[surrey 335i]

interesting thread on PH about a nearly new M235i done 2,000 miles blowing its engine on a track day and BMW have agreed to replace the engine under warranty (original dealer said it would not be covered).

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...t=1481763&nmt=

[dy63]

interesting to see where it goes

[surrey 335i]

hopefully they will replace under warranty will be a shocker if they don't, and how did they quote £13k for a new engine?!

[Delta0311]

Unfortunately, from a legal stand point he does not have a leg to stand on. Warranty explicitly states that it will not cover racing, rallying or similar competitive sports; BMW can do a good-will repair since the engine failed at such low mileage but that is totally up to the dealer. They kind of have a point because you can't expect to track your car every weekend and have BMW be your personal, all expenses paid, pit crew.

[surrey 335i]

Originally Posted by Delta0311

Unfortunately, from a legal stand point he does not have a leg to stand on. Warranty explicitly states that it will not cover racing, rallying or similar competitive sports; BMW can do a good-will repair since the engine failed at such low mileage but that is totally up to the dealer. They kind of have a point because you can't expect to track your car every weekend and have BMW be your personal, all expenses paid, pit crew.

You've got that bit wrong track days are not competitive and not classed as sport/racing.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by surrey 335i

You've got that bit wrong track days are not competitive and not classed as sport/racing.

You are right but that's not how BMW sees it.

[LaserPower]

That should not come up as a surprise. Even high end super car's warranty specifically excludes coverage on any usage on track. Heck, even aftermarket parts that are specifically designed for racing purposes specifically excludes any coverage when failure in racing occur. There are just too many variables that can exponentially increase the chance of parts failing.

[djgandy]

That thread hurt my brain. People jump the gun too quickly. Let's see what real BMW says i.e. not a dealership.

[08TUNDRA]

Go to the last page BMW UK agreed that the car should be fixed under warranty, because a track day is not competitive and racing is strictly prohibited on most track days.

[djgandy]

Oh they updated. As expected result. Too many people being unreasonable in that thread. Only thing that happened is a dealer said no.

[surrey 335i]

great result and quickly sorted out well done BMW
I have edited the top so its clear that BMW sorted it out for their customer.

[makkan00]

Interesting things is that owner did not tell that it happened on the track.
And bmw dealer figured it out.
How?
By seeing photos of the car online...
And perhaps tracking the activity via CIC / NBT.

[old grey steve]

Interesting stance by BMW, if that's what's going to happen when a customer uses the car as to be fair BMW had intended it to be used(by the enthusiast) then look at the many cars they loan TV programs like Top Gear and mags like EVO!

The cars are passenger cars they're right about that, yet they like other motor manufactuers allow them to be "highlighted for their performance" out on their track by the many magazines/TV programmes and I suspect the 2 keeper of one of those ex press cars could, should something go pop have a field day if they'd managed to place a car they now owned being loaned by BMW's press office to a TV programme or magazine as they don't drive them at 40mph do they.

Maybe in this case 2000 miles might of been a little too early to fuly exploit the cars performance. Be interested to see the outcome of this one

[Dan-danGT]

I think bmw will take the car replace the engine as they have apparently said in the thread.
But I bet bmw are doing it more for research, think about it if that engine has thrown a rod so early they might have a potential weakness In production. One 13k engine is cheaper to try and potentially save more engine failures and potential bad press. For all we know that could have happened somewhere else I.e another car thrown one.

Bmw are basically covering there arse I think, they just physically can't afford to ignore it. the potential for bad reputation is massive

[Kerr]

Why would a dealer find the need to research that you had been on a track day? Surely they'd be happy to pick up a good amount of pay from BMW to repair his car?

He mentions he's bought a few cars from the same garage. What a way to shaft a loyal customer. It really wasn't much to do with them and they didn't need to even make an issue of it.

I see everyone trying to argue that track days aren't competitive or racing. I'm not sure I'd agree too much with that. Obviously it isn't proper sanctioned racing and has extra rules and procedures in the place, people are still trying to be faster than the car in front or set the fastest time they can. They aren't just cruising along on a track.

It still is competition/racing/time trialing to some extent. You're still driving your car far harder and for longer periods.

Your normal car insurance also excludes tracks days knowing there is far more risk the way the cars are driven on track.

Still glad they covered it.

[doughboy]

Bingo Kerr!

WTF is the dealer doing? They should lap it up and change the engine. Dealers don't decide / approve / pay for warranty work, they get the work approved by BMW UK first then authorised to carry out the work. BMW UK are the warranty provider, not the dealer. They should just do as they're told.

Most dealers make a packet out of warranty work, it's a vital income stream, and something they know how to play very well. Seem's like some arsehole at the dealer got a bee in his bonnet.

If it was me, now it's approved by BMW UK, I'd just tell the dealer to stick it up his arse and get it towed to a dealer who wants the work....

[ALF_E90]

My understanding has always been that within the original manufacturer's warranty period, trackdays are covered. It would be interesting to know if certain manufacturers have specific trackday exclusions - it would certainly fly in the face of the way they are happy to market their cars. Interesting that PH user "getcarter" is referenced on there for his E46 M3 failure in 2002 - I used to chat to him at trackdays around then, which was the year I did the Caterham Academy. He had a lot of hassle getting his warranty honoured.

It's interesting to me as I am considering either buying a specific trackday car to go alongside my N53 330i (which is still going great at 120k miles, 100k of it with me) or replacing it with an M135i or M235i, which might be new, and which I would use for the odd trackday. If the warranty does not cover trackdays, that's a worry. As is this engine failure in the first place.

Aftermarket warranties rarely cover trackdays and tend to specifically exclude them. Fair enough. But the original OEM warranty ought to.

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Bingo Kerr!

WTF is the dealer doing? They should lap it up and change the engine. Dealers don't decide / approve / pay for warranty work, they get the work approved by BMW UK first then authorised to carry out the work. BMW UK are the warranty provider, not the dealer. They should just do as they're told.

Most dealers make a packet out of warranty work, it's a vital income stream, and something they know how to play very well. Seem's like some arsehole at the dealer got a bee in his bonnet.

If it was me, now it's approved by BMW UK, I'd just tell the dealer to stick it up his arse and get it towed to a dealer who wants the work....

PLUS ONE MILLION.

and also, i really don't understand when companies like Lotus say that the warranty will be void if you take your car on track?!!!!!

I MEAN, WHAT THE FUCK?....they advertised the Elise as a proper sports car made for the track and don't cover you for the track?....fucking bunch of cocksucking thieves....

I think that all "sports" cars (amg, m-cars, rs, porkys, lambos etc) should be covered for the track.....time to nut up or shut up! ....

[zltm089]

probably those pissflaps on PH are on the dealers side....bunch of cunt spanners.

[AWSAWS]

Originally Posted by Dan-danGT

I think bmw will take the car replace the engine as they have apparently said in the thread.
But I bet bmw are doing it more for research, think about it if that engine has thrown a rod so early they might have a potential weakness In production. One 13k engine is cheaper to try and potentially save more engine failures and potential bad press. For all we know that could have happened somewhere else I.e another car thrown one.

Bmw are basically covering there arse I think, they just physically can't afford to ignore it. the potential for bad reputation is massive

Agree. Fixing it will be largely to maintain brand confidence.