BMW of Bel Air

I was pleased by the service I received when I took my vehicle to the dealership in Belair. Steven kept me well informed about how my repairs were going and I appreciated that. vehicle to the dealership in Belair. Steven kept me well informed about how my repairs were going and I appreciated that. More

On 26 July 2019 I brought my 2014 BMW 335i (manual transmission) to BMW of Bel Air (dealership) due to a Check Engine Light (CEL) and Drivetrain Malfunction warning on the display. The vehicle was dr transmission) to BMW of Bel Air (dealership) due to a Check Engine Light (CEL) and Drivetrain Malfunction warning on the display. The vehicle was driving poorly with something clearly wrong. The dealer’s technician discovered the air charge pipe was broken at the top where it connects to the throttle body. This is a common occurrence with BMW using a thin plastic charge pipe. To avoid a repeat failure of a poorly designed OEM part I purchased an Evolution Racewerks charge pipe made of aluminum and provided the part and instructions to the dealership to install. The charge pipe was installed and the vehicle was returned 5 August 2019 at a charge of $536.40, all labor. In early May 2020 the vehicle again experienced a drivability issue and the CEL and Drivetrain Malfunction warning were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealership on 11 May 2020, diagnosis was “Read codes 3, 4, 5 misfires, mass air faults, no aftermarket tunes, does have aftermarket charge pipe installed here per customer request. Software 1.70 verified concern, performed short test and found faults for mass air and misfires. Performed misfire test plan and test plan directs to mass air fault and states to diagnose mass air fault before performing misfire test plan. Mass air test plan directs to SIB 12 40 14 and states to update DME software first. Programmed/coded complete vehicle and carried out multiple test runs of vehicle without fault. Vehicle operating normally at this time. “ The Service Advisor stated the likely cause was the aftermarket charge pipe. He indicated, in poorly worded terms, that a difference in volumetric capacity caused the faults. This was a nonsensical statement because the charge pipe merely routes compressed air post-turbocharger from the intercooler to the throttle body. The vehicle was returned on 14 May 2020 ,and the cost to service this returning issue was $261.80 for updating the DME. In November 2022 the CEL light returned. Using an OBDII reader, codes read on 20 November 2022 showed P0456 for an Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (very small leak) as a Stored, Pending, and Permanent Codes. It also showed P00BD as Pending for Mass or Volume Air Flow “A” Circuit Range/Performance – Air Flow Too High. The P00BD was also present during the other two visits and were identified by leaks at the charge pipe. The P0456 is often associated with loose gas cap. I confirmed gas cap was firmly tightened, and even replaced with a new gas cap to see if the code would clear; it did not. On 4 December 2022 an OBDII reading showed only the P0456 code stored. The vehicle was taken to the dealership on 5 December 2022 with concerns about the CEL, and that BMW issued two extended warranties related to the evaporative emission system. One issued in April 2017 for the Fuel Tank Leak Diagnostic Module (NVLD). It is a known issue that often manifests with the P0456 OBDII code. Additionally, in a letter dated April 2022 BMW offered an extended warranty for the Fuel Tank (covered component code B-ELWR Fuel Tank EM15Y150M). This was a concern as attempts at fueling the vehicle at two different pumps resulted in immediate pump shut off, as would be experienced when the fuel tank is full. Both issues were brought up with the Service Advisor. Invoice indicated, “Customer states fault code (P0456) associated with faulty leak module – NVLD, check engine light is on, customer has trouble filling gas tank and smells like gas in the garage. Inspect customer’s provided warranty extension bulletin.” Further stated, “Verified customer concern, found check engine light is present. Ran vehicle test, found fault codes set 190302: DMTL vent system micro-leak, and 102001: air mass plausibility air mass too high. Ran through DMTL test plan, test plan states no fault in DMTL system (D1330 B0000000_01_901). Ran through the air mass plausibility test plan, test plan concludes to smoke test the intake system. Smoke tested the intake system, found the air pipe (charge pipe) to the throttle body is leaking. Recommended replacing aftermarket charge pipe. Customer declined repairs.” The Service Advisor stated they could not address the evaporative emission system concerns until the charge pipe issue was resolved. He recommended replacing aftermarket aluminum charge pipe with the plastic OEM charge pipe at a cost of ~$1400. He said the aftermarket charge pipe was faulty and loose-fitting to the throttle body. The technician suggested the charge pipe had elongated or stretched over time and now would not seal properly causing charged air to escape. In a video he showed the smoke test with a small amount of smoke shown escaping the charge pipe at the throttle body with engine at idle (would obviously be more under load). The idea that aluminum could be stretched out on a part feeding air to the throttle body was a suspect assertion. I’d noticed since install the connection between the charge pipe and throttle body was loose and gave me concern. I refused the repair but was charged $189.99 for diagnosis. Suspecting the charge pipe was incorrectly installed by the dealership in 2019 I picked up a new rubber O-ring (BMW Part # 13-71-7-568-031) that seats in the charge pipe at the connection to the throttle body from the Parts Department. On 9 December I disconnected the charge pipe from the throttle body (required removing engine bay belly shield and disconnecting charge pipe at mid-point connection from under the vehicle) and discovered, as suspected, there was no O-ring present. In the installation instructions provided with the aftermarket charge pipe in 2019, on page 5, it states, “Remove the o-ring inside the throttle body connector flange – Look inside the factory charge pipe on the throttle body connector flange. You will see a black o-ring inside the throttle body connector flange (in one of the grooves). BE CAREFUL WHILE REMOVING. DO NOT DAMAGE THE O-RING. CAREFULLY PULL THE O-RING OUT. IF USING A PICK OR FLAT HEADED SCREWDRIVER, MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT DAMAGE THE O-RING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE IT.” It follows with: “Install the large o-ring in the groove inside the throttle body connector flange – MAKE SURE IT SITS NEATLY IN THE GROOVE AND THAT THE O-RING ITSELF IS NOT TWISTED.” This was not done. The charge pipe was originally installed incorrectly without the sealing O-ring resulting in reoccurring faults and dealership charges of ~$460 in follow ups that did not resolve the issue. The lack of an O-ring should have been an obvious inspection point for a loose fit between the charge pipe and the throttle body. Having installed the O-ring the connection is now tight-fitting. The vehicle is running well without CEL. I’ll continue to drive to see if emission system faults return. More

I have consistently received great service at this dealership. Both the sales and service departments are well run and highly recommended. dealership. Both the sales and service departments are well run and highly recommended. More

I have two cars regularly serviced at BMW of Bel Air. On every occasion the service has been easy to schedule, performed as expected and clearly explained. I comfortably recommend this dealership and its On every occasion the service has been easy to schedule, performed as expected and clearly explained. I comfortably recommend this dealership and its very personable employees. More

Compared to other BMW dealers this location is lacking in customer service and amenities. Dealer charged me $810.00 for five hours labor but car was ready in 1.5 hours. They said that a tire rotation was don customer service and amenities. Dealer charged me $810.00 for five hours labor but car was ready in 1.5 hours. They said that a tire rotation was done but I know for a fact it wasn't. Tried to get my wife to pay $247 to install a cabin air filter. I honestly feel dealer took advantage and overcharged for service. I will not be returning and would not recommend. More

Of all the cards I've owned, this is the first time I received a video summary of the service performed. It was insightful and reassuring. received a video summary of the service performed. It was insightful and reassuring. More