Recall for N20 engines issued 11/15/2021

[NeiL010204]

Hi Wheela,I have the actual module that was installed.Please see attached pixs.

[Gamb1t]

Looks like a piggyback set-up therefore you were able to unplug it to revert back to stock.
Mine's similar but with Dinansport instead.

[wheela]

Originally Posted by NeiL010204

Hi Wheela,I have the actual module that was installed.Please see attached pixs.

Oh good, like Gamb1t said, it's some kind of piggy back, so you should be good to go - it should keep doing its thing on top of the updated factory software.

[nikkilk08]

Originally Posted by jdh212

I work at a BMW Dealership here in Santa Barbara, CA. Spoke to my service manager and he said it will not have any affect on performance or detune the vehicle. They've already done it to a bunch of E84's. It's a super simple fix that on most cars and will only take the shop 5 minutes to do.

I'm going to have it done on my car later this week and will report back.

Hi, I had this recall done a few weeks ago and they told me it was complicated and would take all day lol. (I got a nice loaner so I wasn’t too upset.) I’ve noticed my car backfiring a few times since the fix. Is this related? If so, what do I say to them about it? I don’t know a whole lot about cars but this is the only thread I’ve found talking about this. I don’t wanna get ripped off. Thanks!

[Peegoiy11]

My 2012 BMW 528i was fine when I brought it in to do the recall last month.
Now it backfired on cylinder1, Engine light shown. Car ran like %^&%*!!

[Peegoiy11]

All that happen when I picked up the car from dealer.

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by Peegoiy11

My 2012 BMW 528i was fine when I brought it in to do the recall last month.
Now it backfired on cylinder1, Engine light shown. Car ran like %^&%*!!

I didn't know the 5-series was included in the recall. Thought it was just SAVs.
I'd say bring it back to the dealership and let them sort it out.

[Peegoiy11]

20E-A01 recall caused my engine light on, backfire.
Dealer said that it's just coincidence that my coil and spark plugs were bad minutes after the reprogrammed
I think reprogramming cause the module to fail

[Gamb1t]

So the dealership is not going to do anything about it?

[Smu67]

I had the new programming done in my 2015 x1 28i about 1 month ago. The dealer said they had trouble doing the upgrade because the
BMW computer was crashing. The car has been running fine, but yesterday as I was giving it the beans on the on ramp to the highway the car lost power, ran rough and the big engine light came on. Got the car towed to a indy garage and will get the codes tomorrow. The tow truck operator said he could smell rotten eggs and thinks the the catalytic converter is bad. Is that just a coincidence? Never had a car with a bad cat. The car has 175,000 km on it. I drive it 95% on the highway with a 1 hour commute each way to work. Does anyone have any thoughts?

[05X3lover]

Originally Posted by Smu67

I had the new programming done in my 2015 x1 28i about 1 month ago. The dealer said they had trouble doing the upgrade because the
BMW computer was crashing. The car has been running fine, but yesterday as I was giving it the beans on the on ramp to the highway the car lost power, ran rough and the big engine light came on. Got the car towed to a indy garage and will get the codes tomorrow. The tow truck operator said he could smell rotten eggs and thinks the the catalytic converter is bad. Is that just a coincidence? Never had a car with a bad cat. The car has 175,000 km on it. I drive it 95% on the highway with a 1 hour commute each way to work. Does anyone have any thoughts?

I wouldn't read into it too much until you get the diagnosis from the shop you're using. Cats do go bad though, they get clogged up over time and they can cause the engine to miss, or suddenly feel like it lost all it's power. It's happened to me though not on our X1. Anyway update the thread when you find out the cause and good luck!

[Gamb1t]

OK my X1 is going in this friday! Wish me luck!

[wheela]

Good luck!

[Gamb1t]

Just want to report back that my X1 post-recall work done. Been a couple of days driving around so far so good. Noticed no difference in driveability. They even performed the driver side airbag recall as well.

Got an X6 MSport loaner for the day that I knew was bad news as my wife has been hankering for an X5 lately.

Also got to check out the new i4 M50 and iX. Really like the i4... gran coupe hatchback adds alot of practicality vs a sedan. I can certainly see it as a strong EV candidate in my future. The iX was pretty cool inside. I think the crystal iDrive and seat controls were a bit over the top. It's not a Bentley after all. Chatted with the BMW tech who was prepping it. Learned a few things about the iX and i4.
Alas the i4's earliest delivery is Dec. 2023.

[coptica]

I have not performed the recall yet. Got the letter but not in a hurry to do it yet!

[05X3lover]

Just wanted to update a bit. I was waiting to get our 2015 X1 're-set' until I spoke to the mechanics at the independent shop we use to maintain the vehicle. First, let me mention this is imho the best shop in our area (Carr industries), most of their mechanics are ex-dealer people and they know their sh*t. Also a very honest shop. Anyway recently when we had the oil and diff fluid changed I asked the mechanic about the recall, and if we should bother to get it done. He said it doesn't do a whole lot and I was free to do it, but not to worry if I didn't get it done as it made little difference. So at this point I'm still deciding if we're gonna get it done, but it's likely we will not. The reason for this is not because I'm afraid the update will somehow mess up the car, it's because I'd have to take it to a dealer we have no relationship with, to have them do something they will make no money on, and will not even lead me to being a future customer. Thus I'm hesitant to do something that probably will make no difference anyway.

[Gamb1t]

IIRC by leaning out the fuel map a bit, you technically would benefit:

- mpg
- Save the cat. By how much is anyone's guess.

I sent mine in and they also did my airbag recall. Funny, I thought I had that done already.

[mjc1994]

Originally Posted by mjc1994

Just got my E84 (28i, 2015) back from the dealer to have this done. I can confirm I lost all my custom coding, which is fine, but curious I know have the front radiator fan is kicking in a lot more often now. I scanned for codes but there's none, everything is green.

Maybe this is one of the behavior differences in the new coding as part of the recall? Surely if it was my water pump or thermostat it would be throwing a code..

Recently started getting CELs for the thermostat so I replaced the thermostat and waterpump. No codes now and everything works great, but still the radiator fan is on louder and more often than it was before I got this flash at the dealership. I think it's just the way it is. It's only noticible to me when shutting the car off after driving - it sounds like an airplane engine turning off.