[tomgearman]

2019 M5 (35k Miles) in for dealership service. Oil change and spark plugs recommended. During removal of plugs, flex joint of tool fails due to pin shearing.

Tech assumes all fragments are recovered from plug well, so completes install and buttons everything back up. Starts engine and immediately realizes something is wrong. Pulls plugs again and examines with bore scope. A fragment of the pin is lodged under the exhaust valve. Part is recovered, about half the length and width of a #2 pencil eraser.

They are now dropping the engine to estimate damage/repairs.

They have been forthcoming and extremely apologetic, which I appreciate. My wife worked at this dealership for 8 years and I have purchased 6 or 7 vehicles from them.

Looking for any guidance on how to proceed and what questions to ask. I'm concerned about scoring of the cylinder wall or similar damage. What would your concerns be?

Thanks in advance for any helpful responses.

[Stück]

That'll be a new engine, and compensation for the diminished value or them relieving me of the car.

Period.

Going forward the technician should purchase or be furnished the correct tool for the job so this cannot happen again. UJoints are janky for this application and should be avoided when the correct tool exists.

The Genuine BMW tool is ideal, but the Baum B121220 or CTA 7654 on a budget would have saved the dealership a five figure make good.

[tomgearman]

Originally Posted by Stück

That'll be a new engine, and compensation for the diminished value or them relieving me of the car.

Period.

Going forward the technician should purchase or be furnished the correct tool for the job so this cannot happen again. UJoints are janky for this application and should be avoided when the correct tool exists.

The Genuine BMW tool is ideal, but the Baum B121220 or CTA 7654 on a budget would have saved the dealership a five figure make good.

Thank you for this valuable feedback - it's exactly what I was hoping for.

I'm afraid they may overlook internal issues and try to do the bare minimum to get the vehicle running. It's not like anyone else will see the block and head while the engine is disassembled. If you have any other thoughts, please share.

Thanks again.

[Stück]

Also, for what its worth, the correct tool for removing loosened spark plugs, or for lowering them down the spark plug shaft and starting the threads is BMW PN 83 30 0 496 065.

This unfortunate mishap was caused by a poorly trained and or equipped technician in too much of a rush to use the appropriate tooling.

[hunter8793]

Maybe they can take it a part and repair/ replace any damaged parts.

If not, push for a completely rebuilt engine, loaner car, and you get to keep the old engine for parts lol.

A rebuilt engine is around $8k, the labor should be like $4k. Chump change for the dealer.

Tell them to make it right.

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by hunter8793

A rebuilt engine is around $8k, the labor should be like $4k. Chump change for the dealer.

What BMW dealer will rebuild one of these engines for $8k?

[hunter8793]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

What BMW dealer will rebuild one of these engines for $8k?

They don't have to. Just buy it off ebay. Transfer parts and install. That seems like the best and fastest fix for the OP.


What are the other options?

This really is a messed up situation, and hopefully the OP gets taken care of.

[pbonsalb]

I doubt a dealer will buy an unknown engine on eBay and install it since they have to warranty what they do.

I assume the dealer already scooped the chamber, saw that a valve was bent or the chamber was beat up from the ricocheting socket part and knows it will be pulling the head. If it saw piston damage, then maybe there will be a rebuild or new engine. BMW seems to be replacing motors rather than rebuilding from what I have read over the last decade.

[Ervin87]

I would ask for a minimum of 1 year/
unlimited miles warranty on whatever they end up doing.

[tomgearman]

Thanks everyone for your guidance. No word from the dealership this week on progress, so we'll see what next week brings. I did leave a voicemail on the service managers line late Friday asking for an update.

They put me in a new 540i so I have transportation. Driving it just reminds me how superior the M5 is in every detail.

I'll keep you posted as things progress. Take care and thanks again.

[hunter8793]

Originally Posted by tomgearman

Thanks everyone for your guidance. No word from the dealership this week on progress, so we'll see what next week brings. I did leave a voicemail on the service managers line late Friday asking for an update.

They put me in a new 540i so I have transportation. Driving it just reminds me how superior the M5 is in every detail.

I'll keep you posted as things progress. Take care and thanks again.

Best of luck!

[tomgearman]

Service manager informed me that a new engine will be ordered today due to the damage on the existing one.

Pretty happy about this outcome. I asked whether this will have a negative impact on resale value. He didn't have any comment. Personally, I'd be more inclined to purchase a vehicle with 35k fewer miles on the engine, but maybe I'm missing something important.

Feel free to correct me - always happy to learn.

Take care!

[hunter8793]

Great! I'm glad they are making it right and in the best way possible. As far as diminished value, I'm with you. I'd much rather have a newer engine.

[tomgearman]

Just to button this up - got the car back ten days ago with the new engine installed. Everything looks 💯% Their insurance covered the damage on their end, minus the opportunity cost of having a couple of techs tied up fixing the mess.

I had a beef with these folks back when they serviced my E60 for a transmission fault, which left a bad taste in my mouth, but I'm over it now. It's good to be made whole, even when you have to wait a decade.

[tomgearman]

Originally Posted by Ervin87

I would ask for a minimum of 1 year/
unlimited miles warranty on whatever they end up doing.

They gave me 24 months/unlimited miles. I'm happy with that.

[hunter8793]

Awesome! Break it in and then have some fun