03-20-2011, 11:45 PM | #23 |
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Well, I'm hoping to get a call from the dealer tomorrow so that I can pick up my X3. In the mean time, I've enjoyed driving my sporty little 328i loaner--beautiful blue exterior but with a not-so-hot butterscotch-like interior. I guess I shouldn't say that--I just wouldn't have picked that interior with the blue..not my taste.
Yep, the mechanic actually said FREON. I told my husband the whole story and he said the same thing: FREON???? I suppose it's just easier to say than HFC-134a? As for the reliability issue, betto0515, don't worry. The good thing with these cars is that they have the 4yr/50K warranty. Of course none of us want to sit around in the dealership every other week getting things repaired, but I don't foresee that happening. I agree with Lotus. You kind of have to expect some of these glitches to pop up here and there and try to roll with it. I understand, though..it can be a little aggravating at times. I think I got spoiled because I never had any unscheduled maintenance issues with my 2003 325xi. On the other hand, when I was 16 years old, I had a lot of problems with a brand new Honda Accord--supposedly the most reliable (and probably most boring) machine on the planet. Hang in there betto... And thanks, Lotus, for your awesome posts. Wish I had just a millionth of your knowledge on cars! |
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03-21-2011, 03:58 AM | #24 |
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Freon is a trade mark of Du Pont and it'sstil commonly used as a word for refrigerant. After the Kyoto agreement, 134A will be phased out in 2012, in EU I think its banded after 2011. So maybe in the X3 it is HFO-1234yf who now be used.
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03-21-2011, 04:18 AM | #25 | |
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F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers |
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03-21-2011, 09:36 AM | #26 |
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03-21-2011, 11:37 AM | #27 | ||
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Production Figures from bmwusfactory.com Monthly Totals 2011 February: 20,797 Total X3 Units: 8,599 Total X5 Units: 8,683 Total X6 Units: 3,515 Quote:
All I want is a decently reliable car, by that I mean a car which occasionally gives me some issues and goes in for unscheduled maintenance work. I work in IT and I can very well understand how it is highly impossible to code something with no issues. But at the same time if the car makes me go to dealership every alternative friday then I will really be pissed off with BMW. Its not the matter of money or anything, its the matter of time and peace of mind, I would want to enjoy my car more, than worrying about when it is going to break next time. I hope we all wanted the same. |
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03-21-2011, 07:55 PM | #28 |
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Okay further update. So, as you recall, the mechanic working on the car thought the a/c problem was going to be secondary to the factory not putting in the freon, coolant or whatever you want to call it. ACTUALLY, the problem turned out to be a leaking Schrader valve that is a part of the air conditioning system. They replaced it w/ a new one. So there it is.
As far as the sensor issue, the mechanic could not find a problem when he ran the diagnostics or when he eyeballed the actual sensor. So we'll see if it (the oil temp sensor) flips on again. Thanks for all the input everyone. One last thing: when I was leaving the dealership today I was cut off by a guy in a 7 series who thought he was cooler than he actually is. I love driving BMWs---I don't love some (not all) BMW drivers. |
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03-23-2011, 01:16 AM | #30 | |
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So fuck it for now. I'm driving a 535i xDrive loaner yet again. |
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03-23-2011, 05:43 AM | #31 |
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juddholland, you did the correct thing and I would do the exact same thing if I am you.
I am surprised service department gives this kind of answers, is it our problem that the x3 is fairly new, they should go figure out what is wrong, irrespective of its new or old, if they are not comfortable with the new system they should tell the supervisor to send them for some training or something with the people who built the new system. It does not make any sense to come to the customer and tell this system is fairly new and we are still learning it. My point is at whose cost they (service department) are learning this system? What if something goes wrong and customer end up in an accident. I hope they come up with a proper response to you. I will be watching this thread for updates. We all understand that problems will occur in a new system, its the matter of how BMW's service department handles them, if they are going to give the same kind of response to all the customers, then they are sure going to piss of many and loose business atleast in the SAV segment. |
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03-23-2011, 10:38 AM | #32 | |
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So glad you're standing your ground on this. From my very limited, one time experience seeing this on my X3, I was sure it was a error in the warning system. Obviously, it could be anywhere in the complex system. However, even if it's just an "error" in the reporting and display iDrive interface, it's a false alarm that will quickly desensitize any owner from having the correct response if a real brake system failure occurs. There is a real potential for a serious accident if that happens. Since my one-time "error" occured at the exact instant I was driving under some high voltage cross-country power lines I thought it might be related to EMF interference. The sensors for the anti-lock brakes are magnetic and are the most likely component to be subject to EMF interference. That is especially disconcerting, since those same sensors are used as the source of information for the dynamic stability control system. That's why the AWD "falure" graphic also comes up when this "error" happens (at least that's what was displayed on mine). This sounds like a potential NHTSA alert or recall situation. I've already reported this issue to the NHTSA http://www.nhtsa.gov/Vehicle+Safety/Recalls+&+Defects and suggest that anyone on this forum that has also seen this on their X3 do the same. Maybe if the NHTSA starts inquiring at BMW we will see some serious attention paid to the issue. Note: The NHTSA complaint form does not have provision for listing the 2011 X3 as the reported vehicle. I used the 335i and then made it clear in the text box that the complaint was for a X3. If that doesn't work, the next stage is a class action suit, which is actually pretty easy to file, and always gets press attention. Last edited by Lotus7; 03-23-2011 at 11:04 AM.. |
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03-23-2011, 11:51 AM | #33 |
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agree with these last 3 posts by judd, jay, lotus.
since my service people were kind of dragging their feet with regards to inspecting the actual sensor, I called BMW of North America to complain. they actually called my service manager and told him that the actual sensor needed to be looked at and that they wanted feedback so that they could follow up with me. maybe some would think this is juvenile (me calling and essentially tattling on them) but then again, i sometimes think we females get the brush off/patronizing attitudes from some in the auto industry. |
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03-23-2011, 12:29 PM | #34 | |
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It's always an interesting situation that potentially becomes confrontational, when the customer knows more about the car than the Service Advisor. Sometimes it's better not to disclose all you know unless it's absolutely necessary to avoid getting into a "ones-upmanship" situation. Sometimes it's best to elevate the issue to the next level. It's good to know that BMW responded to your request. Last edited by Lotus7; 03-23-2011 at 02:25 PM.. |
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03-23-2011, 02:50 PM | #35 | |
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They are in the service industry. They are here to service you well in assurance of the direction of your hard earned money. If they don't instinctually treat you as such, then you make sure they understand the ramifications of their irresponsible behavior. Don't forget the power you have over them. You hold the reigns as to whether or not they get your money, and that of your friends and peers. |
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03-23-2011, 05:50 PM | #36 |
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juddholland,
You're beginning to sound like a "old-time" Baptist minister (I mean that in the very best sense of the profession). Are you originally from Mississippi by any chance? Did you file an on-line complaint form with the NHTSA? This is definitely a safety issue and fits their criteria for filing. They accepted my form and issued an ODI number for the case. I haven't been contacted yet. Letting your local BMW outlet know you've done so might get you even more leverage, or it might get them even madder at you than they are already. |
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03-23-2011, 06:51 PM | #37 |
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I would not think so, because we have all the rights to ask questions on the problem that we have in hand and its up to the service department to handle it appropriately, any customer irrespective of how much the value of the car is will be unhappy and worried in these kind of situations and service department should understand this and try to address the situation intellectually rather than adding fuel to the fire with statements like "car is fairly new and we are waiting for customers to buy it so that we all in service department can learn how it works". Good to know BMW NA is taking care of your complaint.
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03-23-2011, 07:42 PM | #38 | |
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03-23-2011, 08:09 PM | #39 |
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customer service is a dying art. i don't think that some of the dealerships give a rat's a** about providing good service, esp since they aren't getting paid for the first 4yrs/50K. please note that i said SOME dealerships, not all. also, i know they have already been paid for the 4yrs/50K but they don't see it that way...at least that's how they act. as such, some of them like to cut corners (ie, the whole "diagnostics not showing a problem, therefore we won't check out the actual part" bullsh**). i'm glad that bmw north america can sort of act like a system of checks/balances.
judd, i'm so glad you got some help today. the guy from bmw-na who helped me, zach, is now (i'm sure much to his chagrin) on my speed dial. the thing about the diagnostics not showing a problem is such crap. i mean do they think i'm making this problem up? like i somehow get joy out of telling them that the oil temp sensor malfunction light went on? i don't even know enough about cars to make this stuff up. i mean if i hadn't read it on the dashboard i wouldn't have even known there was such thing as an oil temp sensor! to me it's like a patient who complains about a palpable breast lump but is told not to worry about it since the mammogram is negative... okay, thanks for listening to my ranting and raving. i'll stop already... |
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03-29-2011, 06:23 PM | #40 |
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Same problem here... "oil temperature sensor malfunction" popped up today. Into the dealer tomorrow. Second repair in the first month, first one was the rear seat not being attached. Nice truck but wtf?
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03-30-2011, 02:47 AM | #44 |
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Still don't have my car back. They're waiting for some more parts to be shipped in from Germany. It's been about a week, and I'm growing impatient. If I get the car back and the issue comes back with it, I will demand a new one at the front of the queue, free-of-charge. I have ZERO patience for this.
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