[spitfire9200]

Hey guys.. first time thread for me... but this just blew my mind.

I made a trip to the dealer for 2 issues on my 09 335i:

- my exhaust valve flap was rattling pretty bad when it opened up on startup.. There are some threads on this and most people just got their left muffler replaced with no real push back
- my brakes are squealing bad... (known issue, but harder to replicate)


I went to the dealer today for the brake squeal, and they coulnd't reproduce it (of course) so I was turned away, even after showing them the service bulletin. They started squeaking on the way home though, so I took a video with my phone and sent it to my SA, who said "we still need to contact bmw". WTF?! there is a sib and a video... but whatever, that's not the worst part.

Get this. They kept telling me the rattle from the flap was "normal", so I finally walked across the street and got a 08 335i from the used car department and drove it back over there with their permission. I pointed at it and said, that one doesn't do it. So... after he tried to blame it on the fact that it's a sedan (really?) they took my car back.

Here is the dialogue that ensued:

SA: "it doesn't rattle anymore"
Me: "ok, what had to be done?
SA: "they adjusted it"
Me: "ok cool, do you mind me asking what exactly"
SA: "Oh no problem, he adjusted the bolt on the bottom, there are two bolts on the valve"
Me: "ok"

... We all know there aren't any bolts down there, just a vacuum line and a flange/hinge on the bottom. It didn't rattle for me though when I tested it, and I had to get back to work (After 3 hours of time wasting) so I took off.

Low and behold, I get down on the ground after work and have my buddy start the car. To my bewilderment, both exhaust tips were open on startup.. Now i'm confused and suspicious. I get down on the ground lower, and see that they just unplugged the vacuum line from the valve, and zip tied it.

Now I'm extremely pissed and shocked. I can't believe they would pull that line out, when there is a thread on here already about a dealer AND a BMW tech throwing a fit about it.

Before anyone says anything, I KNOW a lot of people perform this "golf tee" mod for better sound etc, but the fact of the matter is, I didn't want to do this and this doesn't solve my problem... They basically performed an "illegal" mod on my car, when they should have just replaced the left muffler under warranty like everyone else.


So, I'm shocked... you best believe I'm calling the service manager tomorrow and raising hell.


... and don't get me started on the brakes being denied and needing "BMW approval" even after I RECORDED A VIDEO of them squealing

[GMWNashville]

haha thats great!

[michaelalex17]

the golf tee mod doesnt throw a code. the code is thrown if you unplug that line in the trunk. but in any case i agree with you that they shouldnt have done that. i could be wrong but i dont see why that wouldnt fix the problem though? u had a rattle and they fixed it. they lied which was wrong of them but i think the problem is resolved?

[spitfire9200]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

the golf tee mod doesnt throw a code. the code is thrown if you unplug that line in the trunk. but in any case i agree with you that they shouldnt have done that. i could be wrong but i dont see why that wouldnt fix the problem though? u had a rattle and they fixed it. they lied which was wrong of them but i think the problem is resolved?

oh yeah my mistake, you're right. The code is only thrown for the tail light. Edited!

I don't want both flaps open. That's why i'm mad they did that and didn't fix the original issue.

Call BMW NA and tell them they did that and see if they classify that as a fix. I also can't STAND being lied to.

[Jns2001]

Take some pictures and call BMW NA. That should get their attention, send the video too.

[yakev724]

Sorry to hear this.

As BMW drivers I'd like to believe we'd like a no-nonsense service that does the job right.

If we had spare cash to throw around and be fed BS we'd drive Mercs. When will the dealers catch on to this???

[RaceBlood]

Most dealers are run by non college graduates and that extends to the service dept. Many dealers, regardless of the sign outside, operate poorly and have bad service, period. Go to another dealer next time.

[Weebl]

and your exhaust system is probably covered under the Federal emissions warranty also. I wonder what the penalty of bypassing emissions equipment is? I would bring this up to the EPA and ask them to contact your dealer ;-)

[spitfire9200]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

i 100% agree with you that was fucked up on their part. but i want to know if that actually fixes the problem. that noise is just coming from the flap opening and closing right? if so why does it start making that noise?

The flange is loose and it closes when the car first starts. It sounds like pennies in a jar when it closes, then again when it opens. It's kind of annoying because it's getting louder... Some other people with newer 335s had the problem (few threads on here) and just got their left muffler replaced. Problem solved... not so much for me.

[michaelalex17]

in terms of your brakes, i went to my dealer saying my brakes were squealing and they said sorry they're within spec we cant replace them. then i found a TSB or whatever they're called online and it says if a customer says the brakes are squealing replace the pads and the pad sensors. so i showed that to them and they changed them without any argument. you can try that it worked for me.

[spitfire9200]

Originally Posted by RaceBlood

Most dealers are run by non college graduates and that extends to the service dept. Many dealers, regardless of the sign outside, operate poorly and have bad service, period. Go to another dealer next time.

I will try the only other dealer in my area

Originally Posted by Weebl

and your exhaust system is probably covered under the Federal emissions warranty also. I wonder what the penalty of bypassing emissions equipment is? I would bring this up to the EPA and ask them to contact your dealer ;-)

I know right!!! The whole purpose of the valve is noise/emissions

[spitfire9200]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

in terms of your brakes, i went to my dealer saying my brakes were squealing and they said sorry they're within spec we cant replace them. then i found a TSB or whatever they're called online and it says if a customer says the brakes are squealing replace the pads and the pad sensors. so i showed that to them and they changed them without any argument. you can try that it worked for me.

I brought in the TSB...

SIB 34 03 09

sigh. Still nothing even with the TSB!!! wtf....... BMW won't f-ing DENY it once they receive it. It's too well known...

yup they are going to receive the pads and throw them in their 335i they have their and test em out and if they don't squeal, chargeback!

I mean c'mon.

[spitfire9200]

should I go back to the service manager there and get everything taken care of and complain, or just go to a diff dealer and explain my woes and get it fixed?

[bsamoul]

Sounds like it's 1-800-831-1117 time and raise hell.

[michaelalex17]

dude if i was u i would contact BMW or North America or whatever it is and tell them about your experience. then go back to the same dealer and they'll treat you like royalty. because i think your issues came down to them being lazy. and if they know people higher up then them are on their ass because of you they'll treat you really well. either that will happen or they just dont know what the fuck they're doing hahah

[WWONG]

I want a free golf tee mod from the dealer...

[O HELLA BMW]

wow thats one crappy dealership

but i also had the left muffler flap and rattle during startups. they told me also that it was NORMAL, but then i viewed some youtube vids and not 1 of the 335i's mufflers rattled upon start up. so the bmw techs finally found out that i need both wastegates and turbos replaced!!! so thank god im underwarranty so i got those both replaced

[JayKay335i]

lol

[PINeely]

Please tell me that there was a little BMW-brand ball bearing in there and everything.

[spitfire9200]

Originally Posted by PINeely

Please tell me that there was a little BMW-brand ball bearing in there and everything.

Lol nope just zip tied. Didn't even do it right.

[SloppyJoe]

with golf tee mod on my car I have some drone. I definitely would not approve of the dealer performing this mod on my car...

[ned.alford19]

Sorry to hear this. I think you can take some pictures and call BMW that will better option.