Failure #33 - BMW M3 (E46 M3) Message Board & Forum

I got this one through email, here is the summary:

Jason,

question answers:

nsxkevo@msn.com

located in USA, thats America for all you who speek German

date engine failed "I guess" was May 5, 2002

the vehicle still sits @ dealership in limbo, I'll probably go at visiting hours, if I have visitation rights(?), I'll check then manfctr. date.

VIN#WBSBL93431JR11530

6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Momentum BMW Houston, Texas

I will check archives w/regards to engine oil

Summary.... I'll be brief as I have explained this to too many people thus far including attorney, salespeople, GM's, VP's, mechanics, and M3 owners and auto enthusiast!

Purchased vehicle used from a friend who owns an "upper scale" dealership (to be named later) on May 3 2002 w/7,700 miles. The vehicle drived perfect, sounded great and looked the part! Even if I had apprehensions @ this time and took the car 2 miles away to BMW, I'm sure they would have said it checks-out "perfect"!!! I put approximately 200 miles on the car (I'm in real estate w/RE/MAX Town & Country-Houston) and on Sunday evening May 5, drove to my parents for dinner! At start-up, cool engine, a loud tapping noise. I said, "$hit, sounds like a lifter problem"! Drove 500 feet, pulled over, popped the hood took a listen, drove another 500 feet home, and called a flatbed Monday morning. Waited four hours for roadside, and arrived @ Momentume BMW Houston, w/my vehicle. They were waiting, correction, everyone was waiting?!? They checked the oil, put it on a lift, hooked-up computer, and said it does'ntappear to have been over-revd. "Over revd"? But we will need to take out "DME" and send it to BMW NA, they will then tell us what exactly is wrong and or what we will be able to warranty, if anything? "If anything"?

By Thursday the DME information was returned, and it was detrermined by "BMW NA" the vehicle was over-revd to 8700RPM at 250k/ph. They are not going to warranty the "powerfull" M3 powerplant! Check out the "MAGNUSON-MASS WARRANTY ACT 1975 by the FTC" "USA"!!!

It is a good thing I did not have the computer upgrade installed on Tuesday like I had scheduled, along w/the entire exhaust system!

How does BMW differntiate from malfunction and or neglect, and where in the warranty is it implied you must not ever over-rev the vehicle! I have owned Porsches (3) inlast two years, Vipers, Vetts, etc.... I've taken these vehicles to the xtreme and back again, I have never had a problem that would come close to this complete and absolute BS!

How can BMW warranty vehicles w/the same exact problem but not warrany "ALL"?!?!?!

I did not over-rev this vehicle, and I will NOT be held responsible! The car has a warranty! What is it for, to read?

All of the BMW people I have talke to at the dealership, no names, say, YES, this is a problem, someone needs to do something. Two vehicles are at the dealer now w/the same malfunction. One has a motor awaiting install! But my M3 is outside collecting dust.
I'm awaiting a call from BMW NA on Monday for final oppinion(s). Depending on that conversation, I'll then know where to turn. I planned on owning a BMW for years to come, I got hooked in just 48 hours of ownership. Now, I'm not sure. Even if the engine is replaced, then what. Every time I get-on-it, which by the way, this is what these cars are for, I'm going to be driving on egg shells! Maybe that is what the bearings are made of.

I'll be in touch w/everyone regarding the outcome. If BMW steps-up, I'll be the first to shake their hand, but will still be driving the ultimate driving machine circled "L" in a "Driving Mrs. Daisy" fashion.. Whats up with that?

Totlay P-O'd and depressed,

K. Peters

We have got lawyers on stand-by, the local media awaiting a letter from BMW (statement), and are getting together all the big-boy auto publications!