F56 Engine quit at 70mph

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 20, 2014 | 09:22 PM

#26

daffodildeb

6th Gear

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 4,743

Likes: 5

From: Hot Springs Village, AR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimguy

We're all screwed if there's an EMP. On nuke at about 100 miles over the U.S. would disable just about every electronic gizmo in the country.

I don't think MIni warrants against such an event ;-)

Yeah, well that's another issue. I mean, if there's a nuke attack, how many of us wouldn't just say F it, and walk to the nearest tall bridge. I know I would. I'm 63, no longer a breeder, and really couldn't contribute much at that point.

Dec 20, 2014 | 09:18 AM

#27

Melor

2nd Gear

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 122

Likes: 2

From: Orange County, California

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimguy

While we are sharing BMW horror stories:

I had an '09 535i. Purchased in early 2011 with 25k on the odometer. Around 39k miles I was driving from LA to Phoenix and a check engine light goes on, and car feels like it's running on 3 cylinders. Even the slightest touch on the gas would cause the engine to shudder like mad.

I limped 70 miles back to Phoenix and drove straight to the nearest dealership. At the first light I came to the engine warning went off. The dealership couldn't isolate the problem, swapped coil packs in hopes of figuring it out and told me to let them know if it happens again.

It happened again at 49k. Keep in mind the warranty/maintenance program expires at 50k. They replaced some part that sounded irrelevant to my issues, especially as a guy on bimmerforums had the same problem and fixed it by replacing the fuel injectors. This was ignored by the service techs. Of course, the problem cropped up at 80k miles, whereupon they replaced a bank of fuel injectors and charged me a grand for the fun! I tried to argue that they did it wrong the last time but they insisted it was a "different" problem this time. Right.

I told the service rep that I guaranteed I would be back with the same problem within 6 months. Of course it happened again, 6 months to the day ;-)

That N54 engine is amazing for performance, but is about the most unreliable engine out there.

I am praying now that this car doesn't provide a repeat performance.

Just to chime in. I had the same BMW. Failed so many times in so many different ways. Car drove like a demon and only used it as a commuter here in Orange County. It served my purpose, but a shame a beautiful car like that couldn't be trusted to drive outside the county. Traded it in for a Mini for my daughter right before extended warranty ran out. Interesting thing - most all troubles on that car were < 50K miles. Only one expensive repair on warranty > 50K. Sorry, I know this is a Mini forum...

Don't pray. Buy a warranty. They are all expensive to fix.

Paul

Dec 20, 2014 | 10:22 AM

#28

Crimguy

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 224

Likes: 2

Yeah I loved that car. What was messed up was that, after 118k miles a 7-8 trips for service on the engine problems, no one could ever figure it out, including a couple of the best BMW mechanics in the valley. If the thrown code isn't descriptive enough, modern mechanics are lost.

Sad postscript - car is still on the market 3 months later. Looks great, runs like crap.

Dec 20, 2014 | 02:46 PM

#29

snowmansgarage

Neutral

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

From: PNW

Well it's been a couple of months, did the software update fix the vehicle?

Dec 20, 2014 | 03:40 PM

#30

Crimguy

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 224

Likes: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowmansgarage

Well it's been a couple of months, did the software update fix the vehicle?

I posted a followup post. I decided the cause was not MINI's fault, but rather an OBD2 scanner that I had left plugged in. Since ceasing use of the device I've had no issues.