M5 / M6 Oil Pump Recall FAQ and Affected VIN List

[HotIce]

This is horrible news, but again with BMW and their turbo engines. Sorta makes me glad I got a S65.

[M54ccibo]

Just called BMWNA customer relations about this and the side bolsters.

No solid info from them. Should get a call back on Monday. She did state that she would think cars in Europe destined for NA will be repaired in the states, not Europe as this is a NA campaign? Is it?

[AGS]

I just got the call from BMW NA. Learned a few things:

Originally Posted by 3toM

I don't know if I would call it BS. I think Q14 is just saying they don't know for sure how many cars have been affected like BarryB for sure at this point. We know at least 1.

And as some have said on the subject already, sometimes quality control does unfortunately come from analyzing a catastrophe after it happens and figuring out the root cause (again, like BarryB's car).

They have produced 793 US spec M5s so far. It sounds like they got a production run of bad oil pumps that affected almost all of the July and August US M5 cars.

Originally Posted by M54ccibo

Ok, so my car is on the list. Sitting in Nice, waiting for a truck. So, do they let it sit there until someone can flatbed it to a dealer, or, do they run it to put it on a truck and send it to Germany, or, do they send it to Bremerhaven, and fix once at the VPC?

There was another M5 in Nice...anyone in the same boat as me? That is, on the ground not on a boat yet?

I specifically asked about this because my car is OTB now from ED on 9/1. There will be no interruption to the shipping process. Everything will proceed as normal. If the replacement oil pumps are available once your car reaches your dealer it will be replaced prior to delivery. I asked him to confirm, which he did, that our cars will not sit outside at the VPC waiting for a new oil pump. It will be delivered to your dealer.

Originally Posted by cpiguy

I just got the call from BMWNA. Hang on a second while I pick my jaw up off the ground. I am just blown away. I was told specifically not to drive the car, and that they probably won't have a fix until sometime in October. He had no idea when because that haven't even isolated the problem.

I spoke to my dealer, and they don't have a clue either. Waiting to hear back from them. In the mean time

Not what I was told. My guy said it was a batch of bad oil pumps. It will be 2 to 3 weeks until new oil pumps can be produced and delivered.

[Bimmer6]

It's an oil pump replacement which is not a major deal unless it fails then it's a problem. Two hours to replace so once our cars are delivered it can be fixed at the VPC or the dealer. I feel for the owners that have to drop of their cars which is a hassle, but for us that have been waiting two hours not a big deal. You buy first there is always risk, and life goes on it's a car we will all enjoy.

[M54ccibo]

Thanks AGS. This news makes me feel a little better. Just get my car out of France and on the boat.

Next question. When they replace the pump, I am assuming that there will be an oil change. Is there different oil in the engine for run-in? Will they replace with like, or, post run-in spec? Another thing to stay on top of...I don't want the wrong oil in my car.

[whiteM5]

Originally Posted by M54ccibo

Ok, so my car is on the list. Sitting in Nice, waiting for a truck. So, do they let it sit there until someone can flatbed it to a dealer, or, do they run it to put it on a truck and send it to Germany, or, do they send it to Bremerhaven, and fix once at the VPC?

There was another M5 in Nice...anyone in the same boat as me? That is, on the ground not on a boat yet?

yea my car was there this am, i drove to geneva today and am headed back to munich for oktoberfest tomorrow, i have received no communication from bmw and just turned over 1k miles on the car this evening. im finishing my trip unless i hear otherwise from bmw who i gave my contact info while taking delivery at the welt on monday.

[xDrive McGee]

Are these particular oil pumps fairly standard, or are they super-hard-to-source-///M-oil pumps?

[CarolinaM5]

I got the call just as I was pulling in from work to home. Informed of the oil pump issue and then got hit with the, "don't drive your car." The response was quick when I told them I was daily driving my car and almost through the break in. 535 was delivered to my house within 2 hours from my dealer, so I was pleased with that.

We all know the risks of buying a 1st year model car. No car is immune to this, not even an 300k dollar Ferrari 458 which had an adhesive catching fire issue.......looks like only one person seriously affected by this for now, hope BMW will make it right for Barry. Hoping this problem is solved as expeditously as possible. I was gonna take the car to cars and coffee tomorrow as many of my friends wanted to see it, i'm gonna look like an ass now in the 535 LOL

[AGS]

Originally Posted by aculeg87

I don't mean to be insensitive to the ones who received this devastating news, but does anyone have info regarding cars scheduled for production in the near future? My car is supposed to go to production within 2 weeks, has the problem been resolved within the factory? Is production ongoing?

I sincerely feel for the ones who were affected by this. I would be livid and I would fight for compensation until no end. Best of luck to you.

According to BMW NA, there's a production halt on all M5s (except for those already on the production lines) so that all available oil pumps can be used to repair those cars already delivered to owners (just over 400 cars). Next to get pumps will be the produced but unsold cars in dealer stock (just under 300 cars). Once the recall has been completed production will resume.

[krnnerdboy]

There's an easy fix for this for those who want to continue driving, just get a bottle of vmax. I saw it on tv and they ran their motor with no oil...

In all seriousness, this is a huge issue considering the price of the oil pump to the cost of the motor. In such a tight tolerance motor no oil can mean catastrophe in seconds as Barry experienced. First your rod bearings, then you start scoring the cams and cylinder walls and all bearing journals

I'm sure BMW is doing everything in its power to rectify this considering what it would cost them to replace a motor.

[visualguy]

My VIN is on the list

So far, I need new rear coil springs and a new oil pump. Engine status is unknown - it still works, but there might be some damage since the oil pump may be faulty. Kind of a shame on a brand new car.

Now the question is what other mechanical or cosmetic damage my dealer will cause while fixing these problems.

Looks like this car will be keeping me busy - thank goodness that I'm retired, and that I still have my trusty old Nissan which can actually be trusted to provide transportation even at its ancient age.

[Wrotwro7]

Tic toc, clock is ticking. IL lemon law states if my new car is out of service for 30 days or more, they will be buying it back, not to mention permanently losing me as a customer. Delays, incorrect seat options, now completely un-drivable. I find it hard to believe BMW keeps key engine components on a "just in time system". This tells me there are oil pumps on a shelf some where ready to ship.

Here's an idea BMW: start overnighting the pumps to dealers tomorrow along with a gas card to fuel up our beasts so when we pick them back up we are fueled, fixed and ready to fly. Otherwise I'd start doing lunges now to loosen up as you will start to find broken m5's parked up your posterior.

[AGS]

Originally Posted by M54ccibo

Thanks AGS. This news makes me feel a little better. Just get my car out of France and on the boat.

Next question. When they replace the pump, I am assuming that there will be an oil change. Is there different oil in the engine for run-in? Will they replace with like, or, post run-in spec? Another thing to stay on top of...I don't want the wrong oil in my car.

I don't know what's involved in replacing an oil pump, but I'd be surprised if they have to drain the entire system. Probably swap out the bum pump and top off the oil.

[Bokke]

I feel for the guys who have there cars!

I have a week 43 build, so not sure what that means

What is interesting is to see who is getting/gotten all the allocations!

[Hoosiers]

Ironically I just recently posted that BMW's lack of instrumentation (in this case oil Px) is unacceptable. If you've flown or plane or even driven any other high performance vehicle this should be as given as a tach. BMW is losing it's edge.

[whiteM5]

so what does this mean for ED people and liability? bmw is paying for flights? hotels? all non-refundable stuff? how about payments?

most importantly is this enough ammo to ignore break-in suggestions?

[ATSR]

Wow

I don't think I've ever heard of a similar case before in the auto industry. Never from a "premium" brand for sure.

Best of luck in getting the issue resolved.

[Bimmer6]

M3 2002 had bad bearings 333hps 8000 RPM motor is wrapped pretty tight no margin for error. BMW provided owners with 100k miles warrantees, and I never had a problem it was handle well. Porsche a few years ago had a bad oil problem with new launch cars. I think it was RMS failure .....it happens

[727jbh]

Thanks for the info Jason, unfortunately I'm on the list.

[MusclesCoupe]

whoopsiesss

thats a bummer I hope BMW AG can correct this one asap, as opposed to the N54 issues.....

[mdm0515]

Bullshit. Believe it or not, this is the first brand new car I've ever bought. The selection process, ED planning and overall anticipation was extensive. Now i get to sit a car for an immediate recall (yes, i got the call). for a car i paid 6 figures for? This model has been in production for a year. The oil pump is not unique U.S. spec and this is a disaster for new owners and resale alike.

[Yay-Z]

Originally Posted by nv6425

Just landed in Vegas for the weekend and had a voicemail from my dealer, no details, just don't drive the car! WTF!! At least it's at home, but what a cluster f this is going to be!!

Damn . Truly no bueno.