Brand New BMW 320i - needs new gearbox after 1 week.

[BSJ]

"OP - How did the white sludge get on the driveway? Was it physically leaking from somewhere or did the mechanics release a pipe or something to expose this? The white sludge you describe is consistent with an oil/coolant/water mix of some sort, but I'm curious as to how it got on the driveway." Generally not a good sign. Maybe a cracked head or blown head gasket....which are the usual culprits.

[bander]

I believe this is a matter for BMW in Germany to replace a new car, no way a Thai salesman or BMW Thailand ever going to give you a new car, I'd be surprised if I'm wrong here

[bander]

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Office of the Consumer Protection Board

They deal with many cases involving new cars due to the amount of money involved.

There are law firms specialising in consumer protection law that can help you too.

Law firms is happy to help you for many years as long as you pay they'r fees and expenses, they don't care if you loose or not, good luck if you choose to give them a try

[bander]

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As previously mentioned is probably a leak in the transmission oil cooler loop in the radiator. Higher pressure water forcing its way into the transmission oil lines and back into the gearbox oil reservoir. The reason for the water level light coming on on a down slope may be the related to the position of the level sensor making it sensitive to that angle, the water is migrating to the gearbox so there will be less water available in the system, hence an actual low water level.

Having seen a few engines with blown head gaskets the oil is almost always milky in colour with the water being mixed in. The fact fluid has blown out of the gearbox indicates some damage to seals. Basically the auto is toast until a full rebuild, though a brand new one is probably a much better option here. Would also need the radiator replaced and the cooler lines replaced or properly flushed.

I would definitely try for a complete new car as I have a complete lack of trust of dealership mechanics and not just in Thailand. The dealers get very little money on warranty repairs generally, so will try and cut corners. If no new car then keep a real careful eye on the transmission oil for changes in colour, any milkiness , change in consistency or rough gear changes indicate ongoing problems.

Cheers

I can confirm that thai mechanics cut corners and make a warranty case as cheap as possible resulting you being the guy who pay the final bill after multiple complains

[pedro01]

"OP - How did the white sludge get on the driveway? Was it physically leaking from somewhere or did the mechanics release a pipe or something to expose this? The white sludge you describe is consistent with an oil/coolant/water mix of some sort, but I'm curious as to how it got on the driveway." Generally not a good sign. Maybe a cracked head or blown head gasket....which are the usual culprits.

Mechanics didn't do a thing on my driveway so it certainly leaked out.

[pedro01]

I believe this is a matter for BMW in Germany to replace a new car, no way a Thai salesman or BMW Thailand ever going to give you a new car, I'd be surprised if I'm wrong here

As of now the dealership is saying that it's normal in these cases for BMW to replace the car. They are also saying that if BMW doesn't replace the car, they will and have offered to let me keep the loan car - which unfortunately - isn't half as nice as the one I had, despite it being the same price....

[thailandbeachisland]

The loan car is a brand new one also ?

[Skint]

Deep down your hoping BMW are going to bring an all German built one but instead your getting somchai who slept with a BMW mechanic.

[Lokie]

As well as keeping a record of all communications as mentioned, make sure you record a timeline also from the very first problem onwards, seems you have been unlucky and have a Lemon, BMW do make quality vehicles - Fact, also MB, well my old 1999 E-Class runs like a sewing machine and has never let me down, just fitted a new battery in December (replaced the OE) All my pals think it looks Mint and still drives lovely...

Hope you get sorted out, you want an exchange or money back, don't accept nothing less - Good Luck!

Edited February 25, 2014 by Lokie

[thailandbeachisland]

Can you confirm that all the cheap BMW as all the cheap Benz are made in Thailand ?

Would you prefer to buy an imported car or a locally made ?

About Benz, I am 100% sure that the 2013 CLA and 2014 C-class are all imported and not yet made in Thailand.

Any information about BMW ?

Thanks.

[Thai at Heart]

I also have a new model 320i and have had to write to BMW Germany to inform them how disatisfied I've been with the car. Firstly the car blew an oxygen sensor due to me accelerating away from a junction, just as the automatic stop/start kicked in. From then on the car would just judder as if it was a fuel problem, which is what the dealer tried to tell me it was even after they emptied the tank and refilled it. I was told the replacement part would be two weeks, but it took almost 6.

Not a problem with the car but I needed a replacement fog light due to a stone hitting it, was told 2 weeks and waited 6. The level of stock BMW holds should include such basic parts as a fog light, which are no doubt having to be replaced regularly due to the condition of Thai roads and stone chips.

The second problem with the car was part of the suspension buckled on both sides and had to be replaced, it was dealt with quickly and efficiently but still it was off the road causing me inconvenience for my work without a courtesey car.

The third issue was the most serious I feel and could've potentially been very dangerous. I was on a dual carriageway after taking my son to school doing around 133-140kph when suddenly the power just dropped and my speed went down quickly. Had I been overtaking a car with a car coming towards me there was no power to take evasive action, very dangerous with no prior warning there was a problem. An error showed up on the screen Drivetrain Problem, drive slowly. I now understand that this is known as 'limp home mode', which is designed to save the car from any potential engine damage. I just would've expected a warning before the power being cut. This time the dealer kindly arranged for the car to be collected from my office rather than me wasting a whole morning. I was then informed that the problem was an oil sensor, which I find to be a poor excuse for cutting the power so severely. Thankfully this was repaired the same day and 'touch wood' the car has been fine for the last few weeks.

I wrote to BMW Germany and told them a 320i is probably no better than a taxi in Germany, but when you pay 70,000 euro for a car in Thailand you expect it to run properly and for the dealer to hold basic stock items, rather than ordering them from Germany and having them containerised to save on costs. I owned a Toyota Camry Hybrid before and didn't have one days trouble with it for almost 4 years, not one problem. I drove it hard the same as I do the BMW, the roads inThailand still have potholes and bumps everywhere, so nothing has changed except what I see as poor quality manufacturing from BMW.

I'm also still awaiting an email or apology from BMW, but it's been over one month now and still I've heard nothing.

It is not BMWs doing that you are paying 70k for your 320.

Moan to the thai government about their taxes.

[mmh8]

not first time i heard of this with bmw, in thailand. purchased for quality and safety , fo.lowed by multiple problems within weeks. go for something local produced with easy service centres. mitsubishi have similar problems

[8OA8]

The 320i has an auto-box from ZF. It's very reliable, and BMW uses it on all models now. Even on some of the M-models.

The 320i is assembled in Thailand. So my guess it's something wrong happened in the assembly line.

I would demand a new car as well. Actually If you don't want get the feedback you want from your dealer, I would head over to BMW at the 4 seasons in Wireless Road, and have a chat with them.

I bought a few cars from Bmw Thailand, and had a great experience with both quality and service.

If the 320i is assembled in Thailand why are they so expensive in Thailand.

Because the parts are imported. A 320i assembled in Thailand is priced at around 2.65m, whereas an 320i Cabriolet imported from overseas is close to 5m. In the real world the difference would only be around 500k, but in Thailand it's close to 2 million. So you see foreign cars assembled in Thailand are better value than those imported from overseas as tax is calculated on the components rather than the complete car, which are two different tax brackets.

A few years ago I opted to pay the extra Baht 300,000 to have my car built in Germany rather than locally built. Only issue was the waiting time for delivery

[Morakot]

i have seen several miracles, e.g. a Hino marine diesel fitted in an S-class Benz.

....

[I knew this would happen]

p.s. i knew this would happen!

p.s. i knew that [good advice] would happen

I always knew you´d like me

Still mad?

Btw, noone is perfect, rubbish everywhere:

GM adds four models to ignition recall, deaths doubled to 13 http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140225/BIZ/140225010/GM-adds-four-models-ignition-recall-deaths-doubled-13?nclick_check=1 Edited February 26, 2014 by I knew this would happen

[harrry]

Hmmmmmmmm, from neutral, push the stick left, pull the stick back and "touch' second gear and push forward to first.

But yeh, could have some ware. How many miles has it done ?

I think if it is like the MK7 was it is a fairly comon problem. I had it on my old car and the mechanic pointed to a ball bearing pressed by a spring in the selector rod on the diagram and said it was that. He said that if that was like that it would be best to replace several other parts too as they would bee worn too.

[WarpSpeed]

I hope if it is an auto they didn't tow it with the rear wheels on the ground...........

Water in a gearbox, thats a first for me. Except a 60's Mini, forgot.....

Sounds bullshit to me,unless its a Transverse Engine, using the same oil.Watercooled Auto Box then.

Why transverse only? Dual core, water to T/A fluid is not uncommon at all in both forms of engines and a simple flaw in casting could cause a leak between the 2.

[WarpSpeed]

Duplicate post....

Edited February 26, 2014 by WarpSpeed

[Ace of Pop]

Oh Yes,the Chevy Citation, forgot that one. . Early transverse didn't have auto boxes with separate cooling in the U.K.. Mini Car Style.

[SOEYCHANLOY]

Should have bought a Toyota. Maybe the dealer will swap you even for a new Camry.

or even a Fortuner!

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[thailandbeachisland]

Why not a Vios if we are talking about ugly cheap uninteresting cars ?

[salapau]

Some of the replies are so childishly predictable. I worked in the motor trade for over 40 years. You are entitled to a new

replacement car, please don't accept anything less.

[Somtamnication]

Why the negativity. Ask them to replace it with this.

[Woodsie888]

Some of the replies are so childishly predictable. I worked in the motor trade for over 40 years. You are entitled to a new

replacement car, please don't accept anything less.

I doubt very much he will get a replacement and if you worked in the Motor Trade for 40 years I don't think you will have witnessed too many cars being replaced because of a transmission/cooling fault.

Many posters are critical of the "Thai" assembly which is also very erroneous.

BMW Thailand Manufacturing is a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG and attains exceptional results from their internal audits every year.

The cars aren't 100% assembled in as they come in SKD (semi knocked down) as opposed to CKD (completely knocked down)

This fact is not well known.

The OP should let them replace the transmission and whatever else is necessary and use the loan car in the mean time. However if after that the car is still not right, the OP will perhaps have a rightful grievance.

[thailandbeachisland]

Some of the replies are so childishly predictable. I worked in the motor trade for over 40 years. You are entitled to a new

replacement car, please don't accept anything less.

I doubt very much he will get a replacement and if you worked in the Motor Trade for 40 years I don't think you will have witnessed too many cars being replaced because of a transmission/cooling fault.

Many posters are critical of the "Thai" assembly which is also very erroneous.

BMW Thailand Manufacturing is a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG and attains exceptional results from their internal audits every year.

The cars aren't 100% assembled in as they come in SKD (semi knocked down) as opposed to CKD (completely knocked down)

This fact is not well known.

The OP should let them replace the transmission and whatever else is necessary and use the loan car in the mean time. However if after that the car is still not right, the OP will perhaps have a rightful grievance.

The more he waits to change the car less chance they will accept, this is why he should make as much noise as possible NOW.

I would open a special website and inform as many people/media/business as possible everywhere in the world and see if BMW like the noise or not <3

[Woodsie888]

If me, regardless of the tax implication regarding the total cost of the ride, I would not accept this ride. It is BMW's problem. Do not settle for a fix cos you do not know about other affected parts in the long term. BMW.......... KNOWS........... your ride cost a fortune in LOS and should deal with it if they want to sell in this market.

I'm probably wrong and often am, but I don't think he'll get a new car.

[Wong!]

All BMWs are rear wheel drive. There have been some four wheel drive models, but never a front wheel drive.

I have know idea if the OP's car is front wheel drive. If it is not, then the water thing is something I don't understand. Perhaps he is being fobbed off. Sounds like it. BUT, modern stuff is out of my domain, perhaps there is some sort of trans water cooling, I don't know. BL transverse engines and trans used the same oil, they were one, if a head gasket went then water went into the gearbox and sump.

Obviously due to reading this thread and horrified that TV armchair experts have no idea how their products are driven or which way round the engine is.... BMW announce the Front Wheel Drive 2 series Active Tourer to be sold Worldwide including Thailand. Therefore any future threads will have all bases covered

Looks like Beemer have put one of their front ends on a Fiesta.

[thailandbeachisland]

All BMWs are rear wheel drive. There have been some four wheel drive models, but never a front wheel drive.

I have know idea if the OP's car is front wheel drive. If it is not, then the water thing is something I don't understand. Perhaps he is being fobbed off. Sounds like it. BUT, modern stuff is out of my domain, perhaps there is some sort of trans water cooling, I don't know. BL transverse engines and trans used the same oil, they were one, if a head gasket went then water went into the gearbox and sump.

Obviously due to reading this thread and horrified that TV armchair experts have no idea how their products are driven or which way round the engine is.... BMW announce the Front Wheel Drive 2 series Active Tourer to be sold Worldwide including Thailand. Therefore any future threads will have all bases covered

Looks like Beemer have put one of their front ends on a Fiesta.

Totally agree, so ugly !

[Litlos]

All BMWs are rear wheel drive. There have been some four wheel drive models, but never a front wheel drive.

Obviously due to reading this thread and horrified that TV armchair experts have no idea how their products are driven or which way round the engine is.... BMW announce the Front Wheel Drive 2 series Active Tourer to be sold Worldwide including Thailand. Therefore any future threads will have all bases covered

Looks like Beemer have put one of their front ends on a Fiesta.

Totally agree, so ugly !

It is either a Mazda or Suzuki rear end. Hope the middle bit is better...

[balo]

You should demand your money back if they can not give you a brand new one!

Do not accept to keep the loan car!