Car unable to start :(

[BMWSILVER]

Dear all,

Came back from Business Trip after 4 days and this morning unable to start my 318i :furious:

May I know what is the best solution?

Should I call PML? J4C or BVO? Cable start with another BMW?

Anyone encounter this problem before, please share your experience

Thanks in advance.

 

[CyberTron]

Re: Car unable to start

If suspect is battery... can call pml...they will come down and jump start ya car for free... got mine jumpstart for free even after the car was out of warranty....

 

[318 NewBoy]

Re: Car unable to start

Bro, battery flat is it? How old is your ride's batt? If it's batt problem, use cable start wt another car then drive to nearest batt & tyre shop to get a new one.

If engine problem (e.g. plugs, ....), no choice but may have to call for towing liao.

 

[318 NewBoy]

Re: Car unable to start

If suspect is battery... can call pml...they will come down and jump start ya car for free... got mine jumpstart for free even after the car was out of warranty....

But are you obliged to send your car to pml for getting a new batt? Will it cost more compared to other tyre&batt shops?

 

[phil]

Re: Car unable to start

Just jump start it lah, easy. Drive car for 30 minutes, battery will be charged. Must check fluid level in battery though, may need top up.

 

[VolanteDB9]

Re: Car unable to start

best to get battery checked...or changed...might be able to get it charged but then 'standby' time will be so variable...
i have a battery charger of sorts for the car...if travelling for long time...come home juz plug it in for 1/2 hr...voila...

 

[CyberTron]

Re: Car unable to start

Nope. Not obliged to pay anything. As long as the car can jumpstart, no need pay.

I actually did it twice. First one...when the car was about 1 month left from 3 years warranty, they replaced the battery FOC.

2nd time car about 5 years old...they came down and jumpstart for free.

 

[TobyNik]

Re: Car unable to start

Ben

Shouldn't happen for your car. The last time you mentioned they changed the Alternator and V-belt right?

Or changed battery? What's your mileage now? I believe still low?

I travelled for 10 days come back still ok. What additional electronic toys you put in recently?

 

[318 NewBoy]

Re: Car unable to start

Nope. Not obliged to pay anything. As long as the car can jumpstart, no need pay.

I actually did it twice. First one...when the car was about 1 month left from 3 years warranty, they replaced the battery FOC.

2nd time car about 5 years old...they came down and jumpstart for free.

Yo, bro. This really surprised me. I didn't know that nowadays there is indeed have such a good "Free Lunch" in Singapore leh. I must change my mindset now a little bit towards PML service attitude.

 

[BMWSILVER]

Re: Car unable to start

Dear all,

Thanks for all the advices

Will call PML.

Hopefully, is the battery problem !

 

[BMWSILVER]

Re: Car unable to start

Hi ! TobyNik.

Nope ! I didn't changed the Alternator and V-belt. My car mileage is ~50K KM.

My car is stock standard and no special ICE. The last MOD to my car was a special decal "Baby On Board"

Hope to join the next BMW Meet-up and say hello to all of you

I actually missed driving my car after 4 days Business Trip to Japan. I think I seow :screwedu: Managed to visit Honda and BMW Showroom in Japan

Sat inside the Honda Type R Civic and Z4 M Cab :yikess:

Cheers !

 

[TobyNik]

Re: Car unable to start

Hi ! TobyNik.

Nope ! I didn't changed the Alternator and V-belt. My car mileage is ~50K KM.

My car is stock standard and no special ICE. The last MOD to my car was a special decal "Baby On Board"

Hope to join the next BMW Meet-up and say hello to all of you

I actually missed driving my car after 4 days Business Trip to Japan. I think I seow :screwedu: Managed to visit Honda and BMW Showroom in Japan

Sat inside the Honda Type R Civic and Z4 M Cab :yikess:

Cheers !

OK!

Anyway, Type R 4-door or 3-dr hatch?

I love the 3-dr hatch as it looks much better IMO and not like any normal Civic sedan
running everywhere on SG rds these days. You see one every 5 secs!

Oh yeah, was very tempted by the hatch. It's built in Swindon (UK) and specs like thicker windscreen and windows make the car very continental in terms of built quality. But it's 20 BHP lesser than the JDM 4-dr version the PIs are bringing in.

I figure the 3-dr is probably better for everyday driving though.......less harsh but still damn powerful nonetheless....good if you wanna track the bugger once in a while....




Love Japan!

 

[BMWSILVER]

Re: Car unable to start

Hi ! Guys !

Managed to call PML Help Line at 8:00 A.M. and they came to my place around 9:00 A.M.

Cable Start my car and confirmed it is battery problem.

Decided to change the battery and paid S$182+ for Brand New Battery with 2 years warranty

Very happy with PML service

Cheers !

 

[CricketWee]

Re: Car unable to start

Dear all,

Came back from Business Trip after 4 days and this morning unable to start my 318i :furious:

May I know what is the best solution?

Should I call PML? J4C or BVO? Cable start with another BMW?

Anyone encounter this problem before, please share your experience

Thanks in advance.

Hi BMWSilver,

My car just pulled the same stunt to me today, but mine's an e46 320. Can you share what was the symptoms like? Mine had all the lights on the dash come up as usual, but refuse to crank the engine. Just heard 2 clicks then no response. Tried it a couple of times, wondering if its the starter motor too.

Also, did PML mention whether there's a price diff for the batteries for the 318s vs 320s?

Thanx in advance

 

[BMWSILVER]

Re: Car unable to start

Hi ! CricketWee.

Well, I tried to crank but the car wouldn't start that all !

Go ahead to call PML and they will dispatch their man down to help you.

Please gave them at least 1 hour to come to your place.

I don' t think there is any difference between 318 and 320 battery but I am not sure.

Good luck

 

[CricketWee]

Re: Car unable to start

Hi BMWSilver,

Replied to your other post in Dec 2006. Anyways, thought I'd close the loop here as well.

Got the BMW Mobile Service guys. Changed my battery for $261.11 (7% GST included). Not to bad service and not to mention the convenience!

Also, there's a difference between the batteries of the 318 and the 320 (e46), they use the 55Ah and 70Ah batteries respectively. So I figured that the higher the amp rating, the costlier the battery.

Finally, anybody found out where to get batteries for the BMWs with the correct amp ratings and how much are they? Might be useful information to have for fellow BMW drivers.

Cheers,

 

[nitrox]

Re: Car unable to start

guys.. need some help here, had the same problem just 30 mins ago, BMW service came but unfortunately it's a starter motor issue.

now the dilemma, should i get it towed to PML or J4C? PML provides free towing service but obviously higher costs. how much higher is the ? cos it seems more convenient just to get towed to PML. they also mentioned that it might take 2 days.. just for starter motor.. sigh..

 

[wilman2772]

Re: Car unable to start

guys.. need some help here, had the same problem just 30 mins ago, BMW service came but unfortunately it's a starter motor issue.

now the dilemma, should i get it towed to PML or J4C? PML provides free towing service but obviously higher costs. how much higher is the ? cos it seems more convenient just to get towed to PML. they also mentioned that it might take 2 days.. just for starter motor.. sigh..

Go PML means you'll be on the choping board..... 2 days job.....your bill will be steam man!!!

I suggest u go J4C!


'The Great White'

 

[Violin]

Re: Car unable to start

The PML Service information letter i got stated :

BMW Mobile Service (Tel: 6292 3166) - We provide 24-hour assistance for emergencies, road traffic accidents and vehicle breakdowns throughout the year, within 10 yrs from the date of registration. This service is FREE of charge. During attendence by our Service Mobile, we will try to fix any problem on the spot. In such cases, you will not be charged for parts used if yr car is under warranty. If yr car cannot fixed on the spot, we recommend that it be towed to our workshop for further repair. While the towing service is free of charge, repair charges, including parts and labour costs, will apply unless yr car is under warranty.

Yo, bro. This really surprised me. I didn't know that nowadays there is indeed have such a good "Free Lunch" in Singapore leh. I must change my mindset now a little bit towards PML service attitude.

 

[Herman]

Re: Car unable to start

Either J4C or BVO.

PML will skin you alive.