I'm really surprised at how unresponsive BMW is in these situations, especially when they are fighting MB for #1 are likely to be surpassed by Audi in the next few years (Audi I believe is also the most likely brand switch for a BMW owner). BMW really needs to focus on the customer before we all leave for their competitors.
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01-28-2012LAST POST
W Cole wroteAs I recall from his first thread, the problem was brought up by the dealer but after the paperwork was done.I would NEVER have accepted delivery of this car. BMW USA needs to take that car back and make it right.
OP: Did you look at the back tires when you picked up the car? If it was thrashed that hard at the port to burn up the clutch, there wouldn't be much tread left or at least some serious chunking.
I would second the idea of demanding an extended warranty. Assuming the car is restored to like new condition in the near fututre and there are no persistent problems - then you get the assurance you need to keep the car over the long term and there is no material out of pocket cost for BMW other than some added maintenance expense. Seems like a fair solution if the car is really OK.
Fuck that, I wouldn't take anything less than a new car. This is real shady on there part and if they want to keep there customers happy they need to give you a new car with a loaner tell it gets to you. If not fight it tell the end.
I would insist on a new car....I had a new E46 M3 delivered to me with discolored paintwork. I spoke to the dealership owner and we agreed that they would order another new car for me.
Hey guys thanks for all of the support and input! Sorry, I took so long writing...I got some bad news about my dad yesterday and got into that. So, i did not get to speak with the BMWNA rep yesterday....
So far, I can't lemon the car because the issues have been diverse and it has not reached the threshold yet for NJ. Over the next 2 years, I am pretty sure we will hit that requirement, but I hope I don't!
I noted in conversation with the Rep, that he was more interested in seeing if he could get my wife to buy a 5-series. But, he does not understand that she is watching my scenario, and the best way to get her back on-board is to not screw me.
I also doubt they will buy back the car..... I can say that if the car even sneezes in the next 2 weeks, they will be doing so. Mostly because we are getting fed up. Such a brilliant car, and the experience is being sullied by these break-downs. I also have a transmission whine that I have to get looked at soon.
Anyway, I have been advised by my team that I should be able to force them to provide the documentation regarding the work at the VDC. In most cases I would be powerless to get this data, but because of the onging issues, I would be wise to suspect that the car is not what it should be. therefore, I can get deeper info. I will also ask for a readout of the CPU to see how the car was driven before I got it. I am having it read independently too, but I want their data to match it.
So far, I can't lemon the car because the issues have been diverse and it has not reached the threshold yet for NJ. Over the next 2 years, I am pretty sure we will hit that requirement, but I hope I don't!
I noted in conversation with the Rep, that he was more interested in seeing if he could get my wife to buy a 5-series. But, he does not understand that she is watching my scenario, and the best way to get her back on-board is to not screw me.
I also doubt they will buy back the car..... I can say that if the car even sneezes in the next 2 weeks, they will be doing so. Mostly because we are getting fed up. Such a brilliant car, and the experience is being sullied by these break-downs. I also have a transmission whine that I have to get looked at soon.
Anyway, I have been advised by my team that I should be able to force them to provide the documentation regarding the work at the VDC. In most cases I would be powerless to get this data, but because of the onging issues, I would be wise to suspect that the car is not what it should be. therefore, I can get deeper info. I will also ask for a readout of the CPU to see how the car was driven before I got it. I am having it read independently too, but I want their data to match it.
Wow it's one thing after another. Something must have gone seriously wrong at port. Sorry to hear about your troubles and I really hope they just lemon the thing. Especially if there are suspected transmission issues on top of everything else.
What a mess! Good luck with the car... And more so with your dad!
DocJohn wroteThey probably don't "read" the forum as much as they monitor them for issues. There is software out there that does this for large brands and gives them a pretty good picture of what's going on regarding their brand across all the social media sites out there. Here's an example of what I mean: http://www.sysomos.com/products/overview/heartbeat/ This is actually the company that Lexus uses for this.So, my phone rings the other day (out of the blue) and I find myself talking to a manager at the BMW corp. HQ concerning the issues that I had a few weeks ago.
Quick Summary: Burnt out clutch at delivery (7 miles), lots of nasty rattles, body damage, etc. Intake tube falls off and I drive for 100 miles sucking road debris into engine. Dealer gets car and finds that half of the drivetrain is loose and nearly falling off, Etc.... Called BMW CSR and they couldn't care less...So I called for legal counsel and waited.
So, here is what's funny:
He says he read about all of this on this forum!
Well, shiver me timbers!
I was shocked and pleasantly surprised that BMWNA knows how important forums are for the relay of information. (Also, I imagine feeling a bit uneasy since they are watching:bulge:)
What was even funnier is that we arrange a call on wednesday morning and my car breaks down and I miss the call because of that! LMAO!
Talk about irony....
I also wondered if anyone had any ideas as to what BMW should do about my vehicle? So far it has been out of commission for only 7 or 8 days, so no lemon law at this time.
My counsel thinks it would be good to get the printout of the invoice for all of the work done at port, as well as getting a print-out of the CPU on the car. (to see if the car was red-lined at 7 miles)
Any other ideas to make sure that my car is not badly eff'ed up???
The rep was rather nice, but his position is that, "well, the car runs good now". My reply: "most cars run great before they break down"
Sorry to hear about your dad. I hope everything with your dad and the car improves.
I'm not one of those guys who gives up on stuff. The car has a couple problems right now that it definitely shouldn't, but I think if you give them a chance to fix it, tell them you'll test it out for a while to see if the repairs brought it back to new condition, and they do.... You got a keeper. You deserve a new car. You waited and you paid a lot for it, but I'm sure they can make it right.
Doc, you might not be able to lemon the car just yet, but have you looked into breach of contract? I'm pretty certain you bought a NEW car and contractually, they should be required to give you a car in NEW condition. Just a thought. Keep us posted.
JohnnyRoaster wroteOh Yeah....I got on hand and knee and used a 200 lumen surefire to check out the tires. They still had mold marks. There were some odd marks on the rims, and I'll put a pic below. Of course, they could have swapped the tires at port too. I would love to know why they took the intake off....As I recall from his first thread, the problem was brought up by the dealer but after the paperwork was done.
OP: Did you look at the back tires when you picked up the car? If it was thrashed that hard at the port to burn up the clutch, there wouldn't be much tread left or at least some serious chunking.
immiketoo wroteThanks Mike, I have someone looking into the angles right now. What I did not like is that the rep considers it "case closed" as long as the car is running. When my tranny blows at 5K miles, or my 5th cylinder seizes they are gonna be like, "we see signs of abuse".Doc, you might not be able to lemon the car just yet, but have you looked into breach of contract? I'm pretty certain you bought a NEW car and contractually, they should be required to give you a car in NEW condition. Just a thought. Keep us posted.
Frickin' A right you saw abuse....by the guy at port who shredded my clutch!
The best was the look on my wife's face when the car broke on wednesday. Sitting in the dealership and missing the call with the BMW rep. I have decided to not let her talk to the guy on the phone for fear of what she'll say to him!! LOL!
328xi0wner wroteThe rep perked up for a second and said, "did you lease the car?!?".I'm not one of those guys who gives up on stuff. The car has a couple problems right now that it definitely shouldn't, but I think if you give them a chance to fix it, tell them you'll test it out for a while to see if the repairs brought it back to new condition, and they do.... You got a keeper. You deserve a new car. You waited and you paid a lot for it, but I'm sure they can make it right.
I said "no", I want this car for a long time.
---insert 30 seconds of silence here
Rep: "oh....."
Me: "oh, yeah..."
mrkbbd wrotetrue words....my wife walked on a 5-series because of this and wants an A-6 now.I'm really surprised at how unresponsive BMW is in these situations, especially when they are fighting MB for #1 are likely to be surpassed by Audi in the next few years (Audi I believe is also the most likely brand switch for a BMW owner). BMW really needs to focus on the customer before we all leave for their competitors.
To porsche's credit, when I had a dealer issue with my last car, they were very proactive. They said that they would have a rep on it -instantaneously- and will follow all of the details.
BMW's response was CSR rep "Jodie": "-Yawn-, let the dealer sort it out for you" & "we don't send reps".
Hard to believe that they employ arses like her. I mean, aren't there lots of good people looking for work, and they promote her to supervisor!?!?
You should add your story here ... ---> Click to go to the Forum Link on Customers Reviews
I had bad experiences with both BMWNA and BMW Canada Customer service. The way they treated me has left some bad taste in my mouth. In fact my plan before the incident was to get a x3 as our DD and the treatment received by BMW changed all that we got a MB C350 as our DD instead.
To read my story (somewhat condensed) you need to scroll down to Region Idaho once you open the above link.
I'm still crazy about my M3 ... I've learned since then to find the better dealerships, dealerships that truly represent the BMW product and people that don't feed you BS. Still when I am done with this M3 I will get a Porsche or Mercedes. My new $700- garden hose holder (see photo of my cracked wheel in the above link) will be my constant reminder in my garage. Then BMW does not care for a few losses.
I had bad experiences with both BMWNA and BMW Canada Customer service. The way they treated me has left some bad taste in my mouth. In fact my plan before the incident was to get a x3 as our DD and the treatment received by BMW changed all that we got a MB C350 as our DD instead.
To read my story (somewhat condensed) you need to scroll down to Region Idaho once you open the above link.
I'm still crazy about my M3 ... I've learned since then to find the better dealerships, dealerships that truly represent the BMW product and people that don't feed you BS. Still when I am done with this M3 I will get a Porsche or Mercedes. My new $700- garden hose holder (see photo of my cracked wheel in the above link) will be my constant reminder in my garage. Then BMW does not care for a few losses.
Radiation Joe wroteDon't hold back....tell us how you really feel:DAfter almost two years fighting BMW over a seriously flawed DCT I got out of my lease three months early. There is a lot of speculation on the subject, but I believe the transmission software was unable to cope with some outlier transmission hardware issues. BMW never admitted the issue, ever. It was an unsafe condition afflicting a small but not insignificant percentage of DCT equipped cars. BMW's behavior on the issue was inexcusable, and to this day I will still say that anyone associated with that debacle at BMWNA is a piece of shit.
E92_SID wroteI was involved with a "collateral exchange" with BMWNA as I was one of the first e92 335i's in the country, so naturally one of the first EPIC fuel pump failures and resulting back-order log jam.I dont know about any other ideas. As long as your car is good now and they didnt void your warranty or anything then you should be good.
I am not surprised that reps from BMW are reading post on this site. I actually had my local dealer question me about post they read on here regarding a JB4 that they accused me of having on my 335. They tried to claim that the JB3 was causing the HPFP failures. Yeah right! I pled the 5th and they ended up buying back my 335. So just be careful not to post anything too incriminating because you never know who is watching.
But in my case, the car was fine, simple problem, simple fix. Problem was it was delayed for almost 2 months because of part being back-order as they rushed to find a new manufacturer. In your case, if you can't get a collateral exchange, and the car winds up being fixed and running great, I would negotiate a 100k bumper to bumper warranty at not cost to you. They might be ok with that, especially if they believe your car is good, and that is less costly to them then the other options, and you then have nothing to worry about.
PM if you got any specific questions.
Cheers,
e46e92
e46e92love wroteI hear ya' E46! As long as I am sure my vehicle is going to run well, and they won't pull any nonsense, I will be happy. The product is great. I have been taking my time breaking it in right, and want to keep this M for a long time. I figure that good companies sometimes do bad things, so I am sure that they will cover me. But, i hope to get some assurances in writing.Don't hold back....tell us how you really feel:D
I was involved with a "collateral exchange" with BMWNA as I was one of the first e92 335i's in the country, so naturally one of the first EPIC fuel pump failures and resulting back-order log jam.
But in my case, the car was fine, simple problem, simple fix. Problem was it was delayed for almost 2 months because of part being back-order as they rushed to find a new manufacturer. In your case, if you can't get a collateral exchange, and the car winds up being fixed and running great, I would negotiate a 100k bumper to bumper warranty at not cost to you. They might be ok with that, especially if they believe your car is good, and that is less costly to them then the other options, and you then have nothing to worry about.
PM if you got any specific questions.
Cheers,
e46e92
With My last M3 (an E46), the front corner was repainted at port, and when I traded it, they nailed me. They gave me a ton of nonsense, and tried to work the price down a few grand. They eventually relented, but now I am wary of the long term liability of actions that a manufacturer does as a routine matter. As much as they claim that "everything will be fine", it does not always turn out that way!
DocJohn wroteExactly, everything will be fine till your DCT needs to be replaced for the inexpensive price of 8k.....so tell them if everything will be fine, they don't mind putting that in writing and covering it:DI hear ya' E46! As long as I am sure my vehicle is going to run well, and they won't pull any nonsense, I will be happy. The product is great. I have been taking my time breaking it in right, and want to keep this M for a long time. I figure that good companies sometimes do bad things, so I am sure that they will cover me. But, i hope to get some assurances in writing.
With My last M3 (an E46), the front corner was repainted at port, and when I traded it, they nailed me. They gave me a ton of nonsense, and tried to work the price down a few grand. They eventually relented, but now I am wary of the long term liability of actions that a manufacturer does as a routine matter. As much as they claim that "everything will be fine", it does not always turn out that way!
Good luck.....but I bet BMW will do right.......I have found they do right, more than they do wrong. I probably also feel this way because I have "realistic expectations" something many people have forgotten these days....
Cheers,
e46e92
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