[Graham11]

Wondering if anyone else has experienced a drivetrain malfunction on first day receiving M50i? At a total of 18 miles, the car sputtered to a stop after a stop sign on a road that is 25 mph. The notification said “drivetrain malfunction but vehicle still driveable” (something like that) however the vehicle was not driveable at all because it wouldn’t even start. When trying to start, the engine would attempt to fire but then die right away. Road Side assistance couldn’t link to the car to get the data (I also couldn’t get remote start to work from app) so the car had to be towed. We tried waiting 5-10-15 minutes to reset but no luck.

Anyone else have this experience? The car had never been on a highway but we did do launch control twice but never exceeded 70 mph. If that would cause an issue then the dealer should warn people but from the bmw tech it sounds unrelated. He said he thinks it’s a fuel pump issue, tow truck driver said the same thing.


By the way, anyone else notice that “cerium grey” is really about 10 different shades of a gold/silver depending which trim piece it’s on? My front grill looks gold not grey at all... I should have kept my order w the shadow line trim and the black/chrome wheel option. Anyone know if all the cerium grey pieces can be ordered in black from bmw to convert?

[Rke82]

You launch controlled a brand new car , twice !? , at least wait till it's got at least a thousand miles on the clock.

[BMPHIL]

Originally Posted by Rke82

You launch controlled a brand new car , twice !? , at least wait till it's got at least a 1000 miles on the clock.

+1

[MystroX5]

Usually a defect will show up right away and yours looks like it did just that. I can’t believe you launched your new car with so little time on the engine. It may not be this issue but certainly you didn’t do your engine any longevity favors. Just curious, why did you want to launch a brand new car two times so soon??

I know the M50i really isn’t a full M car at all but you do know a full “M-car” has a mandatory break-in requirement with low rpms, and no high loads on the engine? I waited well after 1500 miles before opening up the big V8TT.

Full M Car:
“During the first 1,200 miles M requires that you ease on the throttle rather than slam it to the floor. The Engine: The official line by BMW is to keep it below 4,500 rpms until 1,200 miles. Absolutely no launch control enabled during this time. Fluids get a drained after this first break-in ”

[Graham11]

Haha when you wait 2 months for the car to be built then another 2 months sitting on the lot because of corona virus and finally get a chance to get out of the house and drive it... excitement overrides reason i guess? But i did ask at the dealership and they said it’s not going to hurt it if you just do it a couple times and again never exceeded 70 and the car was warmed up. And the car drove fine for a day after that, it broke down at a stop sign the next day. And they did not say or tell me to do anything regarding a break in period (although they probably should if that’s “required” and they should probably lock out the launch control until 1000 miles if that’s necessary as well.) You all sound like you have incredible self control! I’m not arguing against your advice at all by the way, it’s sound advice but just give a junky a baggie and ask him to go easy at first and see what happens! And i also don’t keep cars more than 30k miles so longevity isn’t exactly top priority for me. I love bmw but everyone I’ve ever owned turned into a money pit at 50-60k miles.

So I appreciate the concner about launch control but more curious if anyone else has had this issue. Again both techs said it’s likely a fuel pump issue since the car started but wouldn’t stay on.

[Auricom]

I've heard of "drivetrain malfunction" from a member back in 2019 but none since, but definitely not one after launch control with under 20 miles. I've had a random drivetrain malfunction on my old F15 just commuting to work one day but error went away overnight.

Yeah most get that there's pent up need to drive your new X5 after waiting for so long, but... just LOL. Anyways hopefully just it's just the fuel pump and nothing more, just go easy on it after repairs.

[Graham11]

BMW just called... it’s a computer issue. Nothing mechanical is damaged at all. The dealership has never seen this issue before so either have to update software or replace computer they said. Nothing to do with launch control and they said the data doesn’t even show the car was pushed hard, as I said the launch control I did was very timid not a full out quarter mile run ha. Again I don’t disagree with any of your concerns but I’m yes I will go easy... for a little bit haha

[thereef510]

Originally Posted by Graham11

Haha when you wait 2 months for the car to be built then another 2 months sitting on the lot because of corona virus and finally get a chance to get out of the house and drive it... excitement overrides reason i guess? And i also don’t keep cars more than 30k miles so longevity isn’t exactly top priority for me.

It's great that you love BMWs but not enough to appreciate the engineering to read the manual/learn about proper maintenance to know that no car should be pushed hard before being properly broken in, especially a high performance vehicle like that. I feel sorry for whoever gets your CPO after you're done trashing it.

[G Whizz UK]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

I know the M50i really isn’t a full M car at all but you do know a full “M-car” has a mandatory break-in requirement with low rpms, and no high loads on the engine? I waited well after 1500 miles before opening up the big V8TT.
[/I]”

I don't have an M car and I can see exactly why you'd break in those.

More broadly though, I'd be curious who was told to break in. I've asked explicitly for my last 2 cars, including this 30d about running in, and was told that hasn't been necessary since the 1980s! The only thing that was said was fuel consumption improves in waves - after 1000, 6000 and 12000 broadly. And that has largely proven to be true.

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by G Whizz UK

More broadly though, I'd be curious who was told to break in. I've asked explicitly for my last 2 cars, including this 30d about running in, and was told that hasn't been necessary since the 1980s! The only thing that was said was fuel consumption improves in waves - after 1000, 6000 and 12000 broadly. And that has largely proven to be true.

It is still stated/recommended in the user manual.

And it specially said:
"During the break-in, do not use the Launch Control".

[Alan l.]

Logically everything needs break in. Gaskets, cylinder rings, rubbers, brakes, transmission, tires etc... It has always been the case for all BMW for the first 1200 miles.

If you pay attention to blackstone oil samples engines always shows higher metal content within the oil for the first couple of oil changes before it settles down which to me is proof that engines needs break in.

[Graham11]

Originally Posted by thereef510

It's great that you love BMWs but not enough to appreciate the engineering to read the manual/learn about proper maintenance to know that no car should be pushed hard before being properly broken in, especially a high performance vehicle like that. I feel sorry for whoever gets your CPO after you're done trashing it.

Appreciate the engineering? on the car that died after 18 miles because of a computer issue completely unrelated to the two launches. Did you have any actual new advice or experience to share or did you just need to reiterate the same point 5 others already made and denigrate someone to feel better about yourself? If you read the thread we’ve already gone over break in and we’ve already discovered the lack of break in or “thrashing” had nothing to do with the issue.

But Yeah my first concern was the guy who has the car after me... the car is
completely fine mechanically but stay up on your high horse, Wouldn’t want to infect you with my stupidity.

[Alan l.]

On a side note what was the build date on your M50i?

[Graham11]

Originally Posted by G Whizz UK

I don't have an M car and I can see exactly why you'd break in those.

More broadly though, I'd be curious who was told to break in. I've asked explicitly for my last 2 cars, including this 30d about running in, and was told that hasn't been necessary since the 1980s! The only thing that was said was fuel consumption improves in waves - after 1000, 6000 and 12000 broadly. And that has largely proven to be true.

Great point, thank you for not just reiterating that what I did wasn’t the best decision and yes this isn’t a full M but I’m sure break in is always a good idea but As I mentioned, when I asked BMW dealership said it wouldn’t do any harm as long as the car was warmed up and I didn’t do it repeatedly and they said nothing about doing break in. That was my personal experience.

[thereef510]

nope, I have nothing new to add to this discussion. I just came here to shame you. Even now your position is 'idc what happens after i'm done trashing this car its up to the next owner to deal with the consequences of my actions'. I'm sure you wouldnt openly disclose to the next owner that you launched a brand new car twice with no miles. Regardless of what the actual issue with your car is, you have no respect for property and are defending the indefensible. You're the type of person that gives BMW owners a bad name.

[Graham11]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

On a side note what was the build date on your M50i?

Hmm I don’t remember exactly but I believe I ordered it beginning of Feb, it was done mid March and arrived at dealership in PA the day after the shutdown. I believe it was one of the last cars of the line before Spartanburg closed.

[mattchew 2020]

Originally Posted by Graham11

Wondering if anyone else has experienced a drivetrain malfunction on first day receiving M50i? At a total of 18 miles, the car sputtered to a stop after a stop sign on a road that is 25 mph. The notification said “drivetrain malfunction but vehicle still driveable” (something like that) however the vehicle was not driveable at all because it wouldn’t even start. When trying to start, the engine would attempt to fire but then die right away. Road Side assistance couldn’t link to the car to get the data (I also couldn’t get remote start to work from app) so the car had to be towed. We tried waiting 5-10-15 minutes to reset but no luck.

Anyone else have this experience? The car had never been on a highway but we did do launch control twice but never exceeded 70 mph. If that would cause an issue then the dealer should warn people but from the bmw tech it sounds unrelated. He said he thinks it’s a fuel pump issue, tow truck driver said the same thing.


By the way, anyone else notice that “cerium grey” is really about 10 different shades of a gold/silver depending which trim piece it’s on? My front grill looks gold not grey at all... I should have kept my order w the shadow line trim and the black/chrome wheel option. Anyone know if all the cerium grey pieces can be ordered in black from bmw to convert?

You can get all the black pieces from IND. They have the grills, vents, mirror caps and exhaust trim in all black.

[Graham11]

Originally Posted by mattchew 2020

You can get all the black pieces from IND. They have the grills, vents, mirror caps and exhaust trim in all black.

Only thing I didn’t see on IND is the piece that is around the front fog lights. Did you find it?

[Graham11]

Originally Posted by thereef510

nope, I have nothing new to add to this discussion. I just came here to shame you. Even now your position is 'idc what happens after i'm done trashing this car its up to the next owner to deal with the consequences of my actions'. I'm sure you wouldnt openly disclose to the next owner that you launched a brand new car twice with no miles. Regardless of what the actual issue with your car is, you have no respect for property and are defending the indefensible. You're the type of person that gives BMW owners a bad name.

“Even though ours is a lease, the PCD guy made me swear I'd break it in before I drove it like I stole it. So I waited till I got to 1194 before I did the first of many, many, kick downs.

#neverbuyaCPO” -thereef510


I’m not defending anything I’ve already agree break in is the smart option but I just wasn’t told it was an issue when asked BUT I guess you really care about the next owner as well since you drive it like you stole it and did many many kick downs... and yours is a lease, you don’t even own it... must have no respect for property. Go beat your drum elsewhere hypocrite. I’m not even going to take the time to address your other asinine points as I’m sure i can find past posts from you negating those as well.

[DgjoX6M2016]

Originally Posted by BMPHIL

+1

+1

Break it in!

[Graham11]

Originally Posted by DgjoX6M2016

+1

Break it in!

Thanks i plan to take it easy. Just wasn’t something I was told or was aware of the importance of until the feedback of the group.

[thereef510]

Originally Posted by Graham11

“Even though ours is a lease, the PCD guy made me swear I'd break it in before I drove it like I stole it. So I waited till I got to 1194 before I did the first of many, many, kick downs.

#neverbuyaCPO” -thereef510


I’m not defending anything I’ve already agree break in is the smart option but I just wasn’t told it was an issue when asked BUT I guess you really care about the next owner as well since you drive it like you stole it and did many many kick downs... and yours is a lease, you don’t even own it... must have no respect for property. Go beat your drum elsewhere hypocrite. I’m not even going to take the time to address your other asinine points as I’m sure i can find past posts from you negating those as well.

First of all, a kickdown is not nearly the same thing as launch control lol. It's just an efficient way of accelerating fast to pass a car. Do you even know anything?? Launch control is one of the most stressful things you can do to your car and you started this thread low key bragging about what you did with zero miles on the clock.

Second, no one is saying you can't aggressively drive the car or that you have to baby it for all eternity. These are high performance vehicles that are meant to be and can be driven hard, provided that you take proper care of it, like respecting or learning about the break in period.

I see you referenced my pcd, well when I was there, their pro drivers routinely beat on those M cars to show off for customers and said all they do is follow routine maintenance and the car is fine.

So don't conflate me with you lol. You while claiming to have owned multiple bmws apparently haven't learned anything so maybe you outta spend a few hours learning on this forum instead of attacking us