Problem with the BMW garage

[London000]

Hi there people,

 

I have been to the BMW minicooper garage to repair my car.

I have a BMW and the rev started to play up a few good months ago, then the engine stopped twice which means that I have no breaks or turnig the steering wheel left or right which is a serious matter....

I even placed an add to sell my car but good thing that I didn't as I can imagine what would have happened to the other person...

I have taken it straight away to have the problem rectified by them but it seemed that I have paid for nothing as to the date after 4 times being there with the car and 3 days in total they have kept my car I would say that apparently they have fixed the problem.

 

They told me that I have to replace the camshaft sensor which I did and that was twice with them as the first one was faulty….went back and wasted another 4 hours to have it replaced after 3 weeks…THEN BACK AGAIN after another 4 weeks with the same problem even getting worse.

Thay have kept the car for a day and 1 night to have the engine washed as they thought was an oil leek somewhere. They could not find anything wrong but they have changed the following without calling me first to say what they will do if a agree:

 

- Replace pulse generator on crankshaft; remove and install inlet manifold; o ring; oil filter N42, CONNECTING LINE; hose; connecting line again; 077773/ spped senso; o ring, manifold gasket set; r/cover gasket; rivet; grommet; 077773/lock twice; collar scre; cable tie

 

I went to pick up the car second day firstly in the morning (around 10.00)but the car wasn't even in the garage. They showed up with the car at around 12.30 and the reason was that the mechanic had to take it for a spin to make sure the car is good to drive without anymore problems..Yeah, right!!

So far I went back again with the same problem getting upset but they told me after half day staying there and waiting for the result that they have to change the rear silcer exhaust which they did and being charged £350 on top of 250 previously. I did say that I do hope that this is the last problem which obviously it wasn’t.

A few more weeks and back again….and now I am really angry and upset about the whole thing…The car is not working as it should and what I have paid for. They can't just keep guessing on my money.

 

Please any help in writing a good letter would be huge and appreciated as I have written to the BMW customer service telling them exactly what happened and at the moement waiting to see what they have to say..

 

DD

Edited July 7, 2012 by London000

[London000]

I've had just a reply from BMW saying that someone will be in touch soon, asking the chasis number of the car.. Let's see what they have to say now.

DD

[raydetinu]

Is it a BMW franchised garage or just bmw specialist garage?

Well they cant just guess with you being made to pay etc.

BMW have great diagnostics and would have thought that checking the fault cdes and readout would lead to the poblem.

They are the experts afterall.

Suggest you go and see the manager and get some of your money back for the items/work done that has not fixed the problem.

If it is a reputable large BMW dealer the they should sort you out pronto!

How old/mileage on the Car, did you purcahase it there?

[London000]

Hi there,

 

I have been talking to the BMW and they said that the Service Manager from minicooper garage will be in contact with me which he did via e-mail asking me to call him.

Anyway I did and he said to bring the car for a check for 2 hours although he will not be there (for me I think).

 

Anyhoo, he did also say that I should pay for whatever would find as it is an old car.

 

My question is: shall I ask firstly for my money back - what I have paid so far? after the work is done

or shall I deduct from the bill at the end as I have paid around (£600-700) so far and the problem is not solved and whatever they repaired (if) was not the right thing to change and charge for.

The car was purchase from another private dealer 1 year ago and the mileage is a bit high over 100k

DD

Edited July 11, 2012 by London000

[heliosuk]

Perhaps it might be an ideato let usknow theage and mileage of the caraswhat they are saying could be right. Dealer diagnostics only report the state of the car at the time so if there are multiple faults registered in the control systems they have to eliminate them one by one. A fault registered can be caused by the failure of another registered fault so unless the car is in tip top condition it's not always easy to diagnose the problem.

 

By rights, provided they can justify the replacement you have the benefit of the new part so chances of getting a refund are virtually nill unless you give the parts back for which you will have to accept a degredation amount. THis will be significant.

 

The only tool you really have to negotiate the cost with is the labour rate which to a certain extent is flexible. Older BMWS benefit from a 4 plus scheme, or they always used to. Ask for that as it was only used to keep people in the dealer network if they asked for it.

 

At the end of the day it comes down to experience as all the good technicians get fed up with seeing sales people earning big money and just taking orders and they have to pick up the pieces when it all goes wrong.

 

I recently attended another Master Technician forum and the standard of good to bad technicians, baring these are all meant to be "master" technicians was surprising. Interestingly those in the north of the UK werefarmore switched on than those in the south.

[London000]

hi Heliosuk,

Many thanks for your reply.

Yes, i shall keep updated. What is realy anoying is the fact that they could have been honest from the begining. I must say that back in january 2012 i went to a local garage and they have changed a lot of things which i have showed the guys at mini. It costed 1000to have it done in which the crankshaft sensor was also changed. I know the difference in between the crankshaft and camshaft. These days is so easy to look for things...

I shall keep updating as we go along anyway. The fact is that the guy was kicked out for doggy things done within the company which really would be a major factor in this matter.

Lets see what they have to say. I have a few things to show them which i should wait at the moment.

Additionally, I would have to state that they told me that could be because of the rear exhaust silencer which I've done. It wasn't realy necesary to change the silencer if the cause was from the front, me thinks.

I shall have a look myself without touching anything b4 as to the moment I am getting a few DIY knowledges by searching and reading various things in this matter.

Have a good one and keep you posted.

DD

Edited July 12, 2012 by London000

[London000]

Perhaps it might be an ideato let usknow theage and mileage of the caraswhat they are saying could be right. Dealer diagnostics only report the state of the car at the time so if there are multiple faults registered in the control systems they have to eliminate them one by one. A fault registered can be caused by the failure of another registered fault so unless the car is in tip top condition it's not always easy to diagnose the problem.

 

That could be right although I should have lots of money for them just to guess. The car is 03 reg and it isn't that old I may say. I have seen A reg still going and to say that it is a ust a Renault/ Fiat etc..not a bimmer/Audi/Jag..

 

 

By rights, provided they can justify the replacement you have the benefit of the new part so chances of getting a refund are virtually nill unless you give the parts back for which you will have to accept a degredation amount. THis will be significant.

 

In a way was going to say that should they have changed already things that were actually good they would hit their targets for the month/year whilst I would have been just left with less money.

 

The only tool you really have to negotiate the cost with is the labour rate which to a certain extent is flexible. Older BMWS benefit from a 4 plus scheme, or they always used to. Ask for that as it was only used to keep people in the dealer network if they asked for it.

 

Noted!

 

At the end of the day it comes down to experience as all the good technicians get fed up with seeing sales people earning big money and just taking orders and they have to pick up the pieces when it all goes wrong.

 

I know what you are talking about but the fact is in between their departments...and nothing to do with me

 

dd

[heliosuk]

Read the posts properly London. It's an 03 what?????????? and what is the mileage?

[London000]

Read the posts properly London. It's an 03 what?????????? and what is the mileage?

 

Oh yes. It is an 2003 and has 118k.

 

DD

[raydetinu]

Mini Cooper!

[London000]

Mini Cooper!

 

Hi Raydetinu,

 

Yes, as it is BMW aproved dealership and they sell and service any bimmer as well as Mini..

Whilst there with my bimmer waiting, I've seen only bimmers going to be serviced but I belive they do as well mini.

At the moment I can't wait to see what they will say once they will be looking again at the car. There are facts that once browsed the net you'll find that the problem I've encountered with my bimmer has been well known by them....

Forums are full of the same thing and the funny thing is that they know it but they are brushing it under the carpet.

DD

[London000]

Hi there friends,

 

I have taken the car to be investigated and they have just diagnosed it again and came up different things...than the first time.

How strange.

 

Have sent a letter to the Service management complaining about the whole thing. Lets see what they will answer.

I have told them that it is not possible to keep bringing the car everytime they want to.

So far I have gathered a few things to show them what exactly they have done so far.

Awaiting with great interest.

 

dd

[London000]

Hi there,

To update the thread with latest things...

Contacted the service manager which offered a 10% off labour only although he did not accept the wrong doing.. I have said that i am only looking for the money back as i do not trust them anymore. 5 times was enough to have my car there and every time they have promissed that the car is working properly- yeah, right...still the same problem to the present.

Given 14 days to respond and comply with my request and they came with a 20% off labour. It was a no from me and have given an extra 10 to rethink the whole situation but no reply.

I have decided to contact RMI and see what is going to happen.