***The Official M56 SULEV Warranty Documents, Check-in, and Questions Thread***

Apparently smog regulations changed January 1, 2013. For 2000+ cars with OBDII, it appears as though its only a visual and OBD inspection. There won't be any more tail pipe emissions testing. I'm not 100% sure, but from what I've read, this appears to be the case.

http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...esentation.pdf

Originally Posted by Bear77

So I went to the dealer on Saturday to ask about whether the following issues with my car would be covered by the warranty: leaking VANOS oil line, fault code 296b (post-cat O2 sensors mixed up), and to see if I could be reimbursed for replacing my MAF sensor, MAF sensor boot, and O2 sensors within the past few weeks. I haven't gotten an outright "NO" yet, but the service manager wanted to defer to the warranty specialists who only work during the week. I have an appointment for Wednesday, so more to follow...stay tuned!

UPDATE: Dealer found a bad DME and replaced it under the M56 SULEV Warranty. Thank God, because that's a $2,500 part!

The bad news: I got about 2 miles down the road and my SES light came back on. So back to the dealer on my way home.

As for the VANOS oil line, it looks like I'm on my own for that. East Bay BMW said the list I posted here earlier was comprehensive as far as what they would replace under the warranty. If it's not on the list, they won't cover it.

Originally Posted by Bear77

UPDATE: Dealer found a bad DME and replaced it under the M56 SULEV Warranty. Thank God, because that's a $2,500 part!

The bad news: I got about 2 miles down the road and my SES light came back on. So back to the dealer on my way home.

As for the VANOS oil line, it looks like I'm on my own for that. East Bay BMW said the list I posted here earlier was comprehensive as far as what they would replace under the warranty. If it's not on the list, they won't cover it.

Yikes. Glad it got taken care of!

It might be an issue of adaptations. I know whenever my car has been reflashed, the SES light will be on for the first probably 50 miles until the DME registers adaptations. Although, the SES light comes on as soon as the work is done, in that case.

VANOS oil line is a fairly easy DIY if you want to go that route. Just make sure to get new crush washers.





On another note, I think my car might have failed VANOS seals. I'm getting really odd performance as the RPM crosses 2500. It almost feels as if the car has dropped a gear (using manual mode, so it didn't downshift), and there's not much power in 5th gear below 2500. I'll lose speed and RPM going up even the slightest of grades.

I'm going to have a forum member check it out via INPA, then I'll have to decide whether I want to take it to the dealer or go with the Beisan seals.

Originally Posted by Bear77

UPDATE: Dealer found a bad DME and replaced it under the M56 SULEV Warranty. Thank God, because that's a $2,500 part!

The bad news: I got about 2 miles down the road and my SES light came back on. So back to the dealer on my way home.

As for the VANOS oil line, it looks like I'm on my own for that. East Bay BMW said the list I posted here earlier was comprehensive as far as what they would replace under the warranty. If it's not on the list, they won't cover it.

Get the VANOS oil line denial in writing. Then I'd contact the California Air Resources Board at (800)242-4450 and tell them they denied you and they have it in writing. They will mediate and I think you will get it covered. The law seems pretty clear that any parts associated with emissions related parts are covered. So if the VANOS is covered, I would think the related hose is covered.

Nice! Will do!

Originally Posted by briangl92

Apparently smog regulations changed January 1, 2013. For 2000+ cars with OBDII, it appears as though its only a visual and OBD inspection. There won't be any more tail pipe emissions testing. I'm not 100% sure, but from what I've read, this appears to be the case.

http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource...esentation.pdf

this changed way before in NJ they stopped putting that machine behind the tailpipe.

That's great about the list bear, I will be emailing it to my dealer tomorrow to see what they will say. That list is nuts!!! I LOVE YOU!!! in a non homo way lol.
Also what happened with the reimbursement? I want to find out too since I replaced my thermostat.

My dealer said they can't tell me if those things are covered on the list as people might break them on purpose. Pretty much them not denying it outright coupled with the fact that there is things on that list that are under warranty, plus bears dealership saying those things are covered points to a very high chance that they are.

Bmwna told me no about reinbursement as they said the dealer has to diagnose it blah blah, maybe ill call again if i feel like fighting over it.
Brain you should include that list in your first post.

I am getting the DISA valve covered under the warranty, but the dealer said no to me on the VANOS oil hose. Legally, I can't see how that hose is not covered. I wrote to BMW NA's legal department today and I'll wait to hear back from them.

What is the address to the legal department the idiots on the phone are completely retarded. That's great that they covered DISA as it is not on any list, but an argument could be made that it makes you fail emissions. The dealer covered my oil line as good will when they did my radiator, i told them before that they ruined it when they replaced my VANOS

Originally Posted by gselsidi

What is the address to the legal department the idiots on the phone are completely retarded. That's great that they covered DISA as it is not on any list, but an argument could be made that it makes you fail emissions. The dealer covered my oil line as good will when they did my radiator, i told them before that they ruined it when they replaced my VANOS

BMW NA
Attn: Legal Department
PO Box 1227
Westwood, NJ 07675

Originally Posted by gselsidi

My dealer said they can't tell me if those things are covered on the list as people might break them on purpose. Pretty much them not denying it outright coupled with the fact that there is things on that list that are under warranty, plus bears dealership saying those things are covered points to a very high chance that they are.

Bmwna told me no about reinbursement as they said the dealer has to diagnose it blah blah, maybe ill call again if i feel like fighting over it.
Brain you should include that list in your first post.

I would like to, but unfortunately it won't let me edit the post...probably due to the age of it. I'll see if there's any other way to add it.

Would a service history report show parts under warranty on the report? And would the report show nationwide repairs on under warranty or do you each individual BMW dealership have their own records?? I need to find out about my m56 ;(

Originally Posted by Thinhcan

Would a service history report show parts under warranty on the report? And would the report show nationwide repairs on under warranty or do you each individual BMW dealership have their own records?? I need to find out about my m56 ;(

I don't believe it shows what's covered.

It would most likely show any repairs made at dealerships.


Sent from my iPhone

I am in the process of requesting that BMW NA honor the SULEV warranty on my 2006 325Ci.

My car has a faulty fuel level sensor causing the gas gauge to be very erratic.

My local dealer is aware of the SULEV warranty but will not proceed without authorization from BMW.

I wrote to BMW requesting coverage and they contacted me today and were polite. They had already talked to my dealer to verify details. However the BMW representative said that she was still searching the BMW warranty database. She could not immediately locate warranty documents for a 2006 (e46) 325Ci with (M56 engine). She did have 2005 documents.

2006 was a major redesign year moving from the e46 to the e90. I believe that the 2006 e46's were delivered with 2005 manuals/warranty documents.

If anyone has any information/documents either supporting or refuting this assumption on my part, please let me know.

I expect to hear back from BMW NA in the next day or two. I will post an update then.

Originally Posted by Omega199

I am in the process of requesting that BMW NA honor the SULEV warranty on my 2006 325Ci.

My car has a faulty fuel level sensor causing the gas gauge to be very erratic.

My local dealer is aware of the SULEV warranty but will not proceed without authorization from BMW.

I wrote to BMW requesting coverage and they contacted me today and were polite. They had already talked to my dealer to verify details. However the BMW representative said that she was still searching the BMW warranty database. She could not immediately locate warranty documents for a 2006 (e46) 325Ci with (M56 engine). She did have 2005 documents.

2006 was a major redesign year moving from the e46 to the e90. I believe that the 2006 e46's were delivered with 2005 manuals/warranty documents.

If anyone has any information/documents either supporting or refuting this assumption on my part, please let me know.

I expect to hear back from BMW NA in the next day or two. I will post an update then.

I'm not certain of the 2006 warranty terms but I should be the same as every other M56. The 2005 warranty handbook is posted on the 1st post of this thread.


Sent from BimmerApp mobile app

Thanks - I had already downloaded a copy of the 2005 SULEV warranty. I agree that the model year should not be an issue but given BMW's track record thus far on this topic who knows what they might use as an excuse.

The information contributed by the many posts on this topic has been very helpful.

Originally Posted by Omega199

Thanks - I had already downloaded a copy of the 2005 SULEV warranty. I agree that the model year should not be an issue but given BMW's track record thus far on this topic who knows what they might use as an excuse.

The information contributed by the many posts on this topic has been very helpful.

Do you know your build date?

2003 SULEV Warranty Handbook
2004 SULEV Warranty Handbook
2005 SULEV Warranty Handbook

I can't find anything for 2006 - all 2006 documentation is for the E90