My car broke down today
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From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
My car broke down today 
It?s been pretty cold here for a few days now, around some zero F.
Today I started my 7 700 miles driven car and drove to my local mall
and parked it in their warm parking garage.
After some 20 minutes of shopping I started the car up and run fine for some 100 yards
and then a warning sign came up ? Engine fault. Power reduced. ? or something like that.
Did try to start it up again but same warning came up and the engine died after a few seconds.
I could hear a strange ?weeeee?-sound as long as the engine run.
Luckily I was still in the warm garage!
So I called the BMW emergency number and in a half hour or so a tow truck came and loaded
my car on its pallet.
The tow truck driver took my to the airport (with the car on the pallet) before driving to my BMW dealer,
where a AVIS loaner was arranged for my (free).
So now I drive a black ?09 E-series Mercedes-Benz!?
BTW, the tow car driver told me that he had towed a number of BMW's in these few days, do to same kind of problems.
It may have something to do with some turbo valves?
It?s been pretty cold here for a few days now, around some zero F.
Today I started my 7 700 miles driven car and drove to my local mall
and parked it in their warm parking garage.
After some 20 minutes of shopping I started the car up and run fine for some 100 yards
and then a warning sign came up ? Engine fault. Power reduced. ? or something like that.
Did try to start it up again but same warning came up and the engine died after a few seconds.
I could hear a strange ?weeeee?-sound as long as the engine run.
Luckily I was still in the warm garage!
So I called the BMW emergency number and in a half hour or so a tow truck came and loaded
my car on its pallet.
The tow truck driver took my to the airport (with the car on the pallet) before driving to my BMW dealer,
where a AVIS loaner was arranged for my (free).
So now I drive a black ?09 E-series Mercedes-Benz!?
BTW, the tow car driver told me that he had towed a number of BMW's in these few days, do to same kind of problems.
It may have something to do with some turbo valves?
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Whoa, that's too bad Ric, hopefully it's nothing serious and your car is back in your hands in no time. In the meantime enjoy the loaner you got, here I would get stuck with a Ford Focus or something equally crappy
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could be a wastegate problem as the "weeee" sound you are describing could be caused by that...
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Originally Posted by GENEaTALS' post='1074061' date='Dec 15 2009, 08:07 PM
could be a wastegate problem as the "weeee" sound you are describing could be caused by that...
See https://5series.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=90462
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When I bought my Volvo S80 I did not want/trust the turbo models. I was right - nothing but troubles on those. When I replaced it with a BMW I held my ground and got a 528xi no turbos for me. Seems I was so right - again.
IMHO these are way too complex for me to deal with, and the risk vs "fun" is not a bet with good odds, especially here in NJ you really cant do too much hot roddin. I have my Vette for that.
I am old enough to remember the old days where you could fix just about anything in your driveway or on the road. NOW everything has to be done at the stealership and everything is a minimum of $1000.
IMHO these are way too complex for me to deal with, and the risk vs "fun" is not a bet with good odds, especially here in NJ you really cant do too much hot roddin. I have my Vette for that.
I am old enough to remember the old days where you could fix just about anything in your driveway or on the road. NOW everything has to be done at the stealership and everything is a minimum of $1000.
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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
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That sucks, man. Hope it gets resolved quickly.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Originally Posted by porsche911targa' post='1074877' date='Dec 17 2009, 01:04 AM
That sucks, man. Hope it gets resolved quickly.
At least a new SW will be downloaded and at this point the reason for the "weee"-sound
is that the fuel pump got icy diesel fuel.
Over here there's a "artic" diesel quality is sold during the winter months,
it may be that I have "only normal" diesel in my tank...
As I told you guys, it's around zero F (minus 10 - 20 C) now.
The M-B E-series suck.
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From: Kajaani, Finland
My Ride: Bmw 530d 2004
Originally Posted by Ricracing' post='1075381' date='Dec 17 2009, 11:21 PM
I will get my car back tomorrow.
At least a new SW will be downloaded and at this point the reason for the "weee"-sound
is that the fuel pump got icy diesel fuel.
Over here there's a "artic" diesel quality is sold during the winter months,
it may be that I have "only normal" diesel in my tank...
As I told you guys, it's around zero F (minus 10 - 20 C) now.
The M-B E-series suck.
At least a new SW will be downloaded and at this point the reason for the "weee"-sound
is that the fuel pump got icy diesel fuel.
Over here there's a "artic" diesel quality is sold during the winter months,
it may be that I have "only normal" diesel in my tank...
As I told you guys, it's around zero F (minus 10 - 20 C) now.
The M-B E-series suck.
Was the fuel pump damaged?