Nightmare - been told my turbocharger is broken
Senior Members
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 3
From: UpState SC
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
Is there a dealer near you that can take it to for a check? The warranties outside of USA are very different and most likely you do not have a warranty as we do in the US.
New Members
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX 77077
My Ride: Stock 2004 BMW 525i
Hi guys,
2008 E60, only 33000 from new. Well driven and never had any problems. Until now.
I posted here on Friday when the car suddenly lost power and started making a high pitched noise which rose and fell with the engine revs.
When I put my foot down on the accelerator, it would go forward but with nothing like the power it normally has. The whining noise was there all the time.
I've been told by a local garage (*That I'm not sure I trust) that the turbocharger has "gone" and it will cost A$5000 for a new one or less if he sends it away to get a reconditioned one. (Intially on here some of you guys thought it was Alternator bearing, water pump bearing, power steering pump, or belt idler/tensioner pulleys).
Unfortunately, I have no clue about this and the mechanic could be telling me anything.
Does the fault sound consistent with a sudden, out of the blue complete failure of the the turbocharger?
Does anyone know a good indie garage in Perth ,Western Australia where I can get a good 2nd opinion?
Does anyone know anything about how turbochargers work or fail to give me some bacjground information or intelligent questions to ask?
Thanks guys. this is a nightmare having only just got the car over from the UK.
Best wishes.
Dave
2008 E60, only 33000 from new. Well driven and never had any problems. Until now.
I posted here on Friday when the car suddenly lost power and started making a high pitched noise which rose and fell with the engine revs.
When I put my foot down on the accelerator, it would go forward but with nothing like the power it normally has. The whining noise was there all the time.
I've been told by a local garage (*That I'm not sure I trust) that the turbocharger has "gone" and it will cost A$5000 for a new one or less if he sends it away to get a reconditioned one. (Intially on here some of you guys thought it was Alternator bearing, water pump bearing, power steering pump, or belt idler/tensioner pulleys).
Unfortunately, I have no clue about this and the mechanic could be telling me anything.
Does the fault sound consistent with a sudden, out of the blue complete failure of the the turbocharger?
Does anyone know a good indie garage in Perth ,Western Australia where I can get a good 2nd opinion?
Does anyone know anything about how turbochargers work or fail to give me some bacjground information or intelligent questions to ask?
Thanks guys. this is a nightmare having only just got the car over from the UK.
Best wishes.
Dave
I am new to BMW ownership having just acquired me '04 US E60 525i in January but I have around 20yrs of turbo experience, having modified and abused 3SGTE's and 2JZGTE's for years, may I assume you have a 535i TT?
$5K is way too much to pay for even a new direct replacement turbo. As mentioned you should get under the hood and check for any loose connections of any kind. Aus is full of turbo specialist shops and just like any diagnosis always get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. If the bearing/cartridge has failed a rebuild is cheap but do not, as previously suggested, rebuild it your self as the assembly will need to be balanced professionally. $500 max if you can perform the maintenance yourself but add another $1K in labor if you are not mechanically inclined.
New Members
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Tamarac, FL
My Ride: 04 525i, 98 240sx
Turbos do not normally go out like that. Especially if the car is not modified a ton. Sounds like a ripoff, chances are its a loose hose. Check for boost leaks on the thing and go from there.
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Perth
My Ride: 520d E60, IR night vision, HUD, Lane departure
Model Year: 2008
Engine: E60
I've asked about the hoses and the mechanic says he needs to check the oil hoses which feed the turbocharger.
I've also spent all day trying to find a part that doesn't cost the earth. For my VIN number (C033978). The thing is, I cannot find the precise part number for that chassis number. BMW garage won't tell me.
Is anyone able to tell me the part number for that VIN? Apparently, you cannot see the part number on the turbocharger until you have physically removed it. Is this correct?
Thanks for all your help so far guys.
I've also spent all day trying to find a part that doesn't cost the earth. For my VIN number (C033978). The thing is, I cannot find the precise part number for that chassis number. BMW garage won't tell me.
Is anyone able to tell me the part number for that VIN? Apparently, you cannot see the part number on the turbocharger until you have physically removed it. Is this correct?
Thanks for all your help so far guys.
Members
Senior Members
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 53
From: Denver, USA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
I've asked about the hoses and the mechanic says he needs to check the oil hoses which feed the turbocharger.
I've also spent all day trying to find a part that doesn't cost the earth. For my VIN number (C033978). The thing is, I cannot find the precise part number for that chassis number. BMW garage won't tell me.
Is anyone able to tell me the part number for that VIN? Apparently, you cannot see the part number on the turbocharger until you have physically removed it. Is this correct?
Thanks for all your help so far guys.
I've also spent all day trying to find a part that doesn't cost the earth. For my VIN number (C033978). The thing is, I cannot find the precise part number for that chassis number. BMW garage won't tell me.
Is anyone able to tell me the part number for that VIN? Apparently, you cannot see the part number on the turbocharger until you have physically removed it. Is this correct?
Thanks for all your help so far guys.
I also second the hose check. I had a turbo diesel that had a cracked intake hose and the car lost power and I could hear a high pitched whine.
New Members
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX 77077
My Ride: Stock 2004 BMW 525i
I've asked about the hoses and the mechanic says he needs to check the oil hoses which feed the turbocharger.
I've also spent all day trying to find a part that doesn't cost the earth. For my VIN number (C033978). The thing is, I cannot find the precise part number for that chassis number. BMW garage won't tell me.
Is anyone able to tell me the part number for that VIN? Apparently, you cannot see the part number on the turbocharger until you have physically removed it. Is this correct?
Thanks for all your help so far guys.
I've also spent all day trying to find a part that doesn't cost the earth. For my VIN number (C033978). The thing is, I cannot find the precise part number for that chassis number. BMW garage won't tell me.
Is anyone able to tell me the part number for that VIN? Apparently, you cannot see the part number on the turbocharger until you have physically removed it. Is this correct?
Thanks for all your help so far guys.
DO NOT AND I REPEAT DO NOT start buying parts (wasting money) until you know exactly what your issue is !!!!
You need to find a shop ^^^ and forge a relationship with them from the start. A shop with any morals will laugh at your past quotes/experiences from the other shop I believe. In the past I had one or two shops that I knew would not screw me ( I also made myself knowledgeable
) and everyone was happy. Once I knew I was not getting the shaft I would occasionally buy the shop lunch out of good will.Also I believe the consensus here is that your turbo, with a mere 33K, is fine so on that note you can do as I did and replace the stock rubber hoses with silicone replacements, money well spent.
Members
Senior Members
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, Ca
My Ride: E60
Model Year: 2005
The VIN number should be in the door jam and also on the corner windshield of your car.
Should look something like this -
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/att...-shore-vin.jpg
In Australia, there should be a number of turbo shops to contact, especially APS - http://www.airpowersystems.com/
But as others have mentioned, take it to a different mechanic to have it looked at.
Should look something like this -
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/att...-shore-vin.jpg
In Australia, there should be a number of turbo shops to contact, especially APS - http://www.airpowersystems.com/
But as others have mentioned, take it to a different mechanic to have it looked at.
Last edited by Boost7; Mar 25, 2014 at 10:13 AM.
Senior Members
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
I've asked about the hoses and the mechanic says he needs to check the oil hoses which feed the turbocharger.
I've also spent all day trying to find a part that doesn't cost the earth. For my VIN number (C033978). The thing is, I cannot find the precise part number for that chassis number. BMW garage won't tell me.
Is anyone able to tell me the part number for that VIN? Apparently, you cannot see the part number on the turbocharger until you have physically removed it. Is this correct?
Thanks for all your help so far guys.
I've also spent all day trying to find a part that doesn't cost the earth. For my VIN number (C033978). The thing is, I cannot find the precise part number for that chassis number. BMW garage won't tell me.
Is anyone able to tell me the part number for that VIN? Apparently, you cannot see the part number on the turbocharger until you have physically removed it. Is this correct?
Thanks for all your help so far guys.
New Members
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX 77077
My Ride: Stock 2004 BMW 525i
This seems to be the hurdle the OP is having. Why join a forum and ask for help/guidance yet completely disregard the help offered? The OP also seems to think his VIN# has relevance when only the make/model/series is all that matters. As well he is more than capable of finding a BMW specialist shop in his area on his own.
My opinion may seem harsh but how can you help someone who does not want to help them self?
My opinion may seem harsh but how can you help someone who does not want to help them self?
Last edited by texasmr2; Mar 25, 2014 at 01:03 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 361
From: Augusta, GA
My Ride: 22 BMW 540i xDrive; 05 BMW 530i
Engine: 3.0 B58; 3.0 M54
Well if he want to spend his money let him. I definitely would not.
If you have a 2008 535i the part number is 11657583908. It cost $1057 in the states. There is only one turbo that goes in all of them so there is no need to look for chassis or VIN
If you have a 2008 535i the part number is 11657583908. It cost $1057 in the states. There is only one turbo that goes in all of them so there is no need to look for chassis or VIN
Last edited by seanjordan20; Mar 25, 2014 at 01:15 PM.