[niruvrs9669]

ENGINE FAILURE ON BMW X5, Highway Driven only for 1,30,000 Km in 5 years.

Dear Motorheads,

My X5 just gave up on me on the national highway without any warning but this time with loud engine knocking noise.

An immediate diagnosis by an expert BMW owner whom we ended up meeting while stranded on the highway mentioned - "broken connecting rod, the engine needs to be replaced, hope it's under warranty !". Video attached.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC6K04AmljA

I was quite shocked to here this, but I'm not surprised anymore as this is the 3rd flat bed towing service we had to avail for the same SUV since the purchase in 2016.

1) Pump failure on 12th day after purchase in 2016. Replaced under warranty. Car wouldn't start, needed to be towed to service center in Bangalore. Part replaced under warranty.

2) Cracked and worn lower control arm bushings in 2020 while driving to Goa. Car towed to service center. Part replaced under warranty.

3) Now possible broken connecting rod (part in the engine that acts as a bridge between the piston and the crankshaft). Car towed to service center in Bangalore.

BMW service team did the initial diagnosis and called me asking my consent to dismantle the engine and do further checks before reporting to BMW India.


But with the expert feedback given by the good Samaritan (who also owns an car mods workshop in Bangalore) I did not agree to the above BMW's request. I insisted the engine be replaced first under the warranty and then BMW can do whatever needed further to analyse the issue with the engine. I just reported this incident to BMW India helpline as well.

Is this a fair ask (or) should I allow the service folks to dismantle the engine and replace specific parts if at all possible ? Kindly request your expert guidance on this issue.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by niruvrs9669

ENGINE FAILURE ON BMW X5, Highway Driven only for 1,30,000 Km in 5 years.

I just reported this incident to BMW India helpline as well.

Is this a fair ask (or) should I allow the service folks to dismantle the engine and replace specific parts if at all possible ?

Sorry to hear about this incident. I don't think earlier failures can be linked with this serious issue. By Any chance, have you got the engine remapped or used any device to increase the power? If you have not done any changes and got your car serviced regularly, BMW will support you. If in warranty, then you don't need to worry about anything but if not, they will do maximum support as long as they don't find any anomalies in service or rail pressure readings (usually tune or devise changes these)

Will suggest you wait for an answer from BMW first, if, under warranty, it will be fair to ask for a replacement but they can take a call only after opening the engine. Some of the parts can be replaced without any machining work which BMW won't authorise in any case. Usually, they are prompt to answer but you can also go with what the dealership is proposing. Maybe get in written.

[androdev]

Sorry you have to go through this! Replacement would be ideal. They may offer only repair based on what they find and you can trust their recommendation but you would be within your right to ask for say 2 years of warranty on the repaired engine. You may negotiate for a new engine replacement instead of repair by offering to pay some money. Basically keep all options open and get the best possible deal even if you have to pay a bit of money from your side.

This is a bit unusual failure for ze German engineering - mechanically they are very robust usually.

All the best!

[niruvrs9669]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

By Any chance, have you got the engine remapped or used any device to increase the power? If you have not done any changes and got your car serviced regularly, BMW will support you. If in warranty, then you don't need to worry..

Will suggest you wait for an answer from BMW first, if, under warranty, it will be fair to ask for a replacement but they can take a call only after opening the engine. Some of the parts can be replaced without any machining work which BMW won't authorise in any case. Usually, they are prompt to answer but you can also go with what the dealership is proposing. Maybe get in written.

Thank you for your prompt response once again Turbanator ! Absolutely no remap and no mods, it's kept stock as I like it that way. And it's under warranty with regular maintenance. The BSI package was extended till 160000km only in April 2021 and it was 6000 km to go for its next service.

So with good faith, ill go ahead and ask them to open up the engine for further diagnosis.

Thank you once again mate for your timely advice.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by niruvrs9669

And it's under warranty with regular maintenance. The BSI package was extended till 160000km only in April 2021 and it was 6000 km to go for its next service.

So with good faith, ill go ahead and ask them to open up the engine for further diagnosis.

For warranties, you need to have a valid BRI pack, usually 6th Year is very expesnive. Double-check on this. But, as I said before since your vehicle has done regular maintenance, they should take care.

Whatever dealership is proposing, just tell them to Email you for your records.

[niruvrs9669]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

For warranties, you need to have a valid BRI pack, usually 6th Year is very expesnive. Double-check on this.

Whatever dealership is proposing, just tell them to Email you for your records.

Actually after the Fuel pump failure debacle in April 2016, I was offered 6 year BSI Plus (1,20,000 Kms) + Repair package (6 years, unlimited mileage). And in March 2021, I've extended the BSI Plus to 1,60,000 kms since I had already clocked 120000 km in 5 years while 6 year repair package holds good for now.

I'll reach out to the service center tomorrow to figure things out. I already asked for a loaner car until this issue is sorted.

Thank you.

[Aditya]

Engine Failure in a BMW X5 | Highway Driven only for 1,30,000 Km in 5 years - Posts moved to a new thread.

[GTO]

Considering the history of the car - as Turbanator said - I think BMW will take care of your repairs. At the most, you might have to pay a minority percentage in depreciation.

What really concerns me though is this is the 4th failure I'm hearing of the 3.0 diesel in 2 years. As an owner of this engine (and remapped no less), such news is quite concerning.

[no_fear]

BMW won't replace an engine without first dismantling the engine and checking what parts failed. You will have to ask BMW dealership to open the engine. Out of curiosity, has the connecting rod broken through the engine block?

In most cases the rod would have pierced the engine casing - in that case the engine is totaled, and BMW will just put in a new engine.

[Axe77]

This is really disturbing and very sorry to hear of your predicament. A 5 year old BMW should NOT see an engine failure even at 130k kms. These engines are built to last well over 200k if not much more.

I would be curious to know not only what the exact issue is but if they can shed light on why it might be so (I’m conscious the latter is unlikely). Also, in such a case, I really think BMW ought to go a long way on some goodwill support regardless of the warranty situation because this is simply not something a customer should have to legitimately go through for a car of this vintage of miles and years.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by GTO

What really concerns me though is this is the 4th failure I'm hearing of the 3.0 diesel in 2 years. As an owner of this engine (and remapped no less), such news is quite concerning.

I have spoken to someone concerned recently and he did pointed to comparatively more failures on 6 cylinders vs 4 cylinder high mileage cars. But almost all of these had either missed oil changes or a different tunes or some service issues. In this case, OP is covered under extended warranty and has a service pack and no remapping, so it will be interesting to know the reasons.

Whatever people say, I am sure manufacturers know best how much juice they can extract from a particular engine. Now we can contradict and say that it’s just a way to sell their higher variants but I feel it’s safe to stick with manufacturer.

Maybe you should keep an eye on a clean M5

[abhishek46]

Originally Posted by niruvrs9669

Is this a fair ask (or) should I allow the service folks to dismantle the engine and replace specific parts if at all possible ? Kindly request your expert guidance on this issue.

There is no other option really. The engine needs to be 'opened' up to have a view of the damages.

Presuming that you have warranty, you may push for a 'full' engine replacement rather than a 'half' engine.

[anandpadhye]

Originally Posted by niruvrs9669

Actually after the Fuel pump failure debacle in April 2016, I was offered 6 year BSI Plus (1,20,000 Kms) + Repair package (6 years, unlimited mileage). And in March 2021, I've extended the BSI Plus to 1,60,000 kms since I had already clocked 120000 km in 5 years while 6 year repair package holds good for now.

Sad to hear about this and the previous failures. But did they give you BSI+ and BRI completely free after the first incident?
If so, that's really a positive and hope they replace the engine also in the same spirit.

[niruvrs9669]

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

But did they give you BSI+ and BRI completely free after the first incident?
If so, that's really a positive and hope they replace the engine also in the same spirit.

Yes, the 6 Year BSI + and BRI were offered for free after a bit of hustle.

Originally Posted by no_fear

Out of curiosity, has the connecting rod broken through the engine block?

Not sure how that can be identified but it's definitely not like a rod sticking out of the engine visible under the bonnet. I was able to start the engine with moderately loud ticking noise audible inside the cabin.

[no_fear]

Originally Posted by niruvrs9669

Not sure how that can be identified but it's definitely not like a rod sticking out of the engine visible under the bonnet. I was able to start the engine with moderately loud ticking noise audible inside the cabin.

A loud ticking noise means the rod has broken and is hitting against the engine casing. Its a very distinctive sound.