BMW 320D 07 Plate - BMW 320D SE 2007 Auto - Turbo Failure?

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Sun 25 Sep 2011 23:15
BMW 320D 07 Plate - BMW 320D SE 2007 Auto - Turbo Failure? - Woody37

I stopped at my papershop yesterday lunchtime, after a two mile drive, got back in the car, pulled out onto a main road, put my foot down and - nothing much, just a siren like noise and minimal forward movement.

I limped it back home carefully, any push of the accelerator met with this loud whining noise.

Background: Owned from new, driven normally, driven kindly cold, ticked over after a long run, etc. Done 45K miles, always serviced when dash suggests, first 3 years by Main s******, last one by a credible Independent.

On reflection, it has been getting smokier under hard acceleration, e.g. motorway overtaking, but no warning lights have ever come on.

I don't really know what to do tomorrow?

It obviously needs proper diagnosis. Can I drive it to the Main Dealer and will they charge for even looking at it?

If it needs a new Turbo, do I get another Mitsubishi or go for a Garret? If so, who do I ask to fit it?

Provided a more reliable Turbo can be fitted I will keep the car for 10 years (my original intention and why I went Indie post warranty).

Even if I go Independent, BMW should surely be paying for the new Turbo. 45K miles and 4 Years old for a so called premium brand is a disgrace.

It is obvious that BMW Turbos are a MAJOR fault and yet a lot of readiong on the web today offers ittle cause for optimism.

The Question then: What should I do first in the morning?

Thanks

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Mon 26 Sep 2011 14:27
BMW 320D 07 Plate - BMW 320D SE 2007 Auto - Turbo Failure? - gordonbennet

That's the usual sort of mileage for turbo failure, not helped IMO by the too long service intervals, however that's water under the bridge.

Assuming it is the turbo, i doubt you'll get much joy from BMW because you've gone outside the main dealer network for servicing, no harm in asking mind, was the oil used by indy to BMW spec?

Just out of interest how many oil changes has it had and at what mileages?

If you have a competent indy he should be able to sort you out a recon or indeed know where to get your unit overhauled at fair cost.

This is where a problem might arise, you say 'credible' independent...is it a BMW specialist?, if not then like with MB's you might be better off finding a good BMW specialist indy, that would be my plan if your indy isn't, they will know exactly what to do, clean, replace, upgrade to keep the new turbo happy for good.

Whatever you do about the turbo, you say you are going to keep the car long term, in that case seriously consider getting someone to remove the inlet manifold swirl flaps whilst they've got the engine covers off, someone like PMW Chelmsford, very good specialist, i see they are noted by HJ, they have done this job twice for us on different cars....no affiliation just satisfied customer.

EDIT It might not even be the turbo, just a split pipe or pipe blown off.

Edited by gordonbennet on 26/09/2011 at 14:28

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Mon 26 Sep 2011 16:44
BMW 320D 07 Plate - BMW 320D SE 2007 Auto - Turbo Failure? - Woody37

An excellent reply thank you.

I got towed to my Independent Garage this morning and await the news.

BMW UK were thoroughly disinterested and the Main Dealer who I bought it from and serviced it for the first 3 years wanted an "Inspection Fee". No thanks BMW, you'll just get the bill at the end, via the small claims court if necessary.

The irony here is that for the first 3 years it had the standard "computer says no" servicing schedule - first oil change at 19,000 miles. I agree, it is far too long.

Having paid £365 to have an Apprentice change the oil and (cough) check the fluids, I decided to go Independent, but on the understanding that these Turbo problems were sorted long before 2007.

I will keep the car, oil changes every 12 months or 10K (the same thing on average) and it will never see a BMW dealership again.

Will update with news of the damage and cost involved. 45,000 miles - unbelievable!

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Tue 27 Sep 2011 23:54
BMW 320D 07 Plate - BMW 320D SE 2007 Auto - Turbo Failure? - Woody37

Well, an Indie Garage has confirmed the Turbo needs relacing and has quoted an all in price for fitting a recon Turbo at £1,600. This includes, of course, new oil, a filter and a 12 month warraqnty.

Not sure if that is reasonable?

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Wed 28 Sep 2011 03:15
BMW 320D 07 Plate - BMW 320D SE 2007 Auto - Turbo Failure? - gordonbennet

Sounds a bit like the price you'd be paying at the BMW dealer to me.

Have you phoned PMW and/or any other BMW indies for a quote, has yours or another indy considered sending your turbo to Turbo Technics Northampton for a full overhaul?

Oil change should come to about £50 for best quality synthetic oil and genuine filter, and half an hour tops.

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Wed 28 Sep 2011 07:51
BMW 320D 07 Plate - BMW 320D SE 2007 Auto - Turbo Failure? - madf

All oil lines to/ftom turbo and the intercooler and all piping should be removed and cleaned to remove any metal particles.

Otherwise,,,,,bang again.

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Wed 28 Sep 2011 11:29
BMW 320D 07 Plate - BMW 320D SE 2007 Auto - Turbo Failure? - Woody37

I think it's steep too.

They say they will use a BMW part and I need to sign a disclaimer if not. I would rather buy a Garrett here

Also, would a 2007 model have this "swirl flap" problem too? If they can be removed, what is the point of them being there in the first place?!

It just feels a right mess. I am in Purley, Surrey so using PMW in Chelmsford is surely not an option. The cost of getting it towed there would outweigh any advantage on price.

Any more thoughts/ideas?

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Wed 28 Sep 2011 12:46
BMW 320D 07 Plate - BMW 320D SE 2007 Auto - Turbo Failure? - gordonbennet

Madf has a good point about cleaning the oil and airways out properly, the garage should do this anyway if they are worth their salt, and get the EGR valve cleaned out whilst they are at it.

From your link there is an associate company at Woking, seemingly German car specialists from their blurb, worth a call?

Before writing off a recommended specialist some distance away, have you actually phoned them...they might well have the use of a handy chap who collects cars, might even have their own vehicle, you won't know till you ask, the overall cost might make the transport worth it, what is it 75 miles one way...get the train up to collect it when it's done?

Swirl flaps, hmm, you'll need to speak to the man who can do about that.

Asking for man who can in your area on BMWland forum would be my next move, some knowledgeable chaps there, if they don't know of someone good in your area no one will.

Whilst at BMWland forum if you have a weekend to spare read up on engine failures due to swirl flap injestion, frightening stuff.

Best of luck with it, don't be too downhearted it'll soon be up and running nicely again, and be honest they are excellent cars.

One other thing whilst it's in getting this work done would it be prudent to get the auto transmission fluid changed at the same time, getting there at 45k i'd have thought.

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Wed 28 Sep 2011 13:08
BMW 320D 07 Plate - BMW 320D SE 2007 Auto - Turbo Failure? - gordonbennet

www.pmwltd.co.uk/

Collection/delivery free, though i doubt a broken down car needing tranportation would come into the free category from as far as you are away, you can only ask.

Do have a browse of their updated website, it seems swirl flaps are a problem from 2000 to 2008, they even link to the relevent BMWland thread from their website.

I can only recommend them as a satisfied customer, they deflapped two 320d's for us, courteous, professional and didn't go looking for extra work, the gaffer there is worth speaking to on the phone for advice, helpful, straight, and not in the least pushy.

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Wed 28 Sep 2011 17:50
BMW 320D 07 Plate - BMW 320D SE 2007 Auto - Turbo Failure? - Collos25

No problems with swirl flaps on a 2007 but the price of the turbo fitting is extortionate BMW do not make turbos Either have yours reconditoined or get an exchange unit from the numerous suppliers they are a doddle to fit altogether should cost no more than £700 with all seals and gasgets.

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