[Mikegtr]

I'm new here but I know that the topic has been discussed over and over again, but my situation is a little bit different.

So I just dropped my US Spec July build F30 328i off at the dealership for a couple of things.

Steering wheel vibration
Left inner tail light loose
And auto start stop to remember last setting

I went on a test drive with the service advisor and he said that there's nothing that they can do about the steering wheel vibration and that it's "normal" so they aren't going to do anything about it.

And they had no Idea what to even think when I showed them the service bulletin number for the tail light fix.

Will BMW NA be able to help me out with my car since I'm US military stationed in Germany and I have a US Spec car?

Thank you in advance.

[EB_F30]

Sorry to hear about your issues...sounds like there being pretty shady. I'm also Military (USAF) in Italy and hope I don't run into problems while I'm here. I still have about 2 years here...just enough to cover the euro 2 year warranty unlike the states 4 year so I was hoping to be worry free.

[Mikegtr]

I only have about 5 months left. Not sure yet where I'm going but if they don't help me out here, when I get back to the states I'm going to throw a fit.

[BMWgasm]

Since your car is not yet registered with BMWNA there is nothing they can do for you.

[Mikegtr]

When does it get registered with them? Only when I bring it into the states?

[dc_bmw]

You should not let them gat away with that is there is a solution called a new steering rack. my car is currently in t dealership for a new rack and according to the dealer all customers with a new rack are free of vibrations.
(road forced balancing did help, but did not solve the issue. I hope this major change does )

[BMWgasm]

Originally Posted by Mikegtr

When does it get registered with them? Only when I bring it into the states?

Yeah. You have to do some paperwork. I can't recall if it's done online or you need to go to a dealer. Either way you need to do it so your warranty will kick in. Keep in mind that the NA warranty is four years, but you will have to subtract the time in Germany from the four years.

[LAnderson23]

What's this about the left-tail light being loose? Is that a common problem? I hadn't heard of it.

[Mikegtr]

Originally Posted by LAnderson23

What's this about the left-tail light being loose? Is that a common problem? I hadn't heard of it.

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=735941

When I notice it I googled it and found this. There's more threads related to the topic as well.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by Mikegtr

I went on a test drive with the service advisor and he said that there's nothing that they can do about the steering wheel vibration and that it's "normal" so they aren't going to do anything about it.

Print this page and take it to dealer. Your car has the 3rd generation rack, but it seems the 4th generation has finally resolved the vibration.

Dealers in the US are ordering this new rack to handle vibration cases. Its on a case by case basis and requires BMW approval.

Something else to note, along with the steering rack changing for November+ builds, BMW also changed the steering column, column lower joint and wheel hubs. Its possible that more than just the rack needs to change to fully resolve the vibration.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...71&hg=32&fg=12

Don't take no for an answer. If need be, speak with service manager or ask dealer to make you an appointment with their area factory rep.

[EB_F30]

^ well my 335 just started production last week so hopefully I have the updated steering rack and will avoid this issue...I can just see Italy being a pain for warranty issues.

[BMWinGE]

My previous experiences here in Germany found it to be much more difficult get the same level of customer service as in the US. If its clearly malfunctioning there shouldn't be a problem to get it fixed under warranty, but it sounds like they didn't agree that something is wrong, at least during the initial assessment. I would say give it a try, but it may be easier to take care of it back in the US.

[LAnderson23]

Originally Posted by Mikegtr

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=735941

When I notice it I googled it and found this. There's more threads related to the topic as well.

Thanks.

[Mikegtr]

So I just got back, they said they checked everything and on the front wheels the weight was off by 15grams between the wheels. So they rebalanced them and it seems better, but I only drove it for about 2 miles so far.

My tail light is all fixed now too they said that it was just remounted not replaced like some other members. So we'll see how it goes.

Thank you for the responses and I'm going to get everything looked over and taken care of when I get back to 'Merica where the customer service is better.

[Drk280]

Here in Australia I was told that my car being 2cm lower on the rear driver side and 1 cm lower on the rear passenger side was normal and that it will not affect the driving of the motor vehicle. They will not fix it so I just have to drive with a leaning car. Funny how a Mazda that is 1/5 of the price is level all round.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by Drk280

Here in Australia I was told that my car being 2cm lower on the rear driver side and 1 cm lower on the rear passenger side was normal and that it will not affect the driving of the motor vehicle. They will not fix it so I just have to drive with a leaning car. Funny how a Mazda that is 1/5 of the price is level all round.

Have you gone to lot and measured other cars for comparison? If your car measurements are atypical they should do something. Ask for BMW rep to look at car.

I assume you have not changed/customized car in any way?

[fshubert]

My production date was July 2012 (delivered as a MY2013 F30). No vibrations. I wonder if I was just lucky or if the newer-generation rack was installed in the MY2013 cars.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by fshubert

My production date was July 2012 (delivered as a MY2013 F30). No vibrations. I wonder if I was just lucky or if the newer-generation rack was installed in the MY2013 cars.

Do you have DHP?

If not, then you're simply lucky. Enjoy.

[fshubert]

Originally Posted by claykin

Do you have DHP?

If not, then you're simply lucky. Enjoy.

Nope, no DHP. I'm usually not lucky unless bad luck counts and then I'm almost always lucky. Sounds like a reversal this time. Phew!

[Mikegtr]

Well after more driving its the same. Just the placebo effect of getting my car back I guess.

I planned on buying the extended warranty when I got back anyway. So hopefully the dealer that I buy it from is more inclined to fix it then.


At least my tail light is fixed.

[Mikegtr]

Originally Posted by fshubert

My production date was July 2012 (delivered as a MY2013 F30). No vibrations. I wonder if I was just lucky or if the newer-generation rack was installed in the MY2013 cars.

Mine is MY13 as well.