Out of warranty FD failure - options

[Demongroover]

Well my final drive has gone for the second time.

It's an '04 1200GS, well out of warranty with 42k on the clock.

The solution found here will determine if I get rid of BMWs for good and go back to Jap bikes. I don't want to as I really enjoy riding mine. But if I cannot rely on the bike then it doesn't fulfill the brief for me. No point taking my BMW touring only for a part to fail that I cannot fix, (just back from 2800 + miles around France, Spain & Portugal).

What are the options and costs of final drive replacement?
Mine has bearing play and the outer seal on the left has just started weeping.

Can they be rebuilt yet, is anyone offering that service and how much?

Or, is the only option complete replacement of the unit? Again, how much & is it dealer or breakers only?
Which is what I had the first time by the dealer as they said it was more cost effective and they didn't have the tooling.

 

[Engineer]

How many miles has this second drive done?

 

[wessie]

I would go back to the supplying dealer and ask them to fix it under the Sale of Goods Act.

The supplying dealer bit is important. Under SOGA, it is the retailer i.e. selling dealer not BMW that is liable. Whether they then make a claim against BMW is up to them.

Seek advice from Trading Standards. They should be able to advise on the types of phrases to use such as "not of the expected durability" or "not fit for purpose". If you have legal expenses cover on your bike policy or household insurance then see if they will get involved.

I'm pretty sure the dealer will try to fob you off so you will need to be prepared to get the lawyers in.

 

[haydw]

Have exactly the same prob myself. No play in mine but horrible noise on acceleration and rons of swarf in the oil.

from research done so far hardly anyone wants to rebuild due to tooling-cardiff motorrad say may be able to but depends how bad it is and whether they can get it apart undamaged.

Motorworks have 2nd hand one at £475 but as my bike is also pre late 06 am limited to older ones. The one on offer had 32k on it.

Southport superbikss quoted £912 for new drive then need to fit on top. Am fairly handy but dont like the look of trying to get the disk carrier off.

As much as I dont want to looks like I will go down the new route. What is the warranty on a new drive? 1 or 2 years?

 

[elefantman]

If your bike has been dealer serviced try for a good will repair,this is a world wide fault that will happen to all shaft drive BMW's not just GS's it's not if but when it will break,who in there right mind would buy a second hand bike especially private,if all owners not just those effected get behind it there may be a redesign/recall.
I believe samsung have been forced to offer a lifetime warranty on one of thier fridges following a fault that was found to be a design fault

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I would go back to the supplying dealer and ask them to fix it under the Sale of Goods Act.

The supplying dealer bit is important. Under SOGA, it is the retailer i.e. selling dealer not BMW that is liable. Whether they then make a claim against BMW is up to them.

Seek advice from Trading Standards. They should be able to advise on the types of phrases to use such as "not of the expected durability" or "not fit for purpose". If you have legal expenses cover on your bike policy or household insurance then see if they will get involved.

I'm pretty sure the dealer will try to fob you off so you will need to be prepared to get the lawyers in.

I'd love to know why you think the SOGA has anything to do with this. The bike is way out of warranty and the bearings in the FD don't last forever. Things do wear out you know......!

The only hope you have IMHO is if you have had the bike dealer maintained and they will offer some goodwill but given the age of the bike, I wouldn't have thought so. I would grab the one from Motorworks

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

If the FD has failed for the 2nd time then provided you either paid for or made a contribution towards the part being replaced when it first failed then it may still have some warranty or you may be able to obtain a further goodwill contribution

It's worth checking with you dealer as to how many months BMW warrant their spare parts for

 

[Demongroover]

How many miles has this second drive done?

42k, the other was on my last bike.

 

[Demongroover]

I would go back to the supplying dealer and ask them to fix it under the Sale of Goods Act.

The supplying dealer bit is important. Under SOGA, it is the retailer i.e. selling dealer not BMW that is liable. Whether they then make a claim against BMW is up to them.
QUOTE]



Supplying dealer is Blue Bell who have shut down their bike operation.

 

[Demongroover]

Things do wear out you know......!

Obviously, but when they design a part that cannot be fixed by any reasonable mechanic, even to the point that the dealers replace rather than repair then I would argue that the part is fundamentally flawed in it's design.

I have done all my own servicing, always have with all my bikes and I expect wheel bearings to wear and fail. Which is why they are checked every service. Any other bike it would be a simple process of knocking out the bearing and replacing. Not so with BMW.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

42k, the other was on my last bike.

I didn't realise that the previous failure was on a differnt machine

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Obviously, but when they design a part that cannot be fixed by any reasonable mechanic, even to the point that the dealers replace rather than repair then I would argue that the part is fundamentally flawed in it's design.

I have done all my own servicing, always have with all my bikes and I expect wheel bearings to wear and fail. Which is why they are checked every service. Any other bike it would be a simple process of knocking out the bearing and replacing. Not so with BMW.

I completely agree about the fecking bearings being difficult to do which is utterly stupid.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Obviously, but when they design a part that cannot be fixed by any reasonable mechanic, even to the point that the dealers replace rather than repair then I would argue that the part is fundamentally flawed in it's design.

I have done all my own servicing, always have with all my bikes and I expect wheel bearings to wear and fail. Which is why they are checked every service. Any other bike it would be a simple process of knocking out the bearing and replacing. Not so with BMW.

Unfortunately replacement rather than repair is the cheaper option for the manufacturer when the bike is under warranty this however doesn't help an owner who wants to repair it himself at his expense

 

[Demongroover]

Unfortunately replacement rather than repair is the cheaper option for the manufacturer when the bike is under warranty this however doesn't help an owner who wants to repair it himself at his expense

No, and as WAS intending on keeping the bike for many years this has proved to be a real cause for concern seeing as I am reading reports from other forum members of failures after 3000 miles etc (I just did 3000 miles on holiday!). I think realistically they should go the Samsung fridge route of offering lifetime warranty as the design has proved to be flawed.

 

[red1]

Sorry Demongroover, but 6 year old bike, 4 years out of warranty, chances are slim to none.

Sale of goods act a waste of time due to age etc.

I've had a K1200GT-SE, R1200GSA and R1200RT-SE and got out of all of them at warranties end. Couldn't afford another new bike or risk a big bill with a used one so walked to the Honda dealer and got an 07 Varadero, 3K miles, with full luggage.

OK might not be the first bike that comes to mind to replace a GS, but it goes well, gets 200 to the tank at just under 50mpg, it's comfy and you spray some oil on the chain once a week. £85 gets you some Hyper-pro fork springs and your done. Simples!

Had one in 2003/4 and it did France/Spain/italy/Poland no probs and you don't have to dress up like a tosser.

It's not going to get any better with BMUU. It took them 4 years to sort out the fuel pump and EWS issues.

 

[GS TRV]

so walked to the Honda dealer and got an 07 Varadero, 3K miles, with full luggage.

.

I'd get a new part!

 

[red1]

I'd get a new part!

That's because you've not had to pay for a new FD If it does happen (and I sincerely hope it doesn't) you may change your mind.

 

[Demongroover]

Sorry Demongroover, but 6 year old bike, 4 years out of warranty, chances are slim to none.

Sale of goods act a waste of time due to age etc.

I've had a K1200GT-SE, R1200GSA and R1200RT-SE and got out of all of them at warranties end. Couldn't afford another new bike or risk a big bill with a used one so walked to the Honda dealer and got an 07 Varadero, 3K miles, with full luggage.

OK might not be the first bike that comes to mind to replace a GS, but it goes well, gets 200 to the tank at just under 50mpg, it's comfy and you spray some oil on the chain once a week. £85 gets you some Hyper-pro fork springs and your done. Simples!

Had one in 2003/4 and it did France/Spain/italy/Poland no probs and you don't have to dress up like a tosser.

It's not going to get any better with BMUU. It took them 4 years to sort out the fuel pump and EWS issues.

I agree, and it's looking like a new Triumph Tiger for me!
But I am so disappointed that these essentially great bikes have a lifespan that is dictated by uneconomic repairs. I've serviced it, added all the extras to suit my usage of the bike and style, changed all bolts to stainless, refurbed casings and various parts that have rusted or tarnished and now I'm thwarted by a potential £1000 bill (every x miles).

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I've had a K1200GT-SE, R1200GSA and R1200RT-SE and got out of all of them at warranties end. Couldn't afford another new bike or risk a big bill with a used one so walked to the Honda dealer and got an 07 Varadero, 3K miles, with full luggage.

All as I did was put an extended warranty on it with full european cover for £350

It's worked out alot cheaper than replacing my bike every two years

 

[Demongroover]

Some clever engineer forum member posted a thread with pics on changing the bearing. Has anyone got the link or name of the forum member so I can look it up?