Folks,
This post is for educational purpose, as I know someone will be in my situation especially with cars being driven less during these times. More importantly what I learned about the G series BMWs...also some venting.
This problem started yesterday afternoon when the X5 would not start. Luckily the car was parked in my driveway so i was able to deal with this SAGA from my home and not stranded on the road.
The vehicle ignition and electronics start but the starter engine does not crank. Talked to BMW assist and sent the car data over the SOS line, BMW tech confirmed the battery is fine and the problem is with the readiness module. As per my discussion with the tech, the readiness module recognizes the key, does a check to wake up all systems then authorizes the startup. In my case this module is not giving the "ok" so no startup sequence.
By yesterday 5:00 PM EST, the tech tells me the car will require a tow to dealership and specifically a dolly/lojack is needed to get the car as the car on the flatbed as it will not go into neutral.
First tow truck "flatbed" shows up at 6:30 PM, he does not have a dolly or a lojack. We get on the phone again with BMW assist and a new master tech confirms the car can not be moved without the dolly. The tow truck leaves and BMW assist apologizes and says they will ensure the proper truck with dolly will be at my location by 8:30 PM.
By that time I realized the issue of transmission going into neutral is a big hassle to say the least and started my research on the forum and going through the catalog in detail. Reference links below:
https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1730725
links to ITS were closed by BMW - this case was a software update that bricked the car and wont go into neutral.
Reference PDF for forcing into neutral - requires special tool
Ref BMW Schmiedmann Specialist video on topic with good info - this is as applied to F series tried this and did not work on my G05 X5
Video F30 go into neutral using 5m allen
I also learned from talking to BMW Master tech is that BMW decided to disable the go into Neutral soft function for all G series X5 and X7, i am unsure about the 3/5. The only option is following the PDF option aka "hard option" going under the car and having the tool to do that work. So should BMW owners now buy tools and doing that procedure in the middle of the road....???
Second tow truck "flatbed" shows up at 9:30 PM, he does not have a dolly or a lojack again! We get on the phone again with BMW assist and they apologize again. I spend 30 min with them on the phone and I get the deepest apologies and they promise a tow truck will be at my house with the dolly by 7:30 AM-8 AM.
Its 9:30 AM the following day and I just got off the phone with BMW assist again, no tow truck and still waiting...........they promised a follow up call in 15 min and that already passed. Called my local dealership and talked to my rep that I have dealt with for over 18 year, he confirmed my research and told me to be patient and apologized on behalf of BMW.
Our Cars not being able to be placed in Neutral and pushed to safety is a MAJOR hazard and create liability
. I do not understand why BMW is putting its customers and drivers in a position of liability and increased risk. Vehicle should be placed in neutral in case of emergency...imagine this happened on a highway in the middle of the night, enough said.
I will update you all on my story soon.
9:40 AM - Assist just called saying another company should be onsite within 30 min. We shall see.
9:50 Am - Towing company just called me to confirm pickup, they only have a flatbed no proper equipment. Dispatcher said they will cancel as they do not have a dolly. It seems a middle company called "Urgently" is the go in between BMW assist and the tow truck companies. Urgently is not specifying dollies and that's where the communication failure is happening. Poor integration and communication. Also towing company rep said you actually need 2 trucks at the same time: A recker to use its dollies and a flatbed to place it on the bed for transportation. If this is true this complicates things even further. "Tire sliders" are not an acceptable tool as high probability of damage.
11:10 AM - BMW Assist call with BMW tech. They confirmed 2 trucks are needed to pull this through. Rescheduling for this afternoon, this would be the 4th tow truck(s). its now a full misery/comedy show.