[Slacky]

Hey guys

I'm looking for some advice concerning my x3 which I purchased last year from Bristol street motors. The car itself is a 2016 x3 3.0d with 57k on the clock.

Over the last couple of months I've noticed a slightly grinding/churning noise over time it's got worse. Few weeks ago I took it to a local garage for them to check it over which they said it sounds like it's coming from the drive train/gearbox and to take it to a auto specialist or bmw.

So I got it booked in at bmw but they couldn't fit it in for around 3 weeks. So it finally went in yesterday and the outcome was the front tyres are the wrong ones fitted. They should be 245/45/19 but the ones on are 245/40/19. I can't quite remember what he said but it was something to do with the drivetrain can't work properly because of the wrong tyres. Fitting the correct tyres should sort the problem.

So I got the keys and parked the car up on the road to pick it up later when my partner was available. As I was driving it out I noticed the noise was loader than before.

Fast forward a few hours my partners driving the car home when there's a load bang. When she got it home the oil pressure light comes on and there's oil everywhere. Got it recovered to bmw today and they've looked at it again. I can't quite remember his exact words but I think he said the prop shaft has gave way causing it to smash the sump. It needs a differential, drive train, sump and maybe some other bits. The grand total with labour and Vat is just short of 10k.

When I purchased the car I took out premium warranty which I've used a few months ago with no problems but I can't see them rolling over and saying get on with it considering the amount it's going to cost.

Bmw are adamant the tyres have caused this problem but I haven't changed the tyres they are the ones that come with the car.

The service manager is going to ring the warranty company shortly.

Can any one give any advice on the matter please

sorry for the long post and poor grammar English has never been my strong point

[HighlandPete]

Not a good position to be in.

Before saying anything else, are the rear tyres the same, or the correct sizing?

[Slacky]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Not a good position to be in.

Before saying anything else, are the rear tyres the same, or the correct sizing?

No the rear tyres are the correct size. Not sure how or why the front are not the correct ones

[JustChris]

Ouch 10k sorry to hear that.

Just an initial observation but IF the tyres are the ones you collected the car with from BMW I would believe you are in a strong position. This might sound odd just do you have any pics form collection day that might show they were on when you picked up?

I'm amazed that such a small rotating diameter difference front to rear would cause such a huge catastrophic failure, but I guess it's over working a differential.

EDIT: as per image, crikey that is quite a diameter difference and revolutions / mile difference.

[Slacky]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Ouch 10k sorry to hear that.

Just an initial observation but IF the tyres are the ones you collected the car with from BMW I would believe you are in a strong position. This might sound odd just do you have any pics form collection day that might show they were on when you picked up?

I'm amazed that such a small rotating diameter difference front to rear would cause such a huge catastrophic failure, but I guess it's over working a differential.

EDIT: as per image, crikey that is quite a diameter difference and revolutions / mile difference.

I purchased the car from my local Bristol street motors and its their own extended warranty I've purchased. I'm still waiting to hear the outcome of the service managers phone call with the warranty company.

If I'm honest I can't see the warranty company just rolling over and accepting a 10k bill.

My biggest problem is the car was with bmw yesterday and this could of been sorted. I explained to him the extent of the noise etc but he was adamant the correct tyres would sort the problem. Not even 10 miles later the cars got 10k worth of damage

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Slacky

No the rear tyres are the correct size. Not sure how or why the front are not the correct ones

So definitely the drivetrain being stressed, wearing and finally giving up.

In preparing to fight the case, if the warranty company don't play ball. From your comments, I'm assuming you never bought it from a BMW dealer, with the AUC warranty? Do you know if the supplying garage fitted them ahead of your purchase?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Slacky

My biggest problem is the car was with bmw yesterday and this could of been sorted. I explained to him the extent of the noise etc but he was adamant the correct tyres would sort the problem. Not even 10 miles later the cars got 10k worth of damage

Did they fit correct tyres yesterday?

[Slacky]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Did they fit correct tyres yesterday?

No I purchased it from Bristol street motors and took out their extended premium warranty. Think it cost £800 for 3 years.

I don't think Bristol street put the tyres on as far as I'm aware they was the existing ones when it got took in as part ex.

They never gave me the option to replace the tyres. I was going to get it booked in in the next couple of days to have them changed I didn't know I had a matter of miles before it failed. If I'm honest if it is the tyres that's caused the problem I don't think changing them at this late stage would of stopped it failing. I think the damage was already done.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Slacky

No I purchased it from Bristol street motors and took out their extended premium warranty. Think it cost £800 for 3 years.

I don't think Bristol street put the tyres on as far as I'm aware they was the existing ones when it got took in as part ex.

They never gave me the option to replace the tyres. I was going to get it booked in in the next couple of days to have them changed I didn't know I had a matter of miles before it failed. If I'm honest if it is the tyres that's caused the problem I don't think changing them at this late stage would of stopped it failing. I think the damage was already done.

Not an easy one, to see how this will pan out. Not knowing the tyre error was there, may help, but it could be wriggle room, as it wasn't to spec. We know how insurance companies work.

I'd agree on the damage already done, as it has worn over time. No one can really predict the outcome once damage is done.

[Ennoch]

Originally Posted by Slacky

No I purchased it from Bristol street motors and took out their extended premium warranty. Think it cost £800 for 3 years.

I don't think Bristol street put the tyres on as far as I'm aware they was the existing ones when it got took in as part ex.

They never gave me the option to replace the tyres. I was going to get it booked in in the next couple of days to have them changed I didn't know I had a matter of miles before it failed. If I'm honest if it is the tyres that's caused the problem I don't think changing them at this late stage would of stopped it failing. I think the damage was already done.

Going back to what has already been mentioned; do you have photos of the car with the tyres visible and thus easily showing that at the point of purchase the tyres fitted were the incorrect ones? If you do then it should be an easy enough chat with them because whether they pay from the dealership pocket or the warranty pocket, you'll be covered one way or another. If you don't have any decent images showing the tyres are the same then it'll perhaps take more pressure but the right outcome is still achievable. You don't say how many miles you've done since buying it from them, or what the front tyre tread depth is at the moment.

[DB118D]

It's not the tyres.

A mate of mine had the same car. X3 30d with similar miles. His diff was failing too - grinding and graunching noises. It's a common fault apparently.

He got shot before it failed though.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by DB118D

It's not the tyres.

A mate of mine had the same car. X3 30d with similar miles. His diff was failing too - grinding and graunching noises. It's a common fault apparently.

It is easy to say, it's not the tyres... For one, we don't know what caused your mate to have issues... it could have been tyres, how do we know?

BMW will look at tyres first, when there are xDrive drivetrain issues. Not running the correct size will be like a red flag. Raise serious concerns to the cause of noise, or other transmission issues. If caught early, correct tyres do sort the issue in many cases.

[bishbosh]

The front and rear diffs are open so transmission wind up would occur in the transfer box, and if it's only that which has failed then the bill should be a lot less than 10k.

However from reading your comments if the front diff has failed catastrophically and thrown a driveshaft then it could certainly have damaged the engine sump.

[DB118D]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

It is easy to say, it's not the tyres... For one, we don't know what caused your mate to have issues... it could have been tyres, how do we know?

BMW will look at tyres first, when there are xDrive drivetrain issues. Not running the correct size will be like a red flag. Raise serious concerns to the cause of noise, or other transmission issues. If caught early, correct tyres do sort the issue in many cases.

We know because he fitted the right size tyres to his.

It's a common fault.

[Slacky]

They sent me a video of the car when we was negotiating but the link has been taken down. Ive got a couple of pictures from when we got the car home but when zooming in they are very blurry and cannot make out the tyre size.

Looking back when we first looked at the car I'm sure they had non run flats on. I only realised they was runflats when I got a puncture in one of the rear ones around 6 months ago. I just put it down to me imaging it but again I cannot prove any of this.

I'm hoping bmw don't make it common knowledge about the tyres when speaking to the warranty company.

I'm sure the service manager mentioned the prop shaft had gave way causing the damage to the sump.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by DB118D

We know because he fitted the right size tyres to his.

It's a common fault.

Don't know about common...

When you say correct size. Out of interest, were they Star marked, approved tyres?

[3-GT]

That is a headache of a situation to be in. Hopefully it can be sorted without too much stress, this is when a good or bad dealer is proven.

I'd be inclined to say that in a court the outcome would be in your favour if the car was sold with them tyres. That's obviously not the ideal route and would only use it as a last resort.

An easier route (if you paid using this method) to take if they don't show willing is to consult with your finance/credit card provider. This can help apply pressure without getting too formal, but definitely give them a reasonable amount of time beforehand.

[Slacky]

My worry is I've got no proof that's the tyres it came with. It's done roughly 8-9k since I've owned it. Bmw health check says the middle is 5mm outer 3mm and inner 2mm.

That was another question I was going to ask. The cars on a 4 year pcp and its with Renault finance. The place I purchased it from was Bristol street motors renault. Would they get involved worst case?

[nickcuprar]

Originally Posted by Slacky

My worry is I've got no proof that's the tyres it came with. It's done roughly 8-9k since I've owned it. Bmw health check says the middle is 5mm outer 3mm and inner 2mm.

That was another question I was going to ask. The cars on a 4 year pcp and its with Renault finance. The place I purchased it from was Bristol street motors renault. Would they get involved worst case?

Yes you can speak to them to inform them and they can support.

I would think BSM would have to keep a paper trail of cars advertised and they would have to prove you have changed the tyres since which they can't. You can prove this by giving your mileage and taking a reading of the tread depth of your current ones.

Hope you get this sorted but I think the warranty company will have to pay it. The car is exactly how it was sold. A maybe the warranty company should check vehicles they are covering would be my thought!

[DB118D]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Don't know about common...

When you say correct size. Out of interest, were they Star marked, approved tyres?

Common in so much that the specialist he took it to knew exactly what the issue was because he'd seen so many

And yes, it was bought approved used and came with star marked tyres. The replacements were the same.

[simon.]

I'd find as much info online showing it's a known issue and try firing back toward the BMW dealer who had it in for the tyre swap.

If a known issue then you might get some help from BMW, got to be worth an ask.

[AntF32]

Originally Posted by Slacky

They sent me a video of the car when we was negotiating but the link has been taken down.

Try putting your reg in YouTube or google..