2008 535i Turbos Blown
 

So sadly this past week I started my car and immediately noticed a loss in power when I hit the gas. After accelerating harder the limp message came on, later I opened my hood up and heard a very annoying "tick tick tick tick tick" noise. I ran a scan of the codes and it is reading 30FF low pressure, from what I'm suspecting the turbo has gone out because I could not detect any leaks. I called BMW and scheduled an appointment this weekend and the guy quoted $5200 to replace the turbos, this total is not including tax. The turbos however are under warranty "IF" and only IF the malfunction was caused by malfunctioning wastegates on the turbo itself. They said it would be a $149 diagnostic fee to check if this was the case. So I'm wondering how the hell can they figure out if it is because of the wastegate unless they pull the actual turbos off and physically examine the wastegates on the turbos, I don't see how a SCAN can determine this, sounds like a little BS.

I recently had a similar issue with BMW.
My fuel pump konked out on me and my car went into limp mode, however still drivable. I took my baby to a local Autozone and got the codes checked to confirm it was the fuel pump. Did some research and found out it (as well as the turbos) on these cars have "extended" warranties, 120K or 10 years. With this knowledge I went into BMW confident that they will fix it with no worries, but they gave me the same BS that I have to have a "special diagnostic" test done for $150.00. I told me them I already gotten the codes pulled and yada yada yada they said they have to run their own test, only this time they said if it is in fact the fuel pump the diagnostic test fee will be waived. After only a few minutes they determined it was the fuel pump, a few hours later it got my car back in perfect condition...no charge!!!!!

Oh that sux! Have you looked to see if they can be purchased outside of BMW and have a indy shop repair it? I think paying the diagnosis fee is worth it in cases like this. There is a chance that it falls into the category that gets you a free repair. I'm not exactly clear on the criteria to replace a failed turbo, but if done by the dealer they are paid by BMW or you. I can't imagine they would try to switch it around and have you pay for it when it would be covered by NA. The problem the dealer runs into is that NA sets the criteria for the replacement and if the dealer replaces it and the criteria is not met, then NA will not pay and the dealer gets stuck with these charges. I had a similar situation with them over a tail light.

It's not BS for checking this by them. The code reading by AZ is limited at best. The dealer uses a much more in-depth software to determine what the failure is. I also had the limp mode problem went to AZ and got the code, came home and it converted to "plausible fuel pump failure" Sounded pretty straight forward to me. Dealer looked at it and informed me it was not the fuel pump but rather the low pressure sensor. Replaced it for a cost of ~ 400 and all was ok. Imagine if I had insisted on them changing my fuel pump!

five grand for two turbos....

WTF BMW, WTF.

Go RB's if that's the case

Agreed. Their Retail prices are insane and on top of that BMW charges like $125/hr for repairs...
At least thats roughly what my local dealer charges. When my 535i water pump went out at 51k - just out of warranty - they quoted me $1350 for repairs.
Hopefully it was caused by the waste-gate and its still covered under warranty (8 years/82,000 miles). Good luck! Otherwise definitely have the turbo's installed at an indy shop.

If you have to pay...this is the way to go!

I simply meant its BS because I felt they wouldve charged me the $150.00 regardless...only after I brought up the issue of the fuel pump did they say the fee would be waived if that was in fact the problem. But yes, I definitely think BMW would have to run their own tests and would gladly pay to figure out whats what instead of wasting time and money :)

Well hopefully wg's were not to spec so that they are covered. However with the 30ff they will first test your vacuum lines to check for leaks and then smoke test the charged air side of your piping. If the snails aren't cover you are better off getting the turbos through a parts search and find a good Indy to swap out. I've heard good things about ABR.