Nikasil Repair Kit for 6 Cylinder Engines

Hi Guys,

I'm at the end of the road with BMW trying to sort out the premature bore wear issue. BMW Ireland are not doing any goodwill gestures for Nikasil Engines and the my "Approved Used Warranty" isn't worth the paper it's written on. The next thing is to look into this Short Block Repair Kit. Anyone have any info on this?

Thoughts, comments, suggestions welcome...

Cheers

Mac.

 

 

Hi Tom,

To answer your questions, the car is origional irish, FSH, supplied from new from Maxwell's and then a few owners in Dublin. I bought it last year, no probs for the first few months, then it needed to be topped up with oil every so often (93K)  Booked it in for a service in Nov, compression test carried out and nothing to report. Three months later, still needing top ups and got a second compression test done. Result- Fail. (99,600)

Went back to the supplying dealer and they advised an oil consumption test over 3K miles. It got progresively worse, they thought it was valve stem seals, but not so. The car is with the dealer for the last 7 weeks while they're trying to sort something out. Nothing more to do though...

Mac.

That would me my opinion as well. But not so according to the dealer. I understand that the warranty will not cover some items, eg a wiper blade.  Fair enough.

But you'd hope that one of the main components under the bonnet would be covered. The gist is that they reckon probably wear and tear, it was the mileage on the car that they had issue with. There was 102K on it when it went back to the garage where it was bought. The garage was surprised by thier attitude. Then we called BMW ireland to see could they help and they refused. They said again that the mileage was the issue.

I wouldn't mind but this car was bought through an approved BMW dealer and serviced with BMW dealers  from day one, so it's not as though it's strayed from the dealer network.

So what BMW is saying is that it expects its engines to last only 100k even if serviced according to BMWs own shedule and by BMW trained monke... technicians?

Only one thought comes to mind: Floodgate!

Adrian

I agree about it being a disgrace.  Going a legal route could be difficult, depends on precise terms of warranty (although I had a look at some of the documentation and I'd say there could be reasonable grounds there), the definition of reasonable wear and tear, etc.  You could also get in to big arguements about whether the situation was a pre-existing condition when the car was bought or not.  Using the court system is always risky.  No coincidence that the legal profession are probably among the bigger stealer customer segments (with respect to any here )

The question also arises about who to pursue.  The contract in buying the car is with the dealer, but the warranty is provided by a third party.  Is the contract with the warranty company between the dealer and the warranty or between the customer and warranty Co.?  BMW Irl have no direct legal role in the contract.  Having said that, they have a moral responsibility in my opinion when they are behind the Approved Used scheme and dealers charge a premium for cars covered (that in itself might help make a case, saying that the duty of care is higher).

The threat of legal action might be enough, and often is, but if they call the bluff then you have to be prepared to follow through and there is a risk, not just in terms of costs on the customer side, but also on the dealers.

Someone mentioned a few posts back about the Office of Consumer Affairs.  That probably would be worth a call to see if they have an interest here.

Maybe a legal challenge is abit strong without knowing what ground we stand on. Are there any legal eagles in the Club. Perhaps a copy of the warranty could be passed on to someone in the profession for their opinion ?.  

Hi everyone, newbie alert!
Just been reading this thread and can I warn you all... Stay clear of Bavarian Garages, Belfast honestly. They are completely useless! I am currently locked in an argument between Munich and Bavarian. Left my other BMW in a few weeks back (318is Coupe) to have a noise like a whistle checked over. I knew it wasn't head gasket or any of the other usual suspect bits as I had replaced all these myself. Anyway while the car was with them not only did they not find the noise but managed some how to wreck my 9 month old mass air flow meter, then had the cheek to try to bill me for the time spent searching for the orginal problem. But it gets even better...they actually turned round and said "We cant fix your car Sir, not much more we can do really, we have tried everything!" Makes you wonder why they bother having £60,000 worth of diagnostic equipment doesn't it? So at the minute I am refusing to take the car from their premises until Munich get back in touch with me as they have told me they are looking into my case. Anyway I dont care as I just bought a real real clean 328 Sport...Dont even start to tell me about the Nikasil issue LOL.

Anyway everyone, just a warning and wanted to say Hi.

Thanks for the replies guys,

The car was bought with about 87.5 K on the clock, bought June 2003. First correspondence with BMW Ireland in Novembler, back and forth to dealers since.

 

Been thinking more about this overnight.  The main problem so far is that there isn't a whiff of goodwill from the dealer, the warranty company or BMW Irl. 

Killian mentioning the Director of Consumer Affairs set me thinking.  There is a complaint procedure that the SIMI operate to deal with issues related to their dealers.  Had a look at their website and there is a procedure to follow, so details are copied and pasted below (copyright SIMI and all that):

1. Before you lodge the complaint with SIMI you should contact the senior management of the company concerned in this complaint, either in person, by telephone or by post.
   
   
2. The Investigation and Complaints Service deal with complaints relating to a) the purchase of used vehicles from retail member companies and b) the service or repair of new and used vehicles by retail member companies.
   
   
3. A complaint must be referred to the Society within 3 months from the date the cause of the complaint first manifested itself.
   
   
4. Details of the complaint must be made in writing to the Society and accompanied by relevant supporting documents.
   
   
5. A complaint which is in legal hands or which is the subject of legal proceedings falls outside the scope of the Society’s Investigation and Complaints Service.
   
   
6. If the complaint cannot be resolved by direct discussion between the parties’ details of the complaint will be forwarded to a meeting of the Retail Motor Industry Standards Tribunal who will make a recommendation for settlement.
   
   
7. Members of the Society must accept recommendations of the Standards Tribunal.

It may be that holding the dealer up in the eyes of their peers may be more productive that the attempts have been so far to get a goodwill gesture.  The only slightly sticky point (depending on interpretation) might be in point 3, a 3 month window to submit a complaint from the time that the complaint manifested itself.  My take is that the complaint has only started with the refusal of the dealer, warranty company and BMW to approve relevant repairs.

Mac, if you think this is worth a shot let me know and I'd be happy to help get things together, etc.