X5M up in flames

[kanvas]

BMWs catching on fire. I guess it's more common than I thought. A simple Google search yields various results:

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...ng%20on%20fire

[onfireX5]

New option.

[Alberta]

Originally Posted by onfireX5

New option.

You should watch out , with a pseudonym like yours LOL

[ForkLiter]

Take a closer look at the installation instructions for the Dinan exhaust. Hmm. I would be checking that installation very closely.

http://files.dinancars.com/webresour...e655f0015b.pdf

[onfireX5]

Originally Posted by Can-am

You should watch out , with a pseudonym like yours LOL

[car_fan]

Originally Posted by Rpm

This. For everyone mentioning double pull to open the door try this.
Sit inside the car and have the car locked by remote, there is no way to unlock by pulling the handle bar.
For everyone's information: Use the center lock/unlock button on the consul to unlock first to be able to get out

In this case that may have had problem functioning due to fire.

I got introduced to this back in the 90's on my E36 325i

[SilentAttack]

insane. glad your OK man.

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by pz619

Wow. Just read this. Thrilled the OP got out alive. No one should be trapped in the car because there is no power. Bmw needs to fix this.

Ever try to lock a car with the remote from the inside? Comfort access won't allow it, ignition on won't allow it, the driver's door open on a coupe won't allow it on 2 door vehicles and either front door open on a 4 door will not allow it to enter double lock (also referred to as dead bolt). This is a theft deterrent feature. Those who have been double locked inside their vehicles had to try very hard to do so. Not to make light of this, but those same people likely struggle with other simple things in life, like not pushing a q tip in too far or falling down randomly while walking.

For those that think that a knob on top to pull on is an easy fix, think again. That's the #1 method for would be thieves to unlock your car with a simple piece of string or a coat hanger.

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by car_fan

I got introduced to this back in the 90's on my E36 325i

This release from double lock was not introduced until around 2000 model year on most models. An E36 will lock you in and you can't get the door unlocked with a remote, the E46 had he central locking release from double lock and double pull to exit the vehicle feature built in.

[EMpunker]

Originally Posted by heat'n'cool

UPDATE
Yesterday the investigation happened. Apparently the dealer did not tighten down the Negative or grounding wire to the battery after its last service leaving a gap. This caused the battery to arc and start the fire... No defect on the car itself but rather SEVERE error at the dealership...

As for myself I am still having breathing issues and am going to a pulmonary specialist to resolve the issues.

Wow, someone in the service department is in trouble...

[Billaeon]

Originally Posted by heat'n'cool

UPDATE
Yesterday the investigation happened. Apparently the dealer did not tighten down the Negative or grounding wire to the battery after its last service leaving a gap. This caused the battery to arc and start the fire... No defect on the car itself but rather SEVERE error at the dealership...

Which dealership? So I know to avoid it (in the SeaTac area as well). PM me if you don't want to post it for broad consumption.

[DFR]

My best guess is Bellevue BMW.

[onesixeight]

Originally Posted by Billaeon

Which dealership? So I know to avoid it (in the SeaTac area as well). PM me if you don't want to post it for broad consumption.

I'm going to guess is BMW Northwest since that's the dealer frame he has on the car and he also mentioned Manfred, the owner of BMW Northwest called him personally to let him know he would be taking care of him.

But just my educated guess...

[Billaeon]

Originally Posted by onesixeight

I'm going to guess is BMW Northwest

Was my guess as well, but wanted to be sure - since I frequent BMW of Bellevue for service.

[RENT-A-GOAT]

That's good news a cause of the fire has been found and that it was down to a service centre error rather than a huge problem in manufacture.

Not that this helps you with what happened and getting over both the psychological damage and now the problems with your respiratory system from the fire.

I guess from here on it's a case of you getting yourself better and BMW investigating the dealership/service centre more in depth with a probable stripping of their status as a BMW dealership franchise. On top of this there will/should be a legal shit storm for them both from BMW and yourself for the damages they have caused.

Just hope you get a good outcome from this on most importantly your health, but also that you are well looked after by BMW (they should bend over backwards to restore your faith in them and their products) Remember it's not the car or the manufacture and in this case both of you who have been totally let down with possible long term/fatal consequences on your part and serious damage to a reputation/product and it's after sales handling/service in the US marketplace based upon this happening.

Get well soon and good luck with things moving forward.

[heat'n'cool]

Originally Posted by RENT-A-GOAT

That's good news a cause of the fire has been found and that it was down to a service centre error rather than a huge problem in manufacture.

Not that this helps you with what happened and getting over both the psychological damage and now the problems with your respiratory system from the fire.

I guess from here on it's a case of you getting yourself better and BMW investigating the dealership/service centre more in depth with a probable stripping of their status as a BMW dealership franchise. On top of this there will/should be a legal shit storm for them both from BMW and yourself for the damages they have caused.

Just hope you get a good outcome from this on most importantly your health, but also that you are well looked after by BMW (they should bend over backwards to restore your faith in them and their products) Remember it's not the car or the manufacture and in this case both of you who have been totally let down with possible long term/fatal consequences on your part and serious damage to a reputation/product and it's after sales handling/service in the US marketplace based upon this happening.

Get well soon and good luck with things moving forward.

I agree with everything you said. Thanks for caring about my health it means a lot to have a good community of car enthusiests. To me that is #1 and is what I am concentrating on right now. I know i will get the money for the car.. eventually...

As for the dealership until this incident they were fantastic.. when there were no issues... HOWEVER what something goes wrong that is when your true colors come out and the way they handled it was plain and simply WRONG.

#1 they violated the consumer perfection act by sending me a settlement and release of liability without even offering for medical to be covered (Did this the day after it happened)

#2 Other then a friend that worked there management didn't even call me until I rose a stink about the release of liability and settlement document which had PDF's of a check for the full purchase amount of my car... sleazy.

You brought up a good question.. What will BMW NA do to the dealership? FINE them? Who knows. All i know their processes are broke and demonstrated down right negligence in this situation which almost killed me.

[heat'n'cool]

Originally Posted by pz619

Wow. Just read this. Thrilled the OP got out alive. No one should be trapped in the car because there is no power. Bmw needs to fix this.

WOW. Just saw this post. Thanks for sharing this. Some people have been saying well the door will open with two pulls.. well i challenge them to light their car on fire while driving with a cabin filled with smoke... try to get out in a panic situation where your car is locked, shut down and as i said burning... chocked full of smoke so you can't see.. see how quickly they pull the handle.. i pulled quite a few times.. Something went wrong and your post validates that. Thanks for sharing.

[RENT-A-GOAT]

Originally Posted by heat'n'cool

I agree with everything you said. Thanks for caring about my health it means a lot to have a good community of car enthusiests. To me that is #1 and is what I am concentrating on right now. I know i will get the money for the car.. eventually...

As for the dealership until this incident they were fantastic.. when there were no issues... HOWEVER what something goes wrong that is when your true colors come out and the way they handled it was plain and simply WRONG.

#1 they violated the consumer perfection act by sending me a settlement and release of liability without even offering for medical to be covered (Did this the day after it happened)

#2 Other then a friend that worked there management didn't even call me until I rose a stink about the release of liability and settlement document which had PDF's of a check for the full purchase amount of my car... sleazy.

You brought up a good question.. What will BMW NA do to the dealership? FINE them? Who knows. All i know their processes are broke and demonstrated down right negligence in this situation which almost killed me.

Not so much BMW NA on its own but BMW AG (Germany) this needs taking to the top and questions need to be answered and addressed. I'm sure there will be someone their very interested in this event and it's coming about. But yes definitely seek sound legal advice into the best options you at the end of the day have suffered severe shortcomings that could have been fatal .

[arrivederci]

Originally Posted by heat'n'cool

I agree with everything you said. Thanks for caring about my health it means a lot to have a good community of car enthusiests. To me that is #1 and is what I am concentrating on right now. I know i will get the money for the car.. eventually...

As for the dealership until this incident they were fantastic.. when there were no issues... HOWEVER what something goes wrong that is when your true colors come out and the way they handled it was plain and simply WRONG.

#1 they violated the consumer perfection act by sending me a settlement and release of liability without even offering for medical to be covered (Did this the day after it happened)

#2 Other then a friend that worked there management didn't even call me until I rose a stink about the release of liability and settlement document which had PDF's of a check for the full purchase amount of my car... sleazy.

You brought up a good question.. What will BMW NA do to the dealership? FINE them? Who knows. All i know their processes are broke and demonstrated down right negligence in this situation which almost killed me.

My uneducated guess is that the dealer carries insurance for this sort of thing (service error that is the direct cause of someone getting hurt, plus physical damage). So you'll be dealing with an insurance company as they would be the ones paying out - not the dealer. I'd get a lawyer.

[kmarei]

...powered by Samsung...

[NikonMan]

If you haven't already, be sure to retain counsel - even if its just to review whatever settlement they give you.

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by heat'n'cool

UPDATE
Yesterday the investigation happened. Apparently the dealer did not tighten down the Negative or grounding wire to the battery after its last service leaving a gap. This caused the battery to arc and start the fire... No defect on the car itself but rather SEVERE error at the dealership...

Glad to hear it was human error at the dealership, and not a manufacturing defect. Still unfortunate for you and upsetting that a BMW technician would be so careless.