Out of warranty FD failure - options

[balbas]

To add to the tales of woe, the FD on my 1200GSA was replaced under warranty at either the 6k or 12k service (I forget which).

There's no way after the various experiences I've had with new or nearly new BMWs that I'd ever consider running a BMW newer than my 1150GS without a warranty.

 

[MIKE R]

just been into Pidcocks Long Eaton and asked what the options were ref getting the final drive sorted. Basically, buy a new one.
The rub is that although their tech might be able to do a repair, BMW won't let them due to liability.
The new unit is out now with the addition of a breather, at a cost of £980.
I asked what their customers were doing ref this problem, he said they don't get many out of warranty. I guess most will be voting with their feet and going elsewhere.
Sad to say, although I may fix it this time, I may do the same and buy something else next time.

Have you tried contacting:-

http://www.scriminger.co.uk/10380/contact.php

I'm sure if anyone can repair a 1200 F/D economically, Steve can.

He's an excellent engineer, not a good mechanic.


Mike

 

[theop]

@demongroover: Well, your FD at least lasted 42k miles... Mine went at 16. The new one (£950 BM Battersea did free labour as goodwill), started leaking right left and centre within 300 miles. I suspected dodgy installation, but they sworn it came as one unit and they did not tamper with it at the rear during installation (yes it was brand new).

Anyway, this issue came last August after 2000 miles touring (without trouble admittedly) and after the bike had had (in 2009 alone)the RHS switch housing replaced (£150 used) as water had leaked through and damaged it (no indicator and starter button), after 2 two main output shaft oil leaks (the ones that need the whole rear of the bike dismantling £400 per time labour at a specialist) and after other little niggles like rusting through the engine cases etc, the usual sh*te BMW quality which is not debilitating the bike as such, just annoying.

Anyway, long story short, I had owned it (55 reg) from 2k miles old, put another 14k on top in 3 years with a unwarranted "wear and tear" costs excl tyres at around £4k!! = 35p a mile worth of damages and cr@p BMW quality I finally took a deep breath (I really liked it as a bike like yourself) and sold the bastard.

ps: Avoid the Triumphs.. Better quality than BMW (oh yes thats a definite yes), worse ergonomics, and some of their kit feels like its made in a shed (like panniers, switches, some assembly bits etc).. My advive: take one for a test ride, ride around the block, remove plastic bits and bobs and have a peak "inside" the bike properly. If you like what you see, go and get one.

If you stay with BMW, you need to stay until the R1150 era or the K1200RS ones... Since 2004, its gone downhill (a bit like Mercedes Benz between 2000-2008 utter cr@p).. Hopefully they read a few customer rants like this (HORST DU IM DEUTSCHLAND?) and they may take action....

Over here in Blighty, as long as Charlie and Ewan are helping the salesforce, they need to take no action. There is a gazillion £300k a year city boys out there who have yet to do their direct access to get one...

For the rest of us, its hello and goodbye. Rant #207 over.

I now have bought a 1150GS and my trusty old VFR800, top bikes both....

Until I have convincing evidence (from this blog)that BMW have sorted their game out, I will NEVER EVER buy any of their recent bikes again. If you give me one for free, I will flog it in a day for the money, which I will subsequently drink in decent Burgundies rather than BMW parts...

 

[Big Nick]

@demongroover: Well, your FD at least lasted 42k miles... Mine went at 16. The new one (£950 BM Battersea did free labour as goodwill), started leaking right left and centre within 300 miles. I suspected dodgy installation, but they sworn it came as one unit and they did not tamper with it at the rear during installation (yes it was brand new).

Anyway, this issue came last August after 2000 miles touring (without trouble admittedly) and after the bike had had (in 2009 alone)the RHS switch housing replaced (£150 used) as water had leaked through and damaged it (no indicator and starter button), after 2 two main output shaft oil leaks (the ones that need the whole rear of the bike dismantling £400 per time labour at a specialist) and after other little niggles like rusting through the engine cases etc, the usual sh*te BMW quality which is not debilitating the bike as such, just annoying.

Anyway, long story short, I had owned it (55 reg) from 2k miles old, put another 14k on top in 3 years with a unwarranted "wear and tear" costs excl tyres at around £4k!! = 35p a mile worth of damages and cr@p BMW quality I finally took a deep breath (I really liked it as a bike like yourself) and sold the bastard.

ps: Avoid the Triumphs.. Better quality than BMW (oh yes thats a definite yes), worse ergonomics, and some of their kit feels like its made in a shed (like panniers, switches, some assembly bits etc).. My advive: take one for a test ride, ride around the block, remove plastic bits and bobs and have a peak "inside" the bike properly. If you like what you see, go and get one.

If you stay with BMW, you need to stay until the R1150 era or the K1200RS ones... Since 2004, its gone downhill (a bit like Mercedes Benz between 2000-2008 utter cr@p).. Hopefully they read a few customer rants like this (HORST DU IM DEUTSCHLAND?) and they may take action....

Over here in Blighty, as long as Charlie and Ewan are helping the salesforce, they need to take no action. There is a gazillion £300k a year city boys out there who have yet to do their direct access to get one...

For the rest of us, its hello and goodbye. Rant #207 over.

I now have bought a 1150GS and my trusty old VFR800, top bikes both....

Until I have convincing evidence (from this blog)that BMW have sorted their game out, I will NEVER EVER buy any of their recent bikes again. If you give me one for free, I will flog it in a day for the money, which I will subsequently drink in decent Burgundies rather than BMW parts...

Fair Play, speak as you find

Personally both my 1200 have been cracking bikes albeit I've only done 12000 miles on them in the last 2 years.

 

[red1]

Fair Play, speak as you find

Personally both my 1200 have been cracking bikes albeit I've only done 12000 miles on them in the last 2 years.

2 new bikes in 2 years and only 6K a year on both is hardly a shining example of reliability.

If I could afford a new GSA every year I would have one without any question.

But I can't, so I voted with my feet and got a Honda Varadero. Had one prior to my last 5 years with BMUU.

 

[haydw]

I am in exactly the same position and have been trying various ways around it. Rang sherlocks on friday - they stated that they could rebuild the final drive in a lot of cases. Am intending sending down my fd to them to see if this is possible. All i will lose if it can't will be carriage.

Anyone had one rebuilt by sherlocks or elsewhere that proves it can be done? Did see a thread about rgm having a go-ahead how far did this go ? would rather go there as local.

 

[Demongroover]

...and my trusty old VFR800...

Agreed! I had one for 5 years from new and a 750 for 5 years prior to that and NEVER had any major issues. Neither bikes ever needed the valves adjusting in over 100,000 miles of trouble free riding... until some twat wrote it off for me
I swapped to BMW for a change but think I may swap back again.

 

[BBB61]

ps: Avoid the Triumphs.. Better quality than BMW (oh yes thats a definite yes), worse ergonomics, and some of their kit feels like its made in a shed (like panniers, switches, some assembly bits etc).. My advive: take one for a test ride, ride around the block, remove plastic bits and bobs and have a peak "inside" the bike properly. If you like what you see, go and get one.

Agree with you on avoding Triumph's but their build quality is not as good as BMW, in my personal experience. My last Sprint ST was poorly built and the attitude of the factory warranty department was appalling, effectively blaming me for their shoddy workmanship. Paint was flaking off a number of components, alloy engine parts were furring up and the speedo over-read by between 15 and 20%. The factory didn't want to know.

 

[cvh98]

FD's

Just out of curiosity for the sake of us new guys, is this a problem that just effects the 1200 range, or does in include 1150's, and if so, what years are the worst?

Chris

 

[haydw]

does affect 1150's but nowhere near the same extent. The bonus with 1150's is that the unit is easily repaired and can even be done on the road in a hurry if you have the right bits. Had an 1150 go and it was a relatively cheap fix compared to the problems i have now.

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

Agreed! I had one for 5 years from new and a 750 for 5 years prior to that and NEVER had any major issues. Neither bikes ever needed the valves adjusting in over 100,000 miles of trouble free riding... until some twat wrote it off for me
I swapped to BMW for a change but think I may swap back again.

I loved my VFR, I did the same and swapped mine for my first GS. Sometimes I think should I go back to one before they stop making them. My deciding factor will be if my present GSA has anything go wrong on her!!! I'll be straight down Honda asking for a PX

 

[Shurv]

If there's a known weakness, then BMW should discount the parts required to fix it OR come up with a cost effective repair. The reliability issues with 1200's has stopped me buying one and my cash has gone into building an '80's Dakar rep,proper money pit ,but I know it'll be reliable AND repairable for many years.

 

[red1]

If there's a known weakness, then BMW should discount the parts required to fix it OR come up with a cost effective repair. The reliability issues with 1200's has stopped me buying one and my cash has gone into building an '80's Dakar rep,proper money pit ,but I know it'll be reliable AND repairable for many years.

There's obviously known weakness, FD's are dropping like flys! The very first 1200GS had serious problems with the FD when first introduced.

BMUU do not admit to any "weakness" in their machines. For example, EWS took 5 years to fix, fuel relay took 5 years to fix. 1200RT-P's are reknowned for popping right-hand pots. 1200RT's have known brake failure problems (personal experience with this in Spain) both civilian and P version.

But it's all brushed under the carpet and as a previous poster commented, there are lots of Ewan & Charlie wanabees that keep the sales figures turning.

You pays your money and takes your choice!

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

There are also many (probably a vast majority) who have done 20,30, 50 K with no issues. Take the numbers sold which are huge, then the problem ones (which on a bike like this is still not acceptable) and the numbers, i suspect are not that high. IMO

 

[theop]

There are also many (probably a vast majority) who have done 20,30, 50 K with no issues. Take the numbers sold which are huge, then the problem ones (which on a bike like this is still not acceptable) and the numbers, i suspect are not that high. IMO

Agreed... but it doesn't matter that not all bikes have problems... Imagine if they did.. That would be an outrage...

The issue is that even if a well documented 5-15% of the sample is dodgy, then as the manufacturer, you should take issue and make amends... BMW is doing nothing.

The post 2004 FD: There was huge engineering effort and expense to "improve" upon the old rattly FD with the low underslung arm, which was also very heavy.

They spent huge amounts and came up with the "sealed for life" new version. Lighter, smoother and with a high arm... They had lifed the average user at 5k miles per year and ownership of 5 years, so they thought the bulk of the machines would take 25k miles and to hell after that...

For me, as an engineer, the fact that a machine is having such a limited lifespan governed not by one's care and maintenance, but by dud engineering from the firm (even if mine hadn't been the utter disaster it was - easily the most unreliable bike in 16 years and 15 owned bikes, some as bad as early Bandits or 1995 Triumphs) is in effect a turnoff. Especially when their products are worth 2.5 Bandits each....

oh... and Bandits never go wrong btw... they just rust...

 

[BBB61]

They spent huge amounts and came up with the "sealed for life" new version. Lighter, smoother and with a high arm... They had lifed the average user at 5k miles per year and ownership of 5 years, so they thought the bulk of the machines would take 25k miles and to hell after that...

That's quite a claim to make. Is that something you can substantiate?

 

[theop]

That's quite a claim to make. Is that something you can substantiate?

yes... one of my best mates from school (we are both Greek that grew up in Germany) has been working for BMW (general r&d initially, but then exclusively for drivetrains for Motorrad) since 2000.

He is the reason I got into BMWs in the first place and he is my gossip guru. He is also a member on this board, but has minimal input...

I know that many people in the factory are aware of the issues and I am being assured that they have ironed the FD lifing issues out of the current lot.... Not so sure.

Finally the other theory that makes the rounds internally is that its the boxer's firing sequence and power pulsing that "eats" the FD bearings as not many early K bikes (more power different pulse, but basically the same FD design) experience issues...

Don't know.. For me as I have said so many times, the current crop of BMW machinery is history.

I ll keep my 1150GS, my 800 VFR and perhaps my next "big" bike could be the new 1600 touring... We ll see.. lets see those run for 34-4 years, read their cr@p issues on the blogs and make a decision around 2014... Thats my plan. I ll be 40 by then! Great way for my bday..

 

[Magic Ayrton]

hmmm...

was thinking of buying an R1200 GS.. put right off now

oh well.. hey ho.. Yamaha XTZ 1200?

 

[BBB61]

yes... one of my best mates from school (we are both Greek that grew up in Germany) has been working for BMW (general r&d initially, but then exclusively for drivetrains for Motorrad) since 2000.

He is the reason I got into BMWs in the first place and he is my gossip guru. He is also a member on this board, but has minimal input...

..

So no hard proof apart from a bit of gossip from your friend then?

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

,
oh... and Bandits never go wrong btw... they just rust...

Get a Bandit and a can of ACF-50 and you’ll be sorted then