[Doctor X]

Will appreciate the support.

So I am now aware that BMW has a extended warrant specifically for the upper/lower grills that stop working.

My lower active grille stays open - I used to hear it try to close after shutting my car off. It had like a clicking sound.

This is limited to 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES.

I went ahead and emailed BMWUSA sending them my VIN to double check that my car qualifies.

So I brought my car into the service department of BMW they told me that they will fix the grills if the failure was not created by an outside force (rock hitting the assembly/debris/blockage etc); and if it was then they will charge me $250 for the repair and the diagnostics. I was asking the service guy if instead of the repair I just want to know what the issue is and he said regardless they have to pay there operators so it's a flat fee of the $250.

Which is somewhat understandable..

From the active grille pdf - it states that performing the vehicle test (vehicle diagnosis) is under a qualifying repair labor code. So I don't know what they service advisor is pushing the $250 so hard just to see whats wrong with my car. I've emailed BMWUSA once again to ask them if checking diagnostics will be covered through this warranty. Those service guys are very schemey..

Something that was bothering me is that in these forums it's been common that the active grills will send a CEL ahead of time.

My car has not sent a CEL - I've posted the faultcodes that my car pops up and someone responded saying that it's active grille realted.

The service advisor also asked if my car sent a CEL and I told him no.

He then went to tell me that most of these problems is DME related with the active grille.

What I'm ultimately skeptical about is if they go ahead and start the diagnostics and look through my DME to see that I've flashed it through BM3 as well as anything related to my bimmercode programming, as well as fullscreen apple carplay-oem supprt. (I'm wondering if there programming will erase all my current data)

Apart of the active grille fix is a software/DME programming.

So I'm wondering if I should flash my car back to factory and lock the DME through BM3 - I'm sure they will still see that parameters were changed. Not sure if this will help anything.

[Joe-BMW33]

I can understand your anxiety about the BM3 flash and your warranty as well as them wiping out your coding. That said, this dealer and service advisor sound like real tools. I think this is your first issue. I bring my car to my trusted dealer and tell them what's wrong and drive away with the loaner. No threats of a $250 diagnostic fee or speculation of road damage.

Honestly, if my grills failed and they noticed a rock chip, my service advisor would tell the tech to ignore it and write it up per the TSB. My car is also Dinan tuned and exhausted and they know it and don't care. My service advisor also knows to not update the software in the car without asking me. Last time in for a new seat sensor pad they wanted to flash the whole car to activate it. Instead they installed it and I activated it myself with the help of the ProTool team.

My point is, this dealer is a bad apple. Take is somewhere else.

[Doctor X]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I can understand your anxiety about the BM3 flash and your warranty as well as them wiping out your coding. That said, this dealer and service advisor sound like real tools. I think this is your first issue. I bring my car to my trusted dealer and tell them what's wrong and drive away with the loaner. No threats of a $250 diagnostic fee or speculation of road damage.

Honestly, if my grills failed and they noticed a rock chip, my service advisor would tell the tech to ignore it and write it up per the TSB. My car is also Dinan tuned and exhausted and they know it and don't care. My service advisor also knows to not update the software in the car without asking me. Last time in for a new seat sensor pad they wanted to flash the whole car to activate it. Instead they installed it and I activated it myself with the help of the ProTool team.

My point is, this dealer is a bad apple. Take is somewhere else.

Thanks for the feedback.

Damn my dealership is nothing but rats is what it seems like hahahha.

At least I know that there are some good ones out there.

Super frustrating man.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Doctor X

Thanks for the feedback.

Damn my dealership is nothing but rats is what it seems like hahahha.

At least I know that there are some good ones out there.

Super frustrating man.

I hear you. There is nothing more off putting than someone barking out pricing before they even look at something (not limited to cars). That $250 is that dealers policy, not a BMW policy. They are more worried that if you have to pay you won't fix it and they are "out" money. A good dealer will take the long view and treats all customers the same and assumes they will buy another car there or pay for the service. An even better dealer will find a way for you not to pay and have BMW NA pay.

[LogicalApex]

As Joe-BMW33 said it sounds like your dealership is a mess. Hopefully you have another close by…

That said, you’re in CA so technically the Extended Warranty for the active grills doesn’t really matter to you as you always had coverage for 15Y/150K miles. BMW just extended coverage for this part in non-CARB states to match the CARB state coverage period.

But my limited understanding of CARB coverage rules is the CEL has to light up for it to activate? Or it has to fail an inspection. If the light is required. It will light up eventually with the grills failed. My car does a test every start up for them.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...04648-9999.pdf

[Jlha24]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I hear you. There is nothing more off putting than someone barking out pricing before they even look at something (not limited to cars). That $250 is that dealers policy, not a BMW policy. They are more worried that if you have to pay you won't fix it and they are "out" money. A good dealer will take the long view and treats all customers the same and assumes they will buy another car there or pay for the service. An even better dealer will find a way for you not to pay and have BMW NA pay.

Do you know if this extended warranty applies to Canada as well?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Jlha24

Do you know if this extended warranty applies to Canada as well?

I don’t see why it wouldn’t.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Jlha24

Do you know if this extended warranty applies to Canada as well?

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I don’t see why it wouldn’t.

Oddly, some things like the N63 CCP were USA only

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Oddly, some things like the N63 CCP were USA only

Yeah, that would be odd, but you’re right, I’ve seen similar inconsistencies over the years.

The SIB here references United States dealers. Probably the easiest way to get to the bottom of it in Canada is to ping a Canadian dealer and ask.

I am curious in general though, if you have a Canadian market car that you imported into the US, does it follow US warranty guidelines or Canadian? 430Scud

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...82605-9999.pdf

[E34_518i]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Yeah, that would be odd, but you’re right, I’ve seen similar inconsistencies over the years.

The SIB here references United States dealers. Probably the easiest way to get to the bottom of it in Canada is to ping a Canadian dealer and ask.

I am curious in general though, if you have a Canadian market car that you imported into the US, does it follow US warranty guidelines or Canadian? 430Scud

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...82605-9999.pdf

don't know how BMW(Canada or the US) handles such issues.... but I used to have a Mercedes AMG C43. Originally bought it in Arlington. When I was sent overseas, my employer paid my moving expenses, including shipping my car to the foreign country. The Mercedes authorized dealer over there took care of a recalled transmission issue. The recall actually only affected the US market. (not to mention that it was a left-hand-drive country) I asked the service advisor who spoke pretty good English. After she contacted Mercedes, they authorized the repair under the recall. Took almost 3 weeks for Mercedes to ship the required parts...(which was not available in that country at all, since they were left-hand-drive) The repair required the transmission to be partially lowered and reinstalled. I thought that was pretty nice of them.

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Yeah, that would be odd, but you’re right, I’ve seen similar inconsistencies over the years.

The SIB here references United States dealers. Probably the easiest way to get to the bottom of it in Canada is to ping a Canadian dealer and ask.

I am curious in general though, if you have a Canadian market car that you imported into the US, does it follow US warranty guidelines or Canadian? 430Scud

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...82605-9999.pdf

When I imported my Canadian market car to the USA in 2019, I contacted BMW North America (USA importer) and sent them a copy of my import and registration documents. This transferred the warranty to the USA and I have had no issues with warranty repairs, including the extended warranty claim on the radiator shutters. I have even received letters from BMW North America on all three extended warranty items related to 2018 M550iX for shutters, intercooler and thermostat. All three have 15 year, 150k mile extended warranty.

Technically any BMW purchased in North America can have "original new car" warranty repairs across the border. The sticky issue is the "free maintenance"...that has to be performed in the home country it was sold in. There can be exceptions to that, as I have heard of Canadians that ship or drive their cars to say "Palm Springs, CA" for the winter and able to get reimbursement from BMW Canada. During the pandemic, I was able to get my free maintenance reimbursed, as it was impossible for me to drive up to Vancouver, BC for the free maintenance. But by 2022, I just drove up, it was easier than going through all the paperwork hassles and its a nice drive and city to visit.

As far as the extended warranty on the three items mentioned above, a Canadian BMW owner would need to contact BMW Canada or their local BMW dealer service advisor.
BMW Canada Inc. can be contacted at: 50 Ultimate Drive, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 0C8, customer.service@bmw.ca and 1-800-567-2691.

[E34_518i]

Originally Posted by 430Scud

All three have 15 year, 150k mile extended warranty.

I'm wondering how much it will cost to replace the active grilles after those 15 years are over. Will BMW still stock the parts to do the replacement by then?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by E34_518i

I'm wondering how much it will cost to replace the active grilles after those 15 years are over. Will BMW still stock the parts to do the replacement by then?

15 years is a long way away to start worrying about it now. Now if you hit 150k before then, trust me, you will be pouring money into the car anyway updating wear and tear items.

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by E34_518i

I'm wondering how much it will cost to replace the active grilles after those 15 years are over. Will BMW still stock the parts to do the replacement by then?

I own a 23 yo E39 540 M-Sport...most all the mechanical and body parts are available. Now listed under the "classic" moniker...that gives BMW the license to charge more. The parts difficult to obtain are interior trim peices. Most are no longer manufactured, mostly due to low demand. Body and mechanical parts are frequently needed to keep the cars on the road, so they continue to be produced. Interior trim wears at a much lower rate. When I have obtained interior parts, most are dated from when the cars where still in production, or shortly thereafter. In other words, BMW quit making interior peices as soon as production ended and just sold off existing stock all these years...typical of most manufacturers.

[E34_518i]

Originally Posted by 430Scud

I own a 23 yo E39 540 M-Sport...most all the mechanical and body parts are available. Now listed under the "classic" moniker...that gives BMW the license to charge more. The parts difficult to obtain are interior trim peices. Most are no longer manufactured, mostly due to low demand. Body and mechanical parts are frequently needed to keep the cars on the road, so they continue to be produced. Interior trim wears at a much lower rate. When I have obtained interior parts, most are dated from when the cars where still in production, or shortly thereafter. In other words, BMW quit making interior peices as soon as production ended and just sold off existing stock all these years...typical of most manufacturers.

I recently tried to get a couple of interior trim pieces for my "antique" Mercedes W124 E320 cabriolet from early 1990s. US MB dealers couldn't help me. I was put in contact with the classic parts dept at MB in Germany. They were super helpful, but unfortunately the parts that I needed were no longer available.(for over 10 years) I ended up having my niece's girlfriend manufacture it for me using industrial 3D printers. (which she did with her company's approval... because they actually make medical devices) Then I had a local upholstery shop apply felt and leather to it. 90% close and good enough.

[SamJunior]

I am having the same issue. I have a 2018 540i xDrive without BMW warranty and today I check the faults with ISTA+. 13820A Radiator blind at t the bottom blocked during initialition.
I have read all your messages However I am living in France.....
Do you guys think that I can get it done for free?

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by SamJunior

I am having the same issue. I have a 2018 540i xDrive without BMW warranty and today I check the faults with ISTA+. 13820A Radiator blind at t the bottom blocked during initialition.
I have read all your messages However I am living in France.....
Do you guys think that I can get it done for free?

I would go to the BMW dealer, show them this document and ask if there is a similar one that applies in France:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...04648-9999.pdf

[ezaircon4jc]

Question...

I got the CEL for the active grilles a couple of days ago (codes 21B044, 21B043 138207) and I cleared the codes before looking at them. The CEL came back on after a short time after I cleared them, which is why I actually looked at the codes. Tonight the light went out on the way home from the store. I looked at the lower grille and it was open; the outside temp was 45º.

From experiences here, is it normal for the light to come and go? I do have an appt for the 9th for an oil change and planned on having the grilles looked at.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Question...

I got the CEL for the active grilles a couple of days ago (codes 21B044, 21B043 138207) and I cleared the codes before looking at them. The CEL came back on after a short time after I cleared them, which is why I actually looked at the codes. Tonight the light went out on the way home from the store. I looked at the lower grille and it was open; the outside temp was 45º.

From experiences here, is it normal for the light to come and go? I do have an appt for the 9th for an oil change and planned on having the grilles looked at.

Totally normal. When a CEL is triggered, it stays on more because it’s on a timer vs a checker. After a certain amount of time it goes out and rechecks. If it’s something chronic it really will never go out. It’s instantaneous. For something like the grill, it clears and then checks and eventually will come back on, probably when the car tries to close it and can’t.

Don’t erase your codes or the dealer won’t be able to do anything.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Totally normal. When a CEL is triggered, it stays on more because it’s on a timer vs a checker. After a certain amount of time it goes out and rechecks. If it’s something chronic it really will never go out. It’s instantaneous. For something like the grill, it clears and then checks and eventually will come back on, probably when the car tries to close it and can’t.

Don’t erase your codes or the dealer won’t be able to do anything.

I didn't erase the last instance it came on, so it should be stored. I haven't even connected Bimmerlink.

[Warp Ten]

As I noted in a different thread I, too, recently got an MIL (the little engine symbol) on my dash display. Checked the codes with Bimmerlink and got two: the grill shutters (PO5A2) and one for cruise control (PO581). I have read a number of posts about the grill warranty and I do not see my 2019 540xi covered, although many similar aged cars are covered. Anyone know if mine might be covered, or do I need to go to the dealer to find out? Also, anyone know what the cruise control code might mean? I use cruise all the time, even around town, and it seems to work fine. I have been driving it regularly and it has undergone several ignition cycles but the lamp remains lit. Car was built in late 2018 and only has 23k miles on it. Thanks, Bob

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Warp Ten

As I noted in a different thread I, too, recently got an MIL (the little engine symbol) on my dash display. Checked the codes with Bimmerlink and got two: the grill shutters (PO5A2) and one for cruise control (PO581). I have read a number of posts about the grill warranty and I do not see my 2019 540xi covered, although many similar aged cars are covered. Anyone know if mine might be covered, or do I need to go to the dealer to find out? Also, anyone know what the cruise control code might mean? I use cruise all the time, even around town, and it seems to work fine. I have been driving it regularly and it has undergone several ignition cycles but the lamp remains lit. Car was built in late 2018 and only has 23k miles on it. Thanks, Bob

The TSB I posted above shows your car as covered. It doesn’t show MY2020 or later as covered which I’ve always found bizarre. Especially since MY2020 isn’t the LCI.

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...22&postcount=5