[RowwieH99]

This post is regarding the engine in my M8 Comp. I know this side is for M5's, but I understand both cars are very similar under the bonnet and would appreciate any advice. I'm hoping it's okay for me to post this here. I did the same in the 8 series forum, but naturally assuming there are significantly more F90 M5's out there than M8's especially in the UK.


Last Friday, I was driving home - around 40mph, when the car (~25k miles) suddenly put itself into neutral and would not let me put it back into drive. Stopped the car. Tried to start the car again and was given an error on the dash “engine is overheated, allow engine to cool down before starting”, no warning lights on the dash and all temps were showing as normal.

Waited a full hour (made sure temps looked normal) and started the car again and was met with the same response. Heard a single click, engine didn’t crank and then what I believe was the starter (from the smell) also then went up in smoke.

BMW towed it away 4 hours later. Currently waiting to hear from my local bmw service centre to hear what’s up with the car. They’ve said they can’t look at it till Monday. Car is completely stock.

I’ve found several posts of people with M5’s reporting a very similar series of events with their cars, but haven’t found any m8 posts.

Best part is that I had just gotten my car back last week after being fully serviced by my local BMW.

This is my first M car, so I’m not 100% sure what BMW are like when it comes to warranty claims. Really hoping it doesn’t involve a load of back and forth.


Update 1 10th October 24
I went down to the BMW service centre today at around 15:00, as they hadn't called me like they said they would.

BMW advised that the engine is toast. They tried manually cranking it, but it wouldn't crank. They found pieces of brass and aluminium in the oil pan.

BMW asked me to pay for a new battery inc labour (£960) and also to pay 12 hours of labour to take the engine out so they can find out what has happened.

My car is not certified pre-owned. It was bought from a highly reputable high-end third party dealer. The car had an existing BMW extended warranty plan on it when I bought it, but due to the way BMW's warranty plan works, I had to take out a new policy, rather than switching the old one over to me.

The SA advised that because of this (as it has happened in the first 60 days since the new policy was taken out) the car is not covered for a warranty claim. The SA advised that as the car has a full BMW service history, is bone stock and has always had warranty against it since the day it was first registered, there's a *chance* of goodwill once they have taken the engine out and have found out why it seized.

SA advised that the reason they need to do this is to find out if the car had a "pre-existing fault". I reminded them that this car was brought in for an oil service two weeks ago, so a pre-existing fault should've been picked up. I also reminded them that the car was brought in for a different service ~1 month before I bought it. I also reminded them that the car has always had warranty on it, so even if there was a "pre-existing fault", it would be pre-existing from a time when the car was under warranty.

Engines do not usually grenade at 25k miles and 3.5 years of age for no reason. I'm 90% sure that these guys just messed something up during the service a few weeks ago, because I haven't touched the car or driven it hard and have put only <200 miles on it since the service.

The service centre ran the ECU and confirmed this car has never been tuned or modded. it has also completed all services at the correct intervals, via BMW.

I've sent a complaint to BMW UK regarding this and will also call them tomorrow. I have also spoken with the finance company and told them what has happened, who have told me not to worry.

This is my third high end Bimmer (all work done by BMW) in my 25 years of age (8 years of driving) so you'd think they'd throw me a bone, at least. But apparently they want me to pay thousands to diagnose it on the "chance" that BMW might cover it.

[Aronis]

Sorry to read this story.

So you got the car second hand, bought a BMW extended warranty, and they are saying that is not in effect until after 60 days? But the car is self, as a used car, sold less than 60 days ago, does not have some grace period for issues? We have used car laws in the states which are different and most dealers will give you 30 days to return for any reason including mechanic issues. If the car is less than 4 years old, and 25 kmiles, this thing should be 100% still covered on the original manufacture's warranty, that is transferable to any buyer. So you should b fully covered less some deductible. As far as that 60 day thing on the extended warranty that should be POINTED OUT to the customer at least twice. BMW is becoming such a shit company.

Mike

[RowwieH99]

Originally Posted by Aronis

Sorry to read this story.

So you got the car second hand, bought a BMW extended warranty, and they are saying that is not in effect until after 60 days? But the car is self, as a used car, sold less than 60 days ago, does not have some grace period for issues? We have used car laws in the states which are different and most dealers will give you 30 days to return for any reason including mechanic issues. If the car is less than 4 years old, and 25 kmiles, this thing should be 100% still covered on the original manufacture's warranty, that is transferable to any buyer. So you should b fully covered less some deductible. As far as that 60 day thing on the extended warranty that should be POINTED OUT to the customer at least twice. BMW is becoming such a shit company.

Mike

Yup, they're saying it's not in effect until after 60 days - But that didn't stop them taking payments for it since the day I took it out

The 30 day rule does apply in the UK, but the car was bought ~50 days ago. Although statutory rights should still cover me (Which I believe is why the finance company told me not to worry)

As far as I'm aware, BMW's Official UK warranty is only 3 years , so car would not be covered on that.

I feel the logical take for them is to just cover it, given it can only either be caused by a defect, or an error during the oil service they just carried out on it 2 weeks ago.

[787B]

If you bought it from a dealer in the UK, they legally have to fix any problems arising with the first 6 months of buying it. They get one chance to fix it and if the problem re-occurs then you're entitled to a full refund.

I got a full refund on a car that had a serious issue during first month of owning it.

Either way I'd probably go back to the dealer you bought it from.

[Aronis]

Originally Posted by 787B

If you bought it from a dealer in the UK, they legally have to fix any problems arising with the first 6 months of buying it. They get one chance to fix it and if the problem re-occurs then you're entitled to a full refund.

I got a full refund on a car that had a serious issue during first month of owning it.

Either way I'd probably go back to the dealer you bought it from.

That's great news!

OR Bring it to Matt Armstrong and have him fix it.

Mike