| Message: | | Talked to the service manager today. Everything is being covered by BMW. I really was in no doubt about this since (1), my car is equiped with the SMG transmission, and hence advertised by BMW as essentially 'idiot proof', and more importantly (2), BMW know's that it has a serious problem with a certain number of cars especially those made within a specific time frame late last year. BMW are paying for a rental car, to the tune of $30/day.
As to the extent of the damage: engine completely trashed, (hard not to be when rod/piston etc. exits both side of the block!); all metallic components of the induction system to be replaced secondary to 'shrapnel' finding its way up into it, and lastly, (so far), the cats. to be replaced because of metallic fragments, (i.e. rod/piston pieces/parts) blowing down the exhaust and being 'trapped' by the cats.
It was cylinder #5 rod bearing that went out on my car per the tech. It showed signs of prolonged heat damage, and was "bound to fail sooner or later". If it had happened while just cruising along, the damage obviously would not have been so severe; i.e. the engine may just have seized and not 'exploded'. Last computer read-out showed engine 'failed' at 4800 rpm, which was much less than I thought, but tech. said it may have revved slightly higher just prior to detonation.
I firmly believe that SMG helped 'save' the car in my incident. By this I mean the following: I was just going to full throttle when the engine blew; oil and anti-freeze immediately began pouring from underneath the car, but luckily I didn't 'skid' in the least. I believe that immediately the SMG computer 'saw' that the engine was 'stalling', it dis-engaged the clutch. I know this to be true since the rear wheels never locked up and I was able to steer the car over onto the grass, where I finally knocked the lever over into N, (O), WHEN I came to a halt. The anti-stall and anti-slip functions helped maintain excellent control. Frankly, if I'd locked up and spun I would have gone straight onto the grass at about 60-70 mph which was saturated from all the recent rain. I then would have 'speeded-up' until something concrete brought me to a halt! This is just one more reason why I firmly believe that SMG II and subsequent transmissions like it, are/will be the greatest advance for high performance cars and drivers in years.
Now, the wait begins. My service manager has no idea how long it's going to be before they receive an engine from Germany, and/or when my car might be ready. BMW have not even given him an estimate at this time.
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