[fre2bpowerless]

My 4 day old 3 series gave up on me tonight, the car switched off (not limp mode, the motor died) at 40 km/h in the city. Managed to get the car to stop safely, not easy as the steering went stiff on me.

I tried the usual switch off, wait a minute till the car shuts down completely and power up again. Trick that has usually worked to get rid of errors on my F10s and E89 Z4.

It fired up and ran for maybe a 100 meters before the same thing happened, I was driving slower and cautiously this time. Switch off, wait and start again, nearly made it home till it conked again. And she refused to start, I could hear the starter motor but no love. There was also some weird grinding noise from the engine when it shut off this time.

All three times, I got the check engine light and drive train malfunction on the screen advising me to continue my journey at moderate speeds. The engine died all three times, did not go on limp mode, just shut down. All of this and I haven't even completed '200' kms, the car is still awaiting registration.

Is this is a common problem with the F30, anyone had it happen to theirs? The lemon laws are nonexistent in my country as are consumer protection laws. I'm in for a chat with my dealership tomorrow, what approach would you suggest I take, new car or repair?

[BavarianFanatic]

They'll probably replace a car that's THAT new. Sounds like a bad motor (or someone put gas in it...)

[fre2bpowerless]

I hope they do.

That would be my first guess since it's a very new car. The car was topped up with Diesel in my presence, I even have the receipt to prove it so that ain't it.

[AMJAM]

Sounds like a pretty serious engine failure. If India is anything like Aus all they will do is fix it.

[btbossman]

Wow man that terrible to hear. I hope they give you a new car! Good luck!

[fre2bpowerless]

@AMJAM They will push me to have it fixed

@btbossman Thanks, I'm gonna need it

[kave]

Im sorry, it happend on a brand new Volvo which had to be in the shop for three weeks, engine replacement.

[js 84]

I do not think its common problem. I have the car with same engine and few friends driving Bmw with same engine and no problems so far. (More than 1y). Too bad for you. Hope they replace your car!

[YeaG30]

This is probably one of the most depressing car stories, short of the "guy drives off the lot and gets into a wreck" scenario. I wish the best of luck to you.

[glangford]

Yea, best of luck. Let us know what happened. I have a serious interest having the same engine here in the US in a 328d.

[teen335]

I hope they replace the car for you. Good luck

[AdiSinghV12]

Really really sad incident. Best of luck. Do keep us updated!

[ny325]

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully it all works out. Good luck.

[Fille]

Wow, no this isn't usual. These engines are rock solid (except for the timing chain fault a few years back, but that's fixed).

[fre2bpowerless]

Originally Posted by kave

Im sorry, it happend on a brand new Volvo which had to be in the shop for three weeks, engine replacement.

I know how you feel.

Originally Posted by js 84

I do not think its common problem. I have the car with same engine and few friends driving Bmw with same engine and no problems so far. (More than 1y). Too bad for you. Hope they replace your car!

Two of my friends bought their 320D earlier this year and haven't face an issue either. SA said it was the first case with a 320D.

Originally Posted by YeaF30

This is probably one of the most depressing car stories, short of the "guy drives off the lot and gets into a wreck" scenario. I wish the best of luck to you.

Thank you

Originally Posted by glangford

Yea, best of luck. Let us know what happened. I have a serious interest having the same engine here in the US in a 328d.

Originally Posted by teen335

I hope they replace the car for you. Good luck

Originally Posted by AdiSinghV12

Really really sad incident. Best of luck. Do keep us updated!

Originally Posted by ny325

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully it all works out. Good luck.

The current scenario is that the car is back with the dealer. They are being tight lipped about what went wrong, I know they had the car on diagnosis. I'll post on here as soon as I know something.

I've made it very clear that I won't be taking the car back and as of yesterday, we were discussing options. They're offering me another F30 but it doesn't have Nav, not the same color and interior either.

Option 2 is that I go for another model. My choices are-
a. 328i - Now, its the only F30 with Nav. I'd love this but no cars available till Jan.
b. 520d - I already own two so it'd be pointless though the LCI is tempting, comes with the 6wb and LED headlights standard.
c. 116i, 118d - Too cramped for me, 118D costs as much as the 320d.
d. X3 - I know that nearly all the X3s sold here suffer from the drive train malfunctions and stabilization error.

Since, they can't provide me a replacement and I don't want to go for another model, I'm pushing them for a refund.

[AdiSinghV12]

Originally Posted by fre2bpowerless

They're offering me another F30 but it doesn't have Nav, not the same color and interior either.

Option 2 is that I go for another model. My choices are-
a. 328i - Now, its the only F30 with Nav. I'd love this but no cars available till Jan.
b. 520d - I already own two so it'd be pointless though the LCI is tempting, comes with the 6wb and LED headlights standard.
c. 116i, 118d - Too cramped for me, 118D costs as much as the 320d.
d. X3 - I know that nearly all the X3s sold here suffer from the drive train malfunctions and stabilization error.

IMO taking the first option sounds good enough if they are giving you a replacement. It doesn't have the nav because none of the diesel 3-Series is being currently manufactured with the 8.8cm iDrive in India. I guess the one you picked up was a sport plus which was discontinued a good 6 months back. The 5er doesn't make sense as you said you already own a couple of em and regarding the rest, the 3-Series is a far better car overall than the X3 and the 1er IMO.

[fre2bpowerless]

Originally Posted by AdiSinghV12

IMO taking the first option sounds good enough if they are giving you a replacement. It doesn't have the nav because none of the diesel 3-Series is being currently manufactured with the 8.8cm iDrive in India. I guess the one you picked up was a sport plus which was discontinued a good 6 months back. The 5er doesn't make sense as you said you already own a couple of em and regarding the rest, the 3-Series is a far better car overall than the X3 and the 1er IMO.

They've offered me an even better option and I've decided to go for it. BMW really stepped up this time.

Will update once everything is finalized.

[AMJAM]

Come on tell us

[fre2bpowerless]

There's a cherry on the frosting that they will confirm tomorrow

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by fre2bpowerless

There's a cherry on the frosting that they will confirm tomorrow

Dude, this is going to get old real fast. Just tell us how what they are considering to make the situation better. You're hyping it up and the reality will likely be underwhelming.

[glangford]

Originally Posted by fre2bpowerless

There's a cherry on the frosting that they will confirm tomorrow

Glad to hear it and can't wait to hear what it is!!

[fre2bpowerless]

Originally Posted by glangford

Glad to hear it and can't wait to hear what it is!!

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Dude, this is going to get old real fast. Just tell us how what they are considering to make the situation better. You're hyping it up and the reality will likely be underwhelming.

320D, same color and interior with NAV, hi-fi sound. BSI, power kit and/or M-perf brakes thrown in, still awaiting clarity on that. I'll have to wait 60-90 days for it though.

I think its pretty awesome.