Pretoria - A total of 3120 BMWs in South Africa are affected by the company’s worldwide recall, to repair a possible engine-bolt defect.
Guy Kilfoil, the general manager of group communications and public affairs at BMW South Africa, said on Friday that as part of a global voluntary quality measure, it was taking the precaution of checking the bolts on the Vanos unit in selected vehicles with six-cylinder engines and, depending on the results, the bolt or Vanos unit would be replaced.
The Vanos unit is an automotive variable valve timing system produced by BMW.
Kilfoil said BMW’s recall affected 489 000 vehicles worldwide. The biggest individual markets affected were China with 232 000 vehicles and the US with 156 000 vehicles.
“Only 3120 vehicles are affected in South Africa and customers will be notified via letter to book their car into the nearest BMW dealer for repair, at BMW’s cost. The recall campaign will only be implemented in South Africa from July onwards,” he said.
LOCAL MODELS AFFECTED
Kilfoil said the models affected in South Africa were the BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 6 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X1, BMW X3, BMW X5 (previous generation), BMW X6 and the BMW Z4 built between September 2009 and November 2011. This would only apply to those models with six cylinder engines.
The vehicles remained safe to drive and there was absolutely no need for concern. Kilfoil added that to address this issue, BMW SA would begin notifying customers by means of a letter to have the improved plug concept, which prevented frictional corrosion, fitted at no cost to them.
Affected owners could contact the customer care centre on 0800 600 555 if they had any questions or concerns, he said.
Story: Business Report