I am a BMW owner who loved her car. So much in fact that I was devastated the Saturday it spontaneously caught fire.
The fire department’s conclusion on the scene was that my car, sitting in my parking lot with the engine off, had an electrical fire.
Since then, I have been researching BMW’s electrical problems. A quick search on Google demonstrates that there have been several people with a similar situation. This leaves me intrigued . . . and slightly worried.
I am worried about what my insurance is going to say. I am worried that BMW is not going to handle my situation with care and consideration. I am worried that driving a BMW puts me and my family at risk. I have a 5 month old baby; a darling, precious little soul. The thought of what might have happened if we were in the car when it caught fire is overwhelming.
This blog is a record of my worries, my research and my looming anticipation of disappointment in BMW’s customer service. Please read and draw your own conclusions.
BMW Electrical Fires
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My 550 I burned infront of my house this morning at 2:45 am. I am very interested in hearing from anyone else with the same problem. The fire department said it was an electrical problem. Tonight the car would have been in the garage as it was to be detailed today. What would have happened to my family?
Did BMW offer any assistance? Did they take responsibility for the damages to your car?
It is me again. I just wanted to share a couple things or maybe to vent a little. I own(ed) my 2008 BMW 550i free and clear, still under warranty for another 60,000 miles. All service has been done at the dealer. My plan was to take it to my detailer this morning and start parking it in my garage again where on the other side of the wall is my 9 year old son and 2 year old daughter. Can you imagine what could have happened had the car been in my garage? It makes me sick to my stomach to even think of it.
LIke most people that own a BMW prior to the fire I loved my car. I told everyone that I will drive a BMW for the rest of my life and so quickly things change. I would love to hear what people have done in their approach to dealing with BMW.
William,
I can’t believe I missed your comment, but I haven’t checked this site in a while. Basically, BMW refused to compensate me for my loses and I am still pissed off.
Frustrated and miserable, I had to put the whole thing on the back burner to keep from losing my mind. I thought a major company such as BMW would be willing to do something to help a middle class American who was loyal to their brand. I am saddened by the whole thing. Every time I see a black 325i my heart drops.
I believe one day there will be a class action law suit and I will get justice at that time. But how many people have to risk their lives or die before BMW takes responsibility?
again another victim. reading your blog takes me back last year when the same thing happened in front of my house, a proud bmw owner gutted and devasted my newy polished car soon ashes. bmw would have nothing to do with it did a so called investigation as it had been in for service that morning the fire broke out late evening! i now drive a very comfortable audi, still have a soft spot for my bmw but safety and trust comes first.
Just lost my BMW 325D to a spontatious fire last night myself and my 3 children just managed to get out before the entire engine compartment burst into flames THESE CARS ARE DEATH TRAPS
Kevin
On January 10, 2012 my Bmw 2007 335i coupe caught fire after being
serviced by Autogermana Bmw in Puerto Rico. I am still expecting an answer from them and from BMW of North America without sucess. BMW of North America sent an Engineer to dtermine the cause of the fire but they have decided to stay in complete silence. The repair quote is $25,000 so the insurance company declared it a total loss. My car was in top condition with only 45,000 miles, Autogermana BMW offered $10,000 to buy another car and has deny any liability. I will take the case to legal and will see what happens.
In June 2010 my children and I were lucky my BMW 3 series caught fire just a minute or so after we had got out of it.It set fire to my house also.The car was destroyed and my hosue damaged.BMW were not interested so I claimed through my car , house insurance.I am beyond disgusted with BMW.I will never buy a BMW and think it is a scandal BMW ignore these fundamental safety issues.My children were traumatised for several months as a result of the fire.Had the fire service not arrived so swiftly our house would have been totally raised to the ground and probably our neighbours property seriously damaged too. Two months later our neighbours son in law experienced an electrical fire too- with his BMW 3 series.Enough said.