BMWs DO NOT HAVE A REPUTATION FOR TRAVELLING WELL
First before listing the problems, here are some solutions:
In the later 80's BMW started using a French starter. So if it goes out, it is the same as a Renault 19.
Should be the exact replacement but in later models of BMW, only lower half will work and so you
must use the top half of the BMW and lower of the Renault. See your local junk yard.
Here is a report from one of our travellers:
Gail & Eric Haws own 2 BMW autos and 6 BMW motorcycles. They report that while they do not
do any repairs themselves but have it professionally
done by authorized BMW mechanics
that they have had
#1 three motors failures,
#2 one mainframe, one subframe,
#3 two fairings,
#4 three shocks,
$5 one tire blowout and numerous flats
#6 two oil coolers,
#7 numerous major electrical problems
#8 one attempted trip sabotage by BMW AG while in Siberia
#9 three rotors, two boards and one Hal's box
10 no problems with the autos
SUMMARY
COUNTRY PROBLEM WHAT WE DID
Russia 91 GS transmission In a town in Siberia the Russians repair it by making a new circlip from a large transmission from a Japanese earth moving machine.
USA 91 Pd motor blew During Xmas the dealer could not repaired so we U-hauled it back to Oregon. 5000 miles only on new motor
Finland 91 GS Rotor Replaced unit and started north after few days wait.
Norway 91 GS motor near Northcap Flew home while motorcycle was trucked to beginning of northern railroad to transport to mechanic. Motor only had 18,000 miles.
Australia 92 GS Hal's box Trucked it to BMW owner's home who gave us same unit from his old 82 GS.
USA 91 PD Drive Shaft U-Hauled it from Mississippi to nearest dealer who would be open, some 1500 miles away in Texas
Ireland 92 GS Rotor Charged battery and drove across Ireland to nearest BMW dealer
Scotland 92 GS oil filter leak Bridge maintenance crew hauled us off bridge and tow truck took us next day to BMW dealer who we found was closed for good and so found backyard mechanic who repaired leak.
Chile 92 GS starter Put motorcycle and us on Seaweed truck for 25 hour trip to Santiago where KTM dealer rebuilt starter.
USA 1980 RT motor Tow truck took unit 100 miles to dealer who after weeks rebuilt engine while we returned home.
USA 1991 PD After leaving BMW shop and riding about 50 miles engine stopped, because, as we later learned after towing it back, that the mechanics had pinched a wire that after a few miles shorted the electrical unit.
OTHER COUNTRIES: While we have never broken down in other countries, the above list does not include a broken mainframe, broken subframes, several shocks, broken fairings, many electrical problems, etc, but these problems never kept us off the road for more than one day so we don't count them.
Photos of 1991 GS in Finland after motor blew at 18,000 miles.
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ARTICLE: HOW THE BMW GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS How we lost a BMW motor after just 5000 miles.
Email from another BMW rider CLICK HERE
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FEB 2000