E70 quality enhancement front driveshaft ‘recall’ 2012-2014

[x5er2018]

[quote="x5er2018"]
Hi All, Im new to this forum and would any advice that someone could offer.

I have an August 2010 E70 X5 40d 82,000 Miles on the clock 2 owners


On Friday the Front prop shaft had broken and smashed a hole in the Sump! I had a major oil leak and it was an absolute disaster, it happened when pulling away at a set of traffic lights, I have only owned the car for 1 month and carried out 2000 miles!!  I had to be Recovered Home

The car has a Full BMW Service history and last health check at 79,800 Miles by a BMW Dealer in the North of England.

Here is some back ground on the vehicle. it has full BMW service history from 2012 to 2018 all Documented with BMW last visual health check in 2018 at 79,800 miles - the mileage has just landed on 82,300 when it broke down with the issue. The car had the BMW Recall Checks carried out in 2014 and no Faults were found with the prop shaft it was deemed to be ok by the technician and not to be replaced!

Would anyone have an idea in wether BMW UK would foot the Bill for this or possibly help me out it requires a New Sump New Drive Prop and Im sure a few other things to put it right!? I'm without the car and really need to get from A to B but the earliest BMW can look at the vehicle is 2 weeks Time!!

If any one can help on wether it would be an eligible Good will claim It would be great to know.

Thanks for your Help!
[/quote]

Hi, Has anyone else experienced the front Drive Shaft fail on them? I would love to hear your outcome, wether the vehicle was in warranty or not? if BMW covered the costs etc? I have read so many customers in the US that have had their vehicle drive shafts replaced free of charge. BMW are fully aware that there is a Quality Enhanced part available for the car however in my case they decided not to replace in 2014 when it was checked!! (was it even checked correctly!!) (it Has NOW FAILED AT 82,000MILES FULL BMW Dealer Service history Since New in August 2010, last in BMW main agent in March 2018 at 79,500 Miles For Health Check!! I have spoken to the Dealer Here in the UK Today who have Quoted me £3,049 to repair the vehicle! Can anyone shed some light on this? Cheers L

[AdamsX5]

I’m considering a car 40d that has had it replaced. Is there 2 parts that need doing or would they have replaced whole unit. I’m now thinking of getting a VHC as soon as I have the car delivered.


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[x5er2018]

[quote="AdamsX5"]
I’m considering a car 40d that has had it replaced. Is there 2 parts that need doing or would they have replaced whole unit. I’m now thinking of getting a VHC as soon as I have the car delivered.


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[/quote]

Hi
The Drive Shaft is one complete Part, The additional parts that would changed would be the Torx Bolts that hold the Prop Shaft onto the engine.

In regards to the VHC I wouldn't be so sure this will cover the prop shaft and keep your mind at rest! I know this first hand as my vehicle had a VHC at Lloyds BMW in March 2018 at 79,800 Miles! and at 82,200 Miles the Front Prop has blown through the Oil Pan !!

My x40d was first inspected in 2014 for the Prop Shaft Safety Recall Check / & Replace if necessary, my x40d was deemed fit for the road with no replacement of the prop shaft, but BMW knew all along that these Parts were failing it was just a matter of time.

They already had a new part number for and updated Prop Shaft which would stop this failure from even happening  and decided on a lot of vehicles that there was no need to change! (OLD Part Number - 26207597649) (NEW Updated Prop Shaft - 26208605866)

my vehicle is currently in with a local BMW Dealer and I am waiting for the outcome of what BMW UK have to say, my Repair Bill is £3,049

My Car has FULL BMW Main Dealer Service History from New, Registered September 2010

Hope this helps!

[AdamsX5]

[quote="x5er2018"]
[quote="AdamsX5"]
I’m considering a car 40d that has had it replaced. Is there 2 parts that need doing or would they have replaced whole unit. I’m now thinking of getting a VHC as soon as I have the car delivered.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
[/quote]

Hi
The Drive Shaft is one complete Part, The additional parts that would changed would be the Torx Bolts that hold the Prop Shaft onto the engine.

In regards to the VHC I wouldn't be so sure this will cover the prop shaft and keep your mind at rest! I know this first hand as my vehicle had a VHC at Lloyds BMW in March 2018 at 79,800 Miles! and at 82,200 Miles the Front Prop has blown through the Oil Pan !!

My x40d was first inspected in 2014 for the Prop Shaft Safety Recall Check / & Replace if necessary, my x40d was deemed fit for the road with no replacement of the prop shaft, but BMW knew all along that these Parts were failing it was just a matter of time.

They already had a new part number for and updated Prop Shaft which would stop this failure from even happening  and decided on a lot of vehicles that there was no need to change! (OLD Part Number - 26207597649) (NEW Updated Prop Shaft - 26208605866)

my vehicle is currently in with a local BMW Dealer and I am waiting for the outcome of what BMW UK have to say, my Repair Bill is £3,049

My Car has FULL BMW Main Dealer Service History from New, Registered September 2010

Hope this helps!
[/quote]
Thanks I will get them to inspect it to see if it’s been changed to new one.
Hope you get help from BMW as it should be on them. Mine has part Bmw history so they could always get away with it.


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[4by4]

Dear X5er2018,
Did you make any headway with your propshaft failure?

I ask as I am now in exactly the same boat as you. I have a 2010 X5 30d which has just clocked 100k miles last week, mostly motorway miles.
There was no indication that a failure was about to occur, no noises or clunks, everything sounding as it should.
The universal joint failed at low speed just after exiting a motorway and pulling away from the exit roundabout, one hell of a bang and similar to you the sump has been damaged.
My car also has had mostly BMW servicing until this year when I moved house away from any nearby dealers.
BMW says it was inspected in 2014, the worksheet said something about the propshaft and the service agent thinks it was replaced.
So if it was only inspected, deemed fit for purpose and has now failed in the exact way that was to be avoided then where do I stand?
Alternatively if it was replaced but has still failed some 50k miles later where do I stand.
As it stands it could be 11k of work if the transmission needs replacing, no idea what damage is done until taken apart.
I might have to scrap it as I simply can’t throw that kind of money at an old car.
Any ideas greatly appreciated.

[AdamsX5]

[quote="4by4"]
Dear X5er2018,
Did you make any headway with your propshaft failure?

I ask as I am now in exactly the same boat as you. I have a 2010 X5 30d which has just clocked 100k miles last week, mostly motorway miles.
There was no indication that a failure was about to occur, no noises or clunks, everything sounding as it should.
The universal joint failed at low speed just after exiting a motorway and pulling away from the exit roundabout, one hell of a bang and similar to you the sump has been damaged.
My car also has had mostly BMW servicing until this year when I moved house away from any nearby dealers.
BMW says it was inspected in 2014, the worksheet said something about the propshaft and the service agent thinks it was replaced.
So if it was only inspected, deemed fit for purpose and has now failed in the exact way that was to be avoided then where do I stand?
Alternatively if it was replaced but has still failed some 50k miles later where do I stand.
As it stands it could be 11k of work if the transmission needs replacing, no idea what damage is done until taken apart.
I might have to scrap it as I simply can’t throw that kind of money at an old car.
Any ideas greatly appreciated.
[/quote]
I would deffo fight your corner on this one. From what I’ve read BMW is honouring this but if they might pull a fast one you never know.
If it was changed and still failed was right part replaced and fitted. Check records with dealer who replaced it.
Anyway please update us
Thx


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[4by4]

I have just spoken to the dealership and they confirm that the U-joint failed.
They now want the service history which is a mixture of main parts replaced by them and simple MOT and oil service at a specialist.
It's the weekend now so nothing will happen until next week but it looks hopeful that the 'Goodwill' team are going to sort this out.
Just worried that they want all service history, is there an angle that they may be going for?
4by4

[X5Sport]

They have used the ‘not serviced by us’ message before to get out of paying for certain things, escoecially if there is a warranty claim involved.  An oil service should have no impact on the prop shaft as I doubt that it would be looked at, and it is behind an underbody shield.  Any problem with the prop shaft does not record an error code either - so no obvious way to pick it up.

When my X6 goes in for winter tyres I’ll get it rechecked.  It was replaced under the initial recall some years back, but......!

[4by4]

It looks like the Goodwill Department are looking at it.
They are making all the right noises so far.
Will post any news.

[4by4]

Good news.
BMW goodwill department have agreed to 100% towards cost of parts and labour.
Quite amazing.

[Alan Gunn]

As they should do.
Result.

[AdamsX5]

[quote="Alan Gunn"]
As they should do.
Result.
[/quote]
We are ALL reassured now. They will take hit if you have FSH not that it matters in this case


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[Jamie_E53]

[quote="4by4"]
Dear X5er2018,
Did you make any headway with your propshaft failure?

I ask as I am now in exactly the same boat as you. I have a 2010 X5 30d which has just clocked 100k miles last week, mostly motorway miles.
There was no indication that a failure was about to occur, no noises or clunks, everything sounding as it should.
The universal joint failed at low speed just after exiting a motorway and pulling away from the exit roundabout, one hell of a bang and similar to you the sump has been damaged.
My car also has had mostly BMW servicing until this year when I moved house away from any nearby dealers.
BMW says it was inspected in 2014, the worksheet said something about the propshaft and the service agent thinks it was replaced.
So if it was only inspected, deemed fit for purpose and has now failed in the exact way that was to be avoided then where do I stand?
Alternatively if it was replaced but has still failed some 50k miles later where do I stand.
As it stands it could be 11k of work if the transmission needs replacing, no idea what damage is done until taken apart.
I might have to scrap it as I simply can’t throw that kind of money at an old car.
Any ideas greatly appreciated.
[/quote]

Hi guys, came on for a bit of advice and upon reading this it could have been written by myself. This is exactly what happened to me yesterday, only in my MY60 with 105k. The car has been recovered to Harry Fairbairn Inverness and I am awaiting inspection and an outcome from them. My car was inspected in 2015 and deemed as fine, it clearly wasn't as it has now gone. I'm hoping for the same outcome and for them to foot the bill for repairs.

[4by4]

Initially my car went to a nearer garage, non BMW where I found out what was wrong.
I contacted the previous owner to ask if it had been looked at  for this fault and he was not aware of anything being done at his main dealer.
I contacted the main dealer and found a mention about a replacement for this part during a normal service. I couldn't determine if it had been replaced or checked to see it's condition.

I then had to hire a low loader (Green Flag were the cheapest) to ship it to a BMW garage for them to access it. I did point out all the information that I had learned from this forum which might have helped sway them.
It took several days to be sanctioned but worth the wait.
It's worth noting that the recall in the US was for vehicles up to 120k miles so you may still be okay.

Good luck.

[gchristofi]

So glad I found this sticky.  I was coming back to xdrivers as a long time member to eulogise my e53 4.4 which I've run for 10 years 100+k miles without serious issue.  I was recently tempted to upgrade to a late 2010 40d Msport in space grey with all the goodies and although it's covered 74k it is in immaculate condition... It came to me via a friend who purchased it 2 years ago as an AUC car so was an offer I couldn't refuse.

The car is sept 2010 build and clearly uses the early propshaft.  Having read this thread and the referenced FB page, it was hard to ignore what might become a very expensive problem.  I had already booked into my local dealership (Barons Cambridge) for a scheduled brake fluid change yesterday and thought it was a good chance to ask the service advisor if there were any outstanding QEs or recall for my car.  He showed me a screen stating there were not. I then specifically asked if they could check the front prop during the visit.  He said they would do a visual check.

After the work was done and I had been told all looks ok and nothing needs doing, I got home and went through the paperwork given to me in detail.  No specific mention of the prop shaft therein.  In fact, I think they probably only did a normal VHC which doesn't include removing the under tray and looking at the prop! 

I couldn't wait any longer so went under the car today to make sure with my own eyes.  Of course, no visible signs that the under tray had been moved recently  ::).  When I saw the condition of the front prop, I felt sick that I'd just done a 100 mile round trip.  There's so much movement / backlash in the UJ nearest the transfer case it's shocking.  Plenty of signs of corrosion too and clearly visible that the aircon drain is dripping on that joint!  It is still the original part number and stamped with a 2010 production date.  I'm not driving another mile until I get it changed either through QE / Recall or myself if necessary.

I called bmw uk who confirmed that my car had been to Sytner Leicester in Sept 2014 for the QE work.  Sytner Leicester were kind enough on the phone to check their records that suggest the inspection was done but the check did not warrant replacement.... a story that's prevalent here and on FB.  I'll call Barons again tomorrow and see if they'll agree to take a proper look again and perhaps get the prop changed under the remit of the original QE... worth a go before tackling the job myself.

I'll get some photos / videos up of what I found today (very similar to earlier posts) but just wanted to thank you all for putting up this invaluable information....  happy not to be one of the 95% owners whore blissfully unaware of the potential catastrophe their pride and joy might be about to have.  Anyone in any doubt about the condition of their prop, please get it checked asap.