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      05-07-2019, 10:07 AM   #1
laselvasurf
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2013 X5M Engine Failure

Many of you have seen posts about the X5M I purchased a few months ago. It's been running extremely well and I have put almost 5,000 miles on it since purchase. I was driving on Friday, the vehicle was acting perfectly and while accelerating somewhat hard(no where near floored though) the engine died while shifting into 2nd. Luckily I was close to home and was able to coast to a safe place. I tried to start it up and had no luck. Eventually the battery died and I had to get a tow. My mechanic has looked at it and told me today that it looks like the engine is done. Has anyone had similar issues with the S63 that might be able to give some advice on how to proceed? The vehicle is under warranty(thank goodness!), so we'll see how that is all handled.

I've done a bit of research and I found Ghassan Automotive's rebuilt S63s. Has anyone here had experience with them? I'm sure the warranty company will try and save any money they can on the rebuild, but I also want to make sure it's done right. If anyone has any information that might be helpful, I'd appreciate it!

Picture just because, the X5M with my wife's X5 35D.
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      05-07-2019, 10:27 AM   #2
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what kind of sound you hear when you try to start it?
didnt have any experience like this but depending on the problem it may not need a new engine..

PS: why 2 X5's mate?
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      05-07-2019, 10:52 AM   #3
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Sorry to read. What exactly is wrong with the motor? A mechanic saying it is "Done" does not cut it.
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      05-07-2019, 12:01 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by pearlpower View Post
Sorry to read. What exactly is wrong with the motor? A mechanic saying it is "Done" does not cut it.
Agreed .. would be looking for 2nd opinion quickly.
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      05-07-2019, 01:31 PM   #5
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sorry to hear about this luckily I never experienced such event but I would also suggest to get more details about what exactly wrong!

good luck!
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      05-07-2019, 01:53 PM   #6
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It's very important to know the history of the vehicle especially when you recently purchased it as used. Is the car modified and what tune is it running? Mileage, maintenance and oil change intervals would help too

If you do decide to part out, I call dibs on the front spoiler j/k
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      05-07-2019, 02:29 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by laselvasurf View Post
Many of you have seen posts about the X5M I purchased a few months ago. It's been running extremely well and I have put almost 5,000 miles on it since purchase. I was driving on Friday, the vehicle was acting perfectly and while accelerating somewhat hard(no where near floored though) the engine died while shifting into 2nd. Luckily I was close to home and was able to coast to a safe place. I tried to start it up and had no luck. Eventually the battery died and I had to get a tow. My mechanic has looked at it and told me today that it looks like the engine is done. Has anyone had similar issues with the S63 that might be able to give some advice on how to proceed? The vehicle is under warranty(thank goodness!), so we'll see how that is all handled.

I've done a bit of research and I found Ghassan Automotive's rebuilt S63s. Has anyone here had experience with them? I'm sure the warranty company will try and save any money they can on the rebuild, but I also want to make sure it's done right. If anyone has any information that might be helpful, I'd appreciate it!

Picture just because, the X5M with my wife's X5 35D.
IIRC, you went with PRco insurance coverage your indie mechanic recommended amirite? So if the diagnosis is indeed true, it looks like you are covered from day 1. Not sure about Ghassan Automotive replacement S63's. Maybe you can verify with PRco on that. Good luck with your claim and outcome.
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      05-07-2019, 03:54 PM   #8
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Ghassan motors are known to be great.
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      05-07-2019, 04:40 PM   #9
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Still in break in for a Ghassan build currently. I work from home so... it's taking a ton of time to get done. I have barely been in boost, so I can't tell you what it's like at WOT after the build yet (or for some time still.) What I can tell you is that there is no more black on my exhaust tips, the motor (with forged rods and pistons) is noticeably more responsive and the build appears to be flawless so far.

I cannot recommend using him enough.

I've given a couple of recommendations for him via phone and happy to do the same for you if you'd like to chat.

The guy is a class act and he totally had the chance to talk on a couple fo extra thousand dollars in the parts selection process, but was faithful to me as a customer.

I don't know know how many of you have dealt with speed shops previously, but there are definitely some shady characters out there... Gee isn't one. That's the most valuable thing I think can be said of a mechanic; he's got skills and morals.

That's a rare thing.
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      05-07-2019, 04:47 PM   #10
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If the insurance company wants to save money...

It will be a bit shy of $40k for a new motor installed from BMW (per local dealership experience)

Which then will have the same inherent flaws as your current predicament...

I would have a conversation with them, save some money, and build it back bulletproof instead.

Quote:
Originally Posted by laselvasurf View Post
I've done a bit of research and I found Ghassan Automotive's rebuilt S63s. Has anyone here had experience with them? I'm sure the warranty company will try and save any money they can on the rebuild, but I also want to make sure it's done right. If anyone has any information that might be helpful, I'd appreciate it!
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      05-07-2019, 04:52 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by yco View Post
what kind of sound you hear when you try to start it?
didnt have any experience like this but depending on the problem it may not need a new engine..

PS: why 2 X5's mate?
It makes a clicking sound, it'll start to turn over but won't get far. My mechanic said he found metal shards in the oil and was unable to get a clean rotation with his biggest breaker bar. Last we talked he had only spend a couple hours digging into it, so things could of changed. We'll find out soon.

As for 2 X5s... I bought my wife's two years ago and love it. After 3 years of driving an escalade daily, I got tired of having a slow/terribly handling vehicle so I went completely the other way and ended up with the X5M. I will most likely get an X3 for my wife and sell her X5 as it's the biggest vehicle she's owned and wants something a bit more nimble.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pearlpower View Post
Sorry to read. What exactly is wrong with the motor? A mechanic saying it is "Done" does not cut it.
My mechanic wasn't sure. He just found metal in the oil and it wouldn't turn. He's digging into it more now, so hopefully I'll hear more over the next day.

Quote:
Originally Posted by IN-FLT View Post
Agreed .. would be looking for 2nd opinion quickly.
I think the warranty company will do as much as possible to verify the issue. He's a solid mechanic with years experience working on m cars, so I'm confident in his knowledge and skills. If the warranty company bails, then I'll definitely look for a 2nd opinion.


Quote:
Originally Posted by boneca View Post
sorry to hear about this luckily I never experienced such event but I would also suggest to get more details about what exactly wrong!

good luck!
Thanks, I'll post an update once I get more info from my mechanic.

Quote:
Originally Posted by quick View Post
It's very important to know the history of the vehicle especially when you recently purchased it as used. Is the car modified and what tune is it running? Mileage, maintenance and oil change intervals would help too

If you do decide to part out, I call dibs on the front spoiler j/k
It was well taken care of. The previous owner had it from 40K until 92K when I bought it. He only did the maintenance required by BMW, so the oil changes were done far less often than I would of done. That said, he did take care of everything that came up, so nothing was neglected. It currently is at 97K(roughly), it's not modified at all and has no tune. Completely stock other than me adding the front splitter.



Quote:
Originally Posted by DeeO View Post
IIRC, you went with PRco insurance coverage your indie mechanic recommended amirite? So if the diagnosis is indeed true, it looks like you are covered from day 1. Not sure about Ghassan Automotive replacement S63's. Maybe you can verify with PRco on that. Good luck with your claim and outcome.
Your memory is correct, we'll see how the process goes with PRco. Based on my understanding of the contract, it will be fully covered.


Quote:
Originally Posted by 9vapors View Post
Ghassan motors are known to be great.
Thank you, that's good to know!

Quote:
Originally Posted by greddy91 View Post
Still in break in for a Ghassan build currently. I work from home so... it's taking a ton of time to get done. I have barely been in boost, so I can't tell you what it's like at WOT after the build yet (or for some time still.) What I can tell you is that there is no more black on my exhaust tips, the motor (with forged rods and pistons) is noticeably more responsive and the build appears to be flawless so far.

I cannot recommend using him enough.

I've given a couple of recommendations for him via phone and happy to do the same for you if you'd like to chat.

The guy is a class act and he totally had the chance to talk on a couple fo extra thousand dollars in the parts selection process, but was faithful to me as a customer.

I don't know know how many of you have dealt with speed shops previously, but there are definitely some shady characters out there... Gee isn't one. That's the most valuable thing I think can be said of a mechanic; he's got skills and morals.

That's a rare thing.
That's awesome to hear! I will definitely keep them in mind depending on what my mechanic and the warranty company come up with as a solution.
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      05-07-2019, 08:24 PM   #12
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well if that aint a coincidence...my 2013 X5M did the very same thing on Sunday night. A quick little acceleration down the road, came to the stop sign, took off and it died in the intersection. Thought it was a dead battery but towed to dealer and he said the engine is locked. Dealer just redid the VSS and gave the car a clean bill of health less than 1000 miles ago. It's got 75K miles. He's going to start disassembling tomorrow to find out what the issue is. No overheat, no loud noises, no leaks, no smoke, just stopped. I just bought the car 2 months ago without a warranty from a private dealer. Did quite a bit of pre-check including taking it to the very same dealer for a pre-purchase inspection had the history, etc. I know my way around a car, but this engine seize is very strange, especially for this engine. We'll soon see what happened.

I'll be watching this thread to see what unfolds...

Last edited by RSmokos; 05-07-2019 at 08:44 PM..
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      05-08-2019, 07:37 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RSmokos View Post
well if that aint a coincidence...my 2013 X5M did the very same thing on Sunday night. A quick little acceleration down the road, came to the stop sign, took off and it died in the intersection. Thought it was a dead battery but towed to dealer and he said the engine is locked. Dealer just redid the VSS and gave the car a clean bill of health less than 1000 miles ago. It's got 75K miles. He's going to start disassembling tomorrow to find out what the issue is. No overheat, no loud noises, no leaks, no smoke, just stopped. I just bought the car 2 months ago without a warranty from a private dealer. Did quite a bit of pre-check including taking it to the very same dealer for a pre-purchase inspection had the history, etc. I know my way around a car, but this engine seize is very strange, especially for this engine. We'll soon see what happened.

I'll be watching this thread to see what unfolds...

Could be a minor thing , like a blocked fuel line
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      05-08-2019, 09:59 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by RSmokos View Post
well if that aint a coincidence...my 2013 X5M did the very same thing on Sunday night. A quick little acceleration down the road, came to the stop sign, took off and it died in the intersection. Thought it was a dead battery but towed to dealer and he said the engine is locked. Dealer just redid the VSS and gave the car a clean bill of health less than 1000 miles ago. It's got 75K miles. He's going to start disassembling tomorrow to find out what the issue is. No overheat, no loud noises, no leaks, no smoke, just stopped. I just bought the car 2 months ago without a warranty from a private dealer. Did quite a bit of pre-check including taking it to the very same dealer for a pre-purchase inspection had the history, etc. I know my way around a car, but this engine seize is very strange, especially for this engine. We'll soon see what happened.

I'll be watching this thread to see what unfolds...
I'm sorry to hear this. Hopefully the prognosis is incorrect and your motor isn't locked. That said, your failure while driving experience is identical to mine though. Everything was literally perfect, no warnings of any kind until the engine stopped. It didn't even hiccup when it died, it immediately shifted to neutral and I coasted to a stop. I also had a PPI done when I bought my X5M in Houston by a reputable shop there, and then again after making the 2000 mile drive home by a BMW specialist in my home town. Definitely keep us up to date as the mechanic starts digging into your engine.
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      05-08-2019, 12:16 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by greddy91 View Post
Still in break in for a Ghassan build currently. I work from home so... it's taking a ton of time to get done. I have barely been in boost, so I can't tell you what it's like at WOT after the build yet (or for some time still.) What I can tell you is that there is no more black on my exhaust tips, the motor (with forged rods and pistons) is noticeably more responsive and the build appears to be flawless so far.

I cannot recommend using him enough.

I've given a couple of recommendations for him via phone and happy to do the same for you if you'd like to chat.

The guy is a class act and he totally had the chance to talk on a couple fo extra thousand dollars in the parts selection process, but was faithful to me as a customer.

I don't know know how many of you have dealt with speed shops previously, but there are definitely some shady characters out there... Gee isn't one. That's the most valuable thing I think can be said of a mechanic; he's got skills and morals.

That's a rare thing.
S63 or N54? I've been talking to him about rebuilding the N54 in the GF's 535xiT. We bought the car with 120k, engine hydrolocked itself after an injector failed. LONG shit story with a junkyard in Texas, eventually found an engine w/ 75k locally and that engine only lasted 10k before it got rod knock.
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      05-08-2019, 09:19 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by m5james View Post
S63 or N54? I've been talking to him about rebuilding the N54 in the GF's 535xiT. We bought the car with 120k, engine hydrolocked itself after an injector failed. LONG shit story with a junkyard in Texas, eventually found an engine w/ 75k locally and that engine only lasted 10k before it got rod knock.
I left my 2010 X5M with him, the whole car as I stayed local. We worked together to research and plan each individual upgrade component or OEM selection.

I wouldn't trust him with my kid just yet, but I did trust him with $50k of cash and assets and feel like I got a full return and a friend in the business out of the deal.

I genuinely wouldn't take any BMW I ever own (this ones probably my only adventure) anywhere else.
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      05-08-2019, 09:24 PM   #17
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well today was another limited information day from the dealer. They're definitely not jumping into this or limiting in the information they want to give. The piece today was "found shavings in the oil pan and did you get any indication on low oil level?"...I said nope. I told them that oil shavings sound like a valve hit a piston and did it jump on the timing chain? he wouldn't say until the mechanic got more info. I'm thinking timing chain at this point.

To be continued....
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      05-08-2019, 09:25 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by greddy91 View Post
I left my 2010 X5M with him, the whole car as I stayed local. We worked together to research and plan each individual upgrade component or OEM selection.

I wouldn't trust him with my kid just yet, but I did trust him with $50k of cash and assets and feel like I got a full return and a friend in the business out of the deal.

I genuinely wouldn't take any BMW I ever own (this ones probably my only adventure) anywhere else.
Fair enough. What'd it cost you? I dread the day it comes to that but I'd rather be ready vs surprised.

I knew if I kept pushing the limits of my Harley Davidson F150 that the motor would pop, fortunately I'd set aside $6k, low and behold it broke a rod and vented the block while sitting in traffic two weeks before Christmas. About $8k and a few months later I had a fully forged engine, bigger Kenne Bell supercharger, supporting fuel mods, etc installed while the truck was down but she's back on the road now :-)
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      05-08-2019, 09:42 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by RSmokos View Post
well today was another limited information day from the dealer. They're definitely not jumping into this or limiting in the information they want to give. The piece today was "found shavings in the oil pan and did you get any indication on low oil level?"...I said nope. I told them that oil shavings sound like a valve hit a piston and did it jump on the timing chain? he wouldn't say until the mechanic got more info. I'm thinking timing chain at this point.

To be continued....
Unfortunately the timing chain on the S63 is the same as the N63...BMW put out a Customer Care Package AKA recall for them but left us out of it. Apparently BMW hasn't learned it lesson w/ cutting corners like the M62 timing chain/guides days :/ Hold their feet to the fire and put the blame on them before they put it on you...they know this is an issue in another engine, so there's ZERO reason (besides admitting fault and costs) as to why the S63 shouldn't be under that recall...they're dragging their feet. We share the same injectors as the N54, they had a recall, my injectors failed, yet when I called BMW NA about it they acted like I had no idea what I was talking about. I paid and swapped them myself, only to have them finally admit it and issued a nationwide recall, so fortunately I got my money back.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/b...ues-90678.html

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      05-08-2019, 09:50 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by m5james View Post
S63 or N54? I've been talking to him about rebuilding the N54 in the GF's 535xiT. We bought the car with 120k, engine hydrolocked itself after an injector failed. LONG shit story with a junkyard in Texas, eventually found an engine w/ 75k locally and that engine only lasted 10k before it got rod knock.
BTW - my engine failure was also diagnosed as a fragged injector.

Seems like maybe we know what lawsuit comes next.
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      05-08-2019, 10:36 PM   #21
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Direct injection has been a shitshow for multiple BMW engines, hence why the N55's went back to traditional injectors. What's absurb is the prices of DI's have gone up double, 12's still have issues and I've yet to hear about a 13th revision...because 12 revisions hasn't been enough to figure this shit out!!
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      05-09-2019, 02:33 AM   #22
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Auts

That's bad, sorry to hear.

It really seems weird that it just suddenly broke. Your mechanic should be able to tell you exactly whats wrong with it so you can proceed with the insurance things. Good luck!
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