[Voltigeur]

-

First, this is not a bitch/troll post. And it's not about my BMWs, but a mate's.

And I'm sure this is an extreme rarity. We know how BMW's engines are usually the most robust element of the car (my cars' problems over the years are usually electronics or A/C).

So, just reporting:

My friend got his new 550i last month and was enjoying it for about a week. He's not a rev-head, so far from it. And then driving along at 55-60 the warning lights came on, loss of power etc. He pulled over to the side of the hwy. The 550i is as dead as a doornail.

Several days later the car's engine was diagnosed w/ "catastrophic failure". Less than 200 miles. The engine is headed back to Munchen for examination.

So, first, I feel bad as I 'drove' my mate to BMW (Lexus, Merc buyer prior).

Second, anyone have an educated guess as to what happened? Just crazy that the V8 'ate' itself.

-- V

[Stonehauler]

It could be anything...broken timing chain/belt, bad head gasket, improperly torqued head or crank bolts, bad oil pump, contamination, broken valve spring broken thermostat piece that caught in the water pump, broken valve guide, bad casting of the block/head/piston/connecting rod, improper cam install, the list goes on and on, and that doesn't even include things that could have been operator induced.

Good luck to your friend. I hope he gets everything sorted soon.

[Alan l.]

Yeah it really could be anything. Bad batch of bearings, rings, contamination got into the engine during assembly or even someone at the dealer could have taken his car for a joy ride before it was sold to him causing some damage to a green engine what wasn't warmed up yet.

[lindros2]

I've seen this type of thing happen on various cars (but few BMW's). Normally issues with turbos, heat, etc. come and result in a replacement, but I've rarely seen something this early.

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by lindros2

I've seen this type of thing happen on various cars (but few BMW's). Normally issues with turbos, heat, etc. come and result in a replacement, but I've rarely seen something this early.

Yes, my thinking too. Just so early that something was really amiss. Maybe the responsible master mechanic was hungover after a bier garten bender on Sonntag and he dialed in the wrong setting on some machine

[Voltigeur]

Follow-up:

He's been offered 1 of 2 alternative (new) 5ers or drop in a 100% new engine.

[Alan l.]

No question - New 5 series for sure.

Its just not the same when someone at dealer installs something compared to the factory.

[Stonehauler]

Go for the new car. I doubt many mechanics in a BMW shop have changed out the new f10 engine anyway...no need to let them practice on his.

[Radamez]

New car for sure.....good to see he has an option. New car with a few perks for the trouble.

[lindros2]

Originally Posted by Voltigeur

Follow-up:

He's been offered 1 of 2 alternative (new) 5ers or drop in a 100% new engine.

Thank you for keeping us posted. There is value in the story -and- the amount of time it took for BMW to respond.

I personally would take a new car as others indicated.

A replacement engine is never easy, and could spell issues downstream.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by lindros2

Thank you for keeping us posted. There is value in the story -and- the amount of time it took for BMW to respond.

I personally would take a new car as others indicated.

A replacement engine is never easy, and could spell issues downstream.

Source?

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by lindros2

Thank you for keeping us posted. There is value in the story -and- the amount of time it took for BMW to respond.

I personally would take a new car as others indicated.

A replacement engine is never easy, and could spell issues downstream.

He asked my advice and I said: take a new one. Because he wanted the car sooner and w/ the same interior as his 1st car he's losing the M-pkg. There was an M-pkg 550i on offer but diff interior. Given that he's not a keen driver I reckoned the M-pkg was overkill in any case ...

FWIW I think BMW NA did the right thing. Good for them

[darrko]

In my case it was a busted transmission (@less than 800km), replacing that took me a while to digest but a 550 engine?! Definitely not replacement!

I bet the wait for the new car (if there is one) will be unfortunate but there is no way anyone should have to accept an engine replacement in a brand new car.

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by Voltigeur

-

First, this is not a bitch/troll post. And it's not about my BMWs, but a mate's.

And I'm sure this is an extreme rarity. We know how BMW's engines are usually the most robust element of the car (my cars' problems over the years are usually electronics or A/C).

So, just reporting:

My friend got his new 550i last month and was enjoying it for about a week. He's not a rev-head, so far from it. And then driving along at 55-60 the warning lights came on, loss of power etc. He pulled over to the side of the hwy. The 550i is as dead as a doornail.

Several days later the car's engine was diagnosed w/ "catastrophic failure". Less than 200 miles. The engine is headed back to Munchen for examination.

So, first, I feel bad as I 'drove' my mate to BMW (Lexus, Merc buyer prior).

Second, anyone have an educated guess as to what happened? Just crazy that the V8 'ate' itself.

-- V

This means you did a great job breaking her in.

Or, your gages are broken!

D'oh!