77K miles, 4 new turbos

[esses]

So a quick history. I have a year one of the one that needed new turbos at 28,000 miles. I posted about it here and here.

I am now at 77,000 miles, heard the dreaded tick and got an engine malfunction light. Took the car in and BMW says the bearings failed and I need 2 more new turbos. BMW says it is not covered by warranty and will cost $3800.

Obviously I am fighting this. Its not really the money, its the fact that turbos should not fail - twice - in 77K miles. Particularly when BMW put the new ones in 50K miles ago.

Has anyone else had something like this happen to their 1? Any advice in dealing with BMW?

I have to assume they blame the bearings to avoid the work being covered under the court ordered 8 year wastegate warranty. Could wastegate problems square the bearings? What else aside from defect or overboost would square bearings?

[Ferdi14]

I'm sorry that this has happened to you. But at least these turbo's lasted longer than the original ones. Since it's out of warranty I think that you have no other choice than to pay out of pocket for it. $3800 seems steep, but if that was a dealer than I wouldn't be surprised because they are usually rip offs. I looked online and One turbo is $650. So that's $1300 in parts. If I were you I would buy the two turbo's online and shop for a mechanic that specializes in German cars. I'm sure the mechanic will not be anywhere near $3800.

Best of luck to you.

[P90Puma]

8yrs/82k miles warranty on the turbos, you should be G2G.

Call BMW USA.

[Ender_]

Originally Posted by P90Puma

8yrs/82k miles warranty on the turbos, you should be G2G.

Call BMW USA.

Didn't know that myself, but sure enough here it is...good to know thanks!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...0&d=1344705341

[Dackelone]

Don't forget that IF those last turbo's were replaced less than two years ago... they are also covered by BMW's parts warranty!

Here are some pdf's that might help you out...

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by esses

So a quick history. I have a year one of the one that needed new turbos at 28,000 miles. I posted about it here and here.

I am now at 77,000 miles, heard the dreaded tick and got an engine malfunction light. Took the car in and BMW says the bearings failed and I need 2 more new turbos. BMW says it is not covered by warranty and will cost $3800.

Obviously I am fighting this. Its not really the money, its the fact that turbos should not fail - twice - in 77K miles. Particularly when BMW put the new ones in 50K miles ago.

Has anyone else had something like this happen to their 1? Any advice in dealing with BMW?

I have to assume they blame the bearings to avoid the work being covered under the court ordered 8 year wastegate warranty. Could wastegate problems square the bearings? What else aside from defect or overboost would square bearings?

How often do you change your oil? I hope you are not going 10-15K OCI.

[mike@x-ph.com]

You should be covered call BMW USA

[2012_135i]

Sounds harsh. Definitely call BMWUSA. If that doesn't help look elsewhere for the repair. BMW isn't doing you much good.

[the1andonly]

maybe this in your profile has something to do this it:

"Drives: like I stole it."

just saying

[luv135i]

If it truely is a bearing failure and not a wastegate issue then that warranty does not apply and it also appears you got the new turbos more than 2 years ago. Sounds like your on your own with this.

[Pig Farmer]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

How often do you change your oil? I hope you are not going 10-15K OCI.

This is an interesting question and probably not meant to be an accusatory comment. Would the OP being willing to share his oil change intervals so that the rest of us can assess whether we are putting our turbos at risk?

Just another thought... When installing RB turbos, Rob recommends replacing the oil supply lines. I can help but wonder if something is blocking the oil supply lines causing oil starvation. Since the OP has experienced a repeat failure, I would investigate this possibility.

[bbbbmw]

In one of your original posts you said BMW stated the original turbos had a defect. Perhaps they replaced them with ones that also had a defect? They did that with another BMW I had, where the catalytic converter failed - they replaced it with another that had the same known defect. Maybe do some research, and see if that's the case? That said - BMW NA didn't stand behind it, and I had to pay for the new cat - still pisses me off...

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

This is an interesting question and probably not meant to be an accusatory comment. Would the OP being willing to share his oil change intervals so that the rest of us can assess whether we are putting our turbos at risk?

Just another thought... When installing RB turbos, Rob recommends replacing the oil supply lines. I can help but wonder if something is blocking the oil supply lines causing oil starvation. Since the OP has experienced a repeat failure, I would investigate this possibility.

Correct. The N54/N55 are pretty hard on oil based on the UOA's I've seen. Extending the OCI could affect the bearing life of the turbo(s). My recommendation would be for 5,000 mile oil changes.

[esses]

Update:

Further testing revealed that boost would not load. The vacuum system checked out fine. The cause was determined to be a loose wastegate valve. My ASA really went to bat and made sure it was all covered by the court ordered 8 year emissions warranty.



Re: oil changes. I change my oil every 4500-5500 miles. I have the dealership do it every other oil change so they can run a full diagnostic and I use OEM when I do my own. So a non-issue in my case.

That said, oil change intervals are no excuse. BMW took away our dip stick with these cars and everyone's ASA will tell them to wait for the car to request an oil change. I remember when I wanted to pay out of pocket for the first oil change at 2000 miles (as recommended on my prior M cars) and my dealership flipped out. I had to go to the SA to get it done. BMW is very reluctant to do "extra" oil changes. I talk to people at car club meetings all the time who wait the usual 8000-12000 miles for their n54 to request an oil change. If following BMW recommended oil changes caused turbo failures, BMW would have a pretty big problem on their hands..

Thanks to all the folks with supporting comments!

[shah269]

BMW is very reluctant to do "extra" oil changes?
WTF?

[Chunner]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

maybe this in your profile has something to do this it:

"Drives: like I stole it."

just saying

I was thinking the same thing.....

[killerhurtalot]

Originally Posted by shah269

BMW is very reluctant to do "extra" oil changes?
WTF?

Do it yourself. 6 quarts of mobil 1 0w-40 oil is like $30....

[Pig Farmer]

Originally Posted by killerhurtalot

Do it yourself. 6 quarts of mobil 1 0w-40 oil is like $30....

7 quarts.

[Pyrat 2]

Originally Posted by shah269

BMW is very reluctant to do "extra" oil changes?
WTF?

My dealer is more than happy to have me pay for unscheduled oil changes. I typically do them myself though for about 35 instead of having the dealer charge 80+.

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by shah269

BMW is very reluctant to do "extra" oil changes?
WTF?

A strange dealer indeed who turns away business that the owner pays for himself, makes a profit for the dealer, and can only aid in the car's long term maintenance.

[killerhurtalot]

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

7 quarts.

psh... makes like maybe a $4 difference.... Mobil 1 0w-40 euro blend is $22 for 5 quarts at walmart... so it's still around $30.

[dcaron9999]

Stumbled across this article, which may add value to this thread.
There are some good tips towards end of article.

4 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Turbocharger ...

http://blog.fcpeuro.com/2014/04/02/4...-turbocharger/