[23x5m]

Desperately Need Advice – 2023 X5M Engine Failure, BMW Refusing Warranty Coverage

Hey everyone,

I’m in a really frustrating situation and hoping someone here can help or offer guidance.

I bought a brand new 2023 X5M with zero miles. In April 2024, my engine blew while I had under 30,000 miles on the car. I never modified the vehicle in any way.

Despite this, BMW is refusing to cover the engine replacement under warranty, claiming that I was late for my M break-in service. My insurance also won’t cover it, saying the failure is due to “negligence.”

I’ve reached out to BMW of North America, but they won’t help either. I even spoke to multiple attorneys, but none seem interested in taking the case or know how to proceed.

At this point, I’m stuck with a catastrophic engine failure on a low-mileage, unmodified car that should be fully covered under warranty.

Has anyone dealt with a similar issue? Any advice on how to fight this or escalate further? I appreciate any help!

[aliiin]

Something smells fishy, and it isn't me.

[thebmw]

If it is a M engine and it was not broken in correctly, including the no-later-than 1200 mile oil change to remove the break in oil, you are SOL. This is what I learned directly from a service manager who knew the BMW warranty and Goodwill rules.

[B58-M340iX]

I'm not sure what advice to offer, but best of luck to you. I'd be furious. As others have mentioned, have you performed all the necessary services on time?

[DanG]

I guess the first question in when did you do the breakin service?

[Ab28]

Originally Posted by DanG

I guess the first question in when did you do the breakin service?

Yep. That’d be my question too. I’m sure there’s a threshold allowed. It’s not possible for everyone to arrive at the service bay as the Odo rolls over from 1199.9

We talking 5k miles, 10k?

[B58 parts]

What exactly happened to the engine?

When did you know you no longer had a warranty?

[Tuxedo]

2 things I notice not mentioned from OP

1. I did my break-in service at xyz time when it had abc miles
2. I did my regular maint. at 10k, 20k, 30k miles

of note you drove a car that on average would have 4-5k miles on it, 30,000ish in 8mo

Conclusion- If you did exactly step 1 and 2 to your X5 M according to the maint. plan BMW provides for the car then get a lawyer, if you didn't do step 1 and 2 accept responsibility and take your lumps.

[Tejas1836]

https://carbahn.com/products/stage-1...u4-bmw-x5m-x6m

[Tejas1836]

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2162440

[E90convert]

Hello - how did you operate the vehicle? Did you floor it every time you leave a parking lot before the vehicle is warmed up (A couple of guys at my work do this)? Did the X5M see track use or extended max power highspeed accelerations?

A late engine break-in oil change should not result in the complete demise of an engine that is not driven hard. The break-in oil change is required because BMW ///M expects these engines to see track use or Nürburgring runs. This is harder on components inside the engine (like bearings). During break-in, the oil gets contaminated with break-in material quickly, and driving the engine hard with contaminated oil can substantially increase wear. There is nothing mechanically unique about an ///M engine that requires a break-in oil change any more than a standard BMW engine. It's all about expected usage.

If the engine is not running hard, a break-in oil change is likely unnecessary.

[BMWCCA1]

It is my understanding that any BMW "M" vehicle that requires a 1,200-mile break-in service alerts the driver every time the car is started as to when that service is due. Did you ignore the prompting? All service on such a car is free to the owner for 3-years, 36,000 miles, so how many free services did you skip, or miss, or do?

Did your dealer or sales advisor explain the first-service to you?

Will we ever see you return to make your second post here?

[heavyD^2]

As always there's a very likely more to the story than OP has provided in the initial post.

[Phizzzle]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

It is my understanding that any BMW "M" vehicle that requires a 1,200-mile break-in service alerts the driver every time the car is started as to when that service is due. Did you ignore the prompting? All service on such a car is free to the owner for 3-years, 36,000 miles, so how many free services did you skip, or miss, or do?

Did your dealer or sales advisor explain the first-service to you?

Will we ever see you return to make your second post here?

Does this also apply to the baby M cars (M60i)?

[Hit_Apex]

How late? Either way, I'm going to assume BMW didn't make the decision lightly and have their position well defended. It would be extremely rare for a stock S63 engine to blow this soon unless it ran well beyond 1,200 miles without proper lubrication. The break-in fluid is not normal oil.

1. Find an independent shop in your area that will take on the rebuild. Consider a new block from Carbahn which should be cheaper than buying from BMW, or find a salvage motor.

2. Sell as is - no idea what it's worth, but at least $20k less than book

3. Part it out (pain in ass and will take a long time but could make up some of your loss)

4. If you owe money on it, you could file for BK or just park it and walk away and deal with the credit hit, bill collectors, all the nastiness that comes with that route.

I do not see a path to get it covered under warranty unless they are wrong about your failure to follow break-in rules. This is the Darwin award equivalent for M cars, an EV may be the better choice for you.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by Phizzzle

Does this also apply to the baby M cars (M60i)?

No. Only real M cars require a 1200 mile breakin service.

[Ugly Kar]

Originally Posted by E90convert

Hello - how did you operate the vehicle? Did you floor it every time you leave a parking lot before the vehicle is warmed up (A couple of guys at my work do this)? Did the X5M see track use or extended max power highspeed accelerations?

A late engine break-in oil change should not result in the complete demise of an engine that is not driven hard. The break-in oil change is required because BMW ///M expects these engines to see track use or Nürburgring runs. This is harder on components inside the engine (like bearings). During break-in, the oil gets contaminated with break-in material quickly, and driving the engine hard with contaminated oil can substantially increase wear. There is nothing mechanically unique about an ///M engine that requires a break-in oil change any more than a standard BMW engine. It's all about expected usage.

If the engine is not running hard, a break-in oil change is likely unnecessary.

This. I'd be surprised if an M engine would blow even if you waited til 5000 miles for the break in service driven normal to hard on the street. Maybe if run hard on the track multiple times.

There's more to this story and yes, we probably won't see another post from the OP.