2013 M5 - Warranty woes
Discussion
My 2013 F10 M5 had the drivetrain error appear and it went into limp mode. Got worse and started missfiring. After much aggro I managed to get it to my local dealer, who started the normal main dealer process of following the computer instructions and told me that the computer said it needed 8 new injectors and 8 new spark plugs.
I informed them that the car had extended warranty and they called back to say the injectors were covered but the spark plugs were not because they were a service item. I would have thought that once the car is in limp mode and shuts down cylinders (it was smoking very heavily) the spark plugs are always going to be ruined because they are liable to get gummed up. In other words the injector fault caused the plugs to get fouled.
They also told me the computer says an electrical component in one of the struts has failed and this requires a new strut, also unlikely to be covered under warranty because it is a wear and tear item.
Is it worth pursuing this or am I wasting my time paying for a warranty?
It is the comprehensive BMW warranty & the car has done 60K.
I informed them that the car had extended warranty and they called back to say the injectors were covered but the spark plugs were not because they were a service item. I would have thought that once the car is in limp mode and shuts down cylinders (it was smoking very heavily) the spark plugs are always going to be ruined because they are liable to get gummed up. In other words the injector fault caused the plugs to get fouled.
They also told me the computer says an electrical component in one of the struts has failed and this requires a new strut, also unlikely to be covered under warranty because it is a wear and tear item.
Is it worth pursuing this or am I wasting my time paying for a warranty?
It is the comprehensive BMW warranty & the car has done 60K.
darreni said:
Wear & tear is covered up to 100k miles on the insured extended warranty.
I assume you refer to the below - So I assume "service items" is their get out?Our policy on wear and tear
During the service life of your insured
vehicle, normal degradation will naturally occur
to some components, we term this wear and
tear. For instance, components which are
subjected to constant or sustained periods of
movement, such as suspension bushes/ball
joints and steering joints, would be subject to
wear and tear. Dependant on the age and
mileage of your insured vehicle, we may not
be able to cover this type of failure and the cost
of replacement will be your responsibility.
If you have the Comprehensive level of cover
however, we have included all insured
components even if the failure is due to normal
degradation (wear and tear) up to 100,000
miles from the date of registration. In addition, if
a component has previously been replaced
with a BMW genuine part, the same rule will
apply, in this case evidence of mileage at
fitment will be required.
DuraAce said:
How do all the plugs and injectors fail at the same time? Sounds like guesswork diagnosis.
When were the plugs last done?
The Plugs were done about 12 months ago.When were the plugs last done?
It seems to me that the skills of diagnosis are long gone. BMW technicians are nothing more than fitters nowadays who follow instructions on a computer to start replacing components until the problem is resolved. Nothing more, nothing less. The service agent even told me that they have plugged a computer in and it "wanted 8 new injectors and 8 new plugs" He told me it was a "staged diagnosis" and this was stage 1 - in other words they had no idea if it would clear the fault.
As above, wear and tear is covered on the comprehensive warranty. Looking at page 16 of the latest policy I can't see any exclusions for your suspension issue
https://www.bmw-warranty.co.uk/PDF/4102BMW%200318....
As for the 'all service items which will require periodic replacement.' exclusion I would read that as them making clear that this is not a service plan.
Further down they have this clause: 'Sundries: working materials i.e. oils, filters, antifreeze are claimable as a direct result of a valid claim providing the insured vehicle is not within 1,000 miles of its next scheduled service.'.
So following your dealer's logic you should not be able to claim for these either even though the booklet says you can.
I'd ring the warranty company and get it clarified, but be ready to push back against them too
You may end up speaking to one of the engineers at the underwriters.
https://www.bmw-warranty.co.uk/PDF/4102BMW%200318....
As for the 'all service items which will require periodic replacement.' exclusion I would read that as them making clear that this is not a service plan.
Further down they have this clause: 'Sundries: working materials i.e. oils, filters, antifreeze are claimable as a direct result of a valid claim providing the insured vehicle is not within 1,000 miles of its next scheduled service.'.
So following your dealer's logic you should not be able to claim for these either even though the booklet says you can.
I'd ring the warranty company and get it clarified, but be ready to push back against them too
You may end up speaking to one of the engineers at the underwriters.bmwmike said:
+1 on speaking to Allianz to get their position. In my experience the bmw dealers are often the ones pushing back because the warranty rate is far cheaper than the retail rate so they don't always want the work.
I found the opposite. Always willing to help.Point of those terms in the warranty to the dealer / Allianz.
It is one of the best warranties available, it should be OK.
Driver101 said:
I've not had a BMW insured warranty since Mondial were the backers, but I've had a BMW dealer dismiss claims that Mondial agreed were covered under the policy.
I did get refunded.
I have also found BMW less than helpful when claiming for problems. Their automatic answer is its not covered. They tried this with me once and I said well I think it would be according to the TCs. They sent over the info to mondial and everything was covered and more without issue. I did get refunded.
Not sure why the dealers do this; is it a ploy to get more higher paid work for themselves from the customer rather than the warranty company?
Chamon_Lee said:
I have also found BMW less than helpful when claiming for problems. Their automatic answer is its not covered. They tried this with me once and I said well I think it would be according to the TCs. They sent over the info to mondial and everything was covered and more without issue.
Not sure why the dealers do this; is it a ploy to get more higher paid work for themselves from the customer rather than the warranty company?
Yes - the mondial / Allianz pay out per hour is less than half the retail hourly rate so if the workshop is busy presumably the dealer would prefer prioritise retail work. Not sure why the dealers do this; is it a ploy to get more higher paid work for themselves from the customer rather than the warranty company?
My experience of bmw dealers:
Told me the wishbones needed replacing, not covered by warranty so that's £950+vat sir. Phone to allianz and its covered, dealer reluctant to do work but agrees but now the KDS which was originally required in the 950 quote no longer needed. Phone call to Allianz, they sort it. Dealer agrees to KDS, but tries it on front wheels only, get car back with steering wheel wonky. Take car back, ask them to try again on all four wheels this time. Sorted. Pain in the bum.
Another time..shock needs replacing sir, good news - it's covered! They seem to think it's a privilege or something, not something I've paid for via an insurance policy. Then I explain as the car is over 50k miles shocks must be replaced in pairs as per BMW TIS. No sir, just the one side. Back to allianz, approved.. yadda yadda yawn. Etc. Personally I think they claim for both sides but replace only one - fraud.
cashmax said:
The Plugs were done about 12 months ago.
It seems to me that the skills of diagnosis are long gone. BMW technicians are nothing more than fitters nowadays who follow instructions on a computer to start replacing components until the problem is resolved. Nothing more, nothing less. The service agent even told me that they have plugged a computer in and it "wanted 8 new injectors and 8 new plugs" He told me it was a "staged diagnosis" and this was stage 1 - in other words they had no idea if it would clear the fault.
If the plugs where changed with bmw items they have 2 years warranty, but there is no way all are faulty. Sounds like a junior tech playing parts darts to me.It seems to me that the skills of diagnosis are long gone. BMW technicians are nothing more than fitters nowadays who follow instructions on a computer to start replacing components until the problem is resolved. Nothing more, nothing less. The service agent even told me that they have plugged a computer in and it "wanted 8 new injectors and 8 new plugs" He told me it was a "staged diagnosis" and this was stage 1 - in other words they had no idea if it would clear the fault.
autohead said:
cashmax said:
The Plugs were done about 12 months ago.
It seems to me that the skills of diagnosis are long gone. BMW technicians are nothing more than fitters nowadays who follow instructions on a computer to start replacing components until the problem is resolved. Nothing more, nothing less. The service agent even told me that they have plugged a computer in and it "wanted 8 new injectors and 8 new plugs" He told me it was a "staged diagnosis" and this was stage 1 - in other words they had no idea if it would clear the fault.
If the plugs where changed with bmw items they have 2 years warranty, but there is no way all are faulty. Sounds like a junior tech playing parts darts to me.It seems to me that the skills of diagnosis are long gone. BMW technicians are nothing more than fitters nowadays who follow instructions on a computer to start replacing components until the problem is resolved. Nothing more, nothing less. The service agent even told me that they have plugged a computer in and it "wanted 8 new injectors and 8 new plugs" He told me it was a "staged diagnosis" and this was stage 1 - in other words they had no idea if it would clear the fault.
Edited by cashmax on Thursday 25th April 08:00
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff