[bri1042]

I had this work done on my car on Monday. I didn't think much of it, I had the day off and the Loaner Car test drive feature of having service done is always fun. My SA, who is one of my favorite people in the universe for how well he takes care of me and my car, said the thermostat was the one that controls coolant temps, so that's certainly something that I want to have working properly.

Before the service, my temp gauge would pop to the 1/4 mark, or a bit above, and hang out there pretty much permanently, and it did so relatively quickly after I got moving. I've enjoyed this car a lot, but in comfort mode I've always found the engine to be a bit unpredictable when it came to power delivery (which I've blamed on the Auto trans and the comfort mode throttle mapping)...and my mileage has always been a bit low (which I have been blaming on my lead foot and the routes I drive). I've had zero complaints about the engine in Sport Mode.

On Monday afternoon when I got the car back, there was an immediate and noticeable difference once it got warmed up. The temp gauge moves around a good bit and seems in sync with what I'm doing with the car, and power delivery in comfort mode is linear and smooth. My first thought was that they had done the transmission learning mode reset, which I've done in the past a couple of times but that never made a difference like this.

I pulled into the garage on Monday night and figured that the difference would be transitory. Between then and now I've driven about 200 miles running a ton of errands and the difference is still there. I'm not feeling the need to kick it into Sport on hills as much, and the power delivery improvement is absolutely there. Also, despite driving mostly on the street, my mileage is up by a couple of mpg from what it has always been after similar driving days.

I really don't think I'm imagining it (though anything is possible, of course), and I'm savvy enough with thermodynamics and how engines work to get what happens if your coolant is too hot, too cold, or not being managed properly. The car is still just a 328i...it's not like its suddenly a super car or anything, but it is noticeably more fun to drive.

So, my car works better. Great, right? That makes me quite happy...but I've had the car for 27 months. I'm not actually going to have it very much longer (lease end). Am I wrong to be a bit pissed that I've been missing out on having this engine work properly for most of my time with the car? Hmmm.

[marlin2911]

Randomly found this thread after something incredibly similar just happened to me - I took my car in for service, one of the items being that MPG's had dropped over time, and the car just felt "weak". Had this SIB performed, and now the car feels different - much moreso like it used to, but I also how have the oil thermostat moving around based on driving - before it just kind of stuck where it was.

I wonder what was wrong with the old thermostats...

[USC2000]

How did you get this SIB done? I can't find any info for this one on the internet.

[bri1042]

When my oil change and vehicle check was done in October they forgot to reset the counter and the car was demanding service. I sent my SA an email about it and he told me that my car needed the SIB done.

The better driving experience following the SIB hasn't changed in a week and a half. I am officially pretty pissed about the 27 months of driving with the bad thermostat. I nearly test drove a Lexus over the whole thing (IS350, but I took a dislike to it when I sat in it).

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by marlin2911

I wonder what was wrong with the old thermostats...

Perhaps they were made by Takata...

[Arzatema]

My service rep just informed me he is changing out my thermostat. I'm pumped for the improved driving experience.

[scostu]

Is this for 2013's only?

Trying to research for my 2014 wagon.

[wolves]

^ Nope. Mine's a 2014 and I got a call from the dealer to bring it in for recall.

[TBolts10]

Minenis throwing a code saying my thermostat is bad. I wonder if mine is recalled also.

[etinifni]

I haven't experienced this issue yet but I see that BMW NA has extended the warranty on thermostat to 10 years/120,000 miles. It references SIB 01 01 16. I tried looking that bulletin up but I can't find any info on it.

[IMG]http://d.pr/i/1eF7X+[/IMG]

[scostu]

Old thread revived............. but I received a "Limited Warranty Information" letter from BMWNA for my 2014 F31.

B-ELWR 2016 Engine Coolant Thermostat 10Y120M

Coolant thermostat is warranted to 10yr/120,000 miles.

I had it replaced 30 Sept 2016 by my Indy mechanic (27,200 miles). Going to submit for reimbursement and see what happens.

I'll update the outcome.

[Orion4]

Could you scan or take an image and post the BMW letter?

[scostu]

Originally Posted by Orion4

Could you scan or take an image and post the BMW letter?

BMWNA Thermostat warranty_0001.pdf

[switchman]

I know this is old post but i find this very interesting. I had CEL issue and scan code showed P0597 ( not from BMW scanner) and thsi code relates to "failed open thermostat".
Brought the car to dealer after finding out BMW have extended warranty due to known issues with such but after getting the car back, i noticed temp gauge does not stay in warm-hot temp (about 220 degrees, about less than mid of gauge) and goes down after a minute or 2 when idled like when stop in red light state.

This was not the normal indication before the CEL came on so I'm bringing the car back to dealer, maybe BMW changed the way thermostat and sensor works now after knowing they have major issue with it.

[scostu]

Originally Posted by scostu

Attachment 1756109

After submitting to BMWNA with copy of Limited Warranty for Thermostat and copy of work done by my Certified BMW independent mechanic using OEM parts.................denied REIMBURSEMENT.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thermostat Receipt.pdf

[blakep8]

My car gets fairly hot when I'm in eco on the freeway. Once I turn the heater on it comes back down. Is his a thermostat issue and if so then will the dealer cover it even though I'm out if warranty?

[Orion4]

Originally Posted by scostu

After submitting to BMWNA with copy of Limited Warranty for Thermostat and copy of work done by my Certified BMW independent mechanic using OEM parts.................denied REIMBURSEMENT.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Attachment 1764566

Did BMWNA provide a reason for the denial??

[scostu]

Originally Posted by Orion4

Did BMWNA provide a reason for the denial??

It's in the pdf file I attached:

.....Unfortunately, the repair performed on your vehicle does not meet the criteria for reimbursement under
this Limited Warranty Extension for the following reason(s):
The repair performed is not included in this warranty extension.

[scostu]

I'll call BMWNA again today and ask what needs to be specifically done to replace a busted thermostat?!

I though replacement with an OEM thermostat and replacement of coolant would suffice.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by scostu

I'll call BMWNA again today and ask what needs to be specifically done to replace a busted thermostat?!

I though replacement with an OEM thermostat and replacement of coolant would suffice.

Does it need to be a Genuine BMW thermostat?

[scostu]

.....so because I was still under bumper-to-bumper warranty...."I should have taken my vehicle to my local BMW dealer to have it repaired for free".

I called my local dealer, when it first happened, couldn't get me in for 2 weeks....and no loaner. The same one I've been to several times in the past for scheduled maintainence....with no loaner. Not a big deal if I didn't have 2 very young kids, with child restraint seats and I taxi everywhere.

Next dealer is almost 50 miles away.

I took my wagon to my independent mechanic, who I immediately called after speaking with my local BMW dealer. Indy mechanic said....bring it in day after next, I'll have the part and the work was completed in less than 90mins.

Love my Indy mechanic!

So....not BMW's fault....

[coffeeslugg]

Do you guys know if there has been any recalls on 2014 335i thermostats? I think I have a stuck open unit because the car takes forever to produce heat and after 30 minutes it only pushes out lukewarm air.