X5 N63 engine recall (Service Bulletin B001314)

[heatmizr]

Remember you only hear about the cars with issues on here.
I don't think I ever posted on a forum to say that my 1998 M3 gave me almost NO issues in the 14 years I owned it. I just kept up with maintenance and did a lot of the mods and work myself, it was quite enjoyable actually.

[shark715]

Originally Posted by heatmizr

Remember you only hear about the cars with issues on here.
I don't think I ever posted on a forum to say that my 1998 M3 gave me almost NO issues in the 14 years I owned it. I just kept up with maintenance and did a lot of the mods and work myself, it was quite enjoyable actually.

Understood, but clearly this is a widespread issue. If it was an issue with a small fraction of the units out there, they would have never taken the extreme action they did. While I applaud what they did, the right thing would have been to also extend the engine warranties to 100k, or at the very least extend the warranty of the problematic parts to 100k. If they are trying to make us believe that what they did is a permanent fix, they should back it up with their wallet.

[socale39]

Agreed. We have a 2008 Honda Civic and about two years ago Honda sent a letter to us stating that the engine blocks were having issues. Sure enough last year the block developed a crack that leaked coolant all over the place. Took it to the dealership, they replaced the entire engine, then told us we have and extended engine warranty. Obviously BMW knows they have a serious issue.

[hsc1102]

Sheiittt... Posted a few times before, 6 month owner of a new to me 2010 X5M... Decided press the accelerator and what happens next, the dreaded CEL engine malfunction reduced power.

Being an active reader and poster when I can be of help, I remembered past post of users having the same issue. So, I Pulled over and turned the engine off. After a minute or two turned the engine back on and no issues. Didn't push her again because I wanted to make it home with no issues. My experience sounds similar to many of the other posts that I've read about in other posts.

On one hand, I think I've conditioned myself to expect this to happen, but on the other hand I was hoping I was one of the ones that were 'safe' from this issue.

When I got home safely, I ran a quick scan with my OBDII reader I picked up on Amazon for $20... Got error code P0304 which looks to be a misfire on cylinder 4...

Love the car but this SUCKS!!!!

[djrabbi]

I am considering just going to a BMW dealership and take them up on that "trade-in" offer and cut my losses at this point. I rather sell it privately as I will probably get more money but the more potential buyers keep reading threads like this, less they will be inclined to buying.

[socale39]

I think the used X5 50i market is starting to get soft. While looking for a 35d for months, I started noticing that even well optioned examples of the 50i were coming down in price. That being said I'd cut your losses before it takes a plunge like the E60 M5 market did.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by socale39

I think the used X5 50i market is starting to get soft. While looking for a 35d for months, I started noticing that even well optioned examples of the 50i were coming down in price. That being said I'd cut your losses before it takes a plunge like the E60 M5 market did.

I haven't noticed this and I still look at prices/X5's all the time. I see prices on X5's dropping across all the model lines, much of which I attribute to the warranty's expiring (and the vehicle getting older of course). All BMW models fall off in price once the 4 yr/50K warranty expires. 2011 prices are noticeably lower because of this, and now the same is happening with the 2012's, and not just the 50i.

There's a few threads on this forum creating a lot of fear about the N63. These few threads and the small group of owners with issues are not a fair representation of all N63 powered BMW's. We're only hearing from the few people who are having issues, not all the others who've had no issues whatsoever…like me.

To insinuate the 50i market is going to take a 'plunge' is pretty absurd.

[socale39]

Originally Posted by jiggz

I haven't noticed this and I still look at prices/X5's all the time. I see prices on X5's dropping across all the model lines, much of which I attribute to the warranty's expiring (and the vehicle getting older of course). All BMW models fall off in price once the 4 yr/50K warranty expires. 2011 prices are noticeably lower because of this, and now the same is happening with the 2012's, and not just the 50i.

There's a few threads on this forum creating a lot of fear about the N63. These few threads and the small group of owners with issues are not a fair representation of all N63 powered BMW's. We're only hearing from the few people who are having issues, not all the others who've had no issues whatsoever…like me.

To insinuate the 50i market is going to take a 'plunge' is pretty absurd.

It will, mark my words. I have a friend that's been in the business of rebuilding S85 engines for years and has rebuilt more of those engines than anyone in the world. While talking with him about picking up an X5 50i vs the 35d he actually said that he was currently working on a N63 engine from a 7 series and its beyond a nightmare. We are talking about a lot of labor hours to work on this engine and very high parts costs. Needless to say he advised to stay away and I take his professional opinion very seriously.

Considering BMW has issued an "unofficial" recall, this obviously isn't an isolated issue. Lets also remember that some people still have factory warranties so for issues to arise when its not on their dime isn't really going to warrant joining a forum and sharing their experience. As we start to see more and more 50i come out of warranty and reach higher mileage this is where the tipping point of their prices will begin to fall and we'll start to see more complaints. Maintenance costs specifically related to the N63 will no longer be covered by BMW leaving more and more owners stuck with the bill and because of this the total cost of ownership of these vehicles will be considered high in comparison to the other lineup (35i & 35d).

This is exactly what happened to the E60 M5 market when people were reaching 70-100k miles and spinning bearings outside of warranty. The difference is BMW didn't even acknowledge the issue with bearing clearances and high pressure oil pump line failures. Of course this is a different application but principles are the same.

All this being said, I still think we are only at the very beginning of all this happening but having been through a very similar issue when owning an M5 I already see history repeating itself but with this particular application. I don't see the values dropping as much as the E60 M5 did since that car had plenty of other issues and of course if BMW offers a nice transferable extended powertrain warranty due to these issues then we could see the 50i hold its value. Again, this is just my opinion so you guys can agree or disagree. Maybe using the word "plunge" might have not been the best to describe the values but I surely see a sizable drop in the near future.

[yoandry]

Originally Posted by socale39

It will, mark my words. I have a friend that's been in the business of rebuilding S85 engines for years and has rebuilt more of those engines than anyone in the world. While talking with him about picking up an X5 50i vs the 35d he actually said that he was currently working on a N63 engine from a 7 series and its beyond a nightmare. We are talking about a lot of labor hours to work on this engine and very high parts costs. Needless to say he advised to stay away and I take his professional opinion very seriously.

Considering BMW has issued an "unofficial" recall, this obviously isn't an isolated issue. Lets also remember that some people still have factory warranties so for issues to arise when its not on their dime isn't really going to warrant joining a forum and sharing their experience. As we start to see more and more 50i come out of warranty and reach higher mileage this is where the tipping point of their prices will begin to fall and we'll start to see more complaints. Maintenance costs specifically related to the N63 will no longer be covered by BMW leaving more and more owners stuck with the bill and because of this the total cost of ownership of these vehicles will be considered high in comparison to the other lineup (35i & 35d).

This is exactly what happened to the E60 M5 market when people were reaching 70-100k miles and spinning bearings outside of warranty. The difference is BMW didn't even acknowledge the issue with bearing clearances and high pressure oil pump line failures. Of course this is a different application but principles are the same.

All this being said, I still think we are only at the very beginning of all this happening but having been through a very similar issue when owning an M5 I already see history repeating itself but with this particular application. I don't see the values dropping as much as the E60 M5 did since that car had plenty of other issues and of course if BMW offers a nice transferable extended powertrain warranty due to these issues then we could see the 50i hold its value. Again, this is just my opinion so you guys can agree or disagree. Maybe using the word "plunge" might have not been the best to describe the values but I surely see a sizable drop in the near future.

Well, I just got a 2011 one for 30k with 57k miles on it and of course extended warranty to 4year/50k more. After that I pretty sure I will by more warranties. Aftermarket warranties are always there for 2k or 3k with a deductible. I love the car and power so i will take the risk.

Also someone can tell me which are the main symptoms on this N63 campaign. I do feels something like lag or misfire when turning doing 5 to 10 miles. Nothing at all in straight line, it feels good and powerful, neither any warning light showing.
I will call my dealer to see if the work has been done.

[djrabbi]

I bought this car only because I wanted to do the N63 campaign myself but I should have never bought this car. Nothing but problems honestly. I went to trade it in over the weekend and BMW dealer is like well we can't give a "incentive" because of the recall, even though it states in the official N63 Customer Care Package. So I said okay.....Went to Lexus and bought a new car...

[yoandry]

Originally Posted by djrabbi

I bought this car only because I wanted to do the N63 campaign myself but I should have never bought this car. Nothing but problems honestly. I went to trade it in over the weekend and BMW dealer is like well we can't give a "incentive" because of the recall, even though it states in the official N63 Customer Care Package. So I said okay.....Went to Lexus and bought a new car...

Got you, I has been reading your posts, hopefully i will have better luck. I still love BMW so I wouldn't be trading it for nothing.

[sonic03inSC]

Originally Posted by sonic03inSC

Engine malfunction light came on yesterday this is 4 months after the first campaign was completed. Its been in the shop for almost 20 days related to the same issue and here we go again. build date is 6-9-11. 56000 miles

Ended up being the high pressure fuel pumps that are on the recall list. Truck is running great for now.

[sonic03inSC]

Originally Posted by sonic03inSC

Ended up being the high pressure fuel pumps that are on the recall list. Truck is running great for now.

Update 450 miles later the wife just sent me a pic of the yellow engine light.
When will this end! I'm beginning to think the day I sell it. I'll update when I get the code read.

[sonic03inSC]

Code is P1447. Anyone know what that's related too?

[hsc1102]

Don't know what it means but:

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/bmw/

Diagnostic Module Tank Leakage
Pump too high during switching

[yoandry]

Originally Posted by sonic03inSC

Code is P1447. Anyone know what that's related too?

P1447 Diagnostic Module Tank Leakage (DM-TL) Pump Too High During Switching

[dudezi]

DMTL Pump code can be just the gas cap. mine code(different code ID, but DMTL related) went away when I replaced the cap, d

[heatmizr]

Originally Posted by dudezi

DMTL Pump code can be just the gas cap. mine code(different code ID, but DMTL related) went away when I replaced the cap, d

Did you take it to the dealer or tighten the cap yourself? lol
Seriously, do you mean you tightened the cap, or replaced the leaking cap with a NEW cap.

[rockriver15]

Just dropped my 2011 X5 off at the dealer. May of 2010 build. It currently has 45k on it. Will reply once I know what they will be doing to it. I was given the $50 gift card which surprised me.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by rockriver15

Just dropped my 2011 X5 off at the dealer. May of 2010 build. It currently has 45k on it. Will reply once I know what they will be doing to it. I was given the $50 gift card which surprised me.

I see your in WA state - which dealer gave you a gift card?

[rockriver15]

BMW northwest.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by rockriver15

BMW northwest.

Yah, I figured - heard great things about BMW NW but they're outta the way for us in Seattle. I just knew for certain it wasn't Bellevue - they're awful.

Good luck - I'm sure they'll get you all fixed up.