[JJ Aviator]

Hey guys, brand new BMW owner here! I've been a truck guy for most of my life but recently I've been in the market for a luxury SUV. I don't need the truck space anymore but still need more cargo room than a car since I have 3 kids.

So last Tuesday August 18th I purchased my first BMW a 2021 X5 i40 in Dark Graphite. It's gorgeous!!

12 hours later I was driving down the highway and the check engine light came on. Immediately called the dealership and they though it might have something to do with Radiator flaps. Dropped it off to them and now a week later I still don't have my car. I've been told it's a software engine tuning code that they are working to resolve. Apparently the local techs aren't even working on the car, there is an engineer remoted into the car from New Jersey and they are trying to correct the program issue. I've been very patient, but at this point I'm getting pretty frustrated. I even received my first bill in the mail yesterday from BWM Financial which really rubbed salt in the wound. Today a week later there is still no update.

Thoughts and suggestions

[Caramel]

Not your local dealership's fault if you get a lemon car from the plant. Also a good call that they do not try to tamper with the engine coding themselves.

Bottom line: Identify who you are frustrated with. Identify what your concrete ask is from the dealership. They won't be able to magically fix your car overnight unless NJ guy gets his job done.

[moodyhank82]

Sorry to hear that, very frustrating indeed. I hope at least they put you in a nice loaner in the meantime, not an X1 or something...

[JJ Aviator]

Originally Posted by Caramel

Not your local dealership's fault if you get a lemon car from the plant. Also a good call that they do not try to tamper with the engine coding themselves.

Bottom line: Identify who you are frustrated with. Identify what your concrete ask is from the dealership. They won't be able to magically fix your car overnight unless NJ guy gets his job done.

Yea that's fair. Guess I'm just frustrated. At this point I am more worried about starting the ownership out this way. Hopefully it's a minor issue and won't be another problem. I just hate to start out my experience with BMW this way.

[TurtleBoy]

It obviously is frustrating but unfortunately every once and awhile there are problems like this. Hopefully they will get it fixed soon. Just in case the problem comes up again in the future, make sure you are keeping track of the dates that the vehicle goes into the shop. While a Lemon Law case would be possible it would likely be easier to get a buy back from BMW. I would imagine it will not come to that though.

Mine was in the shop for over 7 weeks last year so I certainly know how you feel.

[JJ Aviator]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

It obviously is frustrating but unfortunately every once and awhile there are problems like this. Hopefully they will get it fixed soon. Just in case the problem comes up again in the future, make sure you are keeping track of the dates that the vehicle goes into the shop. While a Lemon Law case would be possible it would likely be easier to get a buy back from BMW. I would imagine it will not come to that though.

Mine was in the shop for over 7 weeks last year so I certainly know how you feel.

Ok, I'll be patient a little while longer. Thanks guys

[DENtoLAS]

Damn, I would be freaking out and asking for a refund.

[Frenetic]

Call BMW corporate and see what they have to say. Ask for them to make your payment while it's in the shop (assuming you have one).

However, start documenting everything in case you have to lemon this thing. Also, in most states, legal counsel for lemon cases are free (i.e., reimbursable by BMW once the claim settles), so don't be afraid to get an attorney to help you if you feel like you're getting the run around and/or the amount of time in the shop fits your state's laws for a lemon claim.

You can just flat-out ask them to do a buyback and/or get a replacement and if they say no, and you're under the lemon requirements, sue them. If you do sue them and prevail, whatever you do, don't sign an NDA (as I think BMW makes people do this as a requirement for a settlement) because we want hear what happened...

Good luck. You're more patient than I would be that's for sure.

[BMWBear]

I’m beginning to sound like a broke record but I’ve been waiting 5 months for a replacement part and no one at BMW gives a rats behind. Good luck with your situation.

[DgjoX6M2016]

Originally Posted by JJ Aviator

Hey guys, brand new BMW owner here! I've been a truck guy for most of my life but recently I've been in the market for a luxury SUV. I don't need the truck space anymore but still need more cargo room than a car since I have 3 kids.

So last Tuesday August 18th I purchased my first BMW a 2021 X5 i40 in Dark Graphite. It's gorgeous!!

12 hours later I was driving down the highway and the check engine light came on. Immediately called the dealership and they though it might have something to do with Radiator flaps. Dropped it off to them and now a week later I still don't have my car. I've been told it's a software engine tuning code that they are working to resolve. Apparently the local techs aren't even working on the car, there is an engineer remoted into the car from New Jersey and they are trying to correct the program issue. I've been very patient, but at this point I'm getting pretty frustrated. I even received my first bill in the mail yesterday from BWM Financial which really rubbed salt in the wound. Today a week later there is still no update.

Thoughts and suggestions

Three points:

-Its BS that happened and it damages the brand.
-I'm sure they will fix it.
-They better have you in an awesome temporary vehicle. I'm thinking something with an M in the right place.

[IftiBashir]

I'd certainly be asking for some goodwill gesture with that first payment considering they have had the car more then you have!

[MystroX5]

This happens with every brand and price point. I personal know of a new 911 turbo that didn’t make it 5 miles before the transmission blew up on the way home from the dealership. Dealership put in a new transmission with 90 miles on the odometer and life went on for the owner.

[mrjoed2]

Originally Posted by BYEIL

I’m beginning to sound like a broke record but I’ve been waiting 5 months for a replacement part and no one at BMW gives a rats behind. Good luck with your situation.

That's crazy- what part are you waiting on?

[mrjoed2]

Originally Posted by JJ Aviator

Hey guys, brand new BMW owner here! I've been a truck guy for most of my life but recently I've been in the market for a luxury SUV. I don't need the truck space anymore but still need more cargo room than a car since I have 3 kids.

So last Tuesday August 18th I purchased my first BMW a 2021 X5 i40 in Dark Graphite. It's gorgeous!!

12 hours later I was driving down the highway and the check engine light came on. Immediately called the dealership and they though it might have something to do with Radiator flaps. Dropped it off to them and now a week later I still don't have my car. I've been told it's a software engine tuning code that they are working to resolve. Apparently the local techs aren't even working on the car, there is an engineer remoted into the car from New Jersey and they are trying to correct the program issue. I've been very patient, but at this point I'm getting pretty frustrated. I even received my first bill in the mail yesterday from BWM Financial which really rubbed salt in the wound. Today a week later there is still no update.

Thoughts and suggestions

One though. the X5 has what's called a "active grill" It has slats that open/close on the grill based on temperatures. If that's it & the slats are stuck open I don't any reason you can't drive it - won't hurt anything, if stuck closed, probably not a good idea. Would be curious if it was mine. And what model X5?

[ElectroGeek]

you think you have it bad.... I got my 2019, it was summer, 1 hour of driving a buddy hopped in, when his feet hit the floor water slashed everywhere... took it to BMW and they came back with the AC condensation drain pan had a misplaced screw hole in it that was causing the water to drain inside the car instead of outside..

The solution was to remove the front seats, center console, steering wheel, entire dash, and lift the carpet to dry it to replace the ac box.. 1 month later it was fixed up.

But my local shop did a wonderful job. Honestly I was beyond angry at the time, but when I got back into the car and rocketed down the road I no longer cared.. love the car very happy with the purchase.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Frenetic

Call BMW corporate and see what they have to say. Ask for them to make your payment while it's in the shop (assuming you have one).

However, start documenting everything in case you have to lemon this thing. Also, in most states, legal counsel for lemon cases are free (i.e., reimbursable by BMW once the claim settles), so don't be afraid to get an attorney to help you if you feel like you're getting the run around and/or the amount of time in the shop fits your state's laws for a lemon claim.

You can just flat-out ask them to do a buyback and/or get a replacement and if they say no, and you're under the lemon requirements, sue them. If you do sue them and prevail, whatever you do, don't sign an NDA (as I think BMW makes people do this as a requirement for a settlement) because we want hear what happened...

Good luck. You're more patient than I would be that's for sure.

^^^ This is great advice. My wife's G05 got sideswiped while parked. It took 2 months for BMW to get the parts to fix it. I contacted BMW corporate to talk about a long term loaner since my insurance only covered one month. They not only paid for the loaner, they offered without being asked to give me one month's credit on my car payment. Totally unexpected and a very nice gesture.

[JJ Aviator]

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

One though. the X5 has what's called a "active grill" It has slats that open/close on the grill based on temperatures. If that's it & the slats are stuck open I don't any reason you can't drive it - won't hurt anything, if stuck closed, probably not a good idea. Would be curious if it was mine. And what model X5?

We originally thought that was it but it was not. It was a engine tuning code

[JJ Aviator]

Well within an hour of venting here the service department called me and said they have it working. Picked it up last night and it seems to be driving fine with no engine light. Apparently it took 3 different versions of the current software to finally fix it. The service department drove the car 150 miles to make sure the light didn't come back on. What's crazy is they have more miles on the car than I do!! Regardless I have my car back and am so glad to be back in it. I think the most frustrating part was this happening within hours of driving off the lot.

Thanks guys for all the feedback, sounds like it was a random situation and several of you def had it much worse than I did! The loaner was a 5 series sedan.

[Caramel]

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

One though. the X5 has what's called a "active grill" It has slats that open/close on the grill based on temperatures. If that's it & the slats are stuck open I don't any reason you can't drive it - won't hurt anything, if stuck closed, probably not a good idea. Would be curious if it was mine. And what model X5?

There are dozens of reasons why the CEL would come on. Fortunately, the car will log a specific error code which allows the repair technician to identify which parts of the car are faulty.

[dds007]

Problems on a MY21!? Geezus I'm getting worried about my orders now.

[Mixitt]

Originally Posted by JJ Aviator

Well within an hour of venting here the service department called me and said they have it working. Picked it up last night and it seems to be driving fine with no engine light. Apparently it took 3 different versions of the current software to finally fix it. The service department drove the car 150 miles to make sure the light didn't come back on. What's crazy is they have more miles on the car than I do!! Regardless I have my car back and am so glad to be back in it. I think the most frustrating part was this happening within hours of driving off the lot.

Thanks guys for all the feedback, sounds like it was a random situation and several of you def had it much worse than I did! The loaner was a 5 series sedan.

Glad it worked out. No one needs the aggravation. Wait till you need parts! We waited 2 weeks with a loaner for a simple front passenger vent part "that had to be manufactured". That was 10 months ago. Hopefully the parts situation has improved.

[JJ Aviator]

Well I guess I spoke to soon, brought it home from the service center last night and this afternoon the check engine light is back on!

Soooo frustrating!