PSA: G Series M3/M4 Recall - Are You Up To Date?

[M3AN 4203]

Was browsing recalls and saw the following, it will be worth checking if yours has been done (source: https://www.vehiclerecallsafety.nzta.govt.nz/)

There may be others, I didn't check. Also be wary of BMW NZ's VIN checker for recalls, it says I have none pending but my airbag needs replacing - unless you know it's been done, assume it hasn't and if BMW tell you it has, ask for written proof.

 

 

[Jacko 2404]

Curiously my NZ new 130 was not originally part of the takata recall, as apparently didnt have it fitted (something to do trade deals for japanese market cars at the time), but now it pops up as under recall. Wonder what changed? 3 months to get parts apparently.

[Neal 576]

It’s also worth searching on SIBs as those aren’t quite recalls. The plastic fuel tanks leaks in some cars is good to know about for example. Try a search on “sib bmw f87” for example . Similar using “tsb bmw f87” as well.

 

 

[M3AN 4203]

8 minutes ago, Neal said:

It’s also worth searching on SIBs as those aren’t quite recalls. The plastic fuel tanks leaks in some cars is good to know about for example. Try a search on “sib bmw f87” for example . Similar using “tsb bmw f87” as well.

That's what actually got me interested... in the US BMW are offering NZ$4000 F series valve cover replacements under a 15 year extended warranty because of PCV design faults... I'd like to think that was applicable in NZ also but how do we search for that?

The PO of my car actually paid for this work in November last year (I have the actual BMW work order and invoice) which, whilst I'm grateful, is absolutely BS by BMW if they're ducking reasonable (and responsible) liability here in NZ, where we actually have stronger consumer protection laws than the US.

[Neal 576]

12 minutes ago, M3AN said:

That's what actually got me interested... in the US BMW are offering NZ$4000 F series valve cover replacements under a 15 year extended warranty because of PCV design faults... I'd like to think that was applicable in NZ also but how do we search for that?

The PO of my car actually paid for this work in November last year (I have the actual BMW work order and invoice) which, whilst I'm grateful, is absolutely BS by BMW if they're ducking reasonable (and responsible) liability here in NZ, where we actually have stronger consumer protection laws than the US.

Ironically I didn’t see this one.
 

Had my s55 plastic rocker cover replaced at 55k as was getting an oil drip onto exhaust manifold early last year. Would get oil smoke coming from under the bonnet. Thought it was just a wrapped rocker cover that is a supposedly common on s55. Perhaps it was this. Was a few $k to have it replaced.

 

Edited August 13 by Neal

[M3AN 4203]

I'm going to contact BMW and ask why BMW US have explicitly acknowledged "defects in materials and/or workmanship" and BMW NZ have not done so, publicly at least (as far as I can tell). Did my engine come off an entirely different, mutually exclusive, production line? Answer: no, it did not.

I'm not expecting to get far but hey.

I might ask Consumer NZ also.

Can we search for, or find, these mysterious TSB/SIB notices?

Edited August 13 by M3AN

[Neal 576]

I think that notice is for b58 and s58 engines. When I searched B-ELW Pressure Control Valve (PCV) 15Y150M (2023) from the bottom page this came up

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10245365-0001.pdf

But ironically here’s a s55 thread on a similar issue.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=28024387

 

 

 

 

Edited August 13 by Neal

[Jacko 2404]

Had the same thing with the Skoda, class action lawsuits in the US against VW result in things changing in their system but have no consequences in NZ. Hence, my 2016 Octavia on its 4th waterpump/thermostat replaced "under warranty", with lots of sh*t fighting to get it (and its still cost me a couple of k). Great car, shocking waterpumps. 

[E30 325i Rag-Top 3048]

11 hours ago, M3AN said:

. Did my engine come off an entirely different, mutually exclusive, production line? Answer: no, it did not.

Many recalls and corrective actions are for specific batches of parts from the supply chain that are found to be out of spec. Hence only certain VINs are affected, those fitted with the parts from that batch.

As with Takata air bags, issues were found in various batches of airbags, which gradually spread to many, many batches (but not all$.

[E30 325i Rag-Top 3048]

12 hours ago, M3AN said:

I'm going to contact BMW and ask why BMW US have explicitly acknowledged "defects in materials and/or workmanship" and BMW NZ have not done so, publicly at least (as far as I can tell).

One thing to bear in mind is that vehicles produced for NZ and the US are different models, with different model codes and many different features and options and hence component parts.

NZ new vehicles are built to the European version (ECE) whilst there is a different USA (US) version for that market. Things like the emissions standards and fuel quality for each market affect the engine requirements.

As such potential issues on US vehicles are not necessarily replicated elsewhere in the world.

[Eagle 1791]

NZ being such a small market and us being great at lying down and taking it means they can ignore it for the most part. Lots of good will gestures too that NZ doesn't typically receive

[m325i 732]

QI -  my PO also paid for the rocker cover when doing the valvetronic  motor

[Neal 576]

Charge cooler is the other thing to keep an eye out for. Replaced mine as it developed a coolant leak. Sounds like they have also become a maintenance item. Thought about going aftermarket, but wanted to keep it factory and despite the marketing for aftermarket units from the usual companies the plastic / alloy OEM is very efficient and effective. If it goes again I think I’d seek out the F80 GT4 version though. 

Edited August 14 by Neal

[M3AN 4203]

I've read about the charge cooler leaks, how many k's when yours happened, what were the symptoms?

[Neal 576]

Just got a low charge cooler coolant message . No real indication or smell. Was around 60,000 km with car running standard factory engine tune. I check the charge cooler fluid levels about every 5k now. But no issues since.