N54 HPFP failures -- How did BMW handle your situation?

[fsommers]

Yesterday was the second time my HPFP failed within 8 months. This time the engine just went into limp mode on the freeway late at night after a few hiccups. Both times I had to ultimately get the car towed to the dealership. The first time around, I should have known better, as the engine cranks got longer over a few weeks. This time, there was no warning. The first time, the dealer replaced the HPFP with the 933 series. And that's what failed now. I understand that the 933 is one of the latest pumps -- what next?

I'm just a bit pissed, because this is an expensive car, I need reliable transportation and, most important, I still don't completely understand (a) what the problem was, and (b) how, or if, BMW was able to fix the problem. There are many conjectures, but no clear explanation from BMW as to why I should believe that the 3rd fix is going to be permanent.

Those of you with the same problem, how did BMW ultimately remediate your frustration? I'm aware of the class action suite and the extended warranty on the pump, but without evidence I still just don't believe that they can fix this the 3rd time around so I don't get stuck on the side of the freeway in some god-foresaken neighborhood late at night.

What's your experience with their customer support?

Thanks.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

My Z4 was re-programmed and the pump replaced a few weeks ago. I had no problems whatsoever before this work was done. Touch wood, I hope it will remain okay.

Should anything change I will defiantly let you know.

Cheers and good luck,

Rolf-Dieter

[rmorin49]

I am going to be very interested to see if the HPFPs that BMW is installing as part of the recall prove to be reliable for the life of the car. If not, this may turn into one of the biggest debacles in the history of BMW AG. I would also be interested to know what HPFP BMW is using in the N55 engine since it appears that the N54 engine is being phased out after a pretty short lifespan.

[Frank Costanza]

Our car has recently started taking longer to start. It has 6Km on it. Around the same time we got a recall notice in the mail.

The car is booked for the recall Tuesday. I'm going to sit down with the SA and get a detailed breakdown.

This level of unreliability is unacceptable. My 540i went over 300Km (~187K mi) before it's fuel pump failed. To quote Jeremy Clarkson. How hard can it be to engineer a proper FP.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by Frank Costanza

To quote Jeremy Clarkson. How hard can it be to engineer a proper FP.

I agree +100

However, to build them is another matter and if BMW uses more then one sub vendor (to build them, I assume this since I don't know) then it is possible to end up with crap and that is perhaps what happened one never knows does one.

I asked my TA if he knows why the HPFP's fail I followed up is it because of a sub vendor quality control issue, he sort of nodded his head without a reply.

I worked many years in the field of engineered equipment and used many sub vendors some had to be dumped due to inferior workmanship ,,, just saying as they say sh..t happens

[rmorin49]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

I agree +100

However, to build them is another matter and if BMW uses more then one sub vendor (to build them, I assume this since I don't know) then it is possible to end up with crap and that is perhaps what happened one never knows does one.

I asked my TA if he knows why the HPFP's fail I followed up is it because of a sub vendor quality control issue, he sort of nodded his head without a reply.

I worked many years in the field of engineered equipment and used many sub vendors some had to be dumped due to inferior workmanship ,,, just saying as they say sh..t happens

I believe the original pumps wer manufactured by Siemens, followed by at least one iteration of Bosch pumps. I don't know who the current vendor is but all of them were using a BMW design. BMW needs to do a better job checking the quality of the vendors OR designing a pump that will work for more than a few thousand miles. This is really pathetic.

[fsommers]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

My Z4 was re-programmed and the pump replaced a few weeks ago. I had no problems whatsoever before this work was done. Touch wood, I hope it will remain okay.

Should anything change I will defiantly let you know.

Cheers and good luck,

Rolf-Dieter

I've ready that some of the software updates they perform along with pump replacement tune down engine performance. Do you know if that is still the case? Did you notice any change in performance after the re-programming?

[pmlnnrt]

When I had my fuel pump replaced, the dealer told me, I would probably be back again for the same reason - In other words - they don't have a good fix ! - so far am on my 2nd pump - no problems YET ! have not received a re-call letter either yet !

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by fsommers

I've ready that some of the software updates they perform along with pump replacement tune down engine performance. Do you know if that is still the case? Did you notice any change in performance after the re-programming?

Yes they did both the software update and HPFP replacement. I have noticed so far no change. However, it is winter time and I only had the opportunity to open her up once on the express way (120 ~ 140 KM/Hour at that time I found no difference.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by rmorin49

I believe the original pumps wer manufactured by Siemens, followed by at least one iteration of Bosch pumps. I don't know who the current vendor is but all of them were using a BMW design. BMW needs to do a better job checking the quality of the vendors OR designing a pump that will work for more than a few thousand miles. This is really pathetic.

Yes I agree it is indeed pathetic for a high priced turing car to have these kind of problems in the 21st century with a automotive fuel pump.

My confidence in BMW is sinking to the point that 2 weeks ago I traded in our 6 year AWD Jag for a Mercedes C350 4MATIC (the original plan was a new 3x this and the no choice on tires changed our mind).

Mind you I still love my Z4 only now with Non-RFT

[Mr C]

Even though I didn’t have a problem with my original HPFP, BMW replaced mine with the NEW 446, and did the programming update. My SA stated that they haven’t seen any of the 446 HPFP fail, but then again, they have only been using the 446 for about two months.

BMW has settled on the 446 (different manufacturer from the 933 from what I was told) as being the fix (we will see) for the HPFP problem.

I have had my 446 HPFP for about three (3) weeks now and everything is good, SO FAR!

AS TO YOUR ORIGININAL QUESTION, “HOW DID BMW HANDLE THE SITUATION” WELL, PUT IT THIS WAY, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A TAILLIGHT THAT WAS OUT, AND THE SA WITHOUT QUESTION, AFTER HE PLUGGED IN MY KEY TO HIS MACHINE, STATED “WE ARE GOING TO UPGRADE YOUR HPFP AND RE-PROGRAM YOUR ECU TO THE NEW SOFTWARE. SO AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED BMW HANDLED THE “SITUATION” WONDERFULLY.

[rmorin49]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

Yes I agree it is indeed pathetic for a high priced turing car to have these kind of problems in the 21st century with a automotive fuel pump.

My confidence in BMW is sinking to the point that 2 weeks ago I traded in our 6 year AWD Jag for a Mercedes C350 4MATIC (the original plan was a new 3x this and the no choice on tires changed our mind).

Mind you I still love my Z4 only now with Non-RFT

I also love my Z, but it is an s30i so I have no HPFP. My next car will probably be an Audi. I really like the S5!

[fsommers]

I just got mine back from service, replaced the HPFP with the 446 version. We'll see how it goes. For the record, it was the 933 pump that failed.

[Flash60]

Mine went in today with the Engine warning on and the car in reduced power mode .. Got the call from the stealer HPFP being replaced ..

Car has 30,000k's on it and only started playing up a week or so ago

Fingers crossed its a permanent fix .. I'll be seeking some assurances on extended warranty though

[HerrK]

Originally Posted by fsommers

I just got mine back from service, replaced the HPFP with the 446 version. We'll see how it goes. For the record, it was the 933 pump that failed.

Did you have your HPFP previously replaced? The 1351 7 613 933 wasn't available prior to early 2nd qtr 2010.

[fsommers]

Originally Posted by HerrK

Did you have your HPFP previously replaced? The 1351 7 613 933 wasn't available prior to early 2nd qtr 2010.

Yes, in May, 2010.

[Boomer67]

Has anyone experienced a HPFP failure in a Z4 sdrive 35is? I noticed that the recall is for MY 2009 – 2010 Z4 Roadster sDrive35i

[entrepreneur177]

I had to change it three months ago... After multiple visits to the service, where they couldn't identify the problem, just deleting all errors. Seems like I'm not the only one.