[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

Some people here claim that engines should be reinstalled/changed in the factory, which IMO is silly, because world over authorized workshops do everything from engine to chassis swaps, not that the BMW engine belongs to some 5th generation fighter plane!!!
.

I have seen this statement about major rework needs doing by the factory in a few more threads. In all honesty, i doubt that car factories are equipped or their technicians trained for that. Putting an engine into a car on the production line is very different from replacing it afterwards. In fact it is a lot easier.

As pointed out, swapping engines, on any car, including a BMW,is not that difficult a job. Mind you, it tends to take longer then swapping an engine on most jet fighters!

[nitinbose]

I may be wrong here but I feel that when the car was simply lying in the stock yard, the shelf-life of the lubricants, seals, gaskets etc., might have been over. The dealer simply sold the vehicle to a customer when they got the change, without considering any of the above, probably due to lack of expertise or took the chance considering everything to have turned out well.

The failure might have probably been due to the above reasons, when the owner started driving the vehicle.

[tejas.negandhi]

This issue is serious. No one expects even a Tata Nano engine to fail at 4k kms. My heart would burn if my vehicle would go through such an incident and I am given such treatment by the dealer. I agree with GTO to fight with the company as well as the dealer till the end. Not sure if someone has already mentioned, please file a case in Consumer Court against the dealer and company. As suggested by other members, the owner can take help of social media along with legal to put more pressure.

On the other hand, I feel there should be "stricter norms" for the auto makers to provide quality products and services. Auto company's responsibility doesn't end by just selling a vehicle. We have heard of harrowing experiences of many popular companies. Its high time government comes up with something to rein such behavior of these automakers.

I like the IRDA is taking pro-active steps to educate consumers, avoid frauds and un-ruly behavior of the insurance companies. Something like this should be done for automobile sector.

[sanjeevgpc]

I may be wrong here but in my understanding and research, mineral or synthetic oils do not disintegrate in 3-4 years and actually they do not disintegrate even if left in shelf for 10 years. The only problem with them when they get old is is that some of the additives get settled to the bottom of the bottle. The same is true when they are inside the engine as well except for they developing some acids due to the residue from exhaust.

Moreover no gasket or belts in three years (specially of BMWs) in normal circumstances will go bad to the extent of causing engine failure. I think the engine failure was caused due to just a bad luck with the engine or some part etc was modified by somebody when the car was in store for 3 years.

[Maky]

Originally Posted by GTO

• Owner wants a full refund. My opinion? The customer is entitled to it. He's paid a whopping 1.25 crores for the car! He deserves a brand-new 640d as a replacement. He hasn't paid top rupee for a car with such severe defects.

Attachment 1392358

Ideal but unlikely...

I think he should ask BMW for the difference in depreciation refunded to him i.e. 3 years worth of depreciation as he was given an older car to begin with.
Let me know what you think of this GTO.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by Maky

Ideal but unlikely...

I think he should ask BMW for the difference in depreciation refunded to him i.e. 3 years worth of depreciation as he was given an older car to begin with.
Let me know what you think of this GTO.

Why? He would have known that the car was old when he saw the RC book. He also drove a bit after that right?

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by sanjeevgpc

I may be wrong here but in my understanding and research, mineral or synthetic oils do not disintegrate in 3-4 years and actually they do not disintegrate even if left in shelf for 10 years. The only problem with them when they get old is is that some of the additives get settled to the bottom of the bottle. The same is true when they are inside the engine as well except for they developing some acids due to the residue from exhaust.

Moreover no gasket or belts in three years (specially of BMWs) in normal circumstances will go bad to the extent of causing engine failure. I think the engine failure was caused due to just a bad luck with the engine or some part etc was modified by somebody when the car was in store for 3 years.

On the oil it is most likely a water/condensation issue. Leave an engine, or a can of oil, open to the atmosphere and it will absorb water. Depending on the conditions on how this car was stored, it could be made worse through condensation in the crankcase. A lub oil heavilly contaminated with water could see a massive engine failure in a short space of time or mileage.

Certain parts on cars just dont do well after prolonged standstill. Brakes are the obvious ones and many owner have suffered seizedbrakes that were stucked after having a car sitting idle for longer period.

Also seal on shafts, e.g on pumps tend to do not well if not used regularly. They get slightly deformed if they are left idle for a long time. You start up and you might see some leakage/seapage here and there.

Again, it will be down to how the car was stored, but traditional V-belts usually dont do so well with prolonged periods of no use. As they are under tension they get deformed. When you start up, they might make more noise then usual, or worst case snap.

I keep a couple of cars in storage in my home country and I must admit I dont take any special precaution. But then they are stored in a dark, well ventilated, slightly heated garage, which is under the circumstances the best.

To date I have had very few issues and my cars sit idle for 6-12 months at the time and once also three years which only resulted in the fuel going stale.

But still, you can't predict with any degree of certaintly what a three year idle period will do. You can try to minimize impact, through the storage conditions and a proper check before recommission the car. E.g change out lub oil, brake fluid, check brakes. Turn the engine by hand, before starting etc etc.

Jeroen

[vinit.merchant]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

But still, you can't predict with any degree of certaintly what a three year idle period will do. You can try to minimize impact, through the storage conditions and a proper check before recommission the car. E.g change out lub oil, brake fluid, check brakes. Turn the engine by hand, before starting etc etc.

Jeroen

Agreed, and that is where the manufacturer warranty comes into picture. Regardless of when the car was actually manufactured, the manufacturer provided warranty for x number of years to the buyer from the date the car was bought by the current owner. And the so called goodwill gesture of the already famous dealer known for next to impossible customer service, the new engine is again a disaster. So BMW is still accountable and responsible to fix the car to perfect condition or provide him a replacement.

BMW cannot wash their hands off this, irrespective of whether it was the dealers fault. It was them who thought the dealer was capable enough for their cars, and if it is the dealers fault, then BMW should fight is out with the dealer separately. Making the customer suffer between this crap is just showing how BMW wants to treat its customers in India.

[sudev]

@GTO since you liase here for the original owner are there any updates after 10 July? Would like to know what final resolution is of this issue.

[GTO]

2015 640d in the house! An excerpt of the email that the owner sent across:

I would like to express my happiness with the support given by BHPians for my issue, and a very big thanks from my side for the same.

I have got the vehicle replaced with a 2015 640d Gran Coupe.

We had to accept their trade-in offer with a loss of Rs. 14 lakhs, with an additional charge of Rs. 10 lakhs.

[V.Narayan]

GTO, congratulations on this well deserved victory. Without your perseverance and Team BHP's voice I doubt BMW or the dealer would have listened. Now that they have redressed the customers grievance we can compliment BMW/Dealer too. - Narayan

[KMT]

This was a good gesture by BMW and will definitely reflect well on the Brand.

I hope the other Germans follow this lead (including recalls).

Congratulations to TBHP too.

[avdhesh15]

This is great and provides the required reassurance to people spending that kind of money on cars. Good starting point and hopefully in time will filter down to all car manufacturers, including the mass-manufacturers.