Drivetrain Error

[RelaxeDriver]

So I took mine to the dealer yesterday to have a scratch on the paintwork repaired and I drove it in with 30 miles left on the range. I was under the assumption that the car would remain at the dealer at all times which I've experienced before on previous occasions. When I come to pick the car up I get inside and the fuel range has gone so low it showed "Range ----".

I found out they had driven it to another BMW repair shop 15 miles away! I was so pissed! Firstly because they didn't ask my permission to drive it and mainly because they let the fuel run so low the computer couldn't even give a reading on the range. And now today I was driving it and was about 10 miles away from home, late at night, drivetrain problems.

I can only assume this is because the fuel ran so low. I am going to the dealer tomorrow and giving them a peace of my mind.

[6fws]

This is probably not related to low fuel. I got the same error about a week ago with a full tank.

BMW said a software update is required to prevent the error from reappearing. The update should arrive next week.

[southern6er22]

I got the drivetrain malfunction error twice in February in my F13 650xi, both times accompanied by the whole car shaking and switching to neutral.

The first time they told me it was due to low steering fluid. I was skeptical, but I had no idea what was wrong.

Skip ahead 2 weeks, and I had the exact same message and shaking sensation. Took it in - rather p!ssed as this seemed to reassure me that they just found some random abnormality and used it as a scapegoat for the error.

They kept my car for over a week - without giving me a loaner (ask me how happy I was about that kind of customer service on my +$100k car) and got BMW NA involved. They said there was a problem with the programming that somehow affected the fuel pump. They reprogrammed it and said it checked out. To make sure the fault didn't reappear, they tested it for 100 miles. I was extremely annoyed that they drive my car 100 miles without so much as calling me for permission. I likely would've told them to go ahead to save the potential inconvenience if a reoccurrence, but I was still mad that they didn't bother to ask before doing it.

Not sure if you're experiencing the same kind of problem as "drivetrain malfunction" is pretty generic. I've heard everything from programming to fuel injector replacement to replacing both turbos.

Good luck!

[RelaxeDriver]

I can't believe you let them keep your 100k+ car for a week with no loaner. You certainly have a lot more patience than me sir.

I would have demanded something in the same price range as a loaner.

Mine is going back in on Monday and they can keep the M6. I could deal with the faulty oil pump during the recall, constantly squeaky brakes and the drivetrain problems because the engine is awesome and I love the power but the disgusting service from my dealer is the final nail in the coffin. B***ards.

[southern6er22]

The only reason I did not raise hell was because I happened to be out of town most of the time they had my car, and I also have a backup at home. It was still a real pain in the a$$ to have to pick up and drop off the car. They just got really lucky with the timing. Unfortunately, it's the only dealership within an hour of my house.

[Hunter5179]

Very unfortunate. Keep us posted.

[M_Power_Fan]

sucks

[DrivetrainMalfunction650i]

Same issue with my 2012 650i it's been at the BMW dealer for over 3 weeks for the DTM, they replaced a ton of parts but keeps on failing the test drive. Now they are replacing the catalytic converter. Per my service adviser BMW has to test drive it for 30 miles on a full tank of gas before releasing the vehicle.
I've been reading a bunch of post from 2012 to 2015 BMW 6 series this seems to be a common issue. It's not just a computer glitch.

[michel lane]

I had a similar problem , the dealer had it for 2 weeks , they flashed the main ecu and gearbox ecu , never had a problem since , this was around 1 yr ago , mine is a 2012 car , unfortunately since the update , I can't rev past 4k while in neutral , bummer !

[Chas_97]

My 2014 M6 has this problem. Totally ruining the ownership experience for me. Dealership replaced HPFP and injectors, but same issue after only 3 months later. Now the dealership has had my car for a week and they still don't know what the cause is.

I read one post where it turned out to be the VANOS, not sure if it was intake or exhaust VANOS.

One thing for sure I've read way too many posts about this issue for the S83TU engine.

[M6Havana]

Bmw havinf LOTS of provlems accross many engines with this my N57z has had £10,000+ trying to rectify this new turbo's etc. The new shape mini's have major drivetrain error faults too. I think bmw are trying to figure out why so many are going down with it

[Chas_97]

This Drivetrain Malfunction problem has totally ruined my M6 ownership experience.