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      11-22-2011, 01:53 PM   #1
x3valk
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from minor pulling to the right to steering rack replacement!!!

From looking over several posts, this seems to be a frequent issue. Here is our story (35i, M-sport, received on August 3rd). Warning, a bit long, but it is a reflection of my frustration:

1. Immediately after receiving the car, we noticed that the car was pulling to the right. Called the dealership and were told to wait for the tires to break in (whatever that means).

2. Called the dealership right before the 1000 miles mark and were told that a slight pull is normal and will disappear soon.

3. At 1800 miles, the pull was getting stronger and we decided to bring it in. This was on Nov 4th. The service associate immediately defaulted to the ''alignment" diagnosis and did us a "huge favor" by not charging us for the alignment. Never mind that we called twice before.

4. On Nov 8th, after the alignment, the service associate informs us that the car still pulls to the right and they have to order something else. It would take 2 days for delivery and 2 days to install it.

5. On Nov 15th, the new part has been installed and the car still pulls to the right. The service foreman is stumped and needs to consult with a BMW specialist who apparently will be visiting on the 18th.

6. On Nov 18th, we get a call that it is a faulty steering rack. The BMW specialist apparently told our dealer that this is a common problem for the F25. So common, in fact that they are having problem keeping enough steering racks in stock. Bottom line, we might have to wait a few days before they find and get delivery of the new part.

7. On Nov 22nd (today), we were just told that the service has the steering rack and it will take them at least two days to install it. So, chances are that we might not be able to see the car until after the Thanksgiving break...which would means about 30 days in the shop. And, there is no guarantee whether or not that will take care of the problem.

Needless to say, if after all this wait the car does not drive straight, we will consider fighting for lemon status.

I am usually fairly patient, but it seems that the service department at this dealership was extremely slow and incompetent at diagnosing the problem (if the steering rack is the problem).

Also, it seems that quite a few people are reporting a pull to the right. Perhaps not all of them require new steering racks, but who knows how many do?

Just an FYI.
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      11-22-2011, 02:38 PM   #2
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Had a similar problem, pulling to the right. Found out that after 1200 miles/2km, no warranty is available with the front end alignment. Got the alignment (right rear was out of spec), paid my money, drove it and it still pulled to the right. Second shop visit and they swapped tires left to right (both front and rear). Some instances of it pulling to the right, but it started to diminish. I figure the tires had developed a set to them, so swapping the fronts and rears somehow evened things out. It's been almost a couple of months, and it's pretty much gone for good now.
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      11-22-2011, 03:10 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by x3valk View Post
From looking over several posts, this seems to be a frequent issue. Here is our story (35i, M-sport, received on August 3rd). Warning, a bit long, but it is a reflection of my frustration:

1. Immediately after receiving the car, we noticed that the car was pulling to the right. Called the dealership and were told to wait for the tires to break in (whatever that means).

2. Called the dealership right before the 1000 miles mark and were told that a slight pull is normal and will disappear soon.

3. At 1800 miles, the pull was getting stronger and we decided to bring it in. This was on Nov 4th. The service associate immediately defaulted to the ''alignment" diagnosis and did us a "huge favor" by not charging us for the alignment. Never mind that we called twice before.

4. On Nov 8th, after the alignment, the service associate informs us that the car still pulls to the right and they have to order something else. It would take 2 days for delivery and 2 days to install it.

5. On Nov 15th, the new part has been installed and the car still pulls to the right. The service foreman is stumped and needs to consult with a BMW specialist who apparently will be visiting on the 18th.

6. On Nov 18th, we get a call that it is a faulty steering rack. The BMW specialist apparently told our dealer that this is a common problem for the F25. So common, in fact that they are having problem keeping enough steering racks in stock. Bottom line, we might have to wait a few days before they find and get delivery of the new part.

7. On Nov 22nd (today), we were just told that the service has the steering rack and it will take them at least two days to install it. So, chances are that we might not be able to see the car until after the Thanksgiving break...which would means about 30 days in the shop. And, there is no guarantee whether or not that will take care of the problem.

Needless to say, if after all this wait the car does not drive straight, we will consider fighting for lemon status.

I am usually fairly patient, but it seems that the service department at this dealership was extremely slow and incompetent at diagnosing the problem (if the steering rack is the problem).

Also, it seems that quite a few people are reporting a pull to the right. Perhaps not all of them require new steering racks, but who knows how many do?

Just an FYI.
Just had my steering rack and module replaced also needed to be software updated. My fault was steering behavior affected fault in the idrive.
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      11-22-2011, 04:51 PM   #4
x3valk
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I almost regret bringing the car to the dealership. Given how much time it took them to find the source of the problem, I have lost all trust in their competency.

Unfortunately, this whole issue got out of our control. We brought the car in for alignment...and now have the impression that a bunch of incompetents are messing around with key car components. I am afraid that all this poking around and learning at my expense might create more problems down the road. And it seems that changing the steering rack is a big intervention...But at this point, there is nothing else we can do.
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      11-22-2011, 07:34 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by x3valk View Post
I almost regret bringing the car to the dealership. Given how much time it took them to find the source of the problem, I have lost all trust in their competency.

Unfortunately, this whole issue got out of our control. We brought the car in for alignment...and now have the impression that a bunch of incompetents are messing around with key car components. I am afraid that all this poking around and learning at my expense might create more problems down the road. And it seems that changing the steering rack is a big intervention...But at this point, there is nothing else we can do.
Is there another dealer in your area?
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      11-22-2011, 07:43 PM   #6
x3valk
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There are quite a few (San Diego area). Will wait until they change the part as it is already there.... Have been reading posts all day long. A few steering racks and quite a few "alignment" complaints...humm
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      11-22-2011, 11:35 PM   #7
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This worries me, I'm going to have to send this link to my CA before I take delivery. Yes, he's actually one of those CA you can trust/rely on. Crazy, I know!
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      11-23-2011, 04:40 AM   #8
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Did you experience uneven tire wear and vibration in the steering wheel at high speeds? I'm trying to debug these issues. They've corrected what seemed to have been a minor alignment issue and I'm worried that wasn't the end of the story.
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      11-23-2011, 10:06 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by x3valk View Post
I almost regret bringing the car to the dealership. Given how much time it took them to find the source of the problem, I have lost all trust in their competency.

Unfortunately, this whole issue got out of our control. We brought the car in for alignment...and now have the impression that a bunch of incompetents are messing around with key car components. I am afraid that all this poking around and learning at my expense might create more problems down the road. And it seems that changing the steering rack is a big intervention...But at this point, there is nothing else we can do.
I had my steering Rack replaced after ONE DAY of ownership!!, they put the latest software on the car and realigned everything, cars great now, get the new rack fitted.
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      11-23-2011, 01:06 PM   #10
x3valk
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Positive outcomes such as johnbmw6's keep me from going crazy. It seems that the car will be in the shop for the Thanksgiving holiday...another delay. I wonder how many defects it would take them to take this problem a bit more seriously. What is the admissible failure rate?

Nahoa, we were still babying the car and had not driven it at speeds higher than 70-75mph. There was no vibration that I can remember, but because of the pull, I found myself holding the wheel firmly and correcting all the time especially at freeway speeds.

Last edited by x3valk; 11-23-2011 at 01:32 PM..
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      12-19-2011, 07:22 PM   #11
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any update?
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