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

[Brady1984]

So sorry to hear that about your car and the support after the fact. I would just not be posting stuff about racing an M6 with 250 miles on the clock. Just in case there is a warranty issue.
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...52&postcount=3

[ss134]

That's shocking service OP , you shouldn't expect a new car to break down and if it does BMW should move heaven and earth to assist you not make the situation even more frustrating.

I pick mine up from the UK on Friday and am driving it back home to Germany. It had better last longer than 400 miles as it would be a nightmare breaking down in Belgium, Holland or France........

[ybbiz34]

I remember the OP mentioning he didn't like his local Mercedes-Benz dealership or MB customer service for some reason. And now this. Terrible luck man. Definitely sours your impression of a new car, irrespective of brand.

Nonetheless, best of luck getting it resolved. To lighten the mood, there's always Lexus!

In all seriousness, while my "wait times" with BMW were always lengthier (my 2nd to last BMW was a lemon), both my dealer and BMWNA always stepped up to resolve any issues that I was having. Despite my past issues, I bought another BMW with confidence and it was flawless.

At the end of the day, so long as you are polite (but still firm) and very detailed, BMWNA will do its best to make you forget about that horrific experience.

[19x]

OP, I feel for you. This is terrible.

I said it before and I'll say it again: this is exactly why I never buy first year production.

Of course, somebody has to. I realize that. Otherwise, the bugs wouldn't get sorted out. I always hear people argue for or against it. The bottom line is that BMW M has a history with first and second year production models having the most issues. Rod bearing recall on the e46 M3 is the probably the most memorable.

[dapopa9]

damn sorry to hear that! AAA has always been the best for roadside assistance. Interested to hear about the car...

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I wonder if it's a subframe bushing or something.

Those are no longer present!

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by swamp2

Those are no longer present!

Ah ok! Well there went that hypothesis.

[JoeFromPA]

My guess is this is DCT related. Why? There was no warning, no smoke, no symptoms. And it sounds like the car would start but not go into gear (i.e. it won't go into gear when not on anyway)

It's all machines so something can happen at anytime and I don't mean to make this into something more than it is. But there's a difference between a failed clutch and a computer saying "no" to going into gear.

[dondula]

I would like to make a general reply to everyone who had questions and to those who were wondering why I waited on hold for 1 1/2 hours...

It is a very lengthy story and I have told this a lot already in the past 24 hours.. I typed the initial thread off my ipad and was running late for a meeting.

The sos system was frozen and no one ever picked up...
While it was frozen, I called manually after about 35 min. It took a total of 1 1/2 to 2 hours for the system to hang up. I could not turn their hold music off or down via volume so it was driving me crazy.

Second, I don't need to explain my personal family info to any of you because this is a car forum. I am reporting about a problem with my car.. It could not be cured with a simple turn off lock the car let sit and start again. It was stuck in gear, nothing I tried worked..

Third, I was at the mercy of BMW roadside and they were all playing games with me these two young pricks Justin and Jacob... I spoke to Megan their supervisor and she disconnected me twice and never called back and offered to do nothing.. after all the hold times, games, cancelations, it was getting late. A tow company came unprepared without the right equipment and blamed it on bmw for not informing them I had a low to the ground car.

By the time it got late and I actually got to a more higher up supervisor by the name of Pete, he said he would be the only one I would be speaking with. For others that commented here about the food and water comment, My wife is pregnant. By the time a family member was able to get to us with water and transport in our location we were stuck in, they provided me their AAA card and that is when I called. It's not like I had an AAA card the entire time and played stupid...

Pete the bmw road side supervisor said at 1:35am that there was nothing more he could do and every tow company was turning him down for us to either call the police or spend the night there as we should not leave that car on the side of the highway...

AAA got someone out 30 min after that at approx. 2ish. The tow guy does a lot of BMW and knew exactly how to handle my car.. My car has 400 mi on it:


I can tell you our situation was horrible and wish my wife was not with me because she should not had to dealt with that.

BMW failed me big time, My car should not have broken like this being so new.. BMW roadside should never have let it get that out of hand and at the end, they still provided no resolution even with a supervisor on the case. They said this is a huge deal that we failed at this, I am trying to escalate the issue, we will see what happens and if they offer anything at all.

Here is a pic of my car taken in the AM right before it was about to be loaded.

[dondula]

***CAR UPDATE***

wanted to respond separately to the status of my M4.

NEW transfer case
May need other parts as well since it is still being looked at. Now I get to wait until BMW gives my service shop authorization to order said parts and this could be awhile...

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by dondula

***CAR UPDATE***

wanted to respond separately to the status of my M4.

NEW transfer case
May need other parts as well since it is still being looked at. Now I get to wait until BMW gives my service shop authorization to order said parts and this could be awhile...

Damn that sucks don.

I'm just wondering if you feel like too much tech can potentially be a bad thing. I have felt that way ever since SMG debuted.

[Sir Loin]

Sorry to hear about your ordeal. I hope your wife is OK and you car will get fixed soon.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by dondula

***CAR UPDATE***

wanted to respond separately to the status of my M4.

NEW transfer case
May need other parts as well since it is still being looked at. Now I get to wait until BMW gives my service shop authorization to order said parts and this could be awhile...

1. Really sorry this happened to you.
2. Glad you are getting it sorted out.
3. Every member on here should be grateful that you reported this issue. Bimmerpost is a fantastic source of troubleshooting and is a great database as the car comes along in its model cycle. It is probably not the best idea to shoot every person who offers their mechanical issues with the car. I don't blame you for being made at Some of the yahoos on here who doubted you.

[JoeFromPA]

Don,

Serious question - were you told the TRANSFER CASE needed to be replaced?

What am I missing here guys?

P.s. Your story sucks on so many levels. Sorry you had to experience that mate. My wife is 25 weeks pregnant and not good in sticky situations. And she's not all aboard the m3 train. I'm pretty sure my head would have exploded if I had experienced what you did.

[IMrMark]

Originally Posted by dondula

***CAR UPDATE***

wanted to respond separately to the status of my M4.

NEW transfer case
May need other parts as well since it is still being looked at. Now I get to wait until BMW gives my service shop authorization to order said parts and this could be awhile...

good luck. I think we all agree the situation sucks. one or two people who question, that's always gonna happen. who cares what they think, no need to let them get to you and cause you to get even more aggravated.

[solstice]

Transfer case? I'm no expert on the DCT's internals but I thought the term "Transfer case" is mainly used for the AWD coupling between the front and rear axles?

[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.

[dondula]

New transfer case for sure, that is all they said. Transfer case sound expensive and he said its a big ticket item being they have to send all this diagnostic info of my car to BMW

they are waiting to have a tech on the car longer to look for further possible problems.. Service rep said he would know more Monday.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by dondula

New transfer case for sure, they are waiting to have a tech on the car longer to look for further possible problems.. Service rep said he would know more Monday.

I'm still confused over where this transfer case is located. Is it the LSD that is broken or is it the DCT? I've heard that BMW do not repair DCTs, they replace the whole unit if broken. Maybe that's a wife's tale.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by solstice

I'm still confused over where this transfer case is located. Is it the LSD that is broken or is it the DCT? I've heard that BMW do not repair DCTs, they replace the whole unit if broken. Maybe that's a wife's tale.

They will usually replace it (..to the tune of +/- $13k).

[Sir Loin]

Hopefully it is something that is fixed via software update. One day, these software update will come down over-the-air like smartphones or game consoles.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Sir Loin

Hopefully it is something that is fixed via software update. One day, these software update will come down over-the-air like smartphones or game consoles.

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.).