Reoccuring ignition coil problem - 2007 BMW 120i SE 170bhp

t1ish · **Joined:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:17 pm **Posts:** 3

Hi,

I am new to this forum so would be very grateful for any help, useful comments or advice!

In May 2010 i purchased my 1 series from a main dealer (Stephen James), an 07 plate 120i SE (170bhp) with 17000 miles on the clock.
In August 2010 (22000 miles) i had to have an ignition coil replaced which i can understand is quite a normal problem/procedure for any car. However, last week (30850 miles) the same thing happened again and i had to have the coil replaced - but it wasn't for the same cylinder; this time BMW, due to policy change, replaced the injector, seal, coupling, coil and spark plug on cylinder 1. And now, in the last few hours the exact same thing has happened again; the technician informed me that the problem lies with either cylinder 2 or 4. He couldn't fix it but they did send me a hire car.

Is this a common problem with the 1 series? It is lucky that the car is under warranty otherwise i would be looking at about £250 per time - the car is due a service and has been booked in for this Saturday, will be asking for another years warranty/emergency service me thinks!!!

Help!

t1ish

marco_polo · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:23 pm

Yup, it's pretty common I'm afraid. My friends got the same engine in his 320i, and has been suffering the same problems for a while now.

t1ish · **Joined:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:17 pm **Posts:** 3

Pants!

Thanks for the reply.

Is there nothing that can be done about it? Is it a mystery, a run of bad coils or has the root cause not been identified as yet?

mrash · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:46 pm

I think something like this, that is a know fault, should be covered for longer than the standard warranty of 3 years.

Grandad · **Posted:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:34 pm

mrash wrote:

I think something like this, that is a know fault, should be covered for longer than the standard warranty of 3 years.

I had the same issue last year, (06 120i 150hp) however, instead of replacing just the 1 coil, they (sensibly) replaced all 4.........no problems since

BMW Extended Warranty...........worth every penny

dan1 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:29 pm

Had numerous problems with my '08 116i (different engine yes but still a 4 cylinder petrol - models affected with this problem include 116i/118i/120i/318i/320i.)

First time it happened I got stranded on the motorway, second and third time I was at home. It was still misfiring on cylinders/coils when I got rid. Hope you get yours fixed

I'm afraid they all seem to do this!

oneov · **Posted:** Fri Apr 29, 2011 1:01 pm

Dear All

I have a April 2010 118i M sport. I was driving on the M23 towards London on Tuesday when the car seemed to lose power and a amber warning light appeared (in the shape of an engine). Having read these forums before I suspected the dreaded coil problem and was proved right yesterday when the dealer replaced 'the coil, injector and spark plug on cylinder No3'.
I asked if the coil is still of the same design and was told that they are now fitting modified coils. I then asked if all four could be replaced and was told that it is BMW policy to only authorise replacement when they fail. Seems very poor customer service to let your car buyers break down before authorising replacement of the coils which are clearly not fit for purpose.
Is it true that they will not pay for the replacement of all coils or was the dealer having me over?

libmw · **Joined:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 1:11 am **Posts:** 56

My previous car, a 2006 318i that had the same problems.

Whilst under warranty, BMW only replaced the faulty pack. Then a little later another coil pack will fail. Again BMW only replace what is faulty.

As soon as the car was out of warranty I went to the local independent BMW specialist and they told me that all four should be replaced. As when one of the pack fails it will spike the others, so another failure will be imminent.

They replaced all four for £141 inc parts, labour and VAT.

The problem never came back after that. I only wish BMW replaced all four in the first place. Probably would have saved them money in the long run and wasting my time.

oneov · **Posted:** Tue May 03, 2011 5:44 pm

libmw wrote:

My previous car, a 2006 318i that had the same problems.

Whilst under warranty, BMW only replaced the faulty pack. Then a little later another coil pack will fail. Again BMW only replace what is faulty.

As soon as the car was out of warranty I went to the local independent BMW specialist and they told me that all four should be replaced. As when one of the pack fails it will spike the others, so another failure will be imminent.

They replaced all four for £141 inc parts, labour and VAT.

The problem never came back after that. I only wish BMW replaced all four in the first place. Probably would have saved them money in the long run and wasting my time.

I find it astonishing that both a 2006 and 2010 build (see my previous post) can both experience the same coil problems.
This appears to have been a major failing of the petrol engines covering a period of some years.
Quite disheartening really that the same problems are allowed to manifest themselves by BMW over a extended period.
This is my first BMW and most probably be my last.

chargeiron · **Joined:** Thu Apr 07, 2011 10:31 am **Posts:** 57

Mine went the other day! I have no mechanical knowledge of cars so was very worried when the car shuddered wildly every time i accelerated haha.

Cherrypie · **Joined:** Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:21 pm **Posts:** 2

I have a petrol 318i and I have changed two complete sets of coils in less than 2 years, over a number of visits to the BMW dealership. My last set was changed this week and as you may have guessed the car is now outside of it's 3 year warranty but the dealer changed them free of charged after a number of difficult conversations with them and BMW UK.

I have now asked for an explanation from BMW UK to why this is happening, I note from reading various blogs that this is an ongoing problem with all petrol BMW for a number of years and it seem BMW are ignoring the problem.

A small piece of advise for those who have a vehicle in warranty, that BMW don't share with you, if BMW carry out any works to your vehicle during the warranty period, thoses work are only warrantied until the car's third birthday unless you make contribution.

Cherrypie

tminal · **Posted:** Thu Dec 01, 2011 11:27 am

In my 118i I had 16 coil packs (all 4 changed on 4 occasions over a 15 month period) and each time I was told, new part number mate so won't happen again! I have now sold the car and bought something cheap and cheerful to run about in.

Good advice on the warranty from cherrypie, as I found out when they failed again 2 weeks out of the 3 year warranty, I was forced to make a claim on my extended warranty even and was asked to pay an excess! I refused in anycase!

robsaboy · **Joined:** Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:27 pm **Posts:** 730

My 59 plate has just had 4 coil packs and 4 new spark plugs as it was hesitant accelerating in 3rd gear.
It's only done 18K an always use non supermarket fuel.

Cherrypie · **Joined:** Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:21 pm **Posts:** 2

I don't believe it's anything to do with the type of petrol, as I work all over the country and I get petrol from supermarkets, motorway services, etc.

I believe it is one of two things:
1. faulty coils
2. or something in the engine causing the coils to fail

I'm awaiting a report from BMW UK on the matter.

Cherrypie

Jack10 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 01, 2011 6:30 pm

Did you guys have a warning light?

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Reoccuring ignition coil problem - 2007 BMW 120i SE 170bhp

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