What will fail next?

[bwdjr]

My '04 LT ( 27k+ miles on the clock ) has so far required a cannisterectomy, a headlight assembly replacement and replacement of the fuel line quick disconnects. From what I read in this forum, these are all very common failures - which (in my humble opinion) I interpret as engineering design flaws. Since these problems appear to span multiple design years, it also seems these failures have been ignored by BMW. I admit these items were not extremely expensive and I was able to make the repairs myself. I was also very lucky the failures occurred in my driveway, vice on the road.

In the interest of being proactive, what component(s) should I expect to fail next? I believe my luck is finite with the next failure occurring somewhere between Rock, Virginia and Hard Place, California.

[dshealey]

OPf the three you state, the fuel line disconnects are the only common ones, and clearly due to defective or over stressed disconnects. Probably the latter, as they are connected to rather short, stiff lines which can over stress the plastic of the disconnects.

There have been few cannister removals due to defective or improperly designed cannisters, mostly for plugged vent lines to the cannister.

Headlight assembly? Certainly not a "common" problem. I don't remember any that were replaced due to defect or improper design. A couple because of using high wattage replacement bulbs, but that is improper use, not defect. There have been a very few that had problems with bulb grounds overheating at the Fast-on connect point, but cleaning and tightening of the bulb connect, or new bulb fixed those.

The REAL common issues you did not even mention. Failing clutch slave cylinder is the MOST common of all, with engine and transmission oil seals being next. Then there is the famous failing final drive bearing. After those, there is no other really "common" failure.

[zippy_gg]

The REAL common issues you did not even mention. Failing clutch slave cylinder is the MOST common of all, with engine and transmission oil seals being next. Then there is the famous failing final drive bearing. After those, there is no other really "common" failure.Let's not forget the mirrors assemblies breaking where the retaining clips are. My dealer even broke one on my 03 while the bike was in for a tech bulletin. They replaced it under "warranty", and I just found out they had to eat it as BMW claims it is a human error and not a design flaw (arrogant bastards!!!).

[xenia]

I'm going to guess radio, as that is the latest thing to go belly up on my '04. No sound out of the left speakers, just a low hum when first turned on. But hey look at the bright side. Now I have another good reason to make that 60 mile ride to the dealer!

[DavidTaylor]

My '04 LT ( 27k+ miles on the clock ) has so far required a cannisterectomy, a headlight assembly replacement and replacement of the fuel line quick disconnects. From what I read in this forum, these are all very common failures - which (in my humble opinion) I interpret as engineering design flaws. Since these problems appear to span multiple design years, it also seems these failures have been ignored by BMW. I admit these items were not extremely expensive and I was able to make the repairs myself. I was also very lucky the failures occurred in my driveway, vice on the road.

In the interest of being proactive, what component(s) should I expect to fail next? I believe my luck is finite with the next failure occurring somewhere between Rock, Virginia and Hard Place, California.

If you're expecting things to fail, you're ruining the entire reason you bought the bike in the first place, TO RIDE IT! Anything with moving parts can fail, if you want that level of reliability, buy a hammer.

The bottom line is, things break from time to time on all machinery. I own a Toyota car, one of the most reliable vehicles ever built. You know what, things have broken on it! But I'm not looking for the next thing to fail, I use it, drive it and enjoy it. If something goes bad, I get it fixed and move on.

Motorcycles and motorcycling is about enjoy the ride, getting some time out with yourself, strafing some twisties, seeing the world from a different perspective, and any of I'm sure dozens of other reasons folks can thing of. So my suggestions would be to stop fretting about what might happen, and grab the reigns of your life and act on things you can make happen, like taking a nice ride!

[Matt]

Yea, David!

[Newf]

I think you are getting way tooo wrapped in what you are reading hear on the form. Yes there are problems but there are a lot more without any problems so they are not posting as they are out riding. Enjoy the ride and hope for the best as mentioned above. This bike has a lot more stuff on it than most. If you compare it to a bike that comes even close with like maybe the gold wing they have some things to sort out also. The best one I think is the foot warmer as they call it. They put vents in to help over come the problem with the engine over heating and say it is to keep your feet warm. How to change a design problem into a selling feature is what advertisement is all about.

Us as consumers are considered stupid by those who try and sell their stuff

[Keithb]

If you're expecting things to fail, you're ruining the entire reason you bought the bike in the first place, TO RIDE IT! Anything with moving parts can fail, if you want that level of reliability, buy a hammer.

The bottom line is, things break from time to time on all machinery. I own a Toyota car, one of the most reliable vehicles ever built. You know what, things have broken on it! But I'm not looking for the next thing to fail, I use it, drive it and enjoy it. If something goes bad, I get it fixed and move on.

Motorcycles and motorcycling is about enjoy the ride, getting some time out with yourself, strafing some twisties, seeing the world from a different perspective, and any of I'm sure dozens of other reasons folks can thing of. So my suggestions would be to stop fretting about what might happen, and grab the reigns of your life and act on things you can make happen, like taking a nice ride!

GREAT WAY TO PUT IT -- RIDE IT AND WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG THEN FIX IT AND KEEP RIDING!!!

[BecketMa]

Most common problems are:
having to fill up the gas tank every 210 miles or so
changing fluids once a year or every 6K miles
replacing front and rear tires
replacing the spark plugs every 12K (yea, I know I don't have to. But it too much fun changing them with the next new killer spark plugs)
keeping the bike clean
SO far, my most expensive annual cost is the insurance. I off set that problem by taking my car off the road.

I've had the computer brain replaced; replaced the rear brakes (don't squeeeeeal now); purchased a shorter windshield for non-summer riding; taken the speedo out to modify it; replaced the high and low beams with brighter assemblies; take the side stand and shift linkage apart when I change fluids.

Preventative will be to drill drain an hole in the trany for when the seals leak; hope to find a slave changing session during our non-summer wx this fall/winter.

Oh, I bought a heated front seat and some tools, cassette adaptor to use my MP3 player.

What I really need are adjustable handle bars and some type of AC suite for our summer temps.

Bob

[CajunBass]

When I first got my 03, and started reading this board, and a couple of others I was like "YOU BIG DUMMY :eek: What did you buy this thing for? Clutch cylinders, final drives, conniption pumps, slipstream deflectors... You should have bought a Schwinn."

Then I started to think that like most things, the ones I was hearing about are the ones that break. The people who don't have anything break are out riding them and enjoying them.

When I got my 03 a little less than a year ago, it had 6,200 miles on it. It's got just over 19,000 right now. Now, it might not get me home from Richmond this morning, but if it doesn't it will be the first time. If something breaks, I'll worry about it then. In the meantime.... :bmw:

BTW. Howdy neighbor. :cool:

[Jerrym]

I have a 2005 LT, been in service 2 years and 4 months old with 52,600 miles on it.

It has been service about every 3,000 miles (Oil, filter and rear drive change)
Transmission changed 7 times.
Coolant change 1 time
Valves checked 3 times. (Always OK)
Gas & Air Filter changed 3 times.
Spark Plugs 3 times. (Last time I use Split Fire Plugs)
Replace rear brake pads 2 times
On my 4th front tire and 5th rear tire
Brake Flush 1 time. (By dealer)


BMW Warranty:

6,046 miles Radio replaced
14,780 Replace right front fork seal
19,236 Replace seal in output shaft of transmission

Pinnacle Extended Warranty:

40,591 miles replace rear drive. (Over $1,500)
Now at 52,000 The LED lights in the instrument cluster of the computer, mileage, gear selector, gas gage, and engine temperature gage goes out. The complete instrument cluster has to be replaced. The cluster is over $1,200 and labor over $300.00. This is to be replaced this week.

On one of these bikes do not even think of going with out extended warranty. With over 50,000 miles on the bike it looks like new. It has always been in a garage has never set out over night without a cover. It is washed every time it is put away. The bike has extented warranty until 2/28/2011. It will be sold this fall.

[Voyager]

I have a 2005 LT, been in service 2 years and 4 months old with 52,600 miles on it.

It has been service about every 3,000 miles (Oil, filter and rear drive change)
Transmission changed 7 times.
Coolant change 1 time
Valves checked 3 times. (Always OK)
Gas & Air Filter changed 3 times.
Spark Plugs 3 times. (Last time I use Split Fire Plugs)
Replace rear brake pads 2 times
On my 4th front tire and 5th rear tire
Brake Flush 1 time. (By dealer)


BMW Warranty:

6,046 miles Radio replaced
14,780 Replace right front fork seal
19,236 Replace seal in output shaft of transmission

Pinnacle Extended Warranty:

40,591 miles replace rear drive. (Over $1,500)
Now at 52,000 The LED lights in the instrument cluster of the computer, mileage, gear selector, gas gage, and engine temperature gage goes out. The complete instrument cluster has to be replaced. The cluster is over $12,000 and labor over $300.00. This is to be replaced this week.

On one of these bikes do not even think of going with out extended warranty. With over 50,000 miles on the bike it looks like new. It has always been in a garage has never set out over night without a cover. It is washed every time it is put away. The bike has extented warranty until 2/28/2011. It will be sold this fall.

Is that instrument cluster price a typo? I'm hoping you meant $1,200 rather than half the price of a new LT!

Matt

[Jerrym]

Is that instrument cluster price a typo? I'm hoping you meant $1,200 rather than half the price of a new LT!

Matt

Yes it is 1,200 not 12,000. Sorry

[412driver]

on my ride (my first with this bike) that i just completed i don't think i worried once about a failure. i was waaayyy too busy riding and smiling! :bmw:

plus i had that card in my pocket with the:

"1-800-BMW GET UR @SS HERE AND HELP ME " phone number on it. :D

my wife, God bless her, said to me just as we were going to start our trip: "remember, it's the journey, not the destination"! :)

your journey will have good times and maybe some bad times, just ride em out!

gotta go have my first coffee now...man, why am i up so early :dance:

[Jerrym]

on my ride (my first with this bike) that i just completed i don't think i worried once about a failure. i was waaayyy too busy riding and smiling! :bmw:

plus i had that card in my pocket with the:

"1-800-BMW GET UR @SS HERE AND HELP ME " phone number on it. :D

my wife, God bless her, said to me just as we were going to start our trip: "remember, it's the journey, not the destination"! :)

your journey will have good times and maybe some bad times, just ride em out!

gotta go have my first coffee now...man, why am i up so early :dance:

How many miles to you ride a year? Short trips or one trip a year I would not worry either. When you would like to ride 20 to 25 thousand a year and travel a lone it is a worry where there is no dealers. That 800 number is not much good when there is no dealer for 500 to 600 miles. You don't have to worry about a failure they will just happen. That will take the smile off your face.

[ez_rdr55]

"Just grin and bare it" till you break. I just LMAO as I coast to the side of the road. Puts a smile on my face every time. So far I've been lucky; McGyver the POS and limp home.

[bennybeemer]

Got a 2003 LT with 20000 miles, within a week of turning 20000, the slave cylinder went out costing me $1600. When I had this happen on my pick-up truck, I put it on myself for $38. Now I don't have problem with things going wrong, I have a problem with $90 an hour and $900 labor to put a $100 part on! I'm thinking, just keep something that's under the 3 year warranty, and sell when it's up.