M4 is Hydrolocked :-(

[mptpa]

Hi all
Just like the other M3 owner in Houston, I drove through a rather deep puddle (8.25") but real slowly, and of course as the title says, engine stopped, DCT stuck in P and ended up being towed to the dealer. Now found out that the water got ingested and got 'everywhere' inside the engine. Of course this is not a warranty issue, but insurance said it will be under no-fault comprehensive. BMW said they will have to put in a new engine ($35k); appraiser is visiting the service today and they did warn me that they will either approve the engine replacement or consider a total write-off.

I saw that said M3 in Houston with similar situation got totaled by Geico; what are your honest opinion on engine replacement with respect to
- future performance
- possible warped brake disks due to rapid cooling in the water
- mechanical and electrical issues
- resale value is not a consideration as I leased
- any other I should be aware of

What is the way to calculate ACV (actual cash value) since there are no used M4s like mine within 500+ mile radius? What is the 'salvage' value for this car? Apparently if the salvage value + repair cost >= ACV, they would write it off. I am not looking for that, but I want to make sure I will not be spending more time at the dealer in the future because of this issue.

Thx a lot.

[2HIGH~PSI]

God that is terrible. Sorry to hear.. To be honest, I would want a new car vs one that is getting an engine replacement....

[rr006rbc]

Man. I hit one here in CA that was about 8-10 inches too unknowingly when it flash flooded a couple weeks ago but nothing happened. Scared the shit out of me because my windshield was COMPLETELY drenched after trucking thru it hahah. Sorry to hear..but at least you're getting a new motor for just a small fee of whatever your deductible is. Not sure how to calculate the actual value of the car..hopefully someone can chime in w/ that type of knowledge.

[IMMLaw]

I would pass on a new engine. Screw that. I want a new car.

[ciaranob]

Wow! That is very worrying to say the least especially in somewhere like Houston where flash flooding is not exactly unusual. Horrible situation, hope it gets resolved for you and honestly have no clue as to your primary question on value. But do appreciate the heads-up to not take any chances whatsoever with this car!

Cheers, C.

Originally Posted by mptpa

Hi all
Just like the other M3 owner in Houston, I drove through a rather deep puddle (8.25") but real slowly, and of course as the title says, engine stopped, DCT stuck in P and ended up being towed to the dealer. Now found out that the water got ingested and got 'everywhere' inside the engine. Of course this is not a warranty issue, but insurance said it will be under no-fault comprehensive. BMW said they will have to put in a new engine ($35k); appraiser is visiting the service today and they did warn me that they will either approve the engine replacement or consider a total write-off.

I saw that said M3 in Houston with similar situation got totaled by Geico; what are your honest opinion on engine replacement with respect to
- future performance
- possible warped brake disks due to rapid cooling in the water
- mechanical and electrical issues
- resale value is not a consideration as I leased
- any other I should be aware of

What is the way to calculate ACV (actual cash value) since there are no used M4s like mine within 500+ mile radius? What is the 'salvage' value for this car? Apparently if the salvage value + repair cost >= ACV, they would write it off. I am not looking for that, but I want to make sure I will not be spending more time at the dealer in the future because of this issue.

Thx a lot.

[IND-Distribution]

Originally Posted by mptpa

Hi all
Just like the other M3 owner in Houston, I drove through a rather deep puddle (8.25") but real slowly, and of course as the title says, engine stopped, DCT stuck in P and ended up being towed to the dealer. Now found out that the water got ingested and got 'everywhere' inside the engine. Of course this is not a warranty issue, but insurance said it will be under no-fault comprehensive. BMW said they will have to put in a new engine ($35k); appraiser is visiting the service today and they did warn me that they will either approve the engine replacement or consider a total write-off.

I saw that said M3 in Houston with similar situation got totaled by Geico; what are your honest opinion on engine replacement with respect to
- future performance
- possible warped brake disks due to rapid cooling in the water
- mechanical and electrical issues
- resale value is not a consideration as I leased
- any other I should be aware of

What is the way to calculate ACV (actual cash value) since there are no used M4s like mine within 500+ mile radius? What is the 'salvage' value for this car? Apparently if the salvage value + repair cost >= ACV, they would write it off. I am not looking for that, but I want to make sure I will not be spending more time at the dealer in the future because of this issue.

Thx a lot.

Sorry to hear about your trouble!

To answer your questions:

- future performance
Future performance should not be impacted, as the replacement engine supplied by BMW should be properly inspected and in good working condition. BMW crate replacement engines are typically well put together.

- possible warped brake disks due to rapid cooling in the water
Street driving would not have the discs at a high enough operating temperature to damage the disc through rapid cooling. This is a non-issue.

- mechanical and electrical issues
The electrical connectors themselves are designed to be exposed to water. Mechanically speaking, if the technician properly drains all of the intake piping prior to installing the engine, you'll be in good shape.

- resale value is not a consideration as I leased
- any other I should be aware of

Resale value will be impacted if the title is modified after the repair is made. If you don't have to buy the car back from insurance in order to complete the repair, it should not be a "salvage" title.

Best of luck!

[///M///]

I am a little baffled by how the water gets into the engine in just. 8.25" puddle? Did you fly though it or go slowly? It has to make it up the intake to get into your engine.

[mptpa]

Originally Posted by dsm918

I am a little baffled by how the water gets into the engine in just. 8.25" puddle? Did you fly though it or go slowly? It has to make it up the intake to get into your engine.

Apparently it did. Even though I was doing perhaps 10 mph, the frontal wake and the engine rev could have sucked in enough to cause the hydrolock. Even BMW was baffled at this but the fact remains that the engine is out. All because the front scoop is just so low.....

[///M///]

Originally Posted by mptpa

Apparently it did. Even though I was doing perhaps 10 mph, the frontal wake and the engine rev could have sucked in enough to cause the hydrolock. Even BMW was baffled at this but the fact remains that the engine is out. All because the front scoop is just so low.....

Sorry to hear man. Didn't mean to question your story but that level of water didn't make sense unless it was at speed. For your sake I hope they total it.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by mptpa

Apparently it did. Even though I was doing perhaps 10 mph, the frontal wake and the engine rev could have sucked in enough to cause the hydrolock. Even BMW was baffled at this but the fact remains that the engine is out. All because the front scoop is just so low.....

I don't believe that the height of the front air scoop has anything to do with it.

[mptpa]

Thx IliaIND for the reply... I only got worried after the case in Houston with the M3 and how Geico decided to total the car (it had also 5k miles on it.... ACTUAL CASH VALUE is about $73K, so if the salvage value is $35k, the would total the car. Formula is Salvage + repair cost >= ACV.... I can get another ED again... but I will have to wait...

[BavarianDevil]

I would run or in this case push the car off a cliff and then inform the insurance company. Totally polluted vehicle. Would feel dirty in it. GL

[WantsaJeep]

The exact same thing happened to me, in Houston, 3 days after I bought a used M4 with 3k miles. Advantage installed a new engine that my insurance company paid for. The whole process took about a week after my insurance company gave the go-ahead. Advantage did a great job and my SA was awesome. I have owned Audi, Lexus and my most recent cars were 911s. The service I received at Advantage was the best I've received.
I am 900 miles into the 1200 mile break in. I did have to take the car in today because it was leaking cool and due to a bad O Ring but otherwise the car is good to go. I hope.

Good luck.

[IRNM4N]

Thats horrible! South Tampa? Best of luck and please keep me posted. If you need to drive one in the meantime. Hit me up.

- Chris

Originally Posted by mptpa

Hi all
Just like the other M3 owner in Houston, I drove through a rather deep puddle (8.25") but real slowly, and of course as the title says, engine stopped, DCT stuck in P and ended up being towed to the dealer. Now found out that the water got ingested and got 'everywhere' inside the engine. Of course this is not a warranty issue, but insurance said it will be under no-fault comprehensive. BMW said they will have to put in a new engine ($35k); appraiser is visiting the service today and they did warn me that they will either approve the engine replacement or consider a total write-off.

I saw that said M3 in Houston with similar situation got totaled by Geico; what are your honest opinion on engine replacement with respect to
- future performance
- possible warped brake disks due to rapid cooling in the water
- mechanical and electrical issues
- resale value is not a consideration as I leased
- any other I should be aware of

What is the way to calculate ACV (actual cash value) since there are no used M4s like mine within 500+ mile radius? What is the 'salvage' value for this car? Apparently if the salvage value + repair cost >= ACV, they would write it off. I am not looking for that, but I want to make sure I will not be spending more time at the dealer in the future because of this issue.

Thx a lot.

[mptpa]

Originally Posted by Hardy Lee

The exact same thing happened to me, in Houston, 3 days after I bought a used M4 with 3k miles. Advantage installed a new engine that my insurance company paid for. The whole process took about a week after my insurance company gave the go-ahead. Advantage did a great job and my SA was awesome. I have owned Audi, Lexus and my most recent cars were 911s. The service I received at Advantage was the best I've received.
I am 900 miles into the 1200 mile break in. I did have to take the car in today because it was leaking cool and due to a bad O Ring but otherwise the car is good to go. I hope.

Good luck.

Great to hear. Hope I hear from my insurance soon.

[mptpa]

Originally Posted by IRNM4N

Thats horrible! South Tampa? Best of luck and please keep me posted. If you need to drive one in the meantime. Hit me up.

- Chris

Hi Chris
This happened in Tarpon Springs, not far from my house. Hopefully, insurance co will go ahead and fix it instead of totaling it. Will advise. Is this the ChrisT? Talk soon.

[mptpa]

Originally Posted by 2HIGH~PSI

God that is terrible. Sorry to hear.. To be honest, I would want a new car vs one that is getting an engine replacement....

Don't know what the insurance co will decide.

[WantsaJeep]

I tried to get my insurance company to total and they wouldn't.

Good luck getting whatever outcome works best for you. I know this is probably super stressful on you -- it was for me.

Things will work out.

[mptpa]

Originally Posted by Hardy Lee

I tried to get my insurance company to total and they wouldn't.

Good luck getting whatever outcome works best for you. I know this is probably super stressful on you -- it was for me.

Things will work out.

Thx Will see what happens. It is a lease so I am not concerned about resell. I just want it to be reliable for the next two years.

[mptpa]

Here is the latest. Insurance adjuster has given the go ahead for the fix: replace engine and the turbos. My dealer had placed order yesterday, and expect to receive the items on Tuesday or Wednesday and would take a week to complete the work. Hope it comes back good and I have to go through yet another break-in period.

[nicknaz]

OP, sorry to hear about this, hope your car gets fixed soon

Were you on the throttle when this happened?

I had to go through a shallower puddle during heavy rain recently, and I slowed way down and lifted off the throttle completely and let the car coast through the puddle. I figured not having any sort of vacuum in the intake tract would help prevent any water from getting sucked in

[mptpa]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

OP, sorry to hear about this, hope your car gets fixed soon

Were you on the throttle when this happened?

I had to go through a shallower puddle during heavy rain recently, and I slowed way down and lifted off the throttle completely and let the car coast through the puddle. I figured not having any sort of vacuum in the intake tract would help prevent any water from getting sucked in

Hi Nick
I had very light throttle as I moved through but in hind sight, I should have just stopped but would not have had enough energy to just coast. Lessons learned that not to go through any amount of standing water next time. Although BMW owners manual states 9.8 inch standing water at walking pace.