2008 BMW 320D Coupe, Steering lock problem?

metalgear2k2

A good friend bought a 320D Coupe at the beginning of the year and its given her a fair bit of trouble, mostly electrical, Bluetooth dropping in and out, auto lights not working when they should etc.

But now the steering lock symbol has come on, on the dash, was in orange for a while and was in red when she took it to the BMW main dealer in Castle Island. She had done a bit of research online and it seems to be a common problem right across the BMW range and when she said that she was told that doing research online was a bit "dodgy" and was mad to feel like she didn’t know anything about the car etc (but that’s for another thread)

After about 2 hours she was told they managed to get the light off the dash but it was 50/50 that it might come back on. They didn’t tell her what caused it or how it might be prevented in future but did say that if it did come back on she would need a new steering column at a cost of €700-800 euro!!!

So 2 things I'd like to know, has anyone had this problem and how the hell can BMW justify charging that kind of money for a part only 2.5 years old, she has treated that car like a baby since she got it, wouldn’t be so hard to understand if it was a real wearing part like a suspension part or something and she was doing a lot of miles but it hasn’t done a whole pile since she got it. It’s a fooking disgrace imo.:mad:

galwaytt

if it's that new, and she only bought it a few month's ago, it's still under warranty, so I'd go right back in there, and back it up in writing, that you/she want's that column changed f.o.c.

Too much money involved to be putting up 'arrah, sure she'll do' type of stuff.

Anan1

I'd also see if the warranty can be extended.

metalgear2k2

galwaytt wrote: »

if it's that new, and she only bought it a few month's ago, it's still under warranty, so I'd go right back in there, and back it up in writing, that you/she want's that column changed f.o.c.

Too much money involved to be putting up 'arrah, sure she'll do' type of stuff.

Its a 2008 as is in the title she got it in March.

Anan1 wrote: »

I'd also see if the warranty can be extended.

It was just out of warranty when she got it and she tried to get it extended but she was told once it lapsed it couldnt be extended.

theneed2rock

metalgear2k2 wrote: »

A good friend bought a 320D Coupe at the beginning of the year and its given her a fair bit of trouble, mostly electrical, Bluetooth dropping in and out, auto lights not working when they should etc.

But now the steering lock symbol has come on, on the dash, was in orange for a while and was in red when she took it to the BMW main dealer in Castle Island. She had done a bit of research online and it seems to be a common problem right across the BMW range and when she said that she was told that doing research online was a bit "dodgy" and was mad to feel like she didn’t know anything about the car etc (but that’s for another thread)

After about 2 hours she was told they managed to get the light off the dash but it was 50/50 that it might come back on. They didn’t tell her what caused it or how it might be prevented in future but did say that if it did come back on she would need a new steering column at a cost of €700-800 euro!!!

So 2 things I'd like to know, has anyone had this problem and how the hell can BMW justify charging that kind of money for a part only 2.5 years old, she has treated that car like a baby since she got it, wouldn’t be so hard to understand if it was a real wearing part like a suspension part or something and she was doing a lot of miles but it hasn’t done a whole pile since she got it. It’s a fooking disgrace imo.:mad:

Have a 318 coupe myself for last 7 years with no steering problems. But BMW know how to charge when something does go wrong. Even to service the car you're looking at €200+

jetski

Ive a 116 2006 with the same issue mine is on orange at the moment.

How much did they charge her for fixing it?

notahappycamper

I had a similar issue with an E90 325i. I brought it back to the garage and they did a software update which seemed to solve the problem.

bmstuff

Your steering column does not do any noise, I would tend to think this is more a software/battery/electrical issue...

As far as I can see on BMW TIS, there is no documented issue at BMW with regards to the steering column on the e90, e92...
I only found one Service Bulletin about this, SI B 32 17 08 (February 2010), which relates to steering column noise though...

And it does not state to replace the steering column but basically just lubricate the steering shaft slip ring by spraying Wurthreg Multi Lube 350.
Still this service bulletin states that it is a defect and that it is covered by warranty.
BMW Defect Number: 32 31 12 39 00

Just present them with this SI reference and ask them to inspect this potential related issue before they order part...
I think BMW recommend 1h for particular this job.

HTH

metalgear2k2

jetski wrote: »

Ive a 116 2006 with the same issue mine is on orange at the moment.

How much did they charge her for fixing it?

They charged €50 but didnt say how they got the light off. Did say if it came on again she would need a new steering coloum and that would be €700-€800!

bmstuff wrote: »

Your steering column does not do any noise, I would tend to think this is more a software/battery/electrical issue...

As far as I can see on BMW TIS, there is no documented issue at BMW with regards to the steering column on the e90, e92...
I only found one Service Bulletin about this, SI B 32 17 08 (February 2010), which relates to steering column noise though...

And it does not state to replace the steering column but basically just lubricate the steering shaft slip ring by spraying Wurthreg Multi Lube 350.
Still this service bulletin states that it is a defect and that it is covered by warranty.
BMW Defect Number: 32 31 12 39 00

Just present them with this SI reference and ask them to inspect this potential related issue before they order part...
I think BMW recommend 1h for particular this job.

HTH

No defo no noise going from the column, ill pass on the info, thanks very much!

Drummerboy08

Just on this, I've had the very same issue with a 08 318i saloon with 17k miles on the clock.

BMW have covered the cost of replacing the steering columnm, so make sure to argue with BMW warranty over it. They should be covering it as its a known issue.

dergside

metalgear2k2 wrote: »

She had done a bit of research online and it seems to be a common problem right across the BMW range and when she said that she was told that doing research online was a bit "dodgy" and was mad to feel like she didn’t know anything about the car etc (but that’s for another thread)

Any chance that the guy that spoke to her like that ever worked as service manager in Keogh's? Mrs D had a remarkably similar experience with them a few years ago with a condescending knob there.

metalgear2k2

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Just on this, I've had the very same issue with a 08 318i saloon with 17k miles on the clock.

BMW have covered the cost of replacing the steering columnm, so make sure to argue with BMW warranty over it. They should be covering it as its a known issue.

Finally some good news, she called into Kearys BMW in Cork and they told her that it would be replaced by BMW under a "good will" thing that they are doing as its a known issue. I guess its just the main dealers in CastleIsland that dont have a fecking clue!

dergside wrote: »

Any chance that the guy that spoke to her like that ever worked as service manager in Keogh's? Mrs D had a remarkably similar experience with them a few years ago with a condescending knob there.

Dont know, he's running the main dealers in Castleisland in Kerry, but very much in the mold you describe "condescending knob"