Looking for some Advice - after BMW Dealer services

[timharding]

Good afternoon,

After some advise - sense check.

Own a BMW i8 - on 11/01/2023 Vehicle taken to Vertu BMW after breakdown - diagnosis alternator drive belt.


investigated non start of petrol engine - electric drive working ok
Aux drive belt and tensioner had failed - and fouled up starter motor - this has locked up and sheared starter motor generator

Remove broken bolts from engine block.


Cost £2513.22 which was simply due to aux drive belt, despite car having full service history and new engine.


BMW i8 Timeline


31/10/2014 Date of First registration
05/11/2014 Put onto Private Plate by previous keeper
12/09/2017 First MOT - MOT - BMW Lloyds Newcastle 16,648
17/10/2018 MOT - BMW Lloyds Newcastle 22,357
24/09/2019 MOT - BMW Lloyds Newcastle 28,917
10/06/2020 Engine replaced in June 2020 - Car went into garage in March 2020 31,697

24/08/2020 "I acquired vehicle - Mileage when acquired - 32,619 - Vehicle had full dealer service history when acquired
" 32,619
24/08/2020 I acquired vehicle 32,619
25/08/2020 Vehicle Put onto private plate
02/10/2020 MOT - Cooper BMW Sunderland 35,176
02/10/2020 Health Check and Service - drive belts checked 35,176 £292.89
19/10/2020 Vehicle Health Check replaced front and rear shock gaitors 35,485 £428.81
19/01/2021 Investigate fault getting into gear - reprogrammed - also replaced horn 37,292 £196.08
24/09/2021 MOT - Cooper BMW Sunderland 46,228
24/09/2021 MOT and Health Check 46,228 £54.85
24/09/2021 Replace Brake Disc & Pads 46,228 £440.86
24/09/2021 Vehicle health Check - including belts 46,228 £0.00
15/01/2022 Brake fluid Service & Vehicle health Check 48,797 £70.67
29/09/2022 MOT - MMC 60,932
11/01/2023 Vehicle taken to Vertu BMW after breakdown - diagnosis alternator drive belt Not given £930.18
17/01/2023 Car returned after works completed 64,049 £2,513.22
18/01/2023 Today - current day 64,062

32,365 Mileage since engine replaced 32,365 £3,997.38



Question When engine was replaced was drive belt replaced? should it have been?
Question What is the lifespan for a aux drive belt?
Question During health checks - why was belt not picked up?
Question During services - why was belt not picked up?


Welcome anyones thoughts.


Many thanks

Tim

[timharding]

BUMP

[timharding]

Clearly not read the post !

[MikeM6]

What is the warranty on the new engine? Does the car have any warranty at all?

If not, has goodwill been sought from BMW?

[vdn]

Engine replaced by BMW I'm assuming as there's no mention.

Simple as - what is the warranty on the new engine replacement?

If it's over the warranty period, then I'd be looking for good will with either full or partial cover by BMW. You have a leg to stand on with the history I'd say.

[timharding]

Thanks Mike - no info given on warranty when new engine fitted

vdn - that was my thoughts.

Ive emailed BMW to say what is the lifespan of a belt, also what is involved with the change of an engine.

They have not replied to both requests from 14/2.


Next steps im thinking raise a formal complaint.

Im not unfair, but I think this is contributory from the dealers side.

Tim

[AdeTuono]

I'd be more concerned that the vehicle had less miles registered when you bought it than when the engine was changed. Not many, granted, but sounds a bit odd.

[timharding]

AdeTuono said:

I'd be more concerned that the vehicle had less miles registered when you bought it than when the engine was changed. Not many, granted, but sounds a bit odd.

Can you explain?.


10/06/2020 Engine replaced in June 2020 - Car went into garage in March 2020 31,697

24/08/2020 "I acquired vehicle - Mileage when acquired - 32,619 - Vehicle had full dealer service history when acquired
" 32,619
24/08/2020 I acquired vehicle 32,619

[AdeTuono]

timharding said:

AdeTuono said:

I'd be more concerned that the vehicle had less miles registered when you bought it than when the engine was changed. Not many, granted, but sounds a bit odd.

Can you explain?.


10/06/2020 Engine replaced in June 2020 - Car went into garage in March 2020 31,697

24/08/2020 "I acquired vehicle - Mileage when acquired - 32,619 - Vehicle had full dealer service history when acquired
" 32,619
24/08/2020 I acquired vehicle 32,619

Sorry; misread!

[vdn]

timharding said:

Thanks Mike - no info given on warranty when new engine fitted

vdn - that was my thoughts.

Ive emailed BMW to say what is the lifespan of a belt, also what is involved with the change of an engine.

They have not replied to both requests from 14/2.


Next steps im thinking raise a formal complaint.

Im not unfair, but I think this is contributory from the dealers side.

Tim

If it were me, I'd call another dealer, randomly, and ask what the cost (to sound genuine) and warranty would be on a new engine fitted to your i8.

Call a couple and form a picture.

[darreni]

Parts & labour carry a 2 year warranty with BMW (i assume the engine was supplied & fitted by BMW?). The aux belt can let go at any time.

Have you decided to run without the BMW warranty on the car?

[timharding]

darreni said:

Parts & labour carry a 2 year warranty with BMW (i assume the engine was supplied & fitted by BMW?). The aux belt can let go at any time.

Have you decided to run without the BMW warranty on the car?

The extended warranty had expired by about a month.

Good shout out VDN on calling a couple of dealers.

The engine swap took about 3 months - from the previous owner he states they did not have a clue how to do it.

[Bonzo1930]

I'm not an expert on BMW warranty but I have a lot of experience with other brands, & unfortunately I don't think you have anywhere to go with this.
I think your causal part is the auxiliary belt tensioner rather than the belt itself which would just be a wear & tear item with the other failed items being consequently damaged, I wouldn't imagine the engine replacement would have no more than 2 years warranty but would suspect the belt & tensioner were transferred from the old unit, also history reads like you have various health checks but no service since 2020?
Too much time has elapsed for you to hold anyone responsible & unfortunately it's an 8 year old premium brand car that's spat you a big bill it happens to the best of us.
All part of the joys of motoring!

[timharding]

darreni said:

Parts & labour carry a 2 year warranty with BMW (i assume the engine was supplied & fitted by BMW?). The aux belt can let go at any time.

Have you decided to run without the BMW warranty on the car?

Yes was done under warranty by Cooper BMW which was taken over by Vertu BMW.

Tim

[darreni]

timharding said:

Yes was done under warranty by Cooper BMW which was taken over by Vertu BMW.

Tim

2 year warranty from the point of fitting then. Extended warranty worth having for piece of mind, unless you like a gamble.

[Trevor555]

timharding said:

darreni said:

Parts & labour carry a 2 year warranty with BMW (i assume the engine was supplied & fitted by BMW?). The aux belt can let go at any time.

Have you decided to run without the BMW warranty on the car?

Yes was done under warranty by Cooper BMW which was taken over by Vertu BMW.

Tim

I had a case with a Cooper Bmw dealership, which was then taken over by Vertu.

Although I had pressure from Bmwfs going on, Vertu honoured Coopers obligations in the end.

I guess part of a buyout deal was to honour existing obligations?

Respect to Vertu in my experience.

[wong]

Bonzo1930 said:

I'm not an expert on BMW warranty but I have a lot of experience with other brands, & unfortunately I don't think you have anywhere to go with this.
I think your causal part is the auxiliary belt tensioner rather than the belt itself which would just be a wear & tear item with the other failed items being consequently damaged, I wouldn't imagine the engine replacement would have no more than 2 years warranty but would suspect the belt & tensioner were transferred from the old unit, also history reads like you have various health checks but no service since 2020?
Too much time has elapsed for you to hold anyone responsible & unfortunately it's an 8 year old premium brand car that's spat you a big bill it happens to the best of us.
All part of the joys of motoring!

02/10/2020 Health Check and Service - drive belts checked 35,176 - but no mention of service since? And its at 64,062 miles in Jan 2023?

[KungFuPanda]

Is the warranty on the engine even transferable?

[darreni]

KungFuPanda said:

Is the warranty on the engine even transferable?

It should be, though given it was replaced in 2020 it’ll be out of warranty anyway.

[wpa1975]

Bonzo1930 said:

I'm not an expert on BMW warranty but I have a lot of experience with other brands, & unfortunately I don't think you have anywhere to go with this.
I think your causal part is the auxiliary belt tensioner rather than the belt itself which would just be a wear & tear item with the other failed items being consequently damaged, I wouldn't imagine the engine replacement would have no more than 2 years warranty but would suspect the belt & tensioner were transferred from the old unit, also history reads like you have various health checks but no service since 2020?
Too much time has elapsed for you to hold anyone responsible & unfortunately it's an 8 year old premium brand car that's spat you a big bill it happens to the best of us.
All part of the joys of motoring!

Agreed, I have been in warranty for 15+ years, this will go nowhere, they would have checked the belt before refitting it.