[sfax]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

I drove 150 miles yesterday at typical highway speeds of "speed limit +xx mph" using plenty of throttle with no problems, but today while just accelerating moderately at 35 mph, the chime started ringing and the display screens showed the "fault" messages.

So if x is say 5, that's speed limit + 25mph

[Harplayr]

I really hope (not just for your sake) that the new transfer case fixes the problem.
If it does, seeing that it has worked on other cars with similar symptoms, I hope that the next unfortunate person to get this defect will have an easier time in getting the proper diagnosis and repair and not have to go through the prostate exam you were put through.

[Harplayr]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

I also hope that the transfer case replacement cures the problem. It seems to be the “repair of last resort” and as juddholland has mentioned, it seems to always correct the problem. Since the “failure” warning screens can theoretically be triggered by other component failures, errors, glitches, etc., it’s obvious that BMW would want to eliminate those simpler and much cheaper sources first. BUT, so far, except for one case reported on this forum (KingKong), it looks like the transfer case replacement eliminates the erroneous fault warning.

I’ve looked under a X3 while one was on a chassis lift, and a transfer case replacement is not a trivial job. It is closely mated to the back of the transmission and the support member that supports the transmission and rear of the engine must be removed to change the TC. In addition there are multiple layers of underbody covers made of molded composites and embossed aluminum that must be removed to get the TC out. It is a major job, and I can understand why BMW is reluctant to do this as a first “fix”, even though it seems to be the most likely cause of the problem.

The problem that juddholland and I (and presumably others) have had is the process that we’ve all had to go through to get to the point of BMWNA admitting that there is a transfer case fault that is the most likely cause. The analogy of a prostrate exam is very appropriate, except the PE only lasts for one (very long) minute and for juddholland and me the PITA has dragged out for weeks.

If this does fix your problem will you change the lemon stickers to lemonade?

[X5plug-in]

All my scientific training (!!!) tells me that two or more identical rare events are either not rare or not identical. This to me sounds like a possible faulty batch of cases. If so, a recall would require comparison of the component batch numbers from as many faulty units as possible. Looks like you early adopters are doing the rest of us a favour. So glad that at last something positive appears to be happening for you.

[Radioactive]

Maybe you should have banged it with a hammer while you were under there!

[jijioben]

This is amazing diagnostic work and I am very happy this forum exists. Here's hoping that they do issue a recall if warranted because going through the same process Lotus had is not what I would call a satisfactory customer experience.

Many thanks to Lotus and Juddholland for taking the time (and the guts) to research this and post it here. BMW should ship you free cars to test!

[xDrive35i]

Bringing in my car for a suspension rattle. A friend of mine thinks it's a loose bushing. I think that acts as a sort of cartilage between two pieces of metal. Whenever I go over a significant road imperfection at speed of 40 or higher (often while accelerating), usually one that is parallel to the front wheels of the car, a tinkery "thud" sound makes itself known.

Not happy about this. $60,000 for a rattle I hear in my housekeeper's 8 year-old Jeep Liberty.

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

As of today, one full week after speaking with BMW US customer service rep. I was told that no transfer cases were available in the US and they're shipping one from Germany. ETA is May 23rd. I'm not holding my breadth.

Car is still generating the fault error every couple of hundred miles, but otherwise runs well despite the scary display warning to "get thee to a nunn'ry" ASAP. Am thinking of covering the central screen with black paper to avoid scarring passengers!

That was always the worst part! Whenever I'd have people in the car with me, they would get scared and want me to turn around so they could drive instead. It was embarrassing, especially because it was brand new.

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

[Brutus1]

++!!

[Bustofa]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

I know that everyone reading this thread is probably tired of hearing about this seemingly never ending saga. I'm only posting this boring tale to warn anyone who has a problem similar to the one juddholland and I have had to know what they're in for when dealing with BMW.

Not tired at all - we need to know! Many thanks for keeping us up to date but I hope you get some satisfaction soon.

[tuco44]

Thanks for keeping all of us up to date on this mess. Good to know.

[sfax]

I want the saga to go on and on. It's like a soap opera. Tune in next week when the dealer has some sensational news

Just kidding of course

[Razel]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

The "sensational news" will probably be that the dealership will offer me a brand new, bug free Tata Nano http://www.tatamotors.com/ as an even exchange for my faulty X3 35i.

Stay Tuned!

I'd insist on the MPV, but that's just me ...

[509trooper]

Hopefully this will solve the problem and you can start enjoying your vehicle!

[Harplayr]

Good luck Lotus!

[Le Chef]

I hope they have this fixed before I order SWMBO's or it's off to Audi for a Q5!

[S459]

You are gentleman, very patient. finger cross. Good Luck! like your posts.

[gareth12468]

Mine has the error comes up this morning.....

the only different is it said it's the transmission problem instead of break problem..... 4x4, tire monitor and ESC lights all on.....

[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by gareth12468

Mine has the error comes up this morning.....

the only different is it said it's the transmission problem instead of break problem..... 4x4, tire monitor and ESC lights all on.....

When did you take delivery of your X? Just wondering if it was built around the same time as the others having problems.....

[gareth12468]

Originally Posted by Want the thrill

When did you take delivery of your X? Just wondering if it was built around the same time as the others having problems.....

Built in April, take delivery early May.....

[gareth12468]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

gareth12468

I'd strongly recommend that you bring it in ASAP. If your problem is like mine and some others, it will clear the error display when you restart the car. However, the car itself will store the error codes. Very strange that the tire monitor light is triggered. Have you checked the tire pressure and reset the TPM?

Once mine started doing this on a regular basis, I stuck a small camera in the center console and photographed both the central (speedometer) and main screen every time I saw the error message (and recorded the exact mileage).
The error occurred (6) times between 1000 and 2100 miles.

You can get a decent, hand-held photo if you shut off your camera's internal flash and use an ISO speed of at least 400.

I brought my X3 to the dealership this morning and am driving a 535i X-drive loaner. When the dealer read out the X3 key fob memory, it showed (6) different stored error codes.

Dealer said he would phone tomorrow with an update. Hope the transfer case fixes the problem.

Thanks Lotus7

I went to the dealership this evening and because none of the error lights shown, they have arranged a technical specialist to take a look at it on June 13......

In the mean time, I will take photos with my blackberry whenever the lights comes up......

I will check and see if there are any error codes stored......