My M4 is broken. Drivetrain malfunction - DCT failure and replacement

[stressdoc]

Originally Posted by dondula

Thanks for all the supportive comments, It means a lot.

stupid comments are to always be expected on public forums, but not to the extent accusing me that I would make all this up and to make fun of my wife and I in our situation.

Public relations FAIL extraordinaire by BMW.

Accentuated by embarrassing commentary here on Bimmerpost.

You are owed some deep, serious apologies.

Hopefully you can look back on this experience as a time of bonding with your wife -- something akin to our ancestors being stuck between a rock and hard place.

Truly best wishes for BMW to get this sorted out properly for you.

[dondula]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Public relations FAIL extraordinaire by BMW.

Accentuated by embarrassing commentary here on Bimmerpost.

You are owed some deep, serious apologies.

Hopefully you can look back on this experience as a time of bonding with your wife -- something akin to our ancestors being stuck between a rock and hard place.

Truly best wishes for BMW to get this sorted out properly for you.

thank you so much for that.

[dondula]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

No problem Sir.

His update reveals that it's much more serious than a software issue. BMW is replacing the transfer case, but we're still trying to get clarification on whether that's referring to the rear diff/LSD or the transmission itself. I remember SMG II had issues too (..limp mode, not going into gear, etc.).

It is deff a prob with the transmission. It was stuck in park, any time I place it in any other gear, it would after 2 sec click back into park.. It seems to be a safety feature in dct bmw's to prevent further damage to the car.

There was a little fluid on the ground under the car near the front tires in the center. It was not leaking when I looked, but the ground was wet in a small area. Not sure what that means..

I have heard BMW replaced the entire DCT, they offer no repair.

I have no idea what the Transfer case entails, but apparently its expensive enough that my dealer has to get permission from BMW HQ to get the parts.

[Audio Fan]

Can anyone explain what a transfer case is for a rear wheel drive car? I wonder if they are misusing that term.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by dondula

It is deff a prob with the transmission. It was stuck in park, any time I place it in any other gear, it would after 2 sec click back into park.. It seems to be a safety feature in dct bmw's to prevent further damage to the car.

There was a little fluid on the ground under the car near the front tires in the center. It was not leaking when I looked, but the ground was wet in a small area. Not sure what that means..

I have heard BMW replaced the entire DCT, they offer no repair.

I have no idea what the Transfer case entails, but apparently its expensive enough that my dealer has to get permission from BMW HQ to get the parts.

Unless you confirmed it to be oil, the wet in that location is probably just condensation from the AC. Approval from BMW HQ is as I understand it pretty much standard procedure for warranty claims that isn't already in the database for a specific model of car. Thanks for the update btw.

It would be good to know what they mean with "Transfer case" on your car though.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by dondula

It is deff a prob with the transmission. It was stuck in park, any time I place it in any other gear, it would after 2 sec click back into park.. It seems to be a safety feature in dct bmw's to prevent further damage to the car.

There was a little fluid on the ground under the car near the front tires in the center. It was not leaking when I looked, but the ground was wet in a small area. Not sure what that means..

I have heard BMW replaced the entire DCT, they offer no repair.

I have no idea what the Transfer case entails, but apparently its expensive enough that my dealer has to get permission from BMW HQ to get the parts.

Thanks for the update. I know you'll keep us posted.

[KevinM]

Man this completely sucks on every level. I hope BMW takes care of you and answers your concerns about customer service BS.

[GBPackerfan1963]

Originally Posted by dondula

It is deff a prob with the transmission. It was stuck in park, any time I place it in any other gear, it would after 2 sec click back into park.. It seems to be a safety feature in dct bmw's to prevent further damage to the car.

There was a little fluid on the ground under the car near the front tires in the center. It was not leaking when I looked, but the ground was wet in a small area. Not sure what that means..

I have heard BMW replaced the entire DCT, they offer no repair.

I have no idea what the Transfer case entails, but apparently its expensive enough that my dealer has to get permission from BMW HQ to get the parts.

Hopefully they have an M4 loaner. Probably too much to ask. Hopefully they step-up and make it right.

[Neil McRae]

M5 had an issue like this when it launched although no actual damage to the car. Software update fixed it. Happened to me on my first M5, M5 CP though has been bullet proof.

I was seriously spanking an M3 round the track yesterday, as were a number of others, none of them had any problems so hopefully this is a one off.

I am sure BMW will take good care of you.

[Jockey]

If they need to replace the transfer case (obviously we still have questions exactly what that means), it seems to me this is little beyond just a SW update.

[shortseller]

Don, what a horrific ordeal, after reading your detailed account of the evening I can only add that I'm glad you both finally got some help and hope others never have to go through what you did.

BMWNA owes you big, stay on them, make the calls, write the letters and do not give up. Not to mention the car returned back to you in 100% working order.

[Neil McRae]

Originally Posted by Jockey

If they need to replace the transfer case (obviously we still have questions exactly what that means), it seems to me this is little beyond just a SW update.

agreed, but just noting its not the first time this has happened.

[accce]

This really sucks that the car is so bad off. I would ask to speak to the area BMW rep about the possibility of an exchange. Even if they won't exchange the car you have brought it to his attention and it could help with getting the issue resolved quicker? What break in method were you following? This M4 will be my first BMW and DCT. Is this a known issue being that these parts are on other cars?

Sorry for your troubles!

[onatuesday]

Originally Posted by accce

This really sucks that the car is so bad off. I would ask to speak to the area BMW rep about the possibility of an exchange. Even if they won't exchange the car you have brought it to his attention and it could help with getting the issue resolved quicker? What break in method were you following? This M4 will be my first BMW and DCT. Is this a known issue being that these parts are on other cars?

Sorry for your troubles!

Can you invoke the lemon law?

[Roadkiller]

We know technology will eventually fail but customer service should never fail you. sorry you had to experience this bro. Hopefully BMW is tracking this thread and will get you some real help and relief.

[Jockey]

Originally Posted by trinim3

Can you invoke the lemon law?

For one malfunction? Not just no, but hell no.

[kdphan]

wow really sucks to have this happen at 400miles on the ODO

OP - i would just ignore some of the stupid comments on this site.

Hopefully BMW comes through.

I'm afraid to get into a new M4/M235i due to all these "software" issues.

[onatuesday]

Originally Posted by Jockey

For one malfunction? Not just no, but hell no.

I actually don't know anything about the Lemon Law but if there's peeps on here speculating about $13k+ in repairs, that doesn't seem like a pretty bad malfunction to me. At what point does lemon law come into play?

[pillpusher84]

Originally Posted by trinim3

I actually don't know anything about the Lemon Law but if there's peeps on here speculating about $13k+ in repairs, that doesn't seem like a pretty bad malfunction to me. At what point does lemon law come into play?

usually after 3 attempts to fix the same concern in 30 days

[BimmerBoomer]

Unlike the OP I called CAA right away when I split the pan on my DCT in March (2010 M3 coupe). We couldn't put it on the flatbed because it kept moving back to park. A second CAA guy came along and said that the interlock release on the DCT wouldn't work from MY 2010 on. A third guy showed up with a wrecker and very carefully towed me in to the dealer.

Parts from Germany were 3-1/2 weeks. To add insult to injury the dealer couldn't get the car out of park and charged me for two tows to move the car around!

[purdyawesome]

Just a small, perhaps worthless suggestion- whenever I buy a new car, I make sure I have my salesperson's personal cell phone number. A direct line to the person that sold you the car may seem useless- but I can think of two occasions- one with MB and one with Infiniti- where I dialed the guy direct with issues shorty after purchase. Perhaps calling the salesmen would have helped- or not.... Just a thought.

[onatuesday]

Originally Posted by purdyawesome

Just a small, perhaps worthless suggestion- whenever I buy a new car, I make sure I have my salesperson's personal cell phone number. A direct line to the person that sold you the car may seem useless- but I can think of two occasions- one with MB and one with Infiniti- where I dialed the guy direct with issues shorty after purchase. Perhaps calling the salesmen would have helped- or not.... Just a thought.

This is true. The salesmen can be your biggest advocates if they believe you will buy another car from them or refer people to them for more sales.