Warranty - United Bimmer Community

**Doctor K** · 07-09-2006, 09:25 AM

My 2003 330 CIC goes into my local dealer on Tuesday morning to address some issues that have got my attention.
1) the auto trans is slow in shifting through the gears when first started.
2) the trans sorta "clunks" when slowing down for a stop. (going back into first gear when still rolling)
3) last week while going about 70 on the freeway an accident occured about 150 yards in front of me. I applied the brake firmly and the rear brakes locked up and I almost skidded into the accident. The ABS apparently isn't working.
4) the A/C, while blowing cold, doesn't have the velocity I think it should have.
5) the front passenger window makes a metalic noise when I lower the window, and slightly rattles when I'm on a less than perfect road.

This is my first BMW so I don't know what is normal. The dealership I'm going to has a reputation of not being customer friendly.

Opinions, comments are very welcome.

Thanks guys

Doc

**celsdogg** · 07-09-2006, 09:43 AM

dunno about some of them, but some suggestions:

1 and 2) maybe a fluid change would help. the dealer probably wont do it since they believe its a life time fill.

3) i dunno, i would prefer no abs anyway. i believe there is an abs sensor, is your abs light on? mine came on one winter when ice froze over it. when it thawed, it was fine (just my experience, i know that wasnt ure situation, maybe a rock or debris?)

4) velocity? like its not throwing out as much air as it once did?

5) they should definatly fix that.

**Doctor K** · 07-09-2006, 10:09 AM

celsdogg,
I asked them about the fluid change and they said "no changes are required" Bull ! The car has 40,000 miles and a fluid change wouldn't hurt.
ABS light is not on.
Your right about the A/C..not as much air as it had 4 months ago.
BMW owners have complained in the past about bad window regulators. Bad design?
Anyway, I'll know Tues. Thanks for the reply.

Doc

**celsdogg** · 07-09-2006, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor K

I asked them about the fluid change and they said "no changes are required" Bull ! The car has 40,000 miles and a fluid change wouldn't hurt.

yeah, ever since they started flipping the bill for maint then they started this lifetime fill thing. . .

**doughboyea** · 07-09-2006, 10:54 AM

Well, I have the 1st Gen E46. I must say that being 1st Gen, my car is full of bugs, though luckly I haven't yet had a problem with the tranny. Like celsdogg said, the window thing is a definite warranty issue that they should fix. I have a similar A/C thing, but I've always had a low flowing velocity. I never thought anything about it. But the car still does get cold.

The ABS locking up... hmm. In my previous car, the brakes always locked up because the ABS wasn't working, but that was known because of the light in the dash. So, according to your OBC, the ABS is working, which is kinda odd... perhaps a broken fuse? I'm not sure, I haven't heard of that happening. Have you run a code check just to be sure?

Tranny clunking eh? Does it actually make a clunk sound or is it just the downshifting that's worrying you. My car does downshift as I come to a stop... but I don't have the slap stick tranny. Are you in "manual" mode? I recall that on a loaner once, when I had it in "manual" mode, the tranny would downshift for me if I didn't do it in time... making an abrupt shift.

I'm curious to know what the dealer is willing to do... are there any other dealers in the area? Don't forget that every dealer is different including thier pricing.

Dough

**c1apton** · 07-09-2006, 11:02 AM

"Doc", I bet if you talk directly to one of the techs they'll laugh re: lifetime fluids. With your complaint of shifting - I'd suspect a fluid & filter change is in order.
Re: The ABS is a safety issue and they WILL address that - no doubt.
Re: AC - recver/drier is a common problem especially in hot climates (Cal,Texas, AZ, Fl.) Another issue that may restrict your AC is the cabin filter which is usually changed at the "Inspection II" that will restrict air flow.
Re: Window regulators - that should be no problem as far as warranty.

If you EVER have a problem w/ a dealer or BMW service dept - call BMW's customer services' Nat'l line. That sends up a red flag to BMW NA and they have a rating system for their dealers (CSI = Customer Service Index) and that reflects the dealers commitment to it's customers but also dictates the amount of warranty $$$ issued to that dealer, incentives to said dealer & discounts on new cars.

**Doctor K** · 07-09-2006, 12:20 PM

Thanks guys for your helpful comments. I don't want to go to the dealer and start an argument, but I don't want to be treated unfairly either. I'll let you know what happened on Thursday of so.

**Antiburn** · 07-10-2006, 06:58 PM

1. I have seen this complaint before, but I cant remember at the moment what the fix is.
2. You mean while slowing down as it down shifts through gears the gears and clunking together? Or when you come to a complete stop it clunks there?
3. Your ABS moduel is possibly faulty, Ive replaced many of these. If you get your faults read out at a dealer it should come up and they will bring it to your attention.
4. Dealer will more then likely tell you its operating normaly. Find someone at work that also has a 3 series and ask them if you can compair the blower speed to yours.
5. If its clicking and grinding while the window is in motion your window regulator is faulty and will soon fail on you completly and your window will be stuck where it is. If it rattles just while driving on a road then the 10mm nuts that hold the window regulator in could possibly be loose. There is a fix for the E46 coupes. When the door is closed there is a rattle. The 10mm nuts on the regulator back themselves off and the regulator falls out.