Brand New BMW X5 4.4i - PROBLEM! - HELP!

[BMW_4.4i]

[font=arial] Hello to everybody! I just had a problem with my brand new 2004 BMW X5 4.4i SAV. As you may know, we are in the middle of a blast of cold air here in New England. Earlier this morning, I was driving 35 MPH to an appointment. It was about -4 degrees outside before factoring in the wind. Everything was great, until I stopped. I noticed, as I was getting out of the truck, that the temperature guage was up in the red section. I shut the truck off, and popped the hood. There was smoke coming from the engine. The truck only has 3000 miles on it, and I was driving slow and steady on a road that there are usually a lot of cops on. I am not sure what to think of the situation. I had the truck towed and am waiting to hear a response from the local dealer. Has anybody else had a problem like this? I you did, please post your "experience" here. I would love to hear from you!

[BMW_4.4i]

just an update:

I noticed as I was driving my wife's truck home from where the Bimmer died, that their was a trail of oil coming all the way down my driveway. Also, I believe that there was some smoke coming from the vehicle as I was driving. I did not really think about, just figured that it was sand or salt on the road.

It is so dissapointing that I just went out and spent nearly $70,000 on this truck - 3000 miles later - here I am. I am not really a good car mechanic, but know a lot about cars in general. If anybdy has an idea on questions to ask the dealer, or a heads up on what this problem is, please post your thoughts.

[JoeK]

I have no idea - did it lose its oil and overheat? I do know that once an engine is cooked, the life span is greatly reduced. Why don't you spring for a dealer warranty on the engine just to protect your investment?

[snowdude]

I also have a 2004, bought it in November of 2003.

This seems to be a common problem. It has happened to me 3 times. The first time I freaked out, I was in upstate NY and had no choice but to drive it. My friend who is a mechanic was with me and looked at it and saw nothing out of the oridinary. No smoke and no signs of over heating. Needless to say after about an hour of driving the gauge went back to the normal reading. My oppinion is that it seems that the REAL cold weather plays havok on the computer, thus giving a false reading.

My Uncle has the same Car and had the same problem.

I dunno i guess it does not get cold in germany. lol

We had a real cold winter here in the northeast, I dont see it happening durring the normal cold temps, (+10 or higher). Hope this helps.

[BMW_4.4i]

THanks to all that posted here. SNOWDUDE - take it to the dealer. It turns out that the temperature gauge is a software problem. My local dealership took out the computer, overnighted it to BMW, and they shipped it back. Meanwhile, i got a free rental from Enterprise. It seems that the early 04's have this problem. I am also living in the Northeast, and even before i had it fixed, it only happend in the +5 and lower temperatures. Just talk it to the dealer and see what happens.

[JoeK]

What about the trail of oil?

[BMW_4.4i]

I am not sure about the oil trail. I did not notice it when i left the parking lot where it was towed. I am hoping that it didn't loose too much. The tank is huge in the truck, so i am not really worried. I checked it resently, and it was full. Go figure! All is well now anyway!