[satred2018]

Got a new 2018 320i with 30 miles on it. Drove it home and took family on a small drive on city roads. After couple of miles and at around 40 mph car gave a jerk and threw Drivetrain malfunction error. I could drive it home for another mile or so. Next day morning it just woudn't start. This was unbelievable and disappointing. I had it towed to a dealer for service.. Its fixed now - says root cause is "..harness at DME is unplugged and connecting harness fixed it". What is happening to quality??

Never had this experience with any other cars I owned previously. Hopefully it is just a one time thing. Just wanted to share..

[sspade]

Wow, Id be pissed. Seems like a harmless thing that should not be indicative of future issues but still...

How could a plug/wiring harness be disconnected? Also, what about the first thirty miles... was it left unconnected at factory? Did someone at the dealer disconnect after a test drive? Why?

[bimmer456]

It may not have been connected securely, possibly the clip was loose and hadn't "clicked" all the way and so it was working until it fell out. I've seen quality issues like this with American cars as well, some factory worker didn't plug something in somewhere, just quality issues that were overlooked.

[_bdiddyb_]

Well you've got me beat! my 2013 335i was 500 miles before drivetrain error. Lemme guess - South Africa build?

[jmg]

Originally Posted by _bdiddyb_

Well you've got me beat! my 2013 335i was 500 miles before drivetrain error. Lemme guess - South Africa build?

The SA plant is highly rated. My SA 340i didn't have the rattles that the German assembled one did. This just happens.

[Billfitz]

Oktoberfest car.

[metallicpea]

For point of reference, my Munich built 2016 320i has had zero mechanical issues and has zero rattles or squeaks. I am a bit over 20k so far.

I did find 2 broken plastic mounting tabs on different parts. One inside the door and one in the center console, but no noises heard from them before I stumbled on them while doing the bavsound speaker change and adding a 12v rear power socket.

I guess something is bound to be less than perfect when assembling 30,000 parts.

Don't get discouraged just yet.

[sspade]

How does one determine their build date and assembly plant? I didnt think the vin decoder I used provided that info.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by sspade

How does one determine their build date and assembly plant? I didnt think the vin decoder I used provided that info.

1st character in the VIN is country of manufacture. Germany is W

10th character is year

11th character is assembly plant.

I'm not sure about the specific date info.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by sspade

How does one determine their build date and assembly plant? I didnt think the vin decoder I used provided that info.

I don't remember exactly how to decode it from your vin, but it's on your sticker.

edit: found it. The first three characters tell you where it was manufactured:

4US – BMW NA MFG
NCO – BMW South Africa
WBA – BMW AG
WBS – Motorsport

11 character tells you what plant (assembly?)
A, F, K – Munich, Germany
C, B, D, G – Dingolfing, Germany
E, J, P – Regensburg, Germany
L, M – Spartanburg, U.S.A
N – Roslyn, South Africa
W – Graz, Austria
V – Leipzig, Germany

http://wiki.bavariantechnic.com/inde...e=VIN_Decoding

[satred2018]

Originally Posted by _bdiddyb_

Well you've got me beat! my 2013 335i was 500 miles before drivetrain error. Lemme guess - South Africa build?

Yes, it is South Africa built. It says on the window sticker "Final Assembly plant"

[XKxRome0ox]

Originally Posted by satred2018

Got a new 2018 320i with 30 miles on it. Drove it home and took family on a small drive on city roads. After couple of miles and at around 40 mph car gave a jerk and threw Drivetrain malfunction error. I could drive it home for another mile or so. Next day morning it just woudn't start. This was unbelievable and disappointing. I had it towed to a dealer for service.. Its fixed now - says root cause is "..harness at DME is unplugged and connecting harness fixed it". What is happening to quality??

Never had this experience with any other cars I owned previously. Hopefully it is just a one time thing. Just wanted to share..

if you have more issues with the vehicle, talk to me about a potential lemon law claim later on

Originally Posted by _bdiddyb_

Well you've got me beat! my 2013 335i was 500 miles before drivetrain error. Lemme guess - South Africa build?

did your car have more problems afterwards?

[satred2018]

Originally Posted by jmg

I don't remember exactly how to decode it from your vin, but it's on your sticker.

edit: found it. The first three characters tell you where it was manufactured:

4US – BMW NA MFG
NCO – BMW South Africa
WBA – BMW AG
WBS – Motorsport

11 character tells you what plant (assembly?)
A, F, K – Munich, Germany
C, B, D, G – Dingolfing, Germany
E, J, P – Regensburg, Germany
L, M – Spartanburg, U.S.A
N – Roslyn, South Africa
W – Graz, Austria
V – Leipzig, Germany

http://wiki.bavariantechnic.com/inde...e=VIN_Decoding

Interesting my VIN number does start with WBA, but it also says final assembly plant as "Rosslyn, South Africa". It does also say "Major source of Foreign parts Content: Germany 60%.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by satred2018

Interesting my VIN number does start with WBA, but it also says final assembly plant as "Rosslyn, South Africa". It does also say "Major source of Foreign parts Content: Germany 60%.

I think they are all made in Germany but assembled in the appropriate plant. Whats your 11th character?

[sspade]

Originally Posted by jmg

I don't remember exactly how to decode it from your vin, but it's on your sticker.

edit: found it. The first three characters tell you where it was manufactured:

4US – BMW NA MFG
NCO – BMW South Africa
WBA – BMW AG
WBS – Motorsport

11 character tells you what plant (assembly?)
A, F, K – Munich, Germany
C, B, D, G – Dingolfing, Germany
E, J, P – Regensburg, Germany
L, M – Spartanburg, U.S.A
N – Roslyn, South Africa
W – Graz, Austria
V – Leipzig, Germany

http://wiki.bavariantechnic.com/inde...e=VIN_Decoding

Is this outdated? My 8th digit is a 5...

[satred2018]

Originally Posted by sspade

Wow, Id be pissed. Seems like a harmless thing that should not be indicative of future issues but still...

How could a plug/wiring harness be disconnected? Also, what about the first thirty miles... was it left unconnected at factory? Did someone at the dealer disconnect after a test drive? Why?

I was told regular quality checks could not have found this issue since this is somewhere deep down and unless some one bothered to open things up, they would not have seen this disconnect/loose connection. Atleast thats what i understood from SA. So I am assuming chances of someone disconnecting (accidentally or otherwise) are pretty slim.

[satred2018]

Originally Posted by jmg

I think they are all made in Germany but assembled in the appropriate plant. Whats your 11th character?

Its "N". Ok, so that explains its assembled at Rosslyn

[Kafkaesque328]

Originally Posted by _bdiddyb_

Well you've got me beat! my 2013 335i was 500 miles before drivetrain error. Lemme guess - South Africa build?

Irrelevant. The SA plant actually rated higher in quality standards for several years with less defects per 100 cars vs. German factory counterparts. Look it up. Has nothing to do with it. Shit happens

[_bdiddyb_]

Originally Posted by XKxRome0ox

if you have more issues with the vehicle, talk to me about a potential lemon law claim later on



did your car have more problems afterwards?

2015: wastegate solenoid broken
2017: oil filter housing major leak, LP fuel pump bad

[_bdiddyb_]

Originally Posted by Kafkaesque328

Irrelevant. The SA plant actually rated higher in quality standards for several years with less defects per 100 cars vs. German factory counterparts. Look it up. Has nothing to do with it. Shit happens

Just a lucky guess was all.

[Digital_83]

If it can cheer you up in any possible way - you are not alone .. although mine is "chassis stabilization" related ..

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1454417

[floydarogers]

Statistics says problems will happen at low miles. You were unlucky. Drive on, and enjoy your car!