________________ LTMW\|SPEEDELEMENT\|EUROPROJEKTZ #TeamStretchNPoke
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10-13-2009, 12:44 AM	#14
gos Captain 27 Rep 959 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I think legally if you report a problem and bring it in for service before the expiration of your warranty, they need to solve the problem on their dime, even if you continue driving the car past the warranty expiration. It's not fixed until it's fixed. __________________ -- 330xi SG/Terra/Burl -- ZPP, ZSP, ZCW, CA, Sirius, PDC
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10-13-2009, 01:22 AM	#15
faz Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 287 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 x40i, 2018 330i F30 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay area, CA iTrader: (0)	Battery and alternator issues cause a lot of strange problems that show up in the form of random electrical problems. May be the dealer should look at that as well. Also, the 4x4 problem in my other car (X5) was due to faulty steering angle sensor, that was fixed under warranty at around 45k miles. I was in the same boat as you are with my X5 just last February. I decided that I wasn't going to spend 3-4k on a warranty and will just fix whatever I can myself and have an independent fix other stuff that may go. So far it has worked in my favor.
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10-13-2009, 02:02 AM	#16
wasup1357 First Lieutenant 27 Rep 391 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (9)	usualyl if u take it in and complain about it, even if they cant find the issue and then ur car goes out of warranty and the issue comes up, you can bitch about it to ur SA and they will goodwill it. I had mutliple oil leaks and they good willed it for me (3 weeks after warranty expried) gl op
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10-13-2009, 04:19 AM	#17
John 070 Lieutenant General 1706 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	My opinion is that BMW's are designed to be fun to drive, when they're working. I'm starting to doubt that these issues are taking BMW or the dealerships by surprise, they're functioning as designed. There's no way that German engineers are not capable of producing reliable cars, they simply have geared the co. towards leasing and selling extended warranties. So I wouldn't get rid of the car unless you really don't want it. Features didn't disappear over 4 model years while the price went up nearly 4k on a 3 Series, that was by design. Also, the dealership isn't necessarily the ultimate panacea either. Half the time they don't fix anything and simply state what I did, vehicle performing as designed. So the question becomes can you live with the BMW way or not. If not, then there is the Lexus way. 100% reliability, but less fun to drive.
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10-13-2009, 07:04 AM	#18
deathsightx Enlisted Member 0 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	When that light comes on again (the 4x4 DSC), see if turning the steering wheel from lock to lock a couple times gets rid of it. Sometimes if you're battery goes low, or after programming, it can mess with the steering angle sensor (mentioned earlier). If you take it to the dealer they should fix it and if the problem comes back after your warrenty is expired it should still be honored because they didn't fix the problem when it was under warrenty.
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10-13-2009, 07:45 AM	#19
Audionut Private 9 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	thanks for all the advice. I have an appt next monday (earliest appt with loaner) so will see what they say. what i forgot to mention is that the message goes away after driving a block or 2. it's the sudden malfunction and the non-start ( vehicle behaves like battery is dead but wakes up with a pull on the trunk) that is disconcerting. i had every intention of buying the ext warranty but when they told me that idrive is not covered, i started thinking alternatives. I can't say bmws aren't unreliable, my 04 330 zhp was bullet proof. sometimes it's the luck of the draw.
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10-13-2009, 08:53 AM	#20
ianthegreat Colonel 60 Rep 2,314 Posts Drives: n54 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pittsburgh/Houston iTrader: (1)	I've never experienced those symptoms but I've been driving around with that warning light for the past couple months. It disables traction control (mine is not an xi though). 30k service is next week. Where is this steering control sensor? I have my brake air ducting removed on the front driver side. Do you think they'll give me crap for that not being there? I hit an animal, cracked some of it and removed the ducting (long before i had this error message come up).
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10-13-2009, 10:07 AM	#21
Blubaron79 Brigadier General 1435 Rep 4,724 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	wow...that looks like fun. Get it fixed! __________________ Current: 2021 M340i xDrive Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive
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10-13-2009, 10:35 AM	#22
deathsightx Enlisted Member 0 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Ianthegreat, I think the steering angle sensor is in your steering column, shouldn't have anything to do with the part you described if thats indeed what is wrong with your car. Audionut, it sounds like you either have a low battery issue, or the car thinks it has a low battery, or maybe a steering column lock problem. I'd be interested in what they find.
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