ESA gone bad for the second time

[Teddy]

It seems the ESA on my just turned 2 year old R1200ST has gone bad for the second time. This time not covered under warranty. To say I am annoyed is mild. AU$30,000 bike & they can't even get that part right. I only adjusted the preload two weeks ago now when my pillion was on.

 

I hate to think the repair cost.

 

I just wonder what are my options, ditch the system entirely & buy some decent shocks or pay the money to get a new ESA unit.

 

Whichever options I choose I can imagine both will cost thousands.

 

Teddy

[Indy Dave]

It could just be a software issue that the dealer can solve.

[Teddy]

It could just be a software issue that the dealer can solve.

 

Well I hope it is something as simple as that. I spoke to the dealer he said something about wiring issues on a few of their bikes, no idea if this is covered under a warranty issue or not.

I am expecting the worst so will see what my options are then instead of jumping to possibly wrong conclusions first.

It has been one of those weeks where a lot of things have gone wrong.

 

I will post more when I know more.

 

Teddy

[Indy Dave]

Here is a thread about the ESA shocks. In the first post, thre are links to pics and they show the wiring plugs - so you can check those. There are 3 plugs on the right side under the seat near the top of the rear fender. The (single)front plug is under the handle bars.

 

link

 

I only mentioned the software possibility because in a previous thread, someone who had replaced his ESA shocks with a conversion (meaning new shocks that had the origional ESA motors attached) needed to have his ESA setting reconfigured to get it to work. Here's a link to that thread:

 

link

 

Good Luck!

 

 

[BobsST]

New or replacement Beemer parts are supposed to be under warranty for two years. You may still be under warranty with this.

[sebjones906]

I had warranty replace the parts that talk to the shock (ECU?) had to update the software and eventually had to replace the shock so that it could talk to the replacement parts. $3400 but it was all under warranty.

[RichEdwards]

I would speak to your dealer. Even if the warranty recently expired, BMW often provides a "good will" solution...especially if you had this system replaced once already.

[Teddy]

Well it has been to the dealer & he said that it is the shock, the part alone is AU$3500!!!!

The bike is stuck (feels like) I think in two helmets & Sport damping mode, just what I need for commuting not.

 

The dealer will definitely NOT come to the party as they said the bike is not under warranty. As the bike has only done just over 16,000kms they have written to BMW Germany and he does not hold much faith because I have not had the servicing done by the "BMW network" I have chosen a local shop who is ex-BMW trained mechanic who even the Police take their BMW's for servicing too.

I rest my case why I prefer this place other than the 1 official dealer here in Canberra. Not to mention the loose oil sump plug that the "official" BMW left me with in 2006!

I think if BMW refuse my claim I will write to them detailing the incident of this incompetent dealer.

BTW Does anybody have the contact details for BMW Germany?

 

Not to worry this will likely be my last BMW I am sick of these BMW quality parts that they fit to their AU $30,000 motorcycles.

 

As you can tell I am not happy & will have to wait till next week to find out if there is any BMW goodwill left in the current depressed economies of the world.

 

Rich I have not had any parts replaced prior to this apparently the ESA was reprogrammed last time, this time it is the electronics in the shock that have gone bad.

 

Yours very pissed off,

 

Teddy

[ScottT]

This is why I opted back in 2005 not to get ESA. I got Wilbers shortly after I got my RT and they now have nearly 90 thousand miles on them. They are still wonderful shocks. I have had the front serviced once and have yet to do the rear. Finest shocks I have ever owned.

[Teddy]

This is why I opted back in 2005 not to get ESA. I got Wilbers shortly after I got my RT and they now have nearly 90 thousand miles on them. They are still wonderful shocks. I have had the front serviced once and have yet to do the rear. Finest shocks I have ever owned.

 

This was one of the last ST's in the country & it happened to be the SE model & the dealer had ordered the bike with ESA so I did not have a lot of choice.

I thought that the system had been around for a few years & would be reliable by now, silly me BMW like others seem to get the buyers to do their beta testing for them.

Cynical view maybe.

The dealer service person I spoke too hardly gave any info away at all but he did mention at least two ESA systems had been replaced on BMW's that were in warranty. I would not have thought that Canberra would have been that big a market for bikes so would represent quite a high percentage of failures...

 

Teddy

[JR356]

Wilbers and Works both have ESA compatible shocks available now.

http://wilbersamerica.com/

http://www.worksperformance.com/html/new_products_bmw_esa.html

 

Don't know if they can do anything if the electronic module

is buggered.

Would not hurt to contact them.

 

Will be better shocks and less expensive than the factory units.

 

Not sure if they ship international.

 

JR356

[Teddy]

I spoke to the Wilbers guy in OZ who seemed to infer that the ESA was non-repairable if it was buggered. SO I would be wasting my money sending the complete shock to be fitted to the new wilbers unit.

 

About $2500 for F&R shocks with hydraulic preload & 22 positions for rebound damping. Fitting extra!

He only orders once a month from Deutschland which is next on the 10th June.

 

Still waiting on Ohlins to return my email.

 

I am not hopeful that BMW will come to the party despite the problem surfacing in Nov last year when the bike was under warranty.

 

Teddy

[BobsST]

Hey Teddy - my Ohlins were $1,820.00(US)for front and rear and $150.00 for install. Really happy with them and the range of adjustment.

[Teddy]

Hey Teddy - my Ohlins were $1,820.00(US)for front and rear and $150.00 for install. Really happy with them and the range of adjustment.

 

I'd like to get a quote on Ohlins but the Australian distributor is not answering my calls or emails at the moment. I would not be surprised to see double those prices in Aus on those parts. You would thing the sole Australian distributor would be keen to get back to me?

 

On the other hand the Wilbers guy has been very helpful. I may end up moving that way as I usually reward good service.

 

Not surprised that BMW have not returned my calls either I mean how hard is it to decide Yes or No or partial?

 

I will thank the mechanic who left the bike in sport damping & two-up position the ride is most excellent one-up now NOT!

 

Whatever I decide to do no doubt will take many weeks to order in. Getting shocks made up seems to be a very slow process.

I am almost thinking of giving it all away for now & stop riding.

 

Everything I try & chase up seems to be a PITA!

Whatever happened to customer service, it seems to have gone out the window?

 

Disillusioned...

 

Teddy

 

[Teddy]

Well I finally got some emails from the Ohlins distributor.

The Ohlins are $2360 with rebound damping adj & remote preload + fitting on top of that.

 

The Wilbers are $2485 + fitting. So very similar pricing.

 

It is an expense that I did not really want this winter but guess I will feel the benefits later on!

 

Cheers Teddy

[Philbie]

it's an interesting case, and like mine, one filled with mixed emotions. do i do this? do i do that?

 

I'd love to know which direction you feel you will go, In my case if BMW give the nod, i'm out of the woods, but for how long? I'll be asking another specialised BMW bike mechanic the pros and cons tomorrow.

 

What worries me, is that these cases are not big here in Australia, and that there are not enough people out there who have gone after market due to ESA problems. two out of three mechanics i contacted have never had a ESA fault like the ones we have got going. and the two BMW dealers I talked to didn't give much info on the situation either. ALl that does is compound the problem in my head more.

 

Shocks aside, how do you feel about the bike in general? is say $3000 worth the spend, knowing that you'll have a great machine for years to come, or is there more to your bike than the ESA?

 

cheers,

Phil

[Teddy]

Hi Phil,

 

My bike has been fine apart from the battery dieing suddenly after the about 20months. That was a real shock & I got the antenna ring replaced as well. The ESA has chucked the wobbly but that is about it.

The ST is a bit lighter than the RT but the riding position is more sporty (ST) which does not do my neck or back any favours.

 

I would like a more touring orientated bike (for the arthritis) but happy with the bike overall. Its just the dealer I am disappointed with zero support & I am always chasing things up, very annoying.

 

You are right these are emotional beasts!

 

Cheers Teddy

[Teddy]

Well I have a few options open to me now.

 

BMW Aus say they will cover part of the price of the shock but I will have to pay + labour, Figure about $2000.

 

My local mechanic has offered me Wilbers or Ohlins @ $2360, both hydraulic preload the Wilbers with the H/L compression remote adjuster. Labour is on top of that as well.

 

The BMW is the cheaper option & I retain all the adjustability/saleability etc of the standard system with all its inherent faults.

 

Or Wilbers (5 year warranty comes highly recommended by my mechanic) for $2360 + a few hrs labour to fit & he has done a few of these systems.

 

Or Ohlins 2 years warranty mechanic says these may be a bit stiff for my riding style (are they really that firm a spring?)

for $2360 + a few hrs labour.

 

The BMW is the cheaper option but the Ohlins/Wilbers are I imagine a much better option ride/handling etc.

 

What to do?

 

I was hoping for more from BMW but think I have reached my limit with them.

 

Cheers Teddy

[Philbie]

My dealer has been wonderful, and the help with explaining the issues has also been good. depending on the parts supply, I may have to wait a few weeks, but i'm sure it'll be worth it.

 

You have an interesting issue on your hands. and one not to be taken lightly. If you are not happy with the dealer, is it worth trying one in Sydney or Albury? maybe you can get better service from one of those guys? It would be my way of dealing with it if you want to stick with the BMW service techs.

 

Aftermaket is another issue, I know of some good ones in Melbourne, and many many people swear by them for their good customer service. One guys advice is to consider the options very carfully, aftermarket can be done very well and set-up is excellent, but at the loss of BMW system funtions. To others this is too much and they stay with BMW o/e for this reason.

 

Had i not had the dealer & BMW's support, I would be moving on too. I'd accept the issue and begin to enjoy the excitment of an aftermarket system and the enjoyment it'll bring you. Yeah it's different, why not embrace it.

 

If your current mechanic does a great job, you'll get years of enjoyment and fun from your machine and you'll never look back. No point dwelling on it too long, consider it a challenge that requires conquering and get into it. I find that attitude always helps, and turns a difficult situation into a joyful one.

 

Just my 2c worth.

[marcopolo]

FWIW, I swapped out both ESA struts last July; I replaced them with Ohlins and had the work done in the U.S., at a BMW rally where Ohlins USA and one of their dealers were present. It was very convenient. The Ohlins guys weighed me and my wife, discussed riding style etc. then selected the appropriate springs to mate with the shocks. The dealer installed the struts and then two Ohlins guys set up my bike (with me getting on/off etc. while they measured sag and performed other feats of magic). It could not have been more convenient. The total cost (parts & labour) was about $1,700 USD, or just under $2,000 CDN when converted on my VISA bill. I priced the BMW ESA struts at my local dealer; the front and rear struts were $4,200 CDN! That did not include labour, or set-up. Do I miss the convenience of push-button pre-load adjustment when getting ready for two-up riding? Yes, but it sure is not worth $2,200+. That also does not take into account the ride quality and "custom-fit" of the Ohlins vs. the BMW struts.

[Teddy]

Yep AU$3500 for the rear suspension unit + AU$198 for fitting. BMW offers 50% discount on the part only leaving me a cost of just under AU$2000 for the rear strut & who knows when the front ESA unit will go?

 

I think my mind is made up to go aftermarket, I just cannot decide between the Wilbers or the Ohlins. Friend who has Ohlins on his GS says choose that but they only offer 2 year warranty here in Aus as opposed to 5 years on the Wilbers. The Wilbers looks a bit more complicated to setup with the H/L damping though so still not sure. I don't have any labour charges yet from my local mechanic yet though will call today.

 

Thanks for everybody's input so far I really appreciate the comments!

 

Cheers Teddy

[Indy Dave]

did you contact Works?

[Teddy]

did you contact Works?

 

No I have would have to order myself from overseas not keen on doing that for a shock item. The ESA motor and/or electronics have gone bad so I cannot get them converted anyway.

 

I will have to make a decision tomorrow as I am onleave for a week which will mean one less week that I have to ride that lumpy piece that I have at the moment

 

Teddy

[John in VA]

What to do?

 

I was hoping for more from BMW but think I have reached my limit with them.

 

Cheers Teddy

 

Dump BMW's stinky stockers and just get the Ohlins and enjoy riding the best shocks anywhere.

[Teddy]

Dump BMW's stinky stockers and just get the Ohlins and enjoy riding the best shocks anywhere.

 

Yes I was just about to order the Ohlins when I thought I would try BMW again. This time they agreed to pay for the cost of the part (AU$3500) but I would have to pay for the labour & diagnostic costs.

 

That sounds like a better outcome for me. When the shock goes bad next time it will be Ohlins or Wilbers for me.

I may still go the aftermarket route anyway.

 

I am reasonably happy with the stock shocks as they are Normal/1 helmet & having never ridden on Ohlins or Wilbers I don't know what sort of improvement to expect...

 

Now to get the part organised.

 

Cheers Teddy

[Teddy]

Well today I finally picked the bike up from the BMW dealer with the new (upgraded) ESA shock all the way from Germany.

Apparently the ZFE control unit was also not compatible with the new upgraded ESA shock so they had to fit a new one of those as well. What a crazy situation to not make the bits compatible, the service advisor thought so too.

 

They also did the brake line recall & now the brakes feel a lot softer than usual disappointingly!

 

I am happy to report that the shocks now work as intended but they generally now feel a lot softer than I remember probably because I have been riding around in the two helmet & sport damping position where it seemed to have been stuck.

 

No warranty on the new shock either its goodwill from BMW or nothing if it goes fritz again.

 

If it does its Ohlins for me...

 

Cheers Teddy

[Indy Dave]

Glad you got that (somewhat) sorted out and that your out of pocket expense was at least reduced. Odd about the brakes - perhaps someone will chime in who has had the new recall performed can comment. My bike is at the dealer having the fuel strip replaced and apparently my '06 is not on the recall list.

 

safe riding

[Hall Vince]

I had the brake line replaced under recall. No difference to the feel of the lever or braking performance, which is what I would expect.

Perhaps there a little air still in your system?

\v/

[Paul In Australia]

Had the brake recall done. Same as before. No difference in feel.

regards

paul

[Teddy]

Ok Will contact the dealer next week & see if they can rectify, I suspect that there may be air in the system.

 

Teddy