BMW 328i failed smog

BMW Warranty Coverage 

Failed smog test? Carbon build up?  

Are you a BMW owner who has failed a smog test due to carbon build up? or for any other reason? Is the dealership telling you it is going to cost you in the thousands to repair the problem? Don't let them trick you, YOU HAVE WARRANTY COVERAGE! 

• 2007 BMW 328i
• 147, 484 miles
• SULEV (super low emissions vehicle) PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle)
• California

I was told that I would have to pay $8000 to clean out the carbon buildup by a BMW dealership after my car failed a California smog test, this is my story and I hope other people can use this knowledge to get the warranty coverage they are entitled to.

I failed my California smog test and was told by my independent BMW mechanic and the dealership that I had carbon build up that was preventing me from passing the smog test. The cost to repair was way too expensive my independent mechanic even offered to buy my car from me. The repair is not easy and very time consuming for a mechanic. After re- reading the failed smog test paper I noticed it said some cars may be covered by warranty up to 15 years/150,000 miles. My car was at 147,484 miles. For coverage to apply your car has to have this label under the hood:

Check under the hood for this label:

 I looked up the warranty information at BMW's website, get your book at the below link, fill out your year, make and model and download your warranty book.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Explore/BMWValue/BMWUltimateService/ServiceandWarrantyBooks.aspx

The warranty book stated in black and white that if I failed a smog test, BMW would repair at no cost to me.

Ok, so now I give BMWNA a call thinking they will agree with me and enforce the warranty, they are very polite but still refusing to enforce it with the dealership, the dealership claims that BMWNA has to approve it and BMWNA is claiming the dealership has to approve it. I spoke with the Service Mananger at the South Bay Dealership, the warranty specialist, customer service everyone, back and forth, this was consuming a great amount of time. 

 I was told everything from I didn't have a warranty, it was a maintenance issue etc. I requested their refusal in writing, which no one would do. THEY ARE REQUIRED BY LAW to do this within 30 days of being informed of the  problem.

It was looking like they were sweeping me under the rug, no one at BMW was enforcing the warranty I would not give this up, I had rights, so I called the CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCE BOARD (CARB), they sent me an Informal Warranty Complaint Form that I had to fill out, and send my supporting documents (maintenance records, copies of the warranty pages that apply ) to enforce my warranty claim. I mailed it all back to them and then received a call from them, They said I had sent all the information they needed and they would call BMW and then call me back.

After she heard their  reasons or argument she said that they had to fix my car under the warranty. A few days later, I had to call the dealership and make an appointment  I dropped my car off, picked up my BMW loaner car and waited  for it to be fixed. 

I received a call from the mechanic 4 days later stating he had good news not only was my car ready but BMW decided to not repair my car  but to replace my cylinder head to ensure I would pass my smog test! and the $195.00 service charge to diagnosis my BMW, I paid, would be reimbursed to me when I picked up my car, they did forget when I arrived to give me the refund, but I reminded them and they cut the check.