[scoobeesnac]

Cotswolds BMW refuse to acknowledge a fix or offer a software update under warranty The fight is not over.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by scoobeesnac

Cotswolds BMW refuse to acknowledge a fix or offer a software update under warranty The fight is not over.

My car is being upgraded the week after next. I'll see if I can get the service manager to let me know the QE reference number.

[scoobeesnac]

Originally Posted by Watsey

My car is being upgraded the week after next. I'll see if I can get the service manager to let me know the QE reference number.

Would be appreciated, thanks.

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by ian2828

.....they agreed to carry out a full software update anyway and I'm very happy to report that the noise is gone. This wiped out the couple of coding changes I'd done so I'll need to redo these (e.g. auto stop/start remembers the last setting.....

Wow, I always thought it would be a hardware related solution ! Surprising to hear the software update and the result. Wondering how to convince these guys to do the same here in India ! Any specific software update version or number would have been really helpful

[Brownrocket]

The PUMA measure number is GB 62569674-04. We've done a few recently and it has cured the noise. It does sound bizarre how a test module can cure what sounds like a mechanical clunking noise, but it's worked on the car's we've had in recently.

[1966-TR4]

Originally Posted by Brownrocket

The PUMA measure number is GB 62569674-04. We've done a few recently and it has cured the noise. It does sound bizarre how a test module can cure what sounds like a mechanical clunking noise, but it's worked on the car's we've had in recently.

My noise is more like a hard ball - baseball weight - knocking around inside a plastic box. Not a clunk. Do you think I am barking up the wrong tree with the adaptive dampers being the source?

[Brownrocket]

Originally Posted by 1966-TR4

My noise is more like a hard ball - baseball weight - knocking around inside a plastic box. Not a clunk. Do you think I am barking up the wrong tree with the adaptive dampers being the source?

I just spoke to a couple of the techs, we had an M135i with 2VF and the sound was a lot more noticeable. Just showed him this post, he said it was loud so it sounds similar to your issue.



That's all I'm allowed to show you from the PUMA measure. If the car is in the 3 year new car warranty your local dealer can programme the car under warranty. If not it's still worth speaking to them about the sound.

[1966-TR4]

Originally Posted by Brownrocket

I just spoke to a couple of the techs, we had an M135i with 2VF and the sound was a lot more noticeable. Just showed him this post, he said it was loud so it sounds similar to your issue.



That's all I'm allowed to show you from the PUMA measure. If the car is in the 3 year new car warranty your local dealer can programme the car under warranty. If not it's still worth speaking to them about the sound.

Great, thanks for the info. It's a 3.5 year old AUC so will have to see how that plays out.

[Brownrocket]

Originally Posted by 1966-TR4

Great, thanks for the info. It's a 3.5 year old AUC so will have to see how that plays out.

Well you could speak to your local service department about the issue. If you've got a good history with dealers and BMW you can speak to them about potential Goodwill. BMW might contribute to the cost. There are no parts required for the re-programme and some dealers have a flat rate for coding so it may not be too expensive.
If the coding doesn't solve it the next step would most likely be a shock and damper, but we've never had to replace one yet.

[Xplosiv166]

1966-TR4: maybe a drive to the Reading garage even if you are required to pay for the programming, At least they seem like a good garage from peoples reviews.

[Drek]

Interesting thread this. Last year I switched over to winters, non-RFTs on 18s from my normal RFTs on 19s and the knocking started. I was convinced that my aftermarket exhaust was the problem and had it checked out and after some fettling it seemed to have disappeared but I wasn't wholly convinced. It's knocked a few times since (now back on 19s) but it's so inconsistent that I just never bothered to take it to a dealer but now that it's a recognised problem I'll see what they say. Thing is, I could swear it was coming from the back and not the front..

[lobeydosser]

My 320D on adaptive is 3 years old in December and went in for end of warranty check/brake fluid change and MOT, so I took the chance to moan (again) about the clunking noise that they'd failed to fix at the first service.

I had explained about the soft/firmware fix mentioned here but, on getting the car back, the service dept said they had no knowledge of it, had checked with BMW and were told there is no such QE. However they said they'd raise the issue again with BMW. I later sent the service advisor an email incorporating various quotes from this thread showing that the fix was real.

Yesterday I got a call saying that BMW had authorised the replacement of the steering rack!
I emailed again quoting the post above where the PuMA number is shown, but I have had no response.
I also pointed out that a software upgrade was, presumably, cheaper, easier and definitely less disruptive than swapping racks.

Could it be that there is more value in terms of earnings for the dealer in doing a day's mechanical work than an hour's coding?

Mmmmmm......

[Watsey]

I spoke to Paul Schilder (Workshop Controller) at Elms again today - he said that it's not an official QE, but an Advisory - still official though.

The Service Manager assured me it's a QE, so clearly there's a crossed wire somewhere in BMW.

Paul mentioned that a couple of Forum members had been in touch with him, one of which is having a new steering rack fitted.

Mine's going in for the software patch in a couple of weeks. Will report back.

[kzg1969]

my 4week old f31 with adaptive seems to be doing this...not the best start! will hod off bit longer before doing anything

[lobeydosser]

So to follow up on my post above.

Got the car back after brake fluid/end of warranty/MOT work (and before replacement of steering rack) and the knocking had gone. Drove about 120 miles and still no knocking.
The service advisor at no time acknowledged my emails or made any reference to software fixes, but I did find the OBD port left open when I got the car back.
Maybe that was something to do with brake fluid renewal, rather than a software update, who knows?

However I decided that getting a free (updated?) steering rack that had 30,000 miles less than the old one was a good thing, so I let them do the replacement rack. Again there was no mention from the Service Advisor of my emails to them about the S/ware fix.

Whatever the reason, the car is now silent at the front end, as it should have been from new, so I'm a happy camper.

One other change that I have noticed is that the suspension no longer bottoms out after coming off speed humps.
(even at speeds between 10 and 15 mph in comfort mode I used to switch to sport to stiffen the damping through an area of speed bumps).
I doubt that has anything to do with the new rack and has everything to do with damper response. Maybe a wee sneaky s/ware update was done after all!

I also noticed just how much I used to drive around bumps and potholes to avoid that damned clunking noise! Now I can sail over them.....

[Watsey]

Mine has just had the damper software patch applied and the dealer called yesterday to advise that the clonking noise has gone. I won't know for sure until I take it around my local speed bumps test route.

He's also acknowledged the low speed hesitancy and shunt from the AT and is going to get it hooked up for a full BMW Germany diagnostic and PUMA. The possibility of new actuators / clutch pack / entire gearbox were all mentioned.

[Bee Pee]

Watesy

No separate clutchpacks on the version of ZF 8sp AT fitted to n55 AFAIK. Lock up is an integral feature of torque converter.

BP

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by Bee Pee

Watesy

No separate clutchpacks on the version of ZF 8sp AT fitted to n55 AFAIK. Lock up is an integral feature of torque converter.

BP

Thanks.

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by Watsey

Mine has just had the damper software patch applied and the dealer called yesterday to advise that the clonking noise has gone. I won't know for sure until I take it around my local speed bumps test route.

Interested to know if SW patch has cured yr clonk, esp as you have modded suspension.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by Bee Pee

Interested to know if SW patch has cured yr clonk, esp as you have modded suspension.

I haven't got the car back from the dealer yet, but will post an update when I can.

Would be very happy if the noise is gone for good.

[FarmerD]

Originally Posted by Watsey

I haven't got the car back from the dealer yet, but will post an update when I can.

Would be very happy if the noise is gone for good.

Watsey - any update on the suspension now you have the car back? Think I might try to get my car updated next time it's in, if this fox seems to be working for all. Not sure how much it will cost but would hope an update won't be crazy money - say £100?!

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by 1966-TR4

My noise is more like a hard ball - baseball weight - knocking around inside a plastic box. Not a clunk. Do you think I am barking up the wrong tree with the adaptive dampers being the source?

Wow. this is interesting. I have had a sound that I have been trying to find for a month now and your description is exactly what my description has been to the SA. I had the dealer put the clamp fix on an AC hose and nothing. But, the dampers? I will bring this thread to their attention.