un-diagnosed clunking noise

Beemiegirl · 05-22-2018, 07:25 PM

Hi! I'm brand new to the forum. I purchased a CPO 2013 328i sedan from N Scottsdale BMW Jan '15 (18,937 mi). I started hearing a clunking noise almost immediately. After 3 trips to the dealer they replaced the thrust rod bushings (33,132 mi). I moved to MD shortly thereafter and continued to hear the noise. I took it to the dealer, BMW of Rockville, 7 addl times to try to find out what was wrong. Each time I was told "could not duplicate". At that point I was frustrated and gave up. It's been almost a year since I was there last, the noise is still there and driving me crazy, so I took it in again. This time they "miraculously" found the problem, "torn rubber mounts on spring strut". I am being told to replace both front strut mounts, upper and lower spring rubber, foam and rubber boots & have an alignment done. The car has less than 50k, but it's past the 4 year warranty expiration now. They want $2230 to fix it. I told them I'm not going to pay for it. I have contacted BMW NA about this on several occasions in the past and the dealership has extensive records documenting this problem. Neither will do anything about it citing it is out of warranty. I'm beyond pissed off. Has anyone else had a front end noise that couldn't be found for months, years actually, until the warranty had expired or have had issues with this dealership?

jmg · 05-22-2018, 11:18 PM

Rumor has it if you had requested service on a particular problem while the car was still under warranty that was unresolved, it should still be covered after your warranty expires. You called BMWNA and explained this to all of them? If they won't budge, call a lawyer.

Your last resort would be to use a reliable and honest mechanic who will charge you much less.

spiff56747 · 05-23-2018, 12:34 AM

Had a similar issue (mostly when turning right over bumpy roads). Had to have multiple service visits: strut, strut mount, steering rack, maybe some other stuff, all replaced under warranty and the noise was gone for a while. It has sort of come back after 2 years, but not nearly as loud as before. I took it to a dealer before my CPO expired but they said they couldn't replicate. It doesn't bother me anymore.

razzy530 · 05-23-2018, 10:34 AM

this is such a common problem with this F30. I don't understand it.
BMWNA should be covering this. I replaced my rack as i had the same issue under warranty

05-22-2018, 07:25 PM	#1
Beemiegirl Beemiegirl 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2013 328i (F30) Join Date: May 2018 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	un-diagnosed clunking noise Hi! I'm brand new to the forum. I purchased a CPO 2013 328i sedan from N Scottsdale BMW Jan '15 (18,937 mi). I started hearing a clunking noise almost immediately. After 3 trips to the dealer they replaced the thrust rod bushings (33,132 mi). I moved to MD shortly thereafter and continued to hear the noise. I took it to the dealer, BMW of Rockville, 7 addl times to try to find out what was wrong. Each time I was told "could not duplicate". At that point I was frustrated and gave up. It's been almost a year since I was there last, the noise is still there and driving me crazy, so I took it in again. This time they "miraculously" found the problem, "torn rubber mounts on spring strut". I am being told to replace both front strut mounts, upper and lower spring rubber, foam and rubber boots & have an alignment done. The car has less than 50k, but it's past the 4 year warranty expiration now. They want $2230 to fix it. I told them I'm not going to pay for it. I have contacted BMW NA about this on several occasions in the past and the dealership has extensive records documenting this problem. Neither will do anything about it citing it is out of warranty. I'm beyond pissed off. Has anyone else had a front end noise that couldn't be found for months, years actually, until the warranty had expired or have had issues with this dealership?
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05-22-2018, 11:18 PM	#2
jmg Lieutenant General 18659 Rep 14,107 Posts Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G82 M4C X-Drive [9.85] 2018 F80 M3 CS [9.87] 2019 i3 BEV [0.00]	Rumor has it if you had requested service on a particular problem while the car was still under warranty that was unresolved, it should still be covered after your warranty expires. You called BMWNA and explained this to all of them? If they won't budge, call a lawyer. Your last resort would be to use a reliable and honest mechanic who will charge you much less. __________________ 2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, EBC Bluestuff, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///*M3 IG: Raging_G82
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05-23-2018, 12:34 AM	#3
spiff56747 Private 35 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 2012 335i 6 speed Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Had a similar issue (mostly when turning right over bumpy roads). Had to have multiple service visits: strut, strut mount, steering rack, maybe some other stuff, all replaced under warranty and the noise was gone for a while. It has sort of come back after 2 years, but not nearly as loud as before. I took it to a dealer before my CPO expired but they said they couldn't replicate. It doesn't bother me anymore.
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05-23-2018, 10:34 AM	#4
razzy530 Second Lieutenant 82 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 335i M Sport RWD Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0)	this is such a common problem with this F30. I don't understand it. BMWNA should be covering this. I replaced my rack as i had the same issue under warranty __________________ 2013 X3 2.8iX 2013 335i M-Sport RWD 2007 530i RWD 6-Speed manual BMWCCA MEMBER 397411
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