Russel BMW kicks A$$! / It WASN'T MY STARTER!

Jackalope · Fri, Mar-13-2009, 08:00:02 PM

Ok so I had the intermitant starting issue since I got my M and no one could ever duplicate it so it couldn't be nailed down. Almost a whole year went by and everyone on here was sure it was my starter, so before I replaced the starter I wanted to see if the car had any codes and they couldn't find anything. So when I got a call to come and pick it up it wouldn't start! They called me back and said never mind don't come get it, it won't start and we're pushing it back in the shop. YES!!! at least they got to screw up for them even if by accident! A quick code check and it comes back the ESW modual is the problem but they want to make 100% sure so they kept my car the whole week to be sure its fixed. After they put the modual in they went out every morning, noon and at closing to start the car and she always fired right up. So they fixed it, it WAS NOT the starter! Best of all it was FREE!!!!! They covered it under warrenty since they've been chasing it around since I got the car. So I got my baby back, fixed for FREE, had a new 325i for a loaner for the week, AND they detailed my car for me!!!!! ALL FOR NOTHING!!!!!!

Russel BMW of Ellicott city MD is the best IMO! And my service advisor Ricky and the techs are too as far as I'm concerned. If ANYONE is in Maryland and has any problems I'd HIGHLY recomend Russel BMW, Ricky, and the awesome techs that work there.

djm3 · Fri, Mar-13-2009, 08:01:59 PM

Great service story for a change!

smaglik · Fri, Mar-13-2009, 08:12:07 PM

it is nice when a mechanic shows a touch of honesty.

t3stman · Fri, Mar-13-2009, 08:36:53 PM

I like it when the owner does have to fork out any $$$!

M_itated · Fri, Mar-13-2009, 08:58:37 PM

Russels my BMW spot too. Great service

IGotId · Fri, Mar-13-2009, 11:02:08 PM

what is the ESW module?

glas it worked out for you

GRIDLOCK · Fri, Mar-13-2009, 11:22:06 PM

EWS Module.

ohnoes · Fri, Mar-13-2009, 11:30:23 PM

Not to rain on your parade, OP, but your celebrating might be a bit premature, because it's not necessarily fixed if it's the same issues others were having. They had almost identical situations, where the dealer would replace this part and that part and the problem would appear to be resolved, but in actuality it wasn't; it just happened to start at those particular times. I don't recall the circumstances surrounding your no-start condition(s), but this especially applies if it's sporadic no-start like what I'm talking about.

Hope for the best, but prepare for it to start acting up again. I hope I'm wrong and the dealer was right!

**Tonester** · Fri, Mar-13-2009, 11:39:54 PM

EWS and key alignment problems are extremely common.

If you need to cycle your key on/off a few times before your car starts then its that means the EWS/Key is out of wack.

**deilenberger** · Sat, Mar-14-2009, 02:45:47 AM

I'd suggest:

1 - Writing a thank you LETTER (on paper) to the manager of the dealership. The service department loves 'attaboys'.. PAPER is important - they need something to frame and put on the wall - with your signature on it.

2 - Buy a case of some decent German beer - take it to the service manager on a Friday afternoon. Tell him it's for the help with the problem.

If you do these two things - you will be golden at the dealership. The service you receive will be exceptional. If you really want to thank them - contact BMW-NA and tell them how pleased you were with your experience with the dealership.

Fri, Mar-13-2009, 08:00:02 PM	#1
Jackalope Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,017 Reputation: 0 Location: Baltimore	Russel BMW kicks A$$! / It WASN'T MY STARTER! Ok so I had the intermitant starting issue since I got my M and no one could ever duplicate it so it couldn't be nailed down. Almost a whole year went by and everyone on here was sure it was my starter, so before I replaced the starter I wanted to see if the car had any codes and they couldn't find anything. So when I got a call to come and pick it up it wouldn't start! They called me back and said never mind don't come get it, it won't start and we're pushing it back in the shop. YES!!! at least they got to screw up for them even if by accident! A quick code check and it comes back the ESW modual is the problem but they want to make 100% sure so they kept my car the whole week to be sure its fixed. After they put the modual in they went out every morning, noon and at closing to start the car and she always fired right up. So they fixed it, it WAS NOT the starter! Best of all it was FREE!!!!! They covered it under warrenty since they've been chasing it around since I got the car. So I got my baby back, fixed for FREE, had a new 325i for a loaner for the week, AND they detailed my car for me!!!!! ALL FOR NOTHING!!!!!! Russel BMW of Ellicott city MD is the best IMO! And my service advisor Ricky and the techs are too as far as I'm concerned. If ANYONE is in Maryland and has any problems I'd HIGHLY recomend Russel BMW, Ricky, and the awesome techs that work there.

Fri, Mar-13-2009, 08:01:59 PM	#2
djm3 CSL (finished) inside Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3,773 In the garage: '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: HeArT of DiXiE	Great service story for a change! __________________

Fri, Mar-13-2009, 08:12:07 PM	#3
smaglik Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 907 Reputation: 0 Location: Flagstaff	it is nice when a mechanic shows a touch of honesty. __________________ 2002 BMW M5 2007 Nissan Xterra 2009 Honda Fit

Fri, Mar-13-2009, 08:36:53 PM	#4
t3stman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,453 Reputation: 0 Location: Irvine (Sunny Sokal)	I like it when the owner does have to fork out any $$$! __________________ 2005 ///M3Alpine White with Imola Red Nappa Leather, 19", NAV, ZCP Competition Pck, and SMG Cosmetic Mods: OEM CSL Bootlid, OEM CSL Diffusor, OEM Euro Fire Extinguisher, Premium Clear Bra, EAS Aurora Angel Eyes 6000k, EAS CF Titanium seat outer trims, EAS CF Titanium upper trim, EAS CF Titanium SMG Dome, Ice-Link, Painted Matching Bumper Reflectors, Painted Hood Grill, 40% Huper Optik Tint, and Ultimate pedals. Performance Mods: VFE Stg2, SS stepped headers, cats, x-pipes, and NOW KW v3 91 Pump - 478.86 HPs MS-109 - 511.56 HPs Future Mods: Eibach or GC swaybars, BBK, and Hard wired V1

Fri, Mar-13-2009, 11:02:08 PM	#6
IGotId No longer driving an e46 after 1 e46 or another for a decade Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,949 In the garage: '10 BMW X5M Reputation: 0 Location: NoVA	what is the ESW module? glas it worked out for you __________________ Silver Grey/Cinnamon Premium, Nav, Xenons, CWP; TC Kline S/A Coilovers; Gunmetal RAC RG4 v.2 19x9/10"; Stoptech BBK; OEM CSL Bootlid & Diffuser, V-CSL v2 bumper; Dinan SSK, Dinan exhaust, & Dinan Front Strut Tower Brace

Fri, Mar-13-2009, 08:58:37 PM	#5
M_itated Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 46 Reputation: 0	Russels my BMW spot too. Great service

Fri, Mar-13-2009, 11:22:06 PM	#7
GRIDLOCK Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 484 Reputation: 0 Location: OC	EWS Module. __________________

Fri, Mar-13-2009, 11:30:23 PM	#8
ohnoes Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,349 Reputation: 0 Location: NoVA	Not to rain on your parade, OP, but your celebrating might be a bit premature, because it's not necessarily fixed if it's the same issues others were having. They had almost identical situations, where the dealer would replace this part and that part and the problem would appear to be resolved, but in actuality it wasn't; it just happened to start at those particular times. I don't recall the circumstances surrounding your no-start condition(s), but this especially applies if it's sporadic no-start like what I'm talking about. Hope for the best, but prepare for it to start acting up again. I hope I'm wrong and the dealer was right!

Fri, Mar-13-2009, 11:39:54 PM	#9
Tonester Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,171 Reputation: 0 Location: Southern Cali	EWS and key alignment problems are extremely common. If you need to cycle your key on/off a few times before your car starts then its that means the EWS/Key is out of wack.

Sat, Mar-14-2009, 02:45:47 AM	#10
deilenberger Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 13,363 Reputation: 578	I'd suggest: 1 - Writing a thank you LETTER (on paper) to the manager of the dealership. The service department loves 'attaboys'.. PAPER is important - they need something to frame and put on the wall - with your signature on it. 2 - Buy a case of some decent German beer - take it to the service manager on a Friday afternoon. Tell him it's for the help with the problem. If you do these two things - you will be golden at the dealership. The service you receive will be exceptional. If you really want to thank them - contact BMW-NA and tell them how pleased you were with your experience with the dealership. __________________ Don Eilenberger AKA bellymeisterburgermeister and denilegiiiiiiiiiiiiibennnnegerieragher (but that's misspelled..) 2001 M-Coupe - TiSilver/Black - Das Boot.. 2002 M3C/6 - Imola Red/Black - SOLD 2003 525iT - Green/Tan - SOLD - replaced with Lexus 2006 Cayenne/S - Iceland Silver Metallic/Stone-steel Gray - Truckster. 2007 R1200R - Roadster, black mit/white pinstripes - the REAL BMW.. 2011 Lexus RX-350. SWMBO's new toy.

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