New Owner - Just My Luck!

M

Minihen_LDN

Member
 Enfield
Hoping for some advice people.

Picked up my 04 3.0i z4 yesterday from Tipton, was well over the moon when driving back to London until I was 50 miles into my journey when I started to experience something weird with the steering. It has this sticky feeling which I’d never experienced before, didn't notice this when I did the test drive. Anyway, decided I’d pull into services and check that the tyres were pumped up properly. The tyres were fine, anyway drove home and got my mate who owns an alpina to drive it and see if he noticed the same thing and he said yes.

Does anyone know the cause of this? Is it going to cause an arm and leg to fix? The car was bought from a dealer but didn't come with any warranty because of the discount I go on it. I haven't been in touch with the dealer yet even though he's given me his private number just in case there are any problems.

I'm really hoping this isn't a major problem as I love the car and everything else is perfect bar the sticky steering.

Will post some pictures up later when I get a chance.
 
Not sure if this helps

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1055032

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=565986

If the steering is going sticky and less easy to turn then could be a bearing thats gone dry, relubricating might help, worst case scenario a new column.

Regardless if the car is under warranty or not if the column is shot then the seller should replace as basically its not fit for purpose unless there is some small print on the invoice that says sold as seen.

Tim.
 
Sorry to hear that, maybe it's the power steering pump??

I'd give the dealer a call anyway, I'm sure he'd be reasonable even without a warranty :thumbsup:
 
Does it feel like the steering is temporarily stuck, like the power steering has paused or the column is dirty and you're overcoming an obstacle or blockage?

Generally this shows up when the car is hot, and is especially bad on hot days. The general consensus is that the electronics on the steering column overheat and get flaky. The replacement has modified electronics.

If so you need to go back to the dealer as regardless of what you might hear, you'll need a new steering column and they're expensive. The part for mine was £1650 plus fitting plus VAT

Warranty be damned anyway, you're covered under the sale of goods act and that would be treated as a pre-existing fault so don't worry too much, you might just have a bit of an argument but my belief is you're protected.
 
Thanks everyone, i'm not very clued up about the mechanics of cars. I'm gonna pop out and take it for a drive and see how it feels, i'll be giving the dealer a call later. From what i've read it sounds like the column will need a replacement and i'll be damed if i'm gonna have to fork out for it. I've only owned the car a day.
Thanks for all your help, will keep you posted. And will add some pictures later tonight. :D
 
Minihen_LDN said:
Thanks everyone, i'm not very clued up about the mechanics of cars. I'm gonna pop out and take it for a drive and see how it feels, i'll be giving the dealer a call later. From what i've read it sounds like the column will need a replacement and i'll be damed if i'm gonna have to fork out for it. I've only owned the car a day.
Thanks for all your help, will keep you posted. And will add some pictures later tonight. :D
Click to expand...

Good luck, hope it works out OK.

Tim.
 
I think the seller has to offer some form of warranty regardless of price. If they don't play ball check with citizens advice .
 
Been for a drive for about 45mins and it seems to have stopped. Got in touch with the dealer either way, waiting for him to get back to me.
 
It will come back, as this is the experience of others

Without sounding dramatic I would hand the car back, unless the dealer is prepared to loose his profit and replace the steering column
 
If it has cleared up (and you're 100% sure) then I'd strongly advise taking out an insurance backed warranty. BMW/Mondial, Warranty Direct etc etc. You won't be able to claim for a month, but at least you'll be covered for what is probably the most expensive of the known issues with the E85 if it comes back.
 
Thanks gents, have spoken to the dealer and he said if it crops up again he'll get it sorted. Can anyone suggest a good warranty that would cover this just in case?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom