[D-Rock]

Hey Guys,

So my Ac has not been working on my x3 for a while. I finally had a chance to take it to BMW and they said the front of the car appears to have been in an accident (see attachment)
I dont think that the grill being unclipped means it was in an accident they also said the car was very muddy.

So the Condenser is broken and they wanted to remove the front bumper (one hour of labor at $400) If the condenser was broken due to the "accident" I have to pay $1,500 if its factory fault they will pay.

Any ways I didn't like this dealer ships vibe (I didn't purchase my car here) they kept saying I could go through insurance and get a new bumper and fix the AC. My bumper is not damaged it dosnt even have a scratch.

Anyways long story short I took my car back washed off the mud and wanted your guys opinion. Should I go else where or take it back? I feel they were trying to get money out of me.

[flavius]

So, has it been in an accident? Do you know?

[D-Rock]

Originally Posted by flavius

So, has it been in an accident? Do you know?

Thanks for the reply. No it has not been in an accident. I just hate when it comes to this dealer vs customer it can go so many different ways for the one who has to pay up

[Rodion]

How exactly the condenser is broken? Had it been in an accident, you could probably see cracks and torn piping?

A note about this: "(one hour of labor at $400)"

Wow I thought it was expensive in Finland as the labor costs in repair shops are about $190 per hour.

[nyalpine90]

DROCk

it appears your car was hit, some1 hit u while backing up maybe?, there is a dent between 2 grilles on first pic.

[The X Men]

It looks like the plastic mesh piece on the lower air dam is un-clip, did you park too close to a curb? Anyway, for an accident to damage the AC compressor, you will see a more damage than that, you will be fine, have your dealer fix it. Although I would not use the dealer that try to charge you $400 an hour.

[nyalpine90]

am i the only one that sees the dent/scratch btw chrome grilles... or am i see things lol

[D-Rock]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

am i the only one that sees the dent/scratch btw chrome grilles... or am i see things lol

Hey thanks for the reply thats the light reflection from the shop.

[D-Rock]

So looks like something happened here....???

[DslDwg]

Funny - I know my X3 hasn't been in an accident.

In the shop right now have the condenser replaced.

I'd take to a different dealer if possible.

[lbjgh]

Today is the first time I've wanted to put on the A/C on since last fall.

The car doesn't have any cooling in its system.

Also I get an intermittent noise when the a/c button is pressed.

[lbjgh]

Turns out my condenser needs replacing too. I wonder if there is a fault with the part?

Originally Posted by DslDwg

Funny - I know my X3 hasn't been in an accident.

In the shop right now have the condenser replaced.

I'd take to a different dealer if possible.

[NordicBMW]

I replaced my AC condenser 10 months ago. It broke (turned out to be a leakage I think) for no reason and was replaced under warranty, no questions asked. X3 20d, built in May 2012.

[lmcq784]

My wife's 2013 X3 has been making a whiney sound, and we've isolated it to A/C related stuff because the sound would go away if we turned the A/C off. When we brought it into our dealership, they thanked us for directing the search, and diagnosed it as a damaged condenser, ordered the part, and fixed it, all under warranty. They said they had never heard a sound like that before, because BMW recently changed their A/C system (?). So they even thanked us for some valuable information!

It seems like it's a faulty part if so many people are needing a repair. Potentially being another one of their silent recalls. But definitely get it fixed under warranty.

[Akview]

get a low wine that is diffinately related to AC because it stops when AC is off. I've tolerated the sound knowing if it is a condenser it will go out and an easy fix but it works fine but still have sound. Now I might insist on condenser replacement.
They did find a leak and replaced a seal or coupler or something like that and I asked them the check out sound. The answer was it works and sound must be normal. Hmmm not sure what to do next but it is under warrantee. I don't want to spend my time arguing with service rep

[lbjgh]

I hope everyone who has the fault will push like hell to get the parts replaced.

Enough uproar may in turn may create a 'secret warranty' extending the replacement beyond the warranty... I fully expect this problem to reappear.

I'm only speculating here but I think snow and slush hits the condenser then melts. When the car is left for a while the melted snow refreezes cracking the condenser. I think this is a design fault that BMW will neglect preferring to repair only for the "squeaky wheels". My car will likely be just off warranty when the next repair is necessary, i.e. when the car is 4yrs and one month old.

[Ashtangi]

My AC stopped working over the winter too. I have an appointment next week and it wouldn't surprise me if it's the condenser.

[lbjgh]

Good luck, be sure to post back if it is your condenser.

Originally Posted by Ashtangi

My AC stopped working over the winter too. I have an appointment next week and it wouldn't surprise me if it's the condenser.

[Akview]

After service checked out sound they order another expansion valve. since they checked out system, measuring AC levels, now that sound mysteriously went away. Now they got the part and want to replace this expansion valve for the second time. I'm hesitant to make that appointment. It has been working perfectly and Im not hearing that low wine anymore. What to do?

[MetaX]

Originally Posted by Akview

After service checked out sound they order another expansion valve. since they checked out system, measuring AC levels, now that sound mysteriously went away. Now they got the part and want to replace this expansion valve for the second time. I'm hesitant to make that appointment. It has been working perfectly and Im not hearing that low wine anymore. What to do?

I'd have them replace it anyways. You never know if the problem could be intermittent and they may find something while opening things up to install.

[Akview]

Originally Posted by MetaX

I'd have them replace it anyways. You never know if the problem could be intermittent and they may find something while opening things up to install.

Next week in for replacement of expansion valve. I get the same tech so at least he will be familiar with the issue and may notice if that sound returns. This will be the second expansion valve replacement. First time it was source of leak and cooling stopped. Wine sound discovered from expansion valve during techs examination.

[adamandmikah]

My condenser failed last year -- it wasn't cooling at all on the passenger side. they replaced it for free (pn # 64-53-9-216-144)Here is the note they made:

CRACKED CONDENSOR. FOUND LEAK AT CRACK IN CONDENSOR. REPLACED CONDENSOR.

They didn't make a big deal and I never had to ask if it was under warranty. They said they had seen it before.

good luck!