I was just recently in a small accident where I swirved to hit a deer and ran off the road. The car did a couple spins but there wasn't a scratch on the car. When I tried to start it the car wouldn't start. I had to get it towed. Now BMW is telling me that I must have downshifted from 6th to 4th when spinning out of control and they say it blew my engine. I am having a hard time believing this since it's a brand new car and I know people who have done worse to their cars from racing it. Can someone please tell me there opinion on this incident? It would be greatly appreciated.
Those of you familiar with a manual 330xi please help
- Thread starter Bethanyh
- Start date
What they are claiming is that you did a "Money Shift", so called because a missed downshift to a much lower gear over revs the engine, and damages it, costing big $$$$ (bent valves, broken connecting rods, etc.). Unless you were going REALLY fast, a 6 -> 4 shouldn't damage the engine. BUT who's to say you didn't do a 6->3 or 6->2? That would over rev the engine.
You may have done a Money Shift, and the spin was the result - the rear wheels essentially locked up and caused the spin.
Or, if you did spin first, and tried to downshift, the extreme forces on the drive train in a spin can cause the transmission and engine to move an inch or so. You think you are shifting 6->4 but the misalignment messes up the shift.
Sorry, but it's entirely possible you did blow the motor due to a bad shift, just not probable that it was 6->4.
If you want to see/hear what a Money Shift does, including causing a spin, watch this video.
Click Here
You may have done a Money Shift, and the spin was the result - the rear wheels essentially locked up and caused the spin.
Or, if you did spin first, and tried to downshift, the extreme forces on the drive train in a spin can cause the transmission and engine to move an inch or so. You think you are shifting 6->4 but the misalignment messes up the shift.
Sorry, but it's entirely possible you did blow the motor due to a bad shift, just not probable that it was 6->4.
If you want to see/hear what a Money Shift does, including causing a spin, watch this video.
Click Here
Kirby that video is funny because its a ricer and they have insanely tall gears.
But yea, why were you shifting to begin with IN a spin? or were you trying to downshift, saw the deer, then tried to swerve while putting it into gear at the same time and thats what caused the problem? Sucks though no matter what caused it. Are there any bad noises when you try to start it? Does it at least turn over?
But yea, why were you shifting to begin with IN a spin? or were you trying to downshift, saw the deer, then tried to swerve while putting it into gear at the same time and thats what caused the problem? Sucks though no matter what caused it. Are there any bad noises when you try to start it? Does it at least turn over?
Let me ask this question Bethany, you and the dead deer are the only ones that know, did you shift wrong?
A word to the wise, coming from a man that lives in deerland Wisconsin; never, never, never swerve to avoid a deer, you will end up dead if you do, I've seen in plenty of times, well heard it. If you just hit the deer front-end chances are you will do less damage, and just run it over, if you swerve, you will; A. Coast off the road and end up in the ditch B. Hit a tree C. End up in the river D. Dead.
Deer are small enough (mostly out of the GLs Region) that you will wreck your front spoiler and maybe your front-end but 80 percent of the time then end up driving over it. A few years ago around here a guy hit a deer with his truck and it came through the windshield, he swerved, and also hit an on-coming car all are dead now.
Kirby that was the best video I have seen in a long time, "oh my god, oh my god", ricers, I love them, how the hell can you shift from 3rd to first as the comments said.
A word to the wise, coming from a man that lives in deerland Wisconsin; never, never, never swerve to avoid a deer, you will end up dead if you do, I've seen in plenty of times, well heard it. If you just hit the deer front-end chances are you will do less damage, and just run it over, if you swerve, you will; A. Coast off the road and end up in the ditch B. Hit a tree C. End up in the river D. Dead.
Deer are small enough (mostly out of the GLs Region) that you will wreck your front spoiler and maybe your front-end but 80 percent of the time then end up driving over it. A few years ago around here a guy hit a deer with his truck and it came through the windshield, he swerved, and also hit an on-coming car all are dead now.
Kirby that was the best video I have seen in a long time, "oh my god, oh my god", ricers, I love them, how the hell can you shift from 3rd to first as the comments said.
That's what I did... uphill left that is banked RIGHT on a very dusty road (road construction) with a completely tired suspension bushings and shitty tires at 12:30 am. Something ran in front of me and I panic braked, sent rear end flying out ![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
![[rolleyes]](/images/smilies/rolleyes.png "Roll Eyes (Sarcastic) [rolleyes]")
http://www.epjphoto.com/images/2/_MG_4388.jpg
Check the rear quarter panel... hey, those people got a BMW in their mail that night! ![[wiggle]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_wiggle.gif "Wiggle [wiggle]")
Oh well, I'll be doing the bodywork next summer. Decided I'm keeping the car till it blows up or falls apart. This summer is all about suspension, brakes, wheels, and my top secret project that begins with "forc................"![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
http://www.epjphoto.com/images/2/_MG_4388.jpg
Check the rear quarter panel... hey, those people got a BMW in their mail that night!
Oh well, I'll be doing the bodywork next summer. Decided I'm keeping the car till it blows up or falls apart. This summer is all about suspension, brakes, wheels, and my top secret project that begins with "forc................"