DPF Dilemma - 435D GC
Discussion
Hi guys,
Quick question (all theoretical obviously for a friend of mine 😜 ) for those who have done it (or friends have done it)
Before I ask let me give some background. He initially had bought a Golf 7 R but his job had a lot of commuting so he traded it in on a mint low mileage 435D GC.
Now his wife was made redundant several months back thanks to the mess our government has made, and his job has moved him to a local branch (3 mile trip daily) so they have lost 40% of their income.
They had been taking the car to her mom's place (80 mile round trip) every second week to visit so hadn't had any DPF issues but she died a couple months ago.
So car hasn't been on a run in some time and recently got a DPF warning.
BMW quoted him over 2k to replace it...their savings are gone thanks to his wife job searching and the cost of living and the car is financed so it's not a case of "just get a petrol" because he would need to pay in to settle the finance with money he doesn't have, and his credit rating has gone to s
t so won't get finance for a replacement.
So here comes the dilemma...gut the DPF, make it look as stock as possible welding the hole closed and get the ecu mapped to ignore it. Yes he knows this is technically illegal, but he cannot afford a new one and cannot afford to trade the car in, it is hard times indeed lads! Otherwise he would literally not be able to use his car soon.
Who of you have gutted the DPF on your car? If so how did you get it to pass MOT, and also how did you get passed the insurance? Just not mention it?
What would you do in my position?
How many of you have done this and if so what was your experience?
And please this is not an ethical or political discussion of course, worrying about how green ones car is sort of goes out the window when your in a position like this.
Advice would be appreciated.
Cheers
Quick question (all theoretical obviously for a friend of mine 😜 ) for those who have done it (or friends have done it)
Before I ask let me give some background. He initially had bought a Golf 7 R but his job had a lot of commuting so he traded it in on a mint low mileage 435D GC.
Now his wife was made redundant several months back thanks to the mess our government has made, and his job has moved him to a local branch (3 mile trip daily) so they have lost 40% of their income.
They had been taking the car to her mom's place (80 mile round trip) every second week to visit so hadn't had any DPF issues but she died a couple months ago.
So car hasn't been on a run in some time and recently got a DPF warning.
BMW quoted him over 2k to replace it...their savings are gone thanks to his wife job searching and the cost of living and the car is financed so it's not a case of "just get a petrol" because he would need to pay in to settle the finance with money he doesn't have, and his credit rating has gone to s
t so won't get finance for a replacement.So here comes the dilemma...gut the DPF, make it look as stock as possible welding the hole closed and get the ecu mapped to ignore it. Yes he knows this is technically illegal, but he cannot afford a new one and cannot afford to trade the car in, it is hard times indeed lads! Otherwise he would literally not be able to use his car soon.
Who of you have gutted the DPF on your car? If so how did you get it to pass MOT, and also how did you get passed the insurance? Just not mention it?
What would you do in my position?
How many of you have done this and if so what was your experience?
And please this is not an ethical or political discussion of course, worrying about how green ones car is sort of goes out the window when your in a position like this.
Advice would be appreciated.
Cheers
He just got the yellow warning light, took it for a run and it went away but it keeps on returning, but it's more a case of wanting to get the issue out of the way.
He has a Carly adapter and forces regen but it's getting to a stage where the DPF gets full before he has the time to sort another regen.
So was wondering if gutting the DPF was viable with all variables considered
He has a Carly adapter and forces regen but it's getting to a stage where the DPF gets full before he has the time to sort another regen.
So was wondering if gutting the DPF was viable with all variables considered
He has been using the JLM brand DPF Regen plus, it worked initially but the problem keeps rearing its ugly head now that he can't go for a run that often.
I think it's a case of wanting to gut the DPF for peace of mind.
What would be worst case if one just keeps quiet about it to insurance (looking stock)
On another note, if he could start doing the one every 2 week run again be enough to keep it healthy?
I think it's a case of wanting to gut the DPF for peace of mind.
What would be worst case if one just keeps quiet about it to insurance (looking stock)
On another note, if he could start doing the one every 2 week run again be enough to keep it healthy?
Removing the DPF isn’t as simple as just cutting it out.. The DME will need to be reprogrammed to stop regens happening, this can then cause other issues with cooling fans running at full chat at low speeds etc. Also if it’s newer than 2016, no visible smoke is allowed during the MOT test, this is almost impossible without a DPF present. My advice is trade the car in for something more suitable for short journeys.
Thankfully it is a 65 plate so it misses that cut off.
He was going to get everything sorted at Darkside developments on the same day if he went through with it and have them make sure it doesn't smoke much.
Trading in isn't an option or he would've done it, as he has too much negative equity on the car and credit rating isn't conducive to getting another car and refinancing.
This cost of living crisis has meant using credit to survive in their circumstances with the wife losing her job.
So at the moment they are technically stuck with the car until finances improve and need to find the cheapest way to remedy the DPF issue.
Maybe just taking it for a drive on the motorway once every 2 weeks again is the easiest fix.
He was going to get everything sorted at Darkside developments on the same day if he went through with it and have them make sure it doesn't smoke much.
Trading in isn't an option or he would've done it, as he has too much negative equity on the car and credit rating isn't conducive to getting another car and refinancing.
This cost of living crisis has meant using credit to survive in their circumstances with the wife losing her job.
So at the moment they are technically stuck with the car until finances improve and need to find the cheapest way to remedy the DPF issue.
Maybe just taking it for a drive on the motorway once every 2 weeks again is the easiest fix.
Done properly there should be no mot issues, a company did our Audi 5 years ago and it’s been great since.
My understanding is if it’s running well it won’t produce much smoke at all, ours certainly didn’t afterwards.
Obviously it’s not for everyone but after a few problems I just decided it was a route I’d take.
My understanding is if it’s running well it won’t produce much smoke at all, ours certainly didn’t afterwards.
Obviously it’s not for everyone but after a few problems I just decided it was a route I’d take.
Belle427 said:
Done properly there should be no mot issues, a company did our Audi 5 years ago and it’s been great since.
My understanding is if it’s running well it won’t produce much smoke at all, ours certainly didn’t afterwards.
Obviously it’s not for everyone but after a few problems I just decided it was a route I’d take.
Thanks for that, I think this is the route he may take just to get the problem sorted and enjoy the car. It only has 43k miles on.My understanding is if it’s running well it won’t produce much smoke at all, ours certainly didn’t afterwards.
Obviously it’s not for everyone but after a few problems I just decided it was a route I’d take.
Did you disclose it to the insurance or just kept it quiet and had it pass MOT?
Belle427 said:
Done properly there should be no mot issues, a company did our Audi 5 years ago and it’s been great since.
My understanding is if it’s running well it won’t produce much smoke at all, ours certainly didn’t afterwards.
Obviously it’s not for everyone but after a few problems I just decided it was a route I’d take.
Thanks for that, I think this is the route he may take just to get the problem sorted and enjoy the car. It only has 43k miles on.My understanding is if it’s running well it won’t produce much smoke at all, ours certainly didn’t afterwards.
Obviously it’s not for everyone but after a few problems I just decided it was a route I’d take.
Did you disclose it to the insurance or just kept it quiet and had it pass MOT?
There’s usually a root cause for DPF issues, on my 530d I caught it just in time - thermostat .
BMWs of that age ditched the temperature gauge for no apparent reason, coupled with poor thermostats, lots including mine were never getting up to temperature. The DPF regen wouldn’t start until the water was 80c if I recall, mine wouldn’t get past 73c.
New thermostat in and the car went into a very long regen almost immediately.
BMWs of that age ditched the temperature gauge for no apparent reason, coupled with poor thermostats, lots including mine were never getting up to temperature. The DPF regen wouldn’t start until the water was 80c if I recall, mine wouldn’t get past 73c.
New thermostat in and the car went into a very long regen almost immediately.
brentrentatent said:
Belle427 said:
Done properly there should be no mot issues, a company did our Audi 5 years ago and it’s been great since.
My understanding is if it’s running well it won’t produce much smoke at all, ours certainly didn’t afterwards.
Obviously it’s not for everyone but after a few problems I just decided it was a route I’d take.
Thanks for that, I think this is the route he may take just to get the problem sorted and enjoy the car. It only has 43k miles on.My understanding is if it’s running well it won’t produce much smoke at all, ours certainly didn’t afterwards.
Obviously it’s not for everyone but after a few problems I just decided it was a route I’d take.
Did you disclose it to the insurance or just kept it quiet and had it pass MOT?
No issues Mot time.
Any reputable company offering the service are well aware the need for it to pass mot afterwards so discuss it with them first.
For me both from a moral, legal, and long-term cost-effective point of view, I would have the DPF cleaned or replaced.
MOT issues aside - come selling time, what are you going to say to a prospective buyer, are you not going to tell them the DPF has been removed, whether they ask specifically or not?
If they can’t afford to keep the car, sell it, but declare any modifications.
(I have just renewed my insurance, ‘exhaust system changes’ is a modification that is asked)
MOT issues aside - come selling time, what are you going to say to a prospective buyer, are you not going to tell them the DPF has been removed, whether they ask specifically or not?
If they can’t afford to keep the car, sell it, but declare any modifications.
(I have just renewed my insurance, ‘exhaust system changes’ is a modification that is asked)
brentrentatent said:
What would you do in my position?
Well, the last thing I'd do is modify the car. All that will do is limit your market for selling it and potentially increase your insurance, not to mention the legality of the mod being proposed. Get the DPF cleaned and then, assuming the car is worth more than the outstanding finance, sell it and buy something small for a few grand if all he has to contend with is a three mile commute. If they're skint and not having to drive much they don't need a big, expensive car.This reminds me of the thread that was on here the other week where someone took their car (BMW or Merc?) into the main dealer for some recall work.
Whilst it was there the ECU had a software update which evidently reset it back to a standard setting, which then revealed that the car had no innards in the DPF, and it's function had been mapped out.
This update put the settings back to how it should be and left the owner with an orange warning light on the dash and in limbo as to what to do. He had bought the car legitimately but wasn't told by the seller that the DPF no longer functioned.
I could quite easily see how this could trip the OP's friend and his car up in the future should he go down the route of smashing out the centre of the DPF.
Whilst it was there the ECU had a software update which evidently reset it back to a standard setting, which then revealed that the car had no innards in the DPF, and it's function had been mapped out.
This update put the settings back to how it should be and left the owner with an orange warning light on the dash and in limbo as to what to do. He had bought the car legitimately but wasn't told by the seller that the DPF no longer functioned.
I could quite easily see how this could trip the OP's friend and his car up in the future should he go down the route of smashing out the centre of the DPF.
brentrentatent said:
Hi guys,
Quick question (all theoretical obviously for a friend of mine ?? ) for those who have done it (or friends have done it)
Before I ask let me give some background. He initially had bought a Golf 7 R but his job had a lot of commuting so he traded it in on a mint low mileage 435D GC.
Now his wife was made redundant several months back thanks to the mess our government has made, and his job has moved him to a local branch (3 mile trip daily) so they have lost 40% of their income.
They had been taking the car to her mom's place (80 mile round trip) every second week to visit so hadn't had any DPF issues but she died a couple months ago.
So car hasn't been on a run in some time and recently got a DPF warning.
BMW quoted him over 2k to replace it...their savings are gone thanks to his wife job searching and the cost of living and the car is financed so it's not a case of "just get a petrol" because he would need to pay in to settle the finance with money he doesn't have, and his credit rating has gone to st so won't get finance for a replacement.
So here comes the dilemma...gut the DPF, make it look as stock as possible welding the hole closed and get the ecu mapped to ignore it. Yes he knows this is technically illegal, but he cannot afford a new one and cannot afford to trade the car in, it is hard times indeed lads! Otherwise he would literally not be able to use his car soon.
Who of you have gutted the DPF on your car? If so how did you get it to pass MOT, and also how did you get passed the insurance? Just not mention it?
What would you do in my position?
How many of you have done this and if so what was your experience?
And please this is not an ethical or political discussion of course, worrying about how green ones car is sort of goes out the window when your in a position like this.
Advice would be appreciated.
Cheers
That’s quite the story. 3 miles you say? Get a pushbike ffs.Quick question (all theoretical obviously for a friend of mine ?? ) for those who have done it (or friends have done it)
Before I ask let me give some background. He initially had bought a Golf 7 R but his job had a lot of commuting so he traded it in on a mint low mileage 435D GC.
Now his wife was made redundant several months back thanks to the mess our government has made, and his job has moved him to a local branch (3 mile trip daily) so they have lost 40% of their income.
They had been taking the car to her mom's place (80 mile round trip) every second week to visit so hadn't had any DPF issues but she died a couple months ago.
So car hasn't been on a run in some time and recently got a DPF warning.
BMW quoted him over 2k to replace it...their savings are gone thanks to his wife job searching and the cost of living and the car is financed so it's not a case of "just get a petrol" because he would need to pay in to settle the finance with money he doesn't have, and his credit rating has gone to s
t so won't get finance for a replacement.So here comes the dilemma...gut the DPF, make it look as stock as possible welding the hole closed and get the ecu mapped to ignore it. Yes he knows this is technically illegal, but he cannot afford a new one and cannot afford to trade the car in, it is hard times indeed lads! Otherwise he would literally not be able to use his car soon.
Who of you have gutted the DPF on your car? If so how did you get it to pass MOT, and also how did you get passed the insurance? Just not mention it?
What would you do in my position?
How many of you have done this and if so what was your experience?
And please this is not an ethical or political discussion of course, worrying about how green ones car is sort of goes out the window when your in a position like this.
Advice would be appreciated.
Cheers
MitchT said:
Well, the last thing I'd do is modify the car. All that will do is limit your market for selling it and potentially increase your insurance, not to mention the legality of the mod being proposed. Get the DPF cleaned and then, assuming the car is worth more than the outstanding finance, sell it and buy something small for a few grand if all he has to contend with is a three mile commute. If they're skint and not having to drive much they don't need a big, expensive car.
correct.Best thing to do ? just fix the car.
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