I've just had a front strut spring mounting break off on my E39 BMW 528.
Wrecked the tyre, but no other damage (other than the strut, of course).
Discovered there was a re-call for this in the US in 2004. But not,
according to the AA site, in the UK. Anyone got a better site for UK
re-calls?

The car has a FMDSH up until last year at the dealer it was bought new
from. Can I expect any help from BMW? The quote (from an independant) to
do the job including recovery and new tyre is over 600 quid - replacing
both struts.

--
*Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk> wrote

possibly be a good starting point. Exactly what was the actual recall notice
in the US?
If BMW implemented a recall due to a key component quality problem like
this, there must be otheres in Europe who have had similar experiences?
Sounds pretty damn hairy though. I wouldn't fancy that happening at anything
over walking pace!

JB

JB wrote:
danger, then a call to BBC's watchdog, including some photos of the damage
and details of the US recall for the same problem would be well in order if
BMW don't wish to co-operate.

"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk> wrote

If the service history is not forged as so many are, if the item was not
checked and changed if appropriate - yes you can claim from BMW. It would
be down to them to check for recalls and deal with them appropriately. You
need to check with a BMW main dealer who will show you the service history
and previous owner details on computer. It is a national database.
if BMW have had the car in and not dealt with the recall you can sue them.
They will cover the costs rather than suffer bad publicity or a nationwide
panic from other worried customers.

"ray" <ray (AT) telew (DOT) co.uk> wrote

recall? Tough shit Mr customer.
JB

Dave Plowman (News) (dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying :

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp
covers all VOSA recalls - which may well not be all manufacturer recalls.
I'd think you'd need to check with BMW themselves or a dealer for that...

Nearest would appear to be :-

Reference : R/2002/025
Manufacturer Ref :
Make: BMW
Model : E46, E39, 3 & 5 Series
Launch Date : 22/02/2002
Numbers Involved : 2023
Build Start Date : 06/11/2001
Build End Date : 20/11/2001

Details

Concern : POSSIBLE DETACHMENT OF BALL BEARING FROM FRONT SUSPENSION STRUT
TOP MOUNTING
Description : It is possible that the ball bearing in the front
suspension strut top mounting may not have been securely fitted. If the
weight of the car is taken off of the road wheel for any reason the bearing
may became displaced with a risk of personal injury or damage to the
suspension.
Remedial Action : Replace both front suspension strut mounts.
Vehicle Id : Various

"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk> wrote

IMO you should be able to claim, but my gut feeling is that BMW will say
it's down to fair wear and tear. Even though unless it is very badly
corroded, or has been damaged in some way, it should never fail.
I still think it must be down to faulty manufacturing, but even if it
definitely is, I think you'll have a problem convincing BMW of that after so
many years.
Mike.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember "JB" <JB (AT) Nospam (DOT) co.uk> saying
something like:

If there was a known problem in the US model (and assuming it's exactly
the same componentry) the BMW would be damned foolish and wouldn't have
a strut to stand on if it went to court in the event of a serious
accident being caused by strut collapse.
I think a good (or not so good, come to that) lawyer could hang them out
to dry on something like this and it's probably something BM wouldn't
like to have around.
--

Dave
SE6a