BMW Agrees To $478 Million Settlement Over Water Damaged 5-Series'

supra93 · 02-08-2017, 09:02 AM

Quote:

BMW will pay up to $477.7 million to settle a class action lawsuit filed by BMW 5-Series owners due to water damage issues.

The settlement, filed in U.S. District Court in New York last week, covers owners of 2004-2010 E60 BMW 5-Series models. It says that electronic components in the spare tire well could be damaged by clogged sunroof drainage tubes or by other means.

The settlement covers approximately 318,000 vehicles and permits owners to receive up to $1,500 in compensation for previous repairs. Additionally, BMW dealerships across the United States will affix warning labels to affected 5-Series models instructing owners not to spill liquids in the trunk.

Based off warranty claims, complaints and technical service bulletins filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Administration, owners say that BMW was aware of the issues as early as 2004. BMW denies this, Reuters reports.

Although the settlement still needs to be approved by U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest, BMW will also pay around $1.8 million to cover all the legal expenses of the suing owners.

http://www.carscoops.com/2017/02/bmw...ettlement.html

Maynard · 02-08-2017, 09:22 AM

I hope this type of thing (sandbagging about obvious defects, making owners take up a lawsuit) is going to be improved by the 'new climate of listening to the dealers'. Most of the stories I read on here end with a dealership doing the right thing - not always, but seems like a clear majority of the cases (and I have to assume a negative bias - more likely to post if it isn't handled well - so I take this as a valid indicator). Porsche can (does) get away with this kind of crap owing to many differences in demographics and image-loyalty, but it will start to torpedo BMW's standing with a quickness. It is actually a bit of a surprise to me that even "the great Porsche" has managed to keep loyalty with all their various snafus (just recently saw somebody posting about the 'great reliability' of Porsche, as a counterpoint to BMW).

Meeni · 02-08-2017, 12:56 PM

That's also a common occurrence on e90s. Hey.

Chihuahua · 02-08-2017, 01:18 PM

disintegrating headlight wiring settlement coming soon??

<fingerscrossed>

supra93 · 02-09-2017, 10:18 PM

We just sold ours because of this problem. Water destroyed 3 modules and the repair quote was $9k. A good friend ended up buying it as a project car. So my question is does it still have to be owned by the original owner to receive the $1.5k?

m5james · 02-10-2017, 01:37 AM

I need to read the article but I'm curious how I go about getting the repairs done? My GF's 08 535xiT has what I'm guessing is this issue since I've read about this issue before deciding on the purchase.

- glass hatch keeps opening for no reason, regardless of driving, idling or parked overnight. This causes a battery drain issue warning so I've been having her park inside vs my X5M.
- TPMS sensor will just randomly kick an error and deactivate the system. I'll reinitialize it only to have it happen again.

m_thompson · 02-10-2017, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meeni

That's also a common occurrence on e90s. Hey.

Yup. Happened with our E91 and cooked some expensive modules.

Kuufuu · 05-26-2017, 10:50 AM

Very interesting post. I have a 2007 M6 the has a defect in the convertible top that will cause it to error "top not locked" even when locked. Took to dealer and the said it's a sensor. Later called back and said they found water in the trunk. After all of this I have learned that a class action lawsuit has been filed against BMW of U.S.A. for faulty sensors. When engaged it disables the rear window, trunk remote access and top. This could be due to water in the battery compartment from clogged weep holes which allows water to accumulate over-time. Any repair expenses are to be sent to the settlement agent by 6/9/2017 for reimbursement or repair. It's a shame they won't admit to a poor design.

infinitekidM2C · 05-26-2017, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supra93

We just sold ours because of this problem. Water destroyed 3 modules and the repair quote was $9k. A good friend ended up buying it as a project car. So my question is does it still have to be owned by the original owner to receive the $1.5k?

Here ya go buddy http://www.e6061wateringresssettlement.com

m5james · 05-27-2017, 12:00 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we have to take our cars to the dealership, let them inspect and/or repair potential water damage @ their absurd shop rates, then submit the repairs and basically wait for what I can only assume is a partial reimbursement? Shitty on BMW's part, but if that's how it works, they're basically going to be still be making money off this deal overall.

02-08-2017, 09:22 AM	#2
Maynard Colonel 4316 Rep 2,980 Posts Drives: 228iX & M2C Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	I hope this type of thing (sandbagging about obvious defects, making owners take up a lawsuit) is going to be improved by the 'new climate of listening to the dealers'. Most of the stories I read on here end with a dealership doing the right thing - not always, but seems like a clear majority of the cases (and I have to assume a negative bias - more likely to post if it isn't handled well - so I take this as a valid indicator). Porsche can (does) get away with this kind of crap owing to many differences in demographics and image-loyalty, but it will start to torpedo BMW's standing with a quickness. It is actually a bit of a surprise to me that even "the great Porsche" has managed to keep loyalty with all their various snafus (just recently saw somebody posting about the 'great reliability' of Porsche, as a counterpoint to BMW).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-08-2017, 12:56 PM	#3
Meeni Gateropode 332 Rep 2,846 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	That's also a common occurrence on e90s. Hey.
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02-08-2017, 01:18 PM	#4
Chihuahua Brigadier General 4531 Rep 3,378 Posts Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7 Join Date: May 2012 Location: TBD iTrader: (0)	disintegrating headlight wiring settlement coming soon?? <fingerscrossed>
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02-09-2017, 10:18 PM	#5
supra93 Colonel 2625 Rep 2,337 Posts Drives: Z4, E500, Supra, RX7, NSX Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	We just sold ours because of this problem. Water destroyed 3 modules and the repair quote was $9k. A good friend ended up buying it as a project car. So my question is does it still have to be owned by the original owner to receive the $1.5k?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2017, 01:37 AM	#6
m5james Colonel 436 Rep 2,062 Posts Drives: '10 X5M Alpine White on Sakhir Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Marysville, WA iTrader: (0)	I need to read the article but I'm curious how I go about getting the repairs done? My GF's 08 535xiT has what I'm guessing is this issue since I've read about this issue before deciding on the purchase. - glass hatch keeps opening for no reason, regardless of driving, idling or parked overnight. This causes a battery drain issue warning so I've been having her park inside vs my X5M. - TPMS sensor will just randomly kick an error and deactivate the system. I'll reinitialize it only to have it happen again.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-26-2017, 10:50 AM	#8
Kuufuu Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2007 M6 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Cleveland, Ohio iTrader: (0)	Very interesting post. I have a 2007 M6 the has a defect in the convertible top that will cause it to error "top not locked" even when locked. Took to dealer and the said it's a sensor. Later called back and said they found water in the trunk. After all of this I have learned that a class action lawsuit has been filed against BMW of U.S.A. for faulty sensors. When engaged it disables the rear window, trunk remote access and top. This could be due to water in the battery compartment from clogged weep holes which allows water to accumulate over-time. Any repair expenses are to be sent to the settlement agent by 6/9/2017 for reimbursement or repair. It's a shame they won't admit to a poor design.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2017, 12:00 AM	#10
m5james Colonel 436 Rep 2,062 Posts Drives: '10 X5M Alpine White on Sakhir Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Marysville, WA iTrader: (0)	Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we have to take our cars to the dealership, let them inspect and/or repair potential water damage @ their absurd shop rates, then submit the repairs and basically wait for what I can only assume is a partial reimbursement? Shitty on BMW's part, but if that's how it works, they're basically going to be still be making money off this deal overall.
	Appreciate 0 Quote