M40i brakes - design flaw uncovered
- Thread starter Jim S
- Start date
Finally got a response to the stones in the M Sport brakes problem after writing to Graeme Grieve, BMW UK MD.
Here is what they said:-
“I’ve spoken with our technical team about the stones getting trapped, they’ve assured me this - this isn’t a design flaw and although this has been referred to BMW AG for review, they have advised they’re not looking to change the design at this stage. :thumbsdown:
While we build our cars to a high standard, we aren’t always able to accommodate for external influences such as stones and debris on the road, graveled drive ways and older country roads etc. :?
I understand how disappointed you must be, but as you can hopefully appreciate - with the amount of BMW’s on the road with the same braking system as yours, we would experience a high volume of complaints regards to this. :?
If this issue persists, the best thing I could advise would be to speak with the Centre about the heat shields, they’re in the best position to approach technical and warranty to see if it would affect your warranty and discuss the safety factors involved when removing the heat shields. They can also approach BMW UK about the costs involved if this was to go ahead.”
They have also offered a goodwill gesture of a sizeable dealer credit to my account to compensate me for the great inconvenience that this issue has caused to date.
Here is what they said:-
“I’ve spoken with our technical team about the stones getting trapped, they’ve assured me this - this isn’t a design flaw and although this has been referred to BMW AG for review, they have advised they’re not looking to change the design at this stage. :thumbsdown:
While we build our cars to a high standard, we aren’t always able to accommodate for external influences such as stones and debris on the road, graveled drive ways and older country roads etc. :?
I understand how disappointed you must be, but as you can hopefully appreciate - with the amount of BMW’s on the road with the same braking system as yours, we would experience a high volume of complaints regards to this. :?
If this issue persists, the best thing I could advise would be to speak with the Centre about the heat shields, they’re in the best position to approach technical and warranty to see if it would affect your warranty and discuss the safety factors involved when removing the heat shields. They can also approach BMW UK about the costs involved if this was to go ahead.”
They have also offered a goodwill gesture of a sizeable dealer credit to my account to compensate me for the great inconvenience that this issue has caused to date.
Jim S said:
It’s a bloody shame Jim, it really is, knocks your duck right off doesn’t it. The amount being asked for new cars is plenty so if you do buy one you’d think they would be bending over backwards to sort the issue for the customer. Basically they don’t give two f**ks, wine and dine you to get your coin then you can go shove any complaint right up your arse once you’ve signed, after that you’re just a nuisance to them.
Sorry for the grief you’re having, first world problems maybe but it’s a hell of an outlay that takes a lot of work to acquire. Personally I’m done with BMW as far as new cars are concerned, never again, their service departments and attitude stink. :thumbsdown:
Bit late coming to this one, but for what it's worth, I've had this happen when I've driven through deep water puddles, particularly if I've followed another car, or if I drive quicker through large ponding. I presume the gravel is disturbed circulating in the water then as you drive through its able to lodge in the brakes easier. As a result I always crawl through water now trying to reduce the turbulence.
Having said that your front heat shields are ridiculous, poor design. I doubt BMW warranty will cover the score marking you'll get on the discs, they will likely to claim its wear and tear Sir!
BUT...... silver lining...... if you get a better designed pair made you could then start a business selling them to other members.
Good luck.
Having said that your front heat shields are ridiculous, poor design. I doubt BMW warranty will cover the score marking you'll get on the discs, they will likely to claim its wear and tear Sir!
BUT...... silver lining...... if you get a better designed pair made you could then start a business selling them to other members.
Good luck.
bonzo said:
I can sympathise with you bonzo. It is a really horrible experience, the noise is incredibly loud and you don't know what damage it is causing to the brake disc. :thumbsdown:
It happened to me again (6th time, in 2,500 miles) last weekend and I called the BMW Emergency Services but they quoted 2 hours before someone could come. Ended up using the kit I had stored in the boot (scissor jack, extending wheel brace and 17mm socket) to fix it myself rather than driving to the dealer to get it removed. :x
Each time it happens, I send an email to my dealer asking him to record the details in the BMW system. I suggest that you do the same :x
The problem is the extremely poor design of the front brake disc shields as they are a magnet to attract and retain stones. I have taken this issue all the way up to BMW AG but they are not prepared to do anything until such time as they receive numerous complaints from owners.
Jim,
Is it definitely just the front brakes? I can't really tell as all I can hear is a mobile brass band with a Banshee as a lead singer emanating from the side of the car
I've called BMW central on two occasions for this now so hopefully they'll be building up a list of affected owners - or maybe not.
Cheers!
Is it definitely just the front brakes? I can't really tell as all I can hear is a mobile brass band with a Banshee as a lead singer emanating from the side of the car
I've called BMW central on two occasions for this now so hopefully they'll be building up a list of affected owners - or maybe not.
Cheers!
Yes bonzo, I think it is mainly the front brakes that have the problem. If you look at the photos that I posted earlier (page 3) in this thread you will see the reason for this, i.e. the very poor design of the front brake disc shields. :thumbsdown:
I have found it very difficult to tell which wheel the noise is coming from when inside the car by myself. However, on all of the occasions when the stone did not, eventually, come out after moving back and forward and driving for a while it has proven to be the front brakes that had the problem.
I have found it very difficult to tell which wheel the noise is coming from when inside the car by myself. However, on all of the occasions when the stone did not, eventually, come out after moving back and forward and driving for a while it has proven to be the front brakes that had the problem.
Same happened to me this weekend, sounded terrible, heard a ping while manoeuvring onto drive and the screeching stopped. The disc looks fine on the outside but no idea of the mess on the inside. Reported to local BMW, they've not heard of it, but from what I've read there's a growing number of people reporting this.
FactionV said:
I don’t understand why dealers are saying that they don’t know about this problem as several owners have been reporting this to their local dealer for months. My dealer opened a “Technical Case” with BMW UK in June 2019 and this was forwarded to BMW AG for review. My dealer was asked by BMW AG to put my car on the ramp, wheels removed, and take photographs and measurements for their technical investigation. So BMW are very well aware of the problem
I also wrote to the BMW UK Managing Director, enclosing my own photographs which highlighted the poor design of the front MSport disc brake heat shields. It is clearly evident from the photographs the reason for this problem. :thumbsdown:
Each time this happens to me I report it to my dealer by email with instructions to record the event. Presumably, my dealer then updates the “Technical Case” accordingly.
DPG said:Jim S said:Each time this happens to me I report it to my dealer by email with instructions to record the event. Presumably, my dealer then updates the “Technical Case” accordingly.
Or files it in the ”We’ve never heard of that Sir’’ bin
You may well be correct, probably easier to bin it rather than go through the motions of opening the case file and updating it. Must confront my dealer to ask him if he updated the file each time I emailed him???
Call his bluff and ask to see the fileJim S said:DPG said:Jim S said:Each time this happens to me I report it to my dealer by email with instructions to record the event. Presumably, my dealer then updates the “Technical Case” accordingly.
Or files it in the ”We’ve never heard of that Sir’’ bin
You may well be correct, probably easier to bin it rather than go through the motions of opening the case file and updating it. Must confront my dealer to ask him if he updated the file each time I emailed him???