BMW 328i Complaints

2,583 consumer complaints on file.

#10185773March 21, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2000 BMW 328I WITH 85000 MILES WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE ANYMORE. A SEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM AT CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM SHOWED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR. HERE IS THE LINK. *AK HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/BMW_TRANS.HTML PLEASE NOTE THIS CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO BMW GUIDELINES AT EITHER A BMW DEALER OR A BMW SPECIALIST. ALSO THIS CAR IS DRIVEN BY ADULTS ONLY AND IN A GENTLE FASHION. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A RANDOM PROBLEM BASED UPON THE INTERNET SEARCHES I HAVE CONDUCTED. I'M QUITE SURE THERE ARE MANY MORE FOLKS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT REGESTERED A COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185712March 20, 2007
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
I LEASED A BMW 328I 4 DOOR, AND THE DEALER DELIVERED THE NEW CAR FROM SPRING VALLEY , NY TO LAWRENCE, NY ON MARCH 1 2007. ON MARCH 13 2007, 12 DAYS LATER & 200 MILES ON THE CAR WHICH THE DEALER DROVE AT LEAST 100 OR MORE OF THE MILES, AND WHILE DRIVING INTO A GAS STATION FOR FIRST GAS FILLUP THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CRACKED OFF THE TIE ROD, JUST CRACKED MY PICTURES , WHICH WAS UNBELIEVABLE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER BY BMW. THE CAR WAS LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT I HIT SOMETHING A FEW DAYS AGO, AND BMW WAS NOT RESPOSIBLE FOR THIS. I SHOULD CALL MY INSURANCE OMPANY. I WAS APPALED BY THE RESPONSE, SO I STARTED WRITING & CALLING BMW OF NORTH AMERICA. I WAS ASSURED BY CUSTOMER RELATIONS THAT THEY WERE SENDING ENGINEERS TO SEE THE CAR IN SPRING VALLEY ,NY, AND RESPONDED TO THIS MATTER IN A TIMELY FASHION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185010March 13, 2007
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
IN MAY '06 I PURCHASED MY (E46) 2000 BMW 328I. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER (I DON'T RECALL THE EXACT DATE) I NOTICED A SUBTLE SQUEAK COMING FROM THE REAR END. THINKING IT WAS NOTHING SERIOUS, I IGNORED IT FOR A WHILE AS MY LIFE WAS VERY BUSY AT THAT TIME. AFTER CONSULTING SOME VEHICLE-SAVVY FRIENDS AND A VISIT TO MOTORSPORTS OF LEXINGTON (THE PLACE TO GO IF YOU LIVE NEAR LEXINGTON, KY); THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE SQUEAK AS IT WAS WINTER AND JUST MY LUCK, THE SQUEAK WAS ALMOST NON-EXISTENT THAT DAY. I WAS ASKED TO BRING IT BACK DURING WARMER WEATHER. SO TODAY 3/13/2007 (70 DEGREES AND SUNNY) I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP. TO MY UTTER DISMAY I WAS SHOWN THAT THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH E46'S. TOTAL REPAIR COSTS WERE ESTIMATED BETWEEN $600-$1000. OUT OF CURIOSITY I VISITED THE DEALER (DON JACOBS BMW) HERE IN LEXINGTON, TO SEE IF MY POWERTRAIN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED SUCH DAMAGE. TO NO SURPRISE IT DOES NOT. HOWEVER, THE SHOCKING PART WAS THAT THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR OTHER BMW OWNERS WHO MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM, I FOUND MANY WHO HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AS WELL AS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SUBFLOOR AND NOT JUST ON THE E46. THIS HAVING RESULTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2005, FROM WHAT I'VE READ, MANY PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. I CAN SEND PICTURES IF NECESSARY, AS THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT YET BEEN PERFORMED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185012March 13, 2007
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
IN MAY '06 I PURCHASED MY (E46) 2000 BMW 328I. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER I NOTICED A SUBTLE SQUEAK COMING FROM THE REAR END. THINKING IT WAS NOTHING SERIOUS, I IGNORED IT FOR A WHILE AS MY LIFE WAS VERY BUSY AT THAT TIME. AFTER CONSULTING SOME VEHICLE-SAVVY FRIENDS AND A VISIT TO MOTORSPORTS OF LEXINGTON (THE PLACE TO GO IF YOU LIVE NEAR LEXINGTON, KY); THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE SQUEAK AS IT WAS WINTER AND JUST MY LUCK, THE SQUEAK WAS ALMOST NON-EXISTENT THAT DAY. I WAS ASKED TO BRING IT BACK DURING WARMER WEATHER. SO TODAY (70 DEGREES AND SUNNY) I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP. TO MY UTTER DISMAY I WAS SHOWN THAT THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH E46'S. TOTAL REPAIR COSTS WERE ESTIMATED BETWEEN $600-$1000. OUT OF CURIOSITY I VISITED THE DEALER (DON JACOBS BMW) TO SEE IF MY POWERTRAIN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED SUCH DAMAGE. TO NO SURPRISE IT DOES NOT. HOWEVER, THE SHOCKING PART WAS THAT THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR OTHER BMW OWNERS WHO MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM, I FOUND MANY WHO HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AS WELL AS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SUBFLOOR AND NOT JUST ON THE E46. THIS HAVING RESULTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2005, FROM WHAT I'VE READ, MANY PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175738December 10, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
MY BMW 1999 328I/AUTO TRANSMISSION HAS 98K ON IT AND 90% OF THE TIME, IT CAN'T REVERSE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173775November 17, 2006
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
RE. BMW 328I, YEAR 2000. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM FAILURES ON THIS CAR. THIS IS "MORE THAN IT'S FAIR SHARE". THESE FAILURES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL OR TSB ON THIS? THANK YOU, SAM KELLER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173395November 13, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. ON ONE OCCASION IT STALLED ON A COUNTERCLOCKWISE HIGHWAY ON RAMP. POWER STEERING ALSO SHUT OFF WHEN CAR'S ENGINE STOPPED. NEAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY STATES NO PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172512November 3, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2000 BMW 328I HAS CRACKED AND TORN REAR SUBFRAME UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY FACTORY ORIGINAL WITH ALL SERVICES UP TO DATE. IF LEFT UN-REPAIRED, VEHICLE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167220September 1, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
AT ABOUT 112K MILES I NOTICED A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAD MULTIPLE STRESS FRACTURES AND SEPARATIONS AT THE POINT WHERE THE MOUNT WAS WELDED TO THE UNIBODY. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS AT NORMAL INTERVALS. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY 90% OF THE TIME AND THE REST IN RESIDENTIAL STREETS. IT IS A FAMILY CAR AND HAS HAD NO MODIFICATIONS PERIOD. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH A BMW NA CPO WARRANTY THAT HAS SINCE EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO COVER ANY REPAIR COSTS ( ESTIMATED AT >3000 DOLLARS) BMW NA HAS IGNORED REPEATED REQUESTS FROM OWNERS TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. IN FACT, BMW GERMANY HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND COVERS THE COST OF REPAIRS, THEY EVEN HAVE A METHOD OF REPAIR. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. THE SUSPENSION SHOULD NEVER SEPARATE FROM THE BODY BECAUSE OF TORSION FORCES FROM THE TRANS/DIFF. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. I PERSONALLY HAVE A LIST OF OVER 100 NAMES WITH DOCUMENTED SUBFRAME CRACKING/FAILURE OF THE E46 BODY YEARS 1999-2000. THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THESE HAVE SUBFRAME DAMAGE AT THE SAME REAR DRIVERS SIDE DIFF MOUNT, IN OTHER WORDS, OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE FAILURE POINTS, THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE IS NEARLY ALWAYS THE FAILURE POINT !! I IMPLORE THE NHTSA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES !!*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165036August 9, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A VIBRATION WAS HEARD AND FELT WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BUT CONTINUED TO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 10MPH. THE NOISE WAS CONTINUOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE SAME SOLUTION AS THE DEALER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157435May 12, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT INCIDENT RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CONTROL SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO AVOID FUTURE AIRBAG FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO ALERTED OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155259April 13, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
REAR SUBFRAME DAMAGE (2000 328I, 80,000 MILES). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144320March 28, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, WHEELS
THE EXACT DATE UNKNOWN. IT WAS DURING HEAVY RAINS IN SAN DIEGO. INSURANCE CO. SAID I NEED A DATE. WE PUT DOWN NOV 02 2005. DURING HEAVY RAIN SAN DIEGO DEVELOPS HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF POT HOLES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN, THE CAR RAN INTO A LARGE POT HOLE. THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED ACCORDING TO THE MAN THAT INSTALLED NEW TIRES ON THE CAR. AT LATER WEEKS THE CAR WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES, I THOUGHT IT WAS REAR SHOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. MY SON TOOK THE CAR TO BMW REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE INSPECTION MY SON WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT SHOCK BUT THAT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE WELDED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES BODY SHOP AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID THAT HE CONTACTED BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS METAL FATIGUE THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. (THE INSURANCE CO.) BMW DOES NOT HAVE A REGULAR FRAME THAT OTHER CARS DO. ALL THE WHEELS AND OTHER PARTS ARE HELD UP BY SOME KIND OF JOINT THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. HE GAVE ME AN EXAMPLE "IF YOU HAVE A TOWEL RACK IN THE BATHROOM AND SOME ONE PULLS IT DOWN YOU KNOW HOW SCREWS AND DRY WALL WILL LOOK LIKE?" HE BLAMES IT ON MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE THE BMW DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. *NM UPDATED *JB ON FEBRUARY 6, 2006 BMW ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLES DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE BODY SHOP BEING REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150434February 16, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH THERE WAS A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT VIBRATED THROUGHOUT. THE NOISE BECAME MORE COMMON AT ALL SPEEDS AND WHILE DRIVING IN GENERAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE SUB FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE BODY ALONG THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS CRASHES OR DAMAGE TO CAUSE THE SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148894January 28, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CRASH - NO INJURIES. XENON HEADLIGHTS OF A 328I 2000 BMW. LOW FLAT BEAM NOTED TO BE A PROBLEM - I CAME UP UPON FOUR VERTICAL STICKS IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD, A RURAL 2 LANE COUNTRY ROAD, ON A DARK NIGHT. WHEN I WAS APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET FROM THEM, THE LIGHT REFLECTING FROM THE ROAD, ILLUMINATED THE UNDERSIDE OF A DEER. LUCKILY I HAD SLOWED ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. I ASKED THE BMW DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ,AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LIGHTS SHOULD NOT BE RAISED BECAUSE THE XENON LIGHTS WOULD BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS, AND THEY WERE AT THE CORRECT HEIGHT. ONE YEAR LATER, MY SON WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, AND HIT A PARKED PICKUP TRUCK. CONDITIONS - NIGHT, RECENT SNOW PLOWED STREETS CAUSED THE PICKUP TO PARK A FOOT AND A HALF FROM THE CURB. THE TRUCK WAS A DARK GREEN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, FARM PICKUP (HIGH BUMPER)(MID BUMPER MEASURES 27" OFF PAVEMENT). MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. NEITHER SEEN THE PICKUP UNTIL THE LAST SECOND. MY DAUGHTER SPOTTED IT FIRST AND SCREAMED. MY SON LOOKED OVER AT HER AND LOOKED BACK JUST AS THEY HIT IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE HE EVEN HIT THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, HE STARTED TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT. THE BUMPER OF THE CAR WENT UNDER THE BUMPER OF THE TRUCK , HITTING ONLY THE TRUCK'S SPARE TIRE AND DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE TRUCK'S BUMPER DID HIT THE RADIATOR AND VALVE COVER OF THE ENGINE. THE BMW WAS TOTALED - THE RIGHT SHOCK TOWER WAS MOVED BACK BY ABOUT 5 INCHES. THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF - DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IS BECAUSE, "THE BUMPERS DID NOT HIT". THE TRUCK HAD MINIMAL DAMAGE - BENT BUMPER, TRUCK BED WAS ELEVATED AND DID DENT THE BACK OF THE CAB/DRIVERS SIDE. I BELIEVE THAT THE XENON LIGHTS PROBABLY DID NOT ILLUMINATE THE PARKED TRUCK ADEQUATELY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT SHINE HIGH ENOUGH. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER DRIVERS OF BMWS AND MERCEDES.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147648January 12, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE AND THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP BELIEVED THE CRACK OCCURRED FROM DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144778December 8, 2005
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
REAR SUBFRAME DAMAGE WHERE REAR SUSPENSION CONNECTS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MISTREATED OR RUN ON ANYTHING BUT STREET ROADS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RACED, PRIMARILY A FAMILY VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135682September 7, 2005
SUSPENSION:REAR
1999 BMW 328I (E46) - DESIGN DEFECT IN THE REAR SUSPENSION LEADING TO A CRACK IN THE CHASSIS FLOOR WHERE THE REAR SUB-FRAME ATTACHES TO THE CHASSIS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE REAR SUSPENSION IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR. THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 INSTANCES OF THIS, OCCURRING ON 1999 - 2000 BMW E46 CARS AND ALMOST ALL OCCUR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, DISCUSSED ON THE INTERNET. SIMPLY DO A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR: "BMW E46 REAR SUBFRAME CRACKS". BMW HAS AGREED TO PAY 75% OF THE REPAIR COST BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN ISSUE AFFECTING THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD BE EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A CLEAR SITUATION REQUIRING A RECALL TO FIX AND/ OR STRENGTHEN THE SUSPENSION IN THESE CARS. I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING TO FIX WHAT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT AFFECTING THE SAFETY OF THIS MODEL (E46). MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR WITH MY THREE CHILDREN AGES 6, 5, AND 2! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135087September 1, 2005
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY 2000 BMW 328I IS ALL STOCK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A HIGH-END AFTERMARKET INTAKE... IT IS ONE OF MANY E46 BMW'S TO HAVE THE DREADED "BODY FAILURE AT REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINT". LET ME BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE ISSUE AT HAND: "...THE REAR MOUNTING POINTS FOR THE SUBFRAME CAN RIP OUT FROM THEIR SPOTS IN THE SHEET METAL. ...THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TRANSMITS THE TORSIONAL LOAD FROM THE ENGINE THROUGH THE SUBFRAME, THEN INTO THE CHASSIS. THIS CONSTANT LOADING AND UNLOADING WEAKENS THE SHEET METAL AND CAUSES IT TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE CHASSIS. THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE SEEN MANY FAILURES OF THE CHASSIS ON LOW MILEAGE STREET CARS.." THAT IS A QUOTE FROM THE RESPECTED BMW SPECIALISTS AT TURNER MOTORSPORT (WWW.TURNERMOTORSPORT.COM). THAT IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT I'VE HAD. BMWAG (GERMANY) RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE AND HAS ADDRESSED IT... BMWNA (NORTH AMERICA) HAS BLOWN A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF US OFF... STATING THAT WE ARE POST WARRANTY AND THAT IT'S DUE TO ROAD HAZARDS OR JUST WEAR AND TEAR. THE FRAME, SUBFRAME, AND IT'S MOUNTING POINTS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, WITHOUT QUESTION. I'VE ALREADY GOT A LAWYER WHICH WILL BE PERUSING THIS - AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BMW UNTIL THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL E46 BMWS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE - WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION / FRAME COLLAPSES ON A WINDY ROAD OR ON THE HIGHWAY? IT WILL ABSOLUTELY LOSE CONTROL AND MOST LIKELY HEAD LEFT - TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE WHICH I CAN DRIVE AND THE CONDITION IS ONLY GETTING WORSE ... LOUDER ... MORE ANNOYING. PLEASE HELP. THERE ARE MUCH MORE OF US THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE... PLEASE REFER TO THE LINKS BELOW. I'M NOT TRYING TO GET OVER ON ANYONE - I JUST KNOW THAT BMW NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE ... THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE SAFEST AUTOMOBILES ON THE ROAD, NOT TO MENTION "THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE". THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, I DO APPRECIATE IT. JOHN HANSON. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132304August 10, 2005
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
1. THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW WOULD MAKE A CLICK SOUND WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE/OPEN. 2. THE WINDOW STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE POWER BUTTON AND WOULD NOT GO UP/DOWN. THE WINDOW GLASS THEN SLID DOWN BY ITSELF. SINCE I WAS DRIVING I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. MY INFANT WAS IN THE BACK SEAT AND THE WINDOW GLASS CAME DOWN AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE WIND WAS COMING CREATING SAFETY HAZARD. I STOPPED TO BRING THE GLASS UP BY HAND BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY UP AND SLID DOWN ALL THE TIME. 3. II HAD TO GET THE WINDOW REGULATOR CHANGED WHICH COST $260. THIS WINDOW WAS VERY RARELY USED FOR UP/DOWN THROUGH THE POWER SWITCH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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