Took my 2020 Bimmer to the dealer for an oil change…

[MSCH]

That's full retail cost. BMW's cost is probably closer to $2500. And out of warranty, you can find used 550 diffs for a couple hundred bucks.

I think you are forgetting one thing.
people driving BMW's who pay the maintenance fee aren't the type who go to the junkyard.
and the reason the junkyard is full of BMW parts is because that 2nd and 3rd owner may not be able to afford to repair the vehicle..

 

[k1xv]

This is why an out of warranty BMW has such low resale values. Once out of warranty, they are money pits.

 

[edyvw]

The front differential is an anomaly. Flex discs can sometimes create issues apparently on those. Expect a cottage industry of aftermarket solutions.

As for staggered setup, it is just for looks. Will never understand that in an AWD vehicle and one with V8, for that matter. Just move to the square setup and see options with more meat on tires.

 

[atikovi]

I think you are forgetting one thing.
people driving BMW's who pay the maintenance fee aren't the type who go to the junkyard.
and the reason the junkyard is full of BMW parts is because that 2nd and 3rd owner may not be able to afford to repair the vehicle..

1) I think a diff going out at 29K is an isolated incident.
2) Anybody faced with a $6500 repair bill is going to look at used part alternatives.

 

[OVERKILL]

This is why an out of warranty BMW has such low resale values. Once out of warranty, they are money pits.

Depends on the car, apparently, E39 M5's are worth a fortune now, which further reinforces my regret about getting rid of mine (that was then written off).

 

[supton]

So a front diff at 29k sounds alarming to me. But the rest? its not a $20k Corolla, right, so is the price otherwise inline?

 

[andrew_j]

I’m just glad your car is still under warranty!! $8,000 in repairs on a 29,000 mile car is shocking!

I think dealer is fudging to collect. Driving in with no complaint but “finding it” is at least suspect.

Guessing any independent knowing you were paying would say it’s fine.

 

[edyvw]

1) I think a diff going out at 29K is an isolated incident.
2) Anybody faced with a $6500 repair bill is going to look at used part alternatives.

Differentials are extremely stout on these. It is isolated case. Not sure it would be any cheaper for appliance vehicle. Also, dealership prices vary a lot, especially labor under warranty. Still better than $5,800 sunroof drain work on Toyota Sienna, since we are at “ridiculous “ prices.

 

[The Artillerist]

Your car is far better looking, IMO.

Thanks. The 5 is definitely classier vs iX (loaner), but iX felt like the future, including the driving part, even if it looks odd.

I think dealer is fudging to collect. Driving in with no complaint but “finding it” is at least suspect.

Guessing any independent knowing you were paying would say it’s fine.

The differential was found to make untoward sounds during test drive and it was confirmed with the car on the rack. They drained oil and found metal flakes in it. I’ve also received 3 videos through the process, in one of them the car was semi disassembled in the front, and I also saw the new flex disk installed without the crack. I like the video overviews — makes for a more trustworthy experience for me. I was also told that bad parts replaced under warranty are sent back to BMW

 

[Frankrank]

My M550i has the square 19" set-up. Will 18's clear the brakes?

 

[wavinwayne]

I think dealer is fudging to collect. Driving in with no complaint but “finding it” is at least suspect.

Guessing any independent knowing you were paying would say it’s fine.

Experiences like OP's with the dealer is why my BMWs will only be repaired by the local indy BMW shop, which has a very good reputation for fixing what needs fixing for reasonable prices.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Experiences like OP's with the dealer is why my BMWs will only be repaired by the local indy BMW shop, which has a very good reputation for fixing what needs fixing for reasonable prices.

Good point and good advice for any car. If you have a good indy shop, use 'em.

 

[oldhp]

CPO??? 29K miles on it??? It needed all that??? Will it make it to 50K????

 

[The Artillerist]

CPO??? 29K miles on it??? It needed all that??? Will it make it to 50K????

Well, for posterity, “all that” includes : front differential, driveshaft’s rear flex disk, and 4 friction rings (1 per wheel). Whether it’s a lot or not is, in my opinion, probably debatable (?). But yes, with out warranty an owner would be no less than $8k poorer

Friction rings, if I understand correctly, resolve a factory defect related wheel’s mating to the hub, or something. They look like this (photos are not mine):

Here it is installed in the hub:

Also, for what it is worth, the car is a pure joy to drive and is concurrently quiet and comfortable, like the business sedan that it is. I hit about 170 mph once coming home from work and I swear it was a controlled, temperate experience behind the wheel. To me this is an indication that it’s pretty well put together

 

[The Artillerist]

My M550i has the square 19" set-up. Will 18's clear the brakes?

Some 18 inch wheels will clear the brakes. There are people on Bimmer forums who use 18s for winter tires

 

[JHZR2]

Completely unacceptable that it would need that much work in such a low mileage vehicle.

I love my 135i that I owned since new, but abs sensors failed on all corners with 25k-ish miles. Nothing else knock on wood.

For the obnoxious prices these dealers charge in the name of “luxury”, no thanks.

 

[The Artillerist]

This is why I stick with Mercedes. BMWs are always the fastest, but thier quality control has always been suspect at best.

My wife drives an E class. I like Mercedes and I’m not a fan boy for any particular brand.

When I was considering the purchase, I wanted a mid-size or larger sedan (I have two small children) and my priorities were:

1) comfort and quietness
2) power to spare

I’ve contemplated an E53 amg. It has a more “wow” interior and more striking looks that are not gaudy to my taste. But the Merc felt a tad juvenile, like a bit trying too hard with special effects or something. It was a rougher and harsher car too, relatively speaking.

The bimmer, when I drove it, I was immediately enthralled with it: understated, calm, quieter and better riding then the E53, yet more powerful and mature at the same time. Yes, less wow factor as far as outside and interior appearance, but I like “Jason Bourne” character of the car, if that makes sense. Somehow it manages comfort and quietness of a regular 5 series with completely bonkers performance that feels temperate and unobtrusive from behind the wheel. To most reviewers this sterility was a negative, but I actually like and prefer that at this point in my life. The Merc felt a bit more of a Jackie Chan in comparison. Anyways, that’s why I picked the bimmer

Also: most of the magazine reviews noted that 5 series interior was better put together than the W213 E class. My tactile experience with both cars kinda concurred. The E was not bad at all, just the bimmer’s dash and trans tunnel and what not felt a bit more monumentally put together, so to speak.

 

[Nick1994]

Kinda sounds like my Genesis' dealership visit. Where it's been for a few weeks. Maybe I'll get it back tomorrow.

 

[97prizm]

Nice to have that warranty, and a wise choice on a used BMW.

Back when I had one, my dealer would always put me in a brand new loaner. They even allowed me to use it on a kind of long road trip of about 500 miles so long as it came back with a full tank like it went out with.

BMW dealers do that to get you thinking of a new one to replace yours that’s in being serviced. I did consider it a couple of times.

Have dealerships upped their pricing on the extended warranties? Doug Demuro was supposedly one of the reasons that The dealership that has the price guarantee (can't remember now) took a bath after he paid I think $500 and the dealership ate 12k.

 

[The Critic]

I think dealer is fudging to collect. Driving in with no complaint but “finding it” is at least suspect.

Guessing any independent knowing you were paying would say it’s fine.

To be fair, the average driver who isn't mechanically inclined (or extremely familiar with their vehicle platform) will not notice many issues.