BMW 4 SERIES CONVERTIBLE , WATER LEAK!!
Discussion
My brother has a 15 plate 435d Convertible, 21,000 miles, warranty expired 3 months ago.
Last week when driving when breaking he heard what sounded like a swoshing sound from the rear left side. His amp went and after investigating there seems to be a massive build up of water where the amp is.
He managed to drain some of it using a cloth but there is still more in the car he can't get too...
Has anyone else experienced this and where do people think he would stand with his warranty running out 3 months ago?
Thanks
Last week when driving when breaking he heard what sounded like a swoshing sound from the rear left side. His amp went and after investigating there seems to be a massive build up of water where the amp is.
He managed to drain some of it using a cloth but there is still more in the car he can't get too...
Has anyone else experienced this and where do people think he would stand with his warranty running out 3 months ago?
Thanks
I had similar on my 640 coupe, rear footwell left side had a nice pool of water sloshing around.
It was the ‘bung’ at the front where the steering column would be if it was left hand drive, obviously not used as right hand drive but the seal had failed and water was getting in through there! Seemed very odd to me but it solved the issue.
Mine was under warranty luckily so sorted under that and under seat sub also replaced.
I’m guessing in a convertible there are a lot more potential areas for ingress though - good luck!
It was the ‘bung’ at the front where the steering column would be if it was left hand drive, obviously not used as right hand drive but the seal had failed and water was getting in through there! Seemed very odd to me but it solved the issue.
Mine was under warranty luckily so sorted under that and under seat sub also replaced.
I’m guessing in a convertible there are a lot more potential areas for ingress though - good luck!
I am currently going through the same situation as OP. My 2015 m235i convertible has suffered a mater leak which was determined to be coming from the trim strip where the roof and trunk lid meet. There are a couple of screw holes which weren’t sealed correctly according to the BaMW tech investigating the issue. End result that both my stereo amp and roof motor are completely ruined. Car is just out of warranty but dealership is going to bat for me in the hopes that BMW do the right thing and cover the costs of their shoddy manufacturing. MTF once BMW responds. #shouldagotthemerc.
Canucknavy said:
I am currently going through the same situation as OP. My 2015 m235i convertible has suffered a mater leak which was determined to be coming from the trim strip where the roof and trunk lid meet. There are a couple of screw holes which weren’t sealed correctly according to the BaMW tech investigating the issue. End result that both my stereo amp and roof motor are completely ruined. Car is just out of warranty but dealership is going to bat for me in the hopes that BMW do the right thing and cover the costs of their shoddy manufacturing. MTF once BMW responds. #shouldagotthemerc.
My brother spoke to BMW, they asked for a £250 contribution when they thought it was going to be £500 - (they said he will need to pay no more) in the end the cost was £2500 Update: So I received a call from the dealership. Apparently there has been a newer M24i convertible with the same issue. Fortunately for the owner, he had the work done under warranty. I on the other hand am now on the hook for a portion of the cost. The fix will cost £2400.00 + VA Tof which they want me to pay £980.00 + VAT. 
Not happy but as the car is out of warranty it is better than paying the whole amount. It seems to be a class issue though, and I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has these issues. I'm having the roof motor plastic wrapped just in case this occurs again.
Not happy but as the car is out of warranty it is better than paying the whole amount. It seems to be a class issue though, and I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has these issues. I'm having the roof motor plastic wrapped just in case this occurs again.Canucknavy said:
Update: So I received a call from the dealership. Apparently there has been a newer M24i convertible with the same issue. Fortunately for the owner, he had the work done under warranty. I on the other hand am now on the hook for a portion of the cost. The fix will cost £2400.00 + VA Tof which they want me to pay £980.00 + VAT. Not happy but as the car is out of warranty it is better than paying the whole amount. It seems to be a class issue though, and I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has these issues. I'm having the roof motor plastic wrapped just in case this occurs again.
My brother got away lucky then paying £250 Not happy but as the car is out of warranty it is better than paying the whole amount. It seems to be a class issue though, and I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has these issues. I'm having the roof motor plastic wrapped just in case this occurs again.
2400 + Vat ? For exactly what ? I would imagine your amp is blown ? yes ?
I would want to know exactly what parts / activities BMW will be implementing for that £3K work. Does it then work out if £1K is worth while. I would want to know what parts have failed to look around at buying them myself, and having them fitted.
I owned a M3 for years and noticed on warranty claims everything was £1000s therefore making your contribution seem great value.
I just dont buy it, or believe it.
Water leaks are dull to seals or holes. Takes a bit of investigation with a hose, and perhaps u squashed up in the boot with a torch.
£3K.... jesus.
SBK
I would want to know exactly what parts / activities BMW will be implementing for that £3K work. Does it then work out if £1K is worth while. I would want to know what parts have failed to look around at buying them myself, and having them fitted.
I owned a M3 for years and noticed on warranty claims everything was £1000s therefore making your contribution seem great value.
I just dont buy it, or believe it.
Water leaks are dull to seals or holes. Takes a bit of investigation with a hose, and perhaps u squashed up in the boot with a torch.
£3K.... jesus.
SBK
sbk1972 said:
2400 + Vat ? For exactly what ? I would imagine your amp is blown ? yes ?
I would want to know exactly what parts / activities BMW will be implementing for that £3K work. Does it then work out if £1K is worth while. I would want to know what parts have failed to look around at buying them myself, and having them fitted.
I owned a M3 for years and noticed on warranty claims everything was £1000s therefore making your contribution seem great value.
I just dont buy it, or believe it.
Water leaks are dull to seals or holes. Takes a bit of investigation with a hose, and perhaps u squashed up in the boot with a torch.
£3K.... jesus.
SBK
The cost for my brothers was mostly electrical, he was not arsed as he only had to spend £250 towards the bill I would want to know exactly what parts / activities BMW will be implementing for that £3K work. Does it then work out if £1K is worth while. I would want to know what parts have failed to look around at buying them myself, and having them fitted.
I owned a M3 for years and noticed on warranty claims everything was £1000s therefore making your contribution seem great value.
I just dont buy it, or believe it.
Water leaks are dull to seals or holes. Takes a bit of investigation with a hose, and perhaps u squashed up in the boot with a torch.
£3K.... jesus.
SBK
Eectrical work ? What does that mean ? You've got water in some ECUs. What happens if these dry out ?
My point here is I doubt this is £3K worth of work. I would want to see a breakdown on the suggested work plan.
Your contribution is £1100 (inc VAT).
I would also be arguing with BMW big time. I would be saying that I WILL not pay and state how other owners have only had to pay smaller amounts.
I would threaten social media.
Also, look on eBay for salvage cars, for replacement ECUs. Or sniff around BMW forums as these tell you exactly what the issue is and to do.
I had many a difficult conversation with BMW dealers over my M3.
Look at it this way. £1100 is a lot of cash, perhaps a weeks earnings ?? If so you have 35 hours to argue to earn your money.
SBK
My point here is I doubt this is £3K worth of work. I would want to see a breakdown on the suggested work plan.
Your contribution is £1100 (inc VAT).
I would also be arguing with BMW big time. I would be saying that I WILL not pay and state how other owners have only had to pay smaller amounts.
I would threaten social media.
Also, look on eBay for salvage cars, for replacement ECUs. Or sniff around BMW forums as these tell you exactly what the issue is and to do.
I had many a difficult conversation with BMW dealers over my M3.
Look at it this way. £1100 is a lot of cash, perhaps a weeks earnings ?? If so you have 35 hours to argue to earn your money.
SBK
sbk1972 said:
Eectrical work ? What does that mean ? You've got water in some ECUs. What happens if these dry out ?
My point here is I doubt this is £3K worth of work. I would want to see a breakdown on the suggested work plan.
Your contribution is £1100 (inc VAT).
I would also be arguing with BMW big time. I would be saying that I WILL not pay and state how other owners have only had to pay smaller amounts.
I would threaten social media.
Also, look on eBay for salvage cars, for replacement ECUs. Or sniff around BMW forums as these tell you exactly what the issue is and to do.
I had many a difficult conversation with BMW dealers over my M3.
Look at it this way. £1100 is a lot of cash, perhaps a weeks earnings ?? If so you have 35 hours to argue to earn your money.
SBK
Really does not matter for my bro, its done,, he had to pay £250 - BMW PAID THE REST!!! My point here is I doubt this is £3K worth of work. I would want to see a breakdown on the suggested work plan.
Your contribution is £1100 (inc VAT).
I would also be arguing with BMW big time. I would be saying that I WILL not pay and state how other owners have only had to pay smaller amounts.
I would threaten social media.
Also, look on eBay for salvage cars, for replacement ECUs. Or sniff around BMW forums as these tell you exactly what the issue is and to do.
I had many a difficult conversation with BMW dealers over my M3.
Look at it this way. £1100 is a lot of cash, perhaps a weeks earnings ?? If so you have 35 hours to argue to earn your money.
SBK
BMW 435d Convertible 65 plate. Water sloshing about in panel behind the driver which eventually drowned the entertainment system in the boot. Had it fixed under warranty in 2017 (£2000) Has now happened again! Of course its 6 months out of warranty. All sorts of electrical warning lights and failures. Waiting to see what Stratstone Chesterfield are going to say. How many times can you go back if the warranty fix keeps failing? I didn't sign up for a £2K repair bill every 18 months when I bought it. I'll keep you posted.
BMW 2015 435i
Now in for the same problem after our British 'summer' storms.
They say they have re-routed the drainage pipes so it won't happen again (sounds like a manufacturer fault to me).
And although it is under warranty, the warranty doesn't cover water ingress (but it should if it is a manufacturing / design fault?).
They are looking to cover it under 'goodwill', which I think means it is their fault without actually admitting it is their fault?
Now in for the same problem after our British 'summer' storms.
They say they have re-routed the drainage pipes so it won't happen again (sounds like a manufacturer fault to me).
And although it is under warranty, the warranty doesn't cover water ingress (but it should if it is a manufacturing / design fault?).
They are looking to cover it under 'goodwill', which I think means it is their fault without actually admitting it is their fault?
I’ve just taken my 420D in because the “No warning tones” message appeared on the display. Diagnosis - blown amp due to water collecting in rear wing area because drains were blocked with debris. Was quoted £1200 + VAT for replacement. BMW agreed to cover this cost as goodwill as it’s obviously a common issue. Thinking back I had heard water sloshing when driving but put this down to a bottle of screenwash I had in the boot. The drain holes have been widened to prevent it happening again (hopefully). I was told that “quite a few litres” of water had accumulated in the cavity.
kingofsawbo said:
Has anyone else reported water coming in from the A pillar seal above the driving seat? It’s happened to me after rainfall and I did ask Bmw to investigate at the same time as replacing amp. No word yet though.
I’ve had this on the 340. BMW played about with the roof seals which made things better for a while but it’s back again now. Mines out of warranty but I took the BMW extended option on it, just haven’t got round to booking it in yet.Have also had the water in the doors thing, that’s now gone since they did the massive holes in the sils fix. This was after the amp had blown, and been in twice for the same fix. Different dealer the second time who used a bigger drill bit I suspect.
It’s pretty rubbish though, love the convertible in summer but not impressed by the amount of water ingress I’ve had.
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