Question for MikeCam Re: 2005 R1150R

[Samiam]

Mikecam,

Over in the "For Sale" section, you made the following statement under the Granite Gray or Light Silver R1150R ad:

"The nice things about the '05 are: 1) spline lube issue addressed at the factory with higher quality lube and tighter quality control; 2) transmission and engine housing alignment issue corrected; 3) final drive crown bearing issue addressed with higher quality part and tighter tolerance on installation; 4) most up-to-date Motronic program flashed at birth - addresses variety of fuels under EU3/US EPA better than earlier versions; 5) fuel line clamps properly spec'd and clenched."

Since I have an identical 2005 Roadster, this is the best news I've seen since I bought my bike! Would you mind sharing how you found these facts? I'm sure other owners of the 2005 amd later year models would also be keen to know as well since I've worried about the spline issues; now it appears that all my worries (well most of them) were for naught.

Many thanks for your knowledge.

[MikeCam]

On splines: The one aspect of this issue to which BMW AG responded was that for a period of time, at assembly in Germany, the proper lube was not applied. This was apparently sometime between late 2002 and mid 2003 (which could involve models from 2002-2004 based on actual production runs). BUT, as Al is investigating, the wear and tear of operation that causes many splines to fail somewhere as early as 40,000 miles, is an item that bears much more examination and to which BMW AG have not issued any formal bulletin.

On the fuel line clamps, crown bearings, and engine housing/transmission alignment: Each of these items was addressed at some point by a service or technical bulletin and BMW AG advised BMW NA on how to deal with any of these that became a problem with the end user. Either sub-system suppliers or assembly line workers were the stated cause of these particular issues. There is an expectation that this has not been permitted to recur.

Fuel Map updates are not spec'd by model year, but there is a blurb from mid-2004 (at the start of 2005 model year production run) about updating the fuel maps in R259 engine management software.

I research and investigate a variety of sources, many of which I must protect (nothing really secretive, just that some sources dry up quickly if they are abused). None of my answers should carry any particular credibility to a stranger.

As I have stated previously, I defer to Al and Rob for mechanical knowledge and repair advice. And to Dean for a variety of matters.

[Beemeridian]

33

[taosports]

Where does one find the production year on the 1150R?

TIA

[Beemeridian]

33

[MikeCam]

Why would there be an uninterrupted run of production from 02/01 until 10/04?
Then a 5 month gap
Then 2 more gaps in 2005 with production ending in 02/06.

Dave,

BMW has more models of bikes in production than they have assembly lines. Batch production is the way they handle that. There are real concerns with BMW AG quality control, assembly line worker skills, and sub-component supplier quality but I don't read anything into the batch production numbers aside from unsold worldwide inventory contributing to the timing and length of a particular run.

You have an April 2009 model. Cool!

[Beemeridian]

33

[awagnon]

....and engine housing/transmission alignment: Each of these items was addressed at some point by a service or technical bulletin and BMW AG advised BMW NA on how to deal with any of these that became a problem with the end user. Either sub-system suppliers or assembly line workers were the stated cause of these particular issues. There is an expectation that this has not been permitted to recur.

Certainly engine housing/transmission misalignment would cause premature spline failure. If BMW is or was aware of this, why haven't they accepted responsibility for the spline failures and extended the warranties of the drive line? Do you have documentation of this or a copy of a service bulletin? I would think this would be grounds for a class action suit against BMW for all the failed splines they have refused to cover the cost of repairs.

Again. Why isn't the MOA being more proactive in supporting it's members on this issue? Why haven't they met with BMWNA for more information about failure rates, explanations, etc.? Or is the MOA just a social organization?

[MikeCam]

Class action in the U.S. is for those who suffer a loss or injury under breach of contract, fitness for a particular purpose (implied warranty), and safety of use. It is my understanding that nobody has such a loss. Under 3 yrs/36,000 miles it appears any destroyed splined bikes were repaired and no owner was made to foot the bill. Over that, there is no contract. The responsibility of a company to 'do something' for owners of bikes with over 3 yrs/36000 miles in service and some form of major sub-component failure is a matter of opinion not law or regulatory environment. The appropriate penalty for such a situation is not Class Action but lost customers. Then multi-national producers of major consumer goods start to change.

[awagnon]

Class action in the U.S. is for those who suffer a loss or injury under breach of contract, fitness for a particular purpose (implied warranty), and safety of use.

I would say many have suffered from lack of fitness for use when their splines failed after 36,000 miles or three years. If BMW knew there was a defective part and sold the bikes on the implied promise of a superior product, then it would seem like there are grounds for a class action suit. It is also a safety issue, but to date, there has not been anyone hurt, just some close calls. I'm against suing people and certainly against frivolous law suits. But I'm also against large corporations who are aware of a defective product but won't admit it or be responsible and pay for correcting the problem. As one whose splines failed on a bike out of warranty, I'm biased. Will I buy another BMW? I don't know.