[sspade]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

It's a 20+ hour job + fluids + gaskets. $1500 install is probably a little light.

Its not a 20hr job by a good BMW tech. Its a 10hr job at the dealer. Book time vs. actual time spent are definitely two different things.

According to bmwtechnician.com "a tech has one day to complete the job with any hopes of making any money."

You could still be correct on $1500 being a hair light all inclusive... my original estimate (above) was under $2k. That should really do it if its a fair deal in my honest opinion.

[sjbender]

I see there are some questions still, this sums up my experience since April '19

My car failed at highway speed, approximately 80 mph. It felt like I hit a pot hole and then it became Christmas inside of the car with every warning message you can think of. The engine immediately turned off and went the car went into neutral. The hazard lights came on as well, not too sure why it did that, perhaps it triggered some type of accident protocol.

I was able to coast across four lanes to the shoulder while losing speed. If anyone is in the philly area you know how fun that is on the blue route! The brakes still worked but without any power assist, same as the steering. When I came to a stop the car went into park automatically. It would not even attempt to turn over if you pressed the start button. A note to that as well, you can not get the car out of park without the engine running unless you crawl underneath and screw a pin up into the transmission! The dealer has the car and wants 18k to replace the engine. It has been sitting at the dealer since 4/19 because I refuse to have it repaired until this case is settled.

Changed my oil every 7.5k-ish miles, basically twice a year. Used only premium fuel and turned off the start/stop the day I got it. Just hit 102k miles when it happened. No warning, no sounds, just instant death.

You can access the court documents on the over system using the case listed above. There is a .10 charge per page that you access. I listed the main complaint which has all of the case information regarding the case. You can get it here for free...

www.sjbender.com/bmw.pdf

I follow the case super close. Once the settlement is posted I will share it everywhere!

[Pauloxxi]

Originally Posted by sjbender

I see there are some questions still, this sums up my experience since April '19

My car failed at highway speed, approximately 80 mph. It felt like I hit a pot hole and then it became Christmas inside of the car with every warning message you can think of. The engine immediately turned off and went the car went into neutral. The hazard lights came on as well, not too sure why it did that, perhaps it triggered some type of accident protocol.

I was able to coast across four lanes to the shoulder while losing speed. If anyone is in the philly area you know how fun that is on the blue route! The brakes still worked but without any power assist, same as the steering. When I came to a stop the car went into park automatically. It would not even attempt to turn over if you pressed the start button. A note to that as well, you can not get the car out of park without the engine running unless you crawl underneath and screw a pin up into the transmission! The dealer has the car and wants 18k to replace the engine. It has been sitting at the dealer since 4/19 because I refuse to have it repaired until this case is settled.

Changed my oil every 7.5k-ish miles, basically twice a year. Used only premium fuel and turned off the start/stop the day I got it. Just hit 102k miles when it happened. No warning, no sounds, just instant death.

You can access the court documents on the over system using the case listed above. There is a .10 charge per page that you access. I listed the main complaint which has all of the case information regarding the case. You can get it here for free...

www.sjbender.com/bmw.pdf

I follow the case super close. Once the settlement is posted I will share it everywhere!

You were under risk of life. It sounds dramatic, but this problem can leave a car stuck in a busy and fast highway, a semi in the tail, and an entire family inside. I'm not sure how many N20 were produced with this shameful issue and what failure rate we have in the field, but there are enough cases that justified BMW to do a palliative "work around" in 2015, and a total engine replacement in 2017... BMW could not wait for the G20 launch to replace the infamous N20 on 3 Series.
Nowadays, the only thing the media say is the Tesla sudden acceleration, 127 cases on 500,000 produced. I still have my doubts about these sudden accelerations, but this is the issue we see on national TV.
It would be great if this BMW N20 history surfaced on TV, in the evening news, revealing the way they are treating customers, the lack of responsibility with thousands of people, exposing them to major financial penalties and even risk of life. I feel like driving a time bomb.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by pauloxxi

You were under risk of life. It sounds dramatic, but this problem can leave a car stuck in a busy and fast highway, a semi in the tail, and an entire family inside. I'm not sure how many N20 were produced with this shameful issue and what failure rate we have in the field, but there are enough cases that justified BMW to do a palliative "work around" in 2015, and a total engine replacement in 2017... BMW could not wait for the G20 launch to replace the infamous N20 on 3 Series.
Nowadays, the only thing the media say is the Tesla sudden acceleration, 127 cases on 500,000 produced. I still have my doubts about these sudden accelerations, but this is the issue we see on national TV.
It would be great if this BMW N20 history surfaced on TV, in the evening news, revealing the way they are treating customers, the lack of responsibility with thousands of people, exposing them to major financial penalties and even risk of life. I feel like driving a time bomb.

I agree this needs far more attention. People need to file appropriate government reports at both the Federal and State level.

[floridaorange]

Sj you were stock or tuned?

[wilbur_the_goose]

SJ. Which dealer?

I’m in Chester County and use BNW of Reading. Much better to work with compared to Otto’s on 202.

I actually asked my SA in Reading about this, and she told me she’s had pretty good luck working with BMW USA in NJ

[sjbender]

Stock. I would not modify a primary car. That's what the 2001 E46 is for!

Union Park, Wilmington, DE

If you have an issue be sure to submit it to the NHTSA...

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/BMW/528I

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by sjbender

Stock. I would not modify a primary car. That's what the 2001 E46 is for!

Right!

[Imfritz]

Hey guys,
I've been following this forum and the problems associated with the timing chain issues everyone has been dealing with. Ill start with the car I recently purchased. Its a 2014 328i
that is in excellent shape with 126000 miles on it. Had I known about the timing chain problems before hand it I might not have bought it. Or at least known about it. I still feel I got a good deal on the car and really do like the way it drives and handles.
After reading up on a lot of articles and forums related to the N20 engine and the class action lawsuit and how so many people have experienced the same issue. Today I gave my local BMW dealer a call and explained my situation surrounding this car. At first he wanted me to bring the car in so they could diagnose it. I told him about the high pitched whine when first starting it and I told him about removing the oil filler cap and inspecting the chain myself which clearly showed excessive play in the chain using a pick tool along with the brown colored chain guide. All he said was its past the 7 year 70 thousand mile warranty. For shits and giggles I asked him what they would charge me to replace the chain parts and labor. He put me on hold for a good while then answered back asking if he could call me back. He called me back 15 mins later and quoted me 4400.00 �� I told him I'll get back to him. Guess I'll be doing it myself. Im fairly confident I can handle it. If someone can chime in here with advise as to

1. Which and where should I purchase the tool for the timing?
2. Also when can I purchase the chain and guide also the oil chain while I'm in it.

Thanks in advance

[Imfritz]

Where can I purchase the chain and guide. Should I just go OEM from the dealer?

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by Imfritz

Where can I purchase the chain and guide. Should I just go OEM from the dealer?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-11318648732kt

[Imfritz]

thank you F30lolz

[Pauloxxi]

For people that had this issue, let's flood the NHTSA site with complaint notes.
This is the way to bring attention to the problem being underrated by BMW.
Some people already did that:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/B...RWD#complaints

[5mall5nail5]

Today is supposed to be the day for some settlement conference

[Slick_FThirty]

Originally Posted by 5mall5nail5

Today is supposed to be the day for some settlement conference

The date has been adjusted to 02/14/20

[obert]

Originally Posted by TechiGamer

The date has been adjusted to 02/14/20

Let’s hope they don’t keep pushing it back

[Slick_FThirty]

I read this suggestion from another member, and thought it was a good one. Perhaps if the results are not favourable, we could bring attention to this matter through the media and news agencies.

[obert]

Originally Posted by TechiGamer

I read this suggestion from another member, and thought it was a good one. Perhaps if the results are not favourable, we could bring attention to this matter through the media and news agencies.

Good luck with that. It would need to have a lot of steam for awhile for BMW to take notice.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by obert

Let’s hope they don’t keep pushing it back

Most likely it will keep being pushed back

[sspade]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

Most likely it will keep being pushed back

Maybe we get a Valentines day gift! Ya never know...

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by sspade

Maybe we get a Valentines day gift! Ya never know...

Maybe the powers that be get lucky and they spread their joy (not legs) for us N20 owners.

[BMW D-zyne]

Like many of you, I share the horror story of having my 2013 X3 spit out the MALFUNCTION warning and have the engine seize. I have been in contact with BMW corporate for several months...just mostly to annoy them because they are offering no real solution other than..."maybe" we'll assist with the repair bill AFTER it's repaired (no amount given just a MAYBE). This is my only vehicle which I bought CPO. I had been at the dealer 2 weeks earlier to have 4 brand new Pirelli tires installed at 83K miles....without any mention from the mechanic of noises in the engine or possible problems with the timing chain - but all of this must have been brewing from what I understand of the faulty part. So my car sits in the garage waiting for the outcome of this lawsuit. Other than this engine problem - my BMW is in perfect condition...with new tires! So, if anyone is looking for some parts, I may be scrapping it out to finish paying off my loan if they don't produce a recall to cover the repair expense.