Drivetrain Malfunction... Again!

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by Autobacs

Sorry but I would not use the word ultra-reliable on a BMW 650 N63TU motor. Having had Lexus cars (and still do), there is no word left to describe Lexus engines then as far as their reliability. LOL.

you missed the key words - so far.

also, Lexus motors and "beast" don't often appear in the same sentence.

[Angry Ketchup]

Hi All! First post here, wish it was for a better reason.

So, I picked up a (CPO'd) 2012 F12 650i here in the UK. I had been loving it and put 5000mi on it since May, with many long trips from London to Newcastle etc.

Today, on the M25, while cruising easy at about 70mph.... DTM! Pulled over, shut off, restarted, waited, repeated. Had to limp it home. The vibrations and smell of petrol were intense.

I hear we don't get the CCP here in the UK and I'm worried. Anybody had any luck with UK dealers and this seemingly inherent N63 issue? I'm hoping it's something else that might have cropped up on a 5yr old car.... but all symptoms point to the systemic issue others have had, unfortunately.


(thanks for letting me vent! lol)

[Autobacs]

Originally Posted by upstate650

you missed the key words - so far.

also, Lexus motors and "beast" don't often appear in the same sentence.

Oh Ok. You are the lucky, chosen one then. The consensus is they are not reliable.

I would not consider a 650i a Beast at all. That tells me your bar is very low. I dont even consider my Alpha 10 GTR a beast.

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by Autobacs

Oh Ok. You are the lucky, chosen one then. The consensus is they are not reliable.

I would not consider a 650i a Beast at all. That tells me your bar is very low. I dont even consider my Alpha 10 GTR a beast.

Actually, the consensus is that the N63tu IS reliable. So far. How many posts do you see on here complaining about them?

Yes, beast is a relative term. But then so is the term "being a dick", but maybe my bar is just set too low.

[bravo261]

I don't know what an Alpha 10 is, so it must be some esoteric vehicle or version, but compared to a Lexus off the lot, the 650 is a beast, never mind the other bmw engines and cars out there

I probably would have stayed brand loyal and bought a gsf had it been around, but I do regret my 650i for it's many many issues, having my drive train malfunctioning three or four times

[Autobacs]

Originally Posted by upstate650

Actually, the consensus is that the N63tu IS reliable. So far. How many posts do you see on here complaining about them?

Yes, beast is a relative term. But then so is the term "being a dick", but maybe my bar is just set too low.

Well having been to the BMW dealeship 4 times in less than one year and having had the fuel pumps and injectors replaced with less than 50K miles is not my definition of reliable. Not to mention my conversation with a BMW Service Manager about the N63TU that I'll just keep to myself. Plus, you realize how many posts are in this thread right? You are just being a blind Fanboi. If your definition of being a dick is being factual then yes, I am a dick

[Autobacs]

Originally Posted by bravo261

I don't know what an Alpha 10 is, so it must be some esoteric vehicle or version, but compared to a Lexus off the lot, the 650 is a beast, never mind the other bmw engines and cars out there

I probably would have stayed brand loyal and bought a gsf had it been around, but I do regret my 650i for it's many many issues, having my drive train malfunctioning three or four times

The 650i and GSF performance is comparable. One thing for sure is the GSF will outhandle the 650i and you can bet your house that it will be rock solid in reliability compared to the 650i. When Jeremy Clarkson says it outhandles an M5 then I'll take it. In fact, Im getting ready to get one

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by Autobacs

Well having been to the BMW dealeship 4 times in less than one year and having had the fuel pumps and injectors replaced with less than 50K miles is not my definition of reliable. Not to mention my conversation with a BMW Service Manager about the N63TU that I'll just keep to myself. Plus, you realize how many posts are in this thread right? You are just being a blind Fanboi. If your definition of being a dick is being factual then yes, I am a dick

Rather than foaming at the mouth to insult people, you should read the thread. If you had bothered to do so instead of spouting off, you would see that here was a cluster of problems with early build 2013's and almost nothing since.

Oh look - yours was a 2013, too!

They had a problem early with the 2013's, probably left over injectors from the N63 motor, which they have apparently resolved. Sorry to hear you are still smarting from your experience.

Enjoy your Lexus! One of the uglier cars on the market, but hey, the motor is reliable, right?

[Autobacs]

Hmmm. I guess you know more than the BMW Service Manager. Smarting? This is just a car, no worries for me. My ego is not tied in to any of them LOL.

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by Autobacs

Hmmm. I guess you know more than the BMW Service Manager. Smarting? This is just a car, no worries for me. My ego is not tied in to any of them LOL.

In my experience, BMW service managers don't know jack shit. Everyone on this site will attest to that

Yes, cars mean nothing to you, that's why you incessantly bring up your love of the lexus brand and your GTR.

So, now that they replaced the vent lines (a known wear item) and a couple injectors, how is your motor running??? any repeat of the drive train malfunction?

[Autobacs]

The butthurt is real LOL. Sorry if I deflated your balloon. Just enjoy your ultra-reliable 650.

[murph914]

Dude.

Go away.

Nobody wants you here.

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by Autobacs

The butthurt is real LOL. Sorry if I deflated your balloon. Just enjoy your ultra-reliable 650.

Yes, I'm "butthurt" (does anyone over the age of 18 actually use that term?) that the facts run counter to your argument. Since you didn't answer my question, I can only presume your car is now running great after BMW replaced a couple injectors and vent lines under warranty. That must be really disappointing to you and your narrative.

Have a nice life!

[pargolf]

I'm new to this post. I have a 2013 650i Gran Coupe that has been in the shop 5 times for the Drivetrain Malfunction issue in the past 2 years. The solution has been different each time. Earlier this year my engine seized because of an oil issue. My new $55,000 engine with only 7,000 miles on it is now experiencing the Drivetrain Malfunction problem. I'm afraid of driving this car more than 100 miles from home in fear of it breaking down. This is unbelievable for a $110,000 car. BTW - I have owned 8 other BMW's prior to this one and I swore I would never buy another BMW after the problems I had with my 550i.

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by pargolf

I'm new to this post. I have a 2013 650i Gran Coupe that has been in the shop 5 times for the Drivetrain Malfunction issue in the past 2 years. The solution has been different each time. Earlier this year my engine seized because of an oil issue. My new $55,000 engine with only 7,000 miles on it is now experiencing the Drivetrain Malfunction problem. I'm afraid of driving this car more than 100 miles from home in fear of it breaking down. This is unbelievable for a $110,000 car. BTW - I have owned 8 other BMW's prior to this one and I swore I would never buy another BMW after the problems I had with my 550i.

I would demand they buy you out of it. For whatever reason, some of the early 2013's had motor issues. My dad always said to never buy the first year of a new car or motor. 2013 was the first year of the N63TU, which was a desperately needed upgrade of the widely problematic N63/S63 motor.

From 2014 on, there are very few reported problems with this motor.

[The0pportunist]

Originally Posted by 640m

Im giving up on mine! 640d n57z i get a daily drivetrain error, been in the bmw dealer over 2months , new turbos etc but cannot fix the "non-exsistant" fault!

I got the dreaded drivetrain error message a few weeks ago. No real lack of power and it always went away with a restart. Anyway got BMW to check it out and they fixed it, apparently just needed the battery to be charged and a new air filter. I couldn't quite believe it so i asked them for the invoice they send to the warranty company. A month after, no error messages so it's definitely fixed. Touch wood.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: Mine is a 62 plate (2012) 640d

[EV0LVE]

So I had this exact DTM problem on my n55 f10 and am now looking on 650i but it looks like the problem exists just as well on the 650 and or 640.

To those of you who had the dtm problem worked on by the dealer, does Carfax show each time you had your car fixed by the dealer? Does the Carfax show the historical dtm issue? I'm asking because I'm looking at a car that doesn't seem to have records of dtm issues but I don't know if the dealers keep those records in the down low.

Thanks.

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by EV0LVE

So I had this exact DTM problem on my n55 f10 and am now looking on 650i but it looks like the problem exists just as well on the 650 and or 640.

To those of you who had the dtm problem worked on by the dealer, does Carfax show each time you had your car fixed by the dealer? Does the Carfax show the historical dtm issue? I'm asking because I'm looking at a car that doesn't seem to have records of dtm issues but I don't know if the dealers keep those records in the down low.

Thanks.

which year 650 are you looking at? The DTM issue hasn't been common at all from 2014 on.

[EV0LVE]

Originally Posted by upstate650

which year 650 are you looking at? The DTM issue hasn't been common at all from 2014 on.

2013. If that's the case then I will focus on 2014 and up. Thanks. My f10 was 2011 btw.

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by EV0LVE

2013. If that's the case then I will focus on 2014 and up. Thanks. My f10 was 2011 btw.

yeah the N63 and S63 were bad news. I had an X5M with the S63 and had all the problems associated with those motors.

the new N and S63TU motors have been pretty solid, but there have been issues with some of the 2013's and DTM issues. I wouldn't buy a 2013, but my 2014 has been rock solid so far. There are very few reported problems with the 2014 and up to this point.

[EV0LVE]

Originally Posted by upstate650

yeah the N63 and S63 were bad news. I had an X5M with the S63 and had all the problems associated with those motors.

the new N and S63TU motors have been pretty solid, but there have been issues with some of the 2013's and DTM issues. I wouldn't buy a 2013, but my 2014 has been rock solid so far. There are very few reported problems with the 2014 and up to this point.

I sold my f10 due to dtm issues, mine were having issues during stop n go traffic. The last straw was the rear axle coming off the differential. The 6gc is just beautiful and technologically advanced.

[pervik]

I also have the "drivetrain malfunction problem on my 640d GC. It doesen`t look like a huge problem because I can`t feel any differece on the ride. Everything sounds perfect and feels good. Please help me if you have the same experience!