HELP! M5 F10 just turned off.

[umz]

Hi guys,

In need of your experience and knowledge. So basically , i was driving home yesterday from work, doing 25/30mph and randomly the car went into neutral and shut itself off, steering started to get stiff, and started throwing up error codes (adaptive headlight error, diff lock are the ones i remember). I slowly came to a stop and then the car wouldn't restart. I tried ignition off and on and still nothing. Shortly i got a low battery warning, so i thought the battery could be the issue, i ran out to get a new battery replaced this and still nothing after registering the battery to the car.

Now, my cousin has a couple of machines and one of the codes that comes up is a servertronic valve fault, could this be the reason for the car shutting off and reason its not starting again?

I had to get the car towed away, had to get under the car and put it into N and put it on a flatbed. Worst feeling ever!

So ive been researching on the forum etc and have come across a few people that have experienced this, some say its the Crankshaft sensor and others say the HP fuel pump.

Can anyone shed any light or experienced this before, i want my car back!

Thank you in advance.

[PerfM5]

I am sorry you're going through this but you need to take your car to a shop. Not necessarily a dealer but a shop with the right diagnostic systems to be able to read out what is actually going on. The forums are good for providing solution to confirmed issues not diagnosing the issue remotely with no fault codes or 2nd layer data points. Good luck

[umz]

Originally Posted by PerfM5

I am sorry you're going through this but you need to take your car to a shop. Not necessarily a dealer but a shop with the right diagnostic systems to be able to read out what is actually going on. The forums are good for providing solution to confirmed issues not diagnosing the issue remotely with no fault codes or 2nd layer data points. Good luck

Thank for your reply. Much appreciated.

So ive had the car on a couple of computers and no error codes are coming up whatsoever. The AA mechanic said it looks like its a mechanical issue and not electric.

What could it possibly be?

Getting the car recovered and will have to get it over to the dealers on minday now. Thats going to cost me!

Thanks

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Random electric gremilins = First thing to check is all of the ground cables, BMW is notorious for having corroded ground cables cause systems to go nuts randomly, check them first. Then move on to battery, alternator, esensors, etc

[umz]

Thank you.

I got the car recovered by AA and currently sitting on a drive.

I spoke to BMW today and they are not very helpful at all, said i cant speak to a technician and they are unable to give me any advice as it could possibly be wrong. I stated that i only want to know if you have come across issues like this before or experienced any other M5's coming in for the same reason, i only want to know what it could POSSIBLY be, but still nothing from them. I am going to go into branch right after work and ask for someone for a little support.

On the flipside, i have found a BMW specialist in Peterborough (Bartlett Automotive), these guys look and seem good. They say they only use BMW diagnostics and are ex dealer technicians with lots of experience, they are on the net and have some pretty good reviews. I am thinking of getting the car over to them instead as BMW seem awful and are not willing to help. I do not want to give the car to anyone random, someone who has experience with these cars.

The guy i spoke to said that they use all the latest equipment and are pretty sure they can provide a diagnosis. I am leaning towards them tbh, i just want to get her back on the road. Only had her a week.

Has anyone every experienced anything like this before?

The car made no noise, didn't jerk or anything, just lost power and then wouldn't start. It didn't smoke or smell, just turned off. Checked codes, once it showed a couple of codes and then the second time it did not show any codes. One thing i didn't do was disconnect the negative and then try the computer, so there are more than likely some codes the car will show.

Really need some support here, don't fancy throwing money at the dealers tbh.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by umz

Thank you.

I got the car recovered by AA and currently sitting on a drive.

I spoke to BMW today and they are not very helpful at all, said i cant speak to a technician and they are unable to give me any advice as it could possibly be wrong. I stated that i only want to know if you have come across issues like this before or experienced any other M5's coming in for the same reason, i only want to know what it could POSSIBLY be, but still nothing from them. I am going to go into branch right after work and ask for someone for a little support.

On the flipside, i have found a BMW specialist in Peterborough (Bartlett Automotive), these guys look and seem good. They say they only use BMW diagnostics and are ex dealer technicians with lots of experience, they are on the net and have some pretty good reviews. I am thinking of getting the car over to them instead as BMW seem awful and are not willing to help. I do not want to give the car to anyone random, someone who has experience with these cars.

The guy i spoke to said that they use all the latest equipment and are pretty sure they can provide a diagnosis. I am leaning towards them tbh, i just want to get her back on the road. Only had her a week.

Has anyone every experienced anything like this before?

The car made no noise, didn't jerk or anything, just lost power and then wouldn't start. It didn't smoke or smell, just turned off. Checked codes, once it showed a couple of codes and then the second time it did not show any codes. One thing i didn't do was disconnect the negative and then try the computer, so there are more than likely some codes the car will show.

Really need some support here, don't fancy throwing money at the dealers tbh.

The thing is BMW can't give an off-the-cuff answer without looking at the motor.There are many many things that can cause this,I think your ok as it switched off smoothly. If there was noticeable shuddering and the power steering became strong arm heavy then it's probably a spent engine.

[harry007]

First things first.

Stop panicking. I can feel it and read it in your posts.

Its a car and only metal, it can be fixed, amended and rescued.

Let BMW diagnose the car first before anything. Before getting anyone else involved you will over confuse yourself.

Thanks
H

[Dwaynos]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

The thing is BMW can't give an off-the-cuff answer without looking at the motor.There are many many things that can cause this,I think your ok as it switched off smoothly. If there was noticeable shuddering and the power steering became strong arm heavy then it's probably a spent engine.

You wouldn't notice any shuddering if the engine seized etc. It just stops dead and would roll to a stop.

Not saying it is an engine issue but don't want you to get your hopes up for a simple fix. Either way the car will never be repaired if it's on a driveway. Get it looked at by someone who actually knows what they're doing.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Dwaynos

You wouldn't notice any shuddering if the engine seized etc. It just stops dead and would roll to a stop.

Not saying it is an engine issue but don't want you to get your hopes up for a simple fix. Either way the car will never be repaired if it's on a driveway. Get it looked at by someone who actually knows what they're doing.

I wasn't necessarily referring to a seized engine which would indeed stop dead and lock the rear wheels up which is also dangerous but shot rod bearings or loss of oil pressure would cause shuddering.

[bmwdinan5]

If your engine seized your rear wheels would not lock up. I know from experience.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by bmwdinan5

If your engine seized your rear wheels would not lock up. I know from experience.

Then there must be a disengage clutches engine seize sensor or similar should that happen on the M5.

[Dwaynos]

Originally Posted by bmwdinan5

If your engine seized your rear wheels would not lock up. I know from experience.

This

[umz]

Thank you all for your replies.

As the car turned itself off, the steering did get heavy, but thats due to loss of power, everything went, electrics etc and the whole car just felt heavy, i started breaking and got the car to a safer place, as it would have continued rolling for a little longer, it did feel like the rear wheels were locking up. Also i kind of feels like a blur, it happened so suddenly, you just dont remember every little detail.

The car is being towed today to a specialist, they were ex dealer technicians and have a lot of experience, i feel a little confident but as others have said, im not getting my hopes up, i think since this has happened, i have been thinking the worst case scenario. The guy i spoke to has assured me they will find the issue and he is confident that they will also find a fix, from what ive told him, he said it doesn't sound to be a really serious thing, so will find out what the outcome is later today hopefully.

Thanks

[BIMMERMANM5]

Good luck today let us know how you get on.

What is the current mileage on the car? Have you considered taking out the BMW warranty for the future?

[umz]

Originally Posted by BIMMERMANM5

Good luck today let us know how you get on.

What is the current mileage on the car? Have you considered taking out the BMW warranty for the future?

Thank you bro, really need it. Actually S******g myself tbh. Really hoping its nothing too big. Only had the car a week.

only 33K on the clock. Yes, the day it broke down, i was on the way to BMW to discuss the Warranty, i was supposed to go during the week, but work didn't allow me to get there on time to discuss my options with them.

[C320]

Originally Posted by umz

Thank you bro, really need it. Actually S******g myself tbh. Really hoping its nothing too big. Only had the car a week.

only 33K on the clock. Yes, the day it broke down, i was on the way to BMW to discuss the Warranty, i was supposed to go during the week, but work didn't allow me to get there on time to discuss my options with them.

All the best Umz, I’m sure it will be fine. I know we all stress when the slightest thing happens to our cars. It’s in safe hands, fingers crossed it’s all fine and you’ll be back with your car soon.

In terms of BMW warranty, you can get a quote here:

https://www.bmw-warranty.co.uk/BMW-car/Index?

Go for the comprehensive warranty (it’s the best one and is close to what you get if you bought an approved used car).

You have a choice of reducing the cost by electing to have an excess, where you pay the first £100 or £250 towards a repair.

There is a 30 day wait period before you can claim. Lots of people in the UK on this forum have this warranty, so feel free to ask any questions.

[umz]

Originally Posted by C320

All the best Umz, I’m sure it will be fine. I know we all stress when the slightest thing happens to our cars. It’s in safe hands, fingers crossed it’s all fine and you’ll be back with your car soon.

In terms of BMW warranty, you can get a quote here:

https://www.bmw-warranty.co.uk/BMW-c...iAAEgK1u_D_BwE

Go for the comprehensive warranty (it’s the best one and is close to what you get if you bought an approved used car).

You have a choice of reducing the cost by electing to have an excess, where you pay the first £100 or £250 towards a repair.

There is a 30 day wait period before you can claim. Lots of people in the UK on this forum have this warranty, so feel free to ask any questions.

Thanks bro, i really appreciate it. Car on the way to the garage as we speak, hopefully should have something back from them later this evening.

Yeh, hopefully its nothing major, the first thing when the car is back on the road is get the warranty on the vehicle.

Appreciate all your support and ill update you guys on the outcome.

[OneExtra]

Originally Posted by umz

Thanks bro, i really appreciate it. Car on the way to the garage as we speak, hopefully should have something back from them later this evening.

Yeh, hopefully its nothing major, the first thing when the car is back on the road is get the warranty on the vehicle.

Appreciate all your support and ill update you guys on the outcome.

BMW Dealerships wont offer the warranty as has been said its Mondial who do them for BMW. It maybe more expensive if the car has had a break in warranty.

Paying monthly is a lot more expensive than paying annually

Hope when they sort it its a relatively cheap fix

[BIMMERMANM5]

Mate I paid annually it worked out OK, about the equivalent of £85 a month fully comp. Mate I ran a 335i before the F10 M5 on fully comp warranty for £50 a month for 7 years. The mileage on your car is very low 33k, I hope its something minor. The day the F10 arrived from Glasgow I live in London it was insured immediately. If you had a BMW warranty now I know its hindsight you simply tell them to investigate it. Never go into the owner ship of these cars without doing your research. I read in numerous places you need a warranty even though I do 4k mileage a year I am covered, the day that engine goes bust its 25k plus I have been told. Have you not seen how many cars on Auto Trader have had replacement engines? That is what used to strike me when I was looking for at-least a year or so. Do not take the risk that is my advice, other people will probably tell me I am a worrier.

[umz]

As promised, an update from the diagnostics.....

Today marks a very sad day for me. My M5 is officially deceased! Engine Seized! Dead at 33K miles and 5 days of ownership!

Absolutely gutted!

Garage told me that he tried all he could and confirmed that its been seized, he said they took samples of the oil too and found copper material in the oil, he said oil didn't look good either, weird. It was last serviced with the other owner and was done from BMW.

He also spoke to me about a rebuild, works out too much, purchasing a new engine, works out too much!

Only really got a couple of options to make back some of what i spent on it; sell as a non runner or break it.

Pretty upset tbh so probably not thinking outside of the box here. Are there any other options for me?

Thanks,

[C320]

Originally Posted by umz

As promised, an update from the diagnostics.....

Today marks a very sad day for me. My M5 is officially deceased! Engine Seized! Dead at 33K miles and 5 days of ownership!

Absolutely gutted!

Garage told me that he tried all he could and confirmed that its been seized, he said they took samples of the oil too and found copper material in the oil, he said oil didn't look good either, weird. It was last serviced with the other owner and was done from BMW.

He also spoke to me about a rebuild, works out too much, purchasing a new engine, works out too much!

Only really got a couple of options to make back some of what i spent on it; sell as a non runner or break it.

Pretty upset tbh so probably not thinking outside of the box here. Are there any other options for me?

Thanks,

Really sorry to hear this and absolutely gutted for you too.

1. I recall you said you bought it privately - how long did the previous owner have the car for?
2. How old is the car?
3. When and where was the last service carried out?

33k miles is still reasonably low if it's over 3 years old. If it was just outside the manufacturers warranty and serviced at the correct intervals by BMW dealerships (including having the running in service performed on time) I'd suggest trying BMW to see if they may help in any way with a goodwill claim. Not a great deal to lose, other than some diagnostic time - surely it doesn't hurt to have a second opinion?

Sadly buying a car privately is one of the riskiest ways to buy an expensive car. What was the private seller like? Did everything seem legit, in terms of where they lived, the details on the logbook, what car they were buying next?

Try putting their phone number into google to see if they are advertising any other cars. Or do an AutoTrader search using their post code and cars within 1 mile. Do any of the cars have photos taken in the same spot as your car?
It's a really long shot but if you find they're advertising other cars and are an 'at home trader' you may possibly be able to get trading standards involved.

The only other option, other than breaking it is to look at a reconditioned engine. I've seen some sellers on eBay advertise them for about 10k fitted. Yes it's a lot of cash and you probably won't be able to get a warranty on the car after it but it may mean you lose less money.

All the best, hope you manage to get this sorted or recoup more of what you put in.

[Craze]

Thats crap if its stock bmw have to cover it