Buyers be aware

[Dr_Tripwire]

I am sharing my experience of the below transaction to raise awareness to anyone who is considering buying either of the below mentioned cars - I am not telling anyone to avoid buying either, nor am I attempting to discredit either of the selling dealerships

A few weeks back, I bought a Z4 Coupe - Reg no CK07CXA
I picked it up from the dealership after travelling 4 and a half hours across the country. An hour into driving the car on the motorway, I noticed a rumbling and vibration at certain speeds. As I had already made a long journey and was well on my way home, I decided that I'd call the dealership the next day to discuss the issue. The next day I called the dealership, explained the noise and was told that it's probably wheel balancing and to get it checked - this was on a Sunday.

Later on that day I also noticed that the air conditioning didn't work, no drop in revs, no ice cold air, no compressor kicking in - so once again I called the dealership. I was told to take the car to a garage to get it checked out and to provide them with a report on any issues found. I took it to my local garage who found that the underside of the car had loose panels, corroded exhaust fixings and patches of underseal at various locations. They continued checking the car, took it for a drive and told me that there seem to be issues that they won't be able to diagnose and that I should take it to the local BMW specialist.

The BMW specialist checked the car and told me that they suspected the loud rumbling and vibrations being caused by a diff or gearbox issue, so I reported the findings to the dealership who told me that they'd take the car back - at my expense. I eventually managed to arrange for the car to be transported back to the dealership by the RAC - I am currently waiting for a refund of my money.

When the RAC came to check the car to see if the issue was repairable (as they do), the patrol took the car for a drive, came back and then ran diagnostics - this is the report -

• Member reported gearbox.

• Engine oil and coolant levels checked - OK.

• Visual check - check of gearbox, prop donut and rear diff - OK.

• DTC read - various faults.

• Road test - transmission whine heard.

• Suspected fault with transmission.

Diagnostic Codes

RAC DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM
System Type: BRAKES
Name: ABS/ASC/DSC - MK 60
DTC: 5E40,Steering angle sensor, implausible
DTC: 5E1F,Control unit, incorrect vehicle identification number; calibration required
DTC: 5E16,No message from instrument (610, 613 or 615)

System Type: STEERING
Name: CHASSIS - ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING (EPS)
DTC: 6128,Vehicle speed
DTC: 611E,Vehicle speed
DTC: 611B,Steering angle
DTC: 612A,Total odometer reading
DTC: D6FE,Day/night switch, signal

System Type: IMMOBILISER
Name: IMMOBILISER - ELECTRONIC DRIVE-AWAY PROTECTION 3 (EWS3)
DTC: 0F,Power-On-Reset

System Type: LOCKING SYSTEM
Name: CENTRAL BODY - CENTRAL BODY ELECTRONICS (ZKE)
DTC: 0D,Driver window trap fault.
DTC: 48,Interior lights, wire open circuit
DTC: 0E,Passenger window trap fault.
DTC: 74,Washer nozzle heating left, Open circuit
DTC: 76,Washer nozzle heating right, Open circuit
DTC: 3D,Trunk lock motor
DTC: 81,DWA- alarm memory, left front door contact switch
DTC: 90,Battery voltage, open circuit

System Type: LIGHTING SYSTEM
Name: LIGHTS CENTER - DIAGNOSE
DTC: 1E,Headlamp range adjustment control module; faulty
DTC: 1F,Activation, motor for headlight range adjustment 1
DTC: 33,Parking lights front right, defective
DTC: 36,Front direction indicator left side, defective
DTC: 37,Front direction indicator right side, defective
DTC: 38,Parking lights front left, missing
DTC: 39,Left side high beam, defective
DTC: 3A,Right side high beam, defective
DTC: 41,Right side low beam, defective
DTC: 42,Left side low beam, defective
DTC: 45,Front direction indicator right side, defective
DTC: 46,Front direction indicator left side, defective

The dealership insist that they carried out a 100 point inspection of the car as part of the pre delivery inspection, a full service and MOT and that there were no advisories. The service book looks like a non original and the service stamps didn't look convincing either.

In addition to this, the car that I part exchanged - a Z4 Roadster - Reg no AU58OXD has now appeared on another dealership's forecourt (one that is associated to the one where I bought the Coupe and has by some miracle, a full service history - I had declared just 4 service records that I had proof of and that BMW have no record of the car being serviced by any BMW dealership in the network. Apparently the last service on the car was December last year - the car was in my possession at that time and I had not had it serviced then but much earlier in the same year.

UPDATE 18/04/23

The car (CK07CXA) is back on the dealer's forecourt - which I'm shocked to see, given the issues with the gearbox. -
https://www.avantiautomotive.co.uk/vehicle-details/used-bmw-z4-si-sport-for-sale-in-bristol-gloucestershire-u2453/

I am still waiting for a refund of my money from these sellers (I am choosing my words carefully!!)

The car that I part exchanged which has a falsified service history is still for sale on their sister site -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303064948603?body-type=Convertible&include-delivery-option=on&sort=relevance&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&make=BMW&price-to=5000&model=Z4&postcode=ip45ud&radius=1500&price-from=4500&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

 

[Pondy]

Feel for you and sorry to hear of your trouble
Yet another example why I will never buy a car from any dealer except a main dealer or private. Not keen on main dealers either TBH, as they are sharks too IME.

I would contact VOSA (DVSA) or trading standards, or even the cops regarding the falsified service history. That is fraud!

The link to the coupe has now gone!

 

[Dr_Tripwire]

Feel for you and sorry to hear of your trouble
Yet another example why I will never buy a car from any dealer except a main dealer or private. Not keen on main dealers either TBH, as they are sharks too IME.

I would contact VOSA (DVSA) or trading standards, or even the cops regarding the falsified service history. That is fraud!

The link to the coupe has now gone!

Thanks - yes, they've got until the end of today to issue a full refund and then I'll be speaking with Trading Standards and starting legal proceedings - I've updated the link and tested it - so you should be able to see it now.

 

[j3nks79]

It’s always amazed me people buy cars and don’t get them inspected if they don’t know what they are looking at/for!?
Don’t be blinkered just because you are buying from a garage that the car will be 100% fault free.

Sorry to sound harsh but this is the real world and not a fairy tale we live in.

 

[Z450]

Thank you for sharing op, real shame about your experience, I hope you get your money soon.

Another example where the bad spoil it for the good.

As much as above people saying I would buy privately, you could have had the exact same issue and would have very little legal ground to stand on. Least with buying from a garage you have the law on your side

 

[Z450]

Thank you for sharing op, real shame about your experience, I hope you get your money soon.

Another example where the bad spoil it for the good.

As much as above people saying I would buy privately, you could have had the exact same issue and would have very little legal ground to stand on. Least with buying from a garage you have the law on your side

 

[Dr_Tripwire]

It’s always amazed me people buy cars and don’t get them inspected if they don’t know what they are looking at/for!?
Don’t be blinkered just because you are buying from a garage that the car will be 100% fault free.

Sorry to sound harsh but this is the real world and not a fairy tale we live in.

I'd have to agree if it were practical to inspect the car, but in this instance being 4 hours away I was reliant on video walkthroughs and Q&A. I would expect some integrity from a garage if I'm paying market value for a car, especially when the garage claim to perform a thorough inspection of the car and provide a warranty with it.

I have since bought another car - privately and although it was some way away, the seller was true to his word, we spent time going over the car via a WhatsApp video call as well as in person.

The fact that the garage who sold me the car I've sent back are still withholding my funds just shows how they operate.

 

[Argyll Andy]

Sorry to hear about your poor experience, how did you pay?can you get money back via your bank/credit card co?

I agree with above comments re FSH on your trade in, it’s fraud as can clearly be proved, by you, entries aren’t genuine.

Good luck getting everything resolved

 

[bigwinn]

It’s always amazed me people buy cars and don’t get them inspected if they don’t know what they are looking at/for!?
Don’t be blinkered just because you are buying from a garage that the car will be 100% fault free.

Sorry to sound harsh but this is the real world and not a fairy tale we live in.

I'd have to agree if it were practical to inspect the car, but in this instance being 4 hours away I was reliant on video walkthroughs and Q&A. I would expect some integrity from a garage if I'm paying market value for a car, especially when the garage claim to perform a thorough inspection of the car and provide a warranty with it.

I have since bought another car - privately and although it was some way away, the seller was true to his word, we spent time going over the car via a WhatsApp video call as well as in person.

The fact that the garage who sold me the car I've sent back are still withholding my funds just shows how they operate.

+1 agreed Dr Tripwire

I’d expect (naively) dealers to be more scrupulous and private sellers to not be, sadly it seems to be the opposite

Thanks for sharing the story it’s a salutary lesson glad you didn’t get too burned

 

[mr wilks]

Too late now but make checking MOT online your 1st move when considering any used car , a quick browse would have been enough to set my klaxon right off , 1400 miles covered in 5 yrs + a litany of minor niggles & i wouldn't have been handing the keys back until full refund was given either not a great move that.
Worth considering how you paid for it , you may be entitled to a "chargeback" via your bank which the seller has no control over , you get your money back whether they agree or not .

 

[MikeyH]

Too late now but make checking MOT online your 1st move when considering any used car , a quick browse would have been enough to set my klaxon right off , 1400 miles covered in 5 yrs + a litany of minor niggles & i wouldn't have been handing the keys back until full refund was given either not a great move that.
Worth considering how you paid for it , you may be entitled to a "chargeback" via your bank which the seller has no control over , you get your money back whether they agree or not .

+1 I've heard about that also somewhere else

 

[gerryp]

Thanks for sharing.
I hope you get your money back.

 

[Huzee4]

This thread has left me fuming I bloody hate rogue dealers, I sincerely hope you have a positive outcome asap !
Good luck we are all routing for you

 

[Dr_Tripwire]

This thread has left me fuming I bloody hate rogue dealers, I sincerely hope you have a positive outcome asap !
Good luck we are all routing for you

Thanks - I've been fuming for the last few days!! The whole experience has been awful - fingers crossed it'll be sorted tomorrow. I had a call from Trading Standards today asking me for all the information relating to their return process as I think they'll want to investigate the dealer for underhand practice.

 

[Dr_Tripwire]

Too late now but make checking MOT online your 1st move when considering any used car , a quick browse would have been enough to set my klaxon right off , 1400 miles covered in 5 yrs + a litany of minor niggles & i wouldn't have been handing the keys back until full refund was given either not a great move that.
Worth considering how you paid for it , you may be entitled to a "chargeback" via your bank which the seller has no control over , you get your money back whether they agree or not .

+1 I've heard about that also somewhere else

Yep - MOT checked before anything else - guess what? It passed with no advisories!!! I'll let you come to your own conclusions on that one :thumbsdown:

 

[mr wilks]

Too late now but make checking MOT online your 1st move when considering any used car , a quick browse would have been enough to set my klaxon right off , 1400 miles covered in 5 yrs + a litany of minor niggles & i wouldn't have been handing the keys back until full refund was given either not a great move that.
Worth considering how you paid for it , you may be entitled to a "chargeback" via your bank which the seller has no control over , you get your money back whether they agree or not .

+1 I've heard about that also somewhere else

Yep - MOT checked before anything else - guess what? It passed with no advisories!!! I'll let you come to your own conclusions on that one :thumbsdown:

Its not the last MOT test that alarms me , its the previous 2-3-4-5 :wink:

 

[Dr_Tripwire]

+1 I've heard about that also somewhere else

Yep - MOT checked before anything else - guess what? It passed with no advisories!!! I'll let you come to your own conclusions on that one :thumbsdown:

Its not the last MOT test that alarms me , its the previous 2-3-4-5 :wink:

Did you look it up? You're right...https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=Ck07cxa

I wish I had a Delorean with 1.21 gigawatts in the back :|

 

[ronk]

Ive just had a look on the DVLA page and it shows CX 07 CXA as a Yellow JCB

Something is wrong!

 

[Pondy]

Its not the last MOT test that alarms me , its the previous 2-3-4-5 :wink:

To be fair the MOT history isn't terrible and there isn't a 'pattern' of problems. It's not great but we are talking about a 15 year old car with 85k miles under it's belt.
It isn't beyond possibility that it was owned for the past 5 odd years by someone who rarely used it, especially as Z4s are often summer cars.
The main issue is with the gearbox and that wouldn't be checked or tested for an MOT. As long as it could move to do brake tests, which it obviously could.
I honestly think the OP could not have found the issues until he drove it.
Someone earlier criticised the OP for not having an RAC/AA inspection done. I don't think you should have to do that if buying from a dealer. Surely that is the whole point of buying from a dealer, who all claim they do '3 million point checks' on every vehicle they sell. It's all bollox and lies, none of them do them properly; if at all.

This one, as far as I can see, is purely down to a money-grabbing dealer, who couldn't give two shites about the quality of car they are selling.

Rant over (for now). :x

 

[Roberltd2]

Ive just had a look on the DVLA page and it shows CX 07 CXA as a Yellow JCB

Something is wrong!

I think that was a misprint on the OP's part Ron. I went down the same route.
Should have read CK07CXA I think.
Robert.