[yzhou2004]

My 2020 X5 CPO at 25,000 miles is developing crispy clicking noise when I turn left at slow speed. The sound seems coming from right front.

The car is out of manufacture warranty a month ago, but still with CPO warranty for next 11 months.

I brought it to a local dealer. They said the noise was coming left front tie rod and need to replace both sides due to 'upgraded' BMW parts and perform an alignment afterwards. They quoted me at $2000 first and drop it to $1600 after I pointed out the part should not fail at such a low milage. I further asked them to break down the part and the labor and here they are: both tie rods $800 (I found from an online dealer service department around $400), the labor $600 and the alignment $200.

So, my questions:

1) does anybody experience clicking noise and tie rods replacement at low milage?

2) since the car is only one month out of manufacture warranty, does anyone have positive experience with BMW USA for a courtesy repair?
if so, what's the best way to contact them, via email and phone call?

Thanks much in advance !

[BRB-Prsch928S]

Isn't CPO warranty an extension of the manufacturer's warranty? I would think this would be covered under your CPO warranty, unless tie rods are excluded as a wear item.

[yzhou2004]

Originally Posted by BRB-Prsch928S

Isn't CPO warranty an extension of the manufacturer's warranty? I would think this would be covered under your CPO warranty, unless tie rods are excluded as a wear item.

you are right. the rods are excluded as a wear item. But still caught me off guard. did not expect it causes problems at such a low milage.

[charlie fairmont]

About a year ago, there was an SIB issued (attached). You can try a good ol' fashioned grovelling but I suspect CPO doesn't cover "wear" items and many (most?) suspension components are considered wear items. The SIB seems to imply it's for use under the new car warranty only but it can't hurt to try using it.

[davchr]

Clicking at low speed when making turns sounds to me like a CV joint problem, not a tie rod.

You said it is coming from the right side, the dealer said the left side. Which is it?

As you found out, one thing you can count on from dealers is outrageous prices. I advise you to take it to and independent shop for a second opinion. Maybe they confirm the tie rod, maybe not. If BMW found it necessary to "upgrade" the parts maybe there is a problem with their tie rods. You can get an idea of a non-dealer price - for both parts and labor. Then decide what you want to do.

[yzhou2004]

Originally Posted by charlie fairmont

About a year ago, there was an SIB issued (attached). You can try a good ol' fashioned grovelling but I suspect CPO doesn't cover "wear" items and many (most?) suspension components are considered wear items. The SIB seems to imply it's for use under the new car warranty only but it can't hurt to try using it.

Very helpful SIB information. I am sure BMW is aware of this issue. Otherwise, they would not voluntarily 'upgrade' parts as dealer implied. They want to replace both parts at the same time to avoid the issues in the future. It's lame BMW does not recall the parts they know worn out prematurely.

[davchr]

Originally Posted by yzhou2004

Very helpful SIB information. I am sure BMW is aware of this issue. Otherwise, they would not voluntarily 'upgrade' parts as dealer implied. They want to replace both parts at the same time to avoid the issues in the future. It's lame BMW does not recall the parts they know worn out prematurely.

I agree that it is lame that BMW does not take care of its customers. They are not known for that like other manufacturers such as Toyota. I just received a notice from Toyota acknowledging a possible problem with the high pressure fuel pump on my Highlander. Not a recall but Toyota extended the warranty on that pump for 10 years, no mileage limit.

[hotvee]

Originally Posted by BRB-Prsch928S

Isn't CPO warranty an extension of the manufacturer's warranty?

Not at all. There are many things excluded from CPO warranty comparing to the manufacturer’s one. But it’s a common thing among sales persons to say that CPO warranty is an additional year on top of manufacturer’s one with unlimited miles, which is not true.

[yzhou2004]

Originally Posted by davchr

Clicking at low speed when making turns sounds to me like a CV joint problem, not a tie rod.

You said it is coming from the right side, the dealer said the left side. Which is it?

As you found out, one thing you can count on from dealers is outrageous prices. I advise you to take it to and independent shop for a second opinion. Maybe they confirm the tie rod, maybe not. If BMW found it necessary to "upgrade" the parts maybe there is a problem with their tie rods. You can get an idea of a non-dealer price - for both parts and labor. Then decide what you want to do.

Very helpful advice. I don't have whole lot confidence with service department at this dealer. The only reason I brought there is they are closest. They messed up some simple warranty jobs in the past that I simply fixed by myself at home.

So, when they said it is left front, I don't really believe them 100%.


I am calling a couple of local shops around with 5 star yelp reviews and explained the issues. Given the dealer diagnosis and proposed repair work as they are, the average quote is around 30% less than the dealer quoted.

[RNorb]

Originally Posted by yzhou2004

2) since the car is only one month out of manufacture warranty, does anyone have positive experience with BMW USA for a courtesy repair?
if so, what's the best way to contact them, via email and phone call?

Thanks much in advance !

Yes, I was one month out of warranty and had three air struts replaced approved and paid for by BMW. However, while the bad struts were discovered after the warranty period, I had complained during the warranty period about front suspension noise which was documented by the dealer. My dealer got the approval from BMW to do the repair under warranty.

[yzhou2004]

Originally Posted by RNorb

Yes, I was one month out of warranty and had three air struts replaced approved and paid for by BMW. However, while the bad struts were discovered after the warranty period, I had complained during the warranty period about front suspension noise which was documented by the dealer. My dealer got the approval from BMW to do the repair under warranty.

thanks much for sharing your experience. Ouch, 3 air structs? I had one replaced 3 month ago when it was still covered by warranty. Did not expect air structs went bad so early.

A couple more questions to you:

1) In regards to contacting bmw for approval, did the dealer request on your behalf or you had to call or email bmw yourself to create a case? How long did it take you to get approval?
2) Did the dealer perform the job before the approval and you paid upfront and then got reimbursment? or the dealer waited for approval first to do the job for you and you did not pay out of pocket at all?

My dealer said they will give me a number call when I pick up my car.
I have sent BMW customer relation a message on their website. But not sure how long it will take them to respond.

[RNorb]

Originally Posted by yzhou2004

thanks much for sharing your experience. Ouch, 3 air structs? I had one replaced 3 month ago when it was still covered by warranty. Did not expect air structs went bad so early.

A couple more questions to you:

1) In regards to contacting bmw for approval, did the dealer request on your behalf or you had to call or email bmw yourself to create a case? How long did it take you to get approval?
2) Did the dealer perform the job before the approval and you paid upfront and then got reimbursment? or the dealer waited for approval first to do the job for you and you did not pay out of pocket at all? T

My dealer said they will give me a number call when I pick up my car.
I have sent BMW customer relation a message on their website. But not sure how long it will take them to respond.

The dealer contacted BMW for the approval and it took about a week to get it. My car sat with the dealer while waiting for the approval but they gave me a loaner. I paid nothing. The dealer told me it would cost around $9000 with no warranty.

[yzhou2004]

Originally Posted by RNorb

The dealer contacted BMW for the approval and it took about a week to get it. My car sat with the dealer while waiting for the approval but they gave me a loaner. I paid nothing. The dealer told me it would cost around $9000 with no warranty.

thanks for your information. very helpful.

[yzhou2004]

Originally Posted by yzhou2004

thanks for your information. very helpful.

Just a few mins ago I got a reply from BMW customer relations. as below. Sounds like a round about.

Thanks for writing to BMW regarding your 2020 BMW X5 xDrive40i. I’m sorry to learn of your concerns about the tie rods.

We rely on the technical staff at our authorized BMW centers to determine warranty eligibility based on mechanical diagnosis. Warranty eligibility is determined by the root cause of the issue, and whether it is a true defect, or due to an outside influence.

Since you have concerns with the warranty coverage determined by the service team for the tie rods, I'd suggest speaking with the Service Manager at Rusnak BMW. They have the knowledge and expertise to assist you.

Should you need to contact Customer Relations and Services again, you can reach us at 1-800-831-1117 Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.

[yzhou2004]

Just spoke to a BMW NA agent at their 1800 number. She wanted me to confirm with service center if tie rod issue is normal wear and tear or a defect. In other words, should the work be covered if the car is still under manufacture warranty. I am sure the service center will say yes since they kept stressing the service charge is due to out of manufacture warranty. Given my car is only one month past the manufacture warranty and my left front air struct in the same area was just replaced 3 month ago, she thinks this warrants an escalation to a case manager in BMW NA to look further. So, it seems better to call BMW NA to talk to an agent directly instead of emailing them.

I also called a few local shops and found a decent quote. I really enjoyed talking to the owner a couple of times today. He was very patient to hear my situation and provided his honest opinions. He advised me to haggle with BMW for a good will repair first. If it does not work, he does not mind my looking for the best price of OEM parts online ($200 from an online BMW detail outside CA vs. $327 MSRP at local dealer). My last resort is to order parts myself and take my car to him. He will fix it at a deep discount from dealer (sur)charge. If I am happy with his work, I will bring my car to him for all my future services.

[TurtleBoy]

I think you have a good chance of having it covered under warranty. Have it escalated and see what a case manager will do.

[Daedalus0101101]

I have a 2021 X5 CPO with just under 23K on it and no clicking sounds. I still have about 3 months on the factory warranty and another year on the CPO warranty. I'm with you though as those should not have gone out at such low mileage. Hell my old 01 F250 had 290K before it got stolen ( ) and still had the original factory tie rods.

[yzhou2004]

Originally Posted by Daedalus0101101

I have a 2021 X5 CPO with just under 23K on it and no clicking sounds. I still have about 3 months on the factory warranty and another year on the CPO warranty. I'm with you though as those should not have gone out at such low mileage. Hell my old 01 F250 had 290K before it got stolen ( ) and still had the original factory tie rods.

A few issues I found before my warranty expired and asked the dealer to fix. you may want to check out

1. Shrunken sunroof seals on the side and along the edge of moving panel.

2. Various rattling and creaky noise from rear hatch and dashboard.

3. Broken thigh extensions and rear sunshade rollers

4. Intermittent black screen on central dash due to failed RSU. Was never told ready to install

5. Faulty left front air strut

Hope you don’t have any of these.

[Daedalus0101101]

Originally Posted by yzhou2004

A few issues I found before my warranty expired and asked the dealer to fix. you may want to check out

1. Shrunken sunroof seals on the side and along the edge of moving panel.

2. Various rattling and creaky noise from rear hatch and dashboard.

3. Broken thigh extensions and rear sunshade rollers

4. Intermittent black screen on central dash due to failed RSU. Was never told ready to install

5. Faulty left front air strut

Hope you don’t have any of these.

I just got it at the beginning of February and I'm hoping they checked it all out before they turned around and sold it to me. It was a Lease return. I dont use the thigh extensions but have tested them and they work. I haven't heard any noises ( creaking or otherwise) other than the engine. The central screen hasn't gone black on me yet. I have heard that the sunroof seals are 50/50 though if they will leak. The air struts I'm worried about though.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Daedalus0101101

I have a 2021 X5 CPO with just under 23K on it and no clicking sounds. I still have about 3 months on the factory warranty and another year on the CPO warranty. I'm with you though as those should not have gone out at such low mileage. Hell my old 01 F250 had 290K before it got stolen ( ) and still had the original factory tie rods.

I don't think you have anything to worry about as they are not a known/common issue that we have seen. Keep in mind though, they are not covered by the CPO warranty.

[RNorb]

Originally Posted by Daedalus0101101

I just got it at the beginning of February and I'm hoping they checked it all out before they turned around and sold it to me. It was a Lease return. I dont use the thigh extensions but have tested them and they work. I haven't heard any noises ( creaking or otherwise) other than the engine. The central screen hasn't gone black on me yet. I have heard that the sunroof seals are 50/50 though if they will leak. The air struts I'm worried about though.

I started hearing front suspension noise around 33000 miles. Had three
air struts replaced at 38000 miles which solved the noise.

[Daedalus0101101]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

I don't think you have anything to worry about as they are not a known/common issue that we have seen. Keep in mind though, they are not covered by the CPO warranty.

Oh I know as they are a "wear" item, but they shouldn't go out that fast.