[TheHitchhiker]

Hey guys it is me again with another issue.. First off I love BMW and this isn't my first. Here is the issue:

As you know the system kicks in after 30mph. Yesterday I leave work, start driving and I hear the chime. It says "Active Blind Spot Assistant Malfunction". I turned the car on/off several times and whenever I go over 30, it pops back up. This morning I was hoping for it to be temporary and be gone but it happened again.

It's a pretty loaded car. I don't know if my luck is screwing with me or the F30 is built crappy. I can't believe I am having this many problems with this car. Here is a list of stuff that I had to take the car to the dealership:

- Cooling fan failed 4 days after delivery. Part was on back order so it took 1.5 months to get it back.
- Rattles rattles rattles. Dealer fixed some but had to take off almost all interior trim to find out that the big one was from the mirror.
- Fuel gauge bombed. Replaced fuel tank.
- Car had a strong pull to the right and diagnosed as tire pull. Got 4 new tires via warranty.

And here is a list of stuff yet to be fixed. But I am tired of taking the car to the dealership:
- The one I am posting about now. Has anyone had this?
- Famous 2000rpm rattle since day 1
- Tons of interior rattles/creaks
- Trunk comfort access stopped working

All these happen in 7 months of driving. The car is a lease. I'm so tired of fixing it, can't enjoy driving anymore. Any suggestions? I want to give it back and this time buy a 5 or X5.

[Falafel Combo]

So what's the problem then? Take it back, bite the bullet and trade it in for a 5 or x5 if that will make you more happy.

[TheHitchhiker]

That's why I posted the thread. Can I just do that or does the car need to have issues etc etc. How does this work? Never done something like this before.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by tasansal

That's why I posted the thread. Can I just do that or does the car need to have issues etc etc. How does this work? Never done something like this before.

If it's not lemon-ed, they will likely not agree to buy it back. Either fight for lemon law (check with your state laws), or just work with your dealership contact on a decent buyout price and trade up to the 5 or x5. You'll probably be on the hook for a couple grand. Most times if you are trading UP they will make your life easier and be more eager to work with you.

[claykin]

Sorry to hear you aren't happy. Remember, the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

Your "Famous 2000rpm rattle since day 1" can be easily remedied if you ask dealer to apply SIB 64 10 14.

After this very simple fix, you may find some of your other rattles are also fixed. Try it!

For the trunk foot opener, take a peek under the rear bumper and see if there's mud or dirt caked under there. Sometimes a good spray from a garden hose will clean off whatever is blocking the sensor. Worth a try.

[TheHitchhiker]

Thanks for the replies. I called one of the local dealers and I will meet with their sales manager on Wed to discuss my options.

@claykin: Yes I told my service advisor about that TSB a couple of weeks ago. But why do I need to bother with this? Don't get me wrong, I'm a pretty busy person and don't have time for these. He said he ordered the part but it has been 2 weeks, no word.. And it is very clean where the sensor is. Also checked that

I am just thinking bad luck... I have heard only 1-2 people on the forums having as many issues as I do.

Has anyone experienced an issue with the Blind Spot Assist? I couldn't find anything so far. I hope it is a temporary "malfunction" and won't be there tomorrow when I turn on the ignition.

Thanks again guys.

[Professor///M]

How about explaining the problem with your blind spot assistant instead of saying "Does anyone have this problem"? You did not describe an issue other than "having one".

A little more detail would go a long way.

[TheHitchhiker]

Sorry I must have deleted the description while editing the original post.

As you know the system kicks in after 30mph. Yesterday I leave work, start driving and I hear the chime. It says "Active Blind Spot Assistant Malfunction". I turned the car on/off several times and whenever I go over 30, it pops back up. This morning I was hoping for it to be temporary and be gone but it happened again.

The warning I got is attached. I mean there is nothing descriptive. I was wondering if anyone had any issues with their BSA system.

[Professor///M]

Shut it off and bring it to the dealer. Never seen that before. I, on rare occasion, meaning 2x over 1700 miles have had an indicator briefly flash when no one was behind me, specifically when I was in the left lane, I think something on the barrier activated it.

That is likely a problem of the connection, fuse, or sensor itself and requires diagnostics that we can't provide for you here.


Unfortunately it sounds like you have a poorly built car. A lemon, depending on the specific law, is a matter of a problem that limits the function of the car, and continues to be misdiagnosed or unable to be satisfactorily repaired after multiple attempts. You unfortunately have a conglomerate of nuisances - of which a few are significant, and others are relatively (in the grand scheme of things) insignificant.

I'm a believer that a car is either built right or it's not. It sounds like yours isn't, and I would talk to your CA and general manager about the problems you have been having, how many times it has needed to be serviced, or how many days you have been without it as a result of repairs. That's a good starting point. Document everything, write down every interaction.

[falar]

I think it is pretty hard to lemon a car though. I know in this state you have to be without the car for a total of 30 days (not consecutively) and have had to have it in for the SAME PROBLEM six times.

[GHPQ]

My blind spot indicator is not coming on at all. The triangle does not light up when vehicles pass me. The green switch is on, but the triangle does not light orange it stays gray. Is it something further I am not turning on?

[RoundelM3]

FYI, the "foot-operated" trunk opener works correctly if you stand back a little from the trunk lid. This is done so it doesn't pop up and smack you on the chin. I didn't believe this until I tried it and it works every time.

[E902F30]

Originally Posted by GHPQ

My blind spot indicator is not coming on at all. The triangle does not light up when vehicles pass me. The green switch is on, but the triangle does not light orange it stays gray. Is it something further I am not turning on?

Did you get this fixed? Mine is only working some of the time. It misses cars about 50% of the time on the passenger's side. The driver's side seems to work fine. The dealer can't figure out what's wrong.

[Bols]

Wtf that are way more problems than you should have had in that time period..

Someone on the forums fixed most of his rattles by taping and shoving some sort of velcro or felt in all kinds of places. It worked though!

Anyway feels like you should get a new car to me.. Take it to BMW/Lemon laws? If you mention a possible upgrade they might be even happier to help..

[x986]

What was the build date of your car? I'm asking because a friend had a week 1 build, and he got a lemon. The first of many things to happen: The exhaust pipe fell off because there were no bolts holding it. Four flatbeds & too many things to count. I'm hoping for week 3 or 4, and maybe they'll be sober by then.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by E902F30

Did you get this fixed? Mine is only working some of the time. It misses cars about 50% of the time on the passenger's side. The driver's side seems to work fine. The dealer can't figure out what's wrong.

Blind spot detection only works over 30mph. So, if you are driving below 30mph do not expect the triangle to illuminate.

FYI, car can be coded to activate blind spot detection at 20mph. its my understanding that beginning MY16, cars come factory preset to work at 20mph.

Yippee, GM blind spot detection works at 0mph and works well. Not sure why BMW has so much trouble getting this working right. Plus GM uses the green illumination in the mirror glass. Much smarter than the idiotic mirror housing illumination BMW uses.

[kent11202]

Originally Posted by claykin

GM blind spot detection works at 0mph and works well. Not sure why BMW has so much trouble getting this working right.

The same with Ford. WTH - blind spot should work the minute the engine is started, not at 20-30 MPH - geeeez!

[x986]

And it shouldn't cost $2,650!! WTH?? (ZDA + ZDB)

[kent11202]

Originally Posted by x986

And it shouldn't cost $2,650!! WTH?? (ZDA + ZDB)

I think it's more like $1,700 - still expensive but it IS the ultimate blind spot system (or not) Then we have the backup camera situation wherein it's paired with PDC for the bargain price of $950. I saw an article somewhere (sorry no link so you'll have to "trust" me on this - lol) that said if every car built by a manufacturer had a backup camera it would only add about $40 to the price - economy of scale issue. Even if it added $100, that's still a far cry from what BMW is getting.

[x986]

Kent, I'm afraid you're only half right, or more accurately 2/3 right. Driver's Assistance + is "only" $1700. But to get DA+, what do you have to get? Yup, DA for $950.

Are there other nice features in the two packages? Of course, but to get Blind spot, you have to add both.

[shadowyman]

Originally Posted by falar

I think it is pretty hard to lemon a car though. I know in this state you have to be without the car for a total of 30 days (not consecutively) and have had to have it in for the SAME PROBLEM six times.

Depends, if the problem can cause bodily injury, it's enough to have the problems 2 times.

[kent11202]

Originally Posted by x986

Kent, I'm afraid you're only half right, or more accurately 2/3 right. Driver's Assistance + is "only" $1700. But to get DA+, what do you have to get? Yup, DA for $950.

Are there other nice features in the two packages? Of course, but to get Blind spot, you have to add both.

Wow! I certainly (and obviously) didn't know that.