List of problems.. Back from dealership with more problems..

[Anonymous]

Just a thought - I wonder if it would help to talk to the mechanic thats gonna do the work, assuming they assign it to 1 person. That way you can show him the exact problems, cos sometimes the job-sheet explanation isn't brilliant and if you get a knuckle dragger mechanic, you've got no hope of him reading a vague job sheet.

The other benefit of this, is that you actually see him...and he sees you, hopefully he will then take "ownership" of the problem. Obviously though, if this happens, you have to be on best behaviour and come across as helpful yourself, don't get shitty with him if he's the numpty that worked on it before...you can save that for when you collect the car if needs be!

ok, so this means you being nice and giving them the benefit of the doubt, which is the last thing you want to do, but if it helps solve the problems, its in your benefit.

 

[WLH]

In the US we have something called "Lemon Law" and it is written that dealer must successfully make the repairs in a reasonable period of time. There is no number of times and "reasonable period of time" is not defined. Most courts decisions have found that 2 or 3 attempts over a period of a month or more are reasonable. Because of this most dealer will make 2 tries and if that does not work they ask for help from dealer support who will send in a specialized repair team as then know from experience that if this does not work they will either be giving a new car or a refund.

 

[Anonymous]

I've heard of that, but was under the impression in the US a number of attempts was specified.

My car has been in 4 times with no luck. Its now on its 5th visit (they've had it the last 2 weeks) and got BMW involved at this time. The principle basically agreed if they cannot fix it on the next stage (send to monsoon centre) that it will be a replacement. I think JDM's car has been in once or twice, so hopefully they can expedite this process for his car.

 

[WLH]

I've heard of that, but was under the impression in the US a number of attempts was specified.

My car has been in 4 times with no luck. Its now on its 5th visit (they've had it the last 2 weeks) and got BMW involved at this time. The principle basically agreed if they cannot fix it on the next stage (send to monsoon centre) that it will be a replacement. I think JDM's car has been in once or twice, so hopefully they can expedite this process for his car.

These "lemon laws" came into effect in the late 1950's and early 60's and they are slightly different in each state. Build quality on American cars was God awful in the late 1950's, 60, and 70. In Pennsylvania where I live and in most state it is a "reasonable period of time". I believe there are some exceptions to that. Georgia I believe is one. However, it seems the courts by there decisions have more less made that determination the dealer need to be given not only a reasonable period of time to effect the repair but more that one attempt. Thus the reason most dealer will go for help from dealer support after 2 failures.

edit...
American law maker are very good at writing law that are always a bit vague so that the final decision will be made by the courts. I suspect that is because most lawmakers are lawyers and it keeps their profession in business...

 

[JDM]

OK, So I have just wrote a letter to the principal following his letter last week and my consequent conversations with the service manager.

This is the letter.

Dear ******,

Following receipt of your letter dated 5th July 2012 and my telephone conversations with ********* since receipt of this letter, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the content of our conversations.

Firstly, In response to the letter, I acknowledge the content set out within it but still feel that despite BMW offering a warranty for issues to be resolved, it is totally unacceptable in my opinion for a brand new vehicle to have so many defects. Do you feel that this is acceptable?

My concern is that, it is stated that these issues can be easily dealt with under the warranty. This is clearly not the case as you have unsuccessfully attempted to fix a number of them already, despite me being informed once I collected the vehicle the previous time it was with yourselves that all issues had been resolved. How many attempts will be required?

As discussed with *****, I will allow your dealership one final attempt to put right the issues and if the issues are not resolved entirely to my satisfaction then I will be pushing for a replacement vehicle or rejecting the vehicle for reasons clearly set out within my previous email.

I would also like to confirm my further discussions with ***** yesterday stating that the driver’s seat base appears to be stitched incorrectly around the junction with the thigh support as it creases considerably. This does not happen on the passenger seat. It is quite noticeable when you sit in the seat as the abutment line between the extendable section and the seat base is crinkled and sagging as my attached photograph (SAM1470).

I have also attached further images of the passenger door taken on two separate mornings after heavy rain for your information.

On another note, two more defects need to be noted:

• The driver’s side seatbelt keeps jamming so you cannot pull the seatbelt from its resting position. The only way to un jam it is to drive a little without the seatbelt on and then brake heavily which un jams the seatbelt. I’m sure you will agree that this is a major health and safety issue. This has happened at least three times this week.

• The clutch has started juddering on occasions when setting off from a standstill.

I look forward to all issues being resolved as soon as possible so that I can start enjoying the car and not worrying every time I get in it what else is going to go wrong.

Yours Sincerely

John D Mason

 

[Stark]

Good letter and fair points raised. Give them one last go and if not fixed, unleash the full force of your complaint and see what happens...

 

[Maniac]

John that leak is unacceptable I agree, as are some of your other issues. But that complaint you have about the leather in the seat.. leather creases when you sit on it, mine is just the same as the drivers side gets more use, I think you might be chasing issues that aren't there to some extent. I do empathise, trust me with the issues I've had, but you do have to stop and check yourself to ensure you're not going too far and starting to see issues where none may exist perhaps..

 

[JDM]

John that leak is unacceptable I agree, as are some of your other issues. But that complaint you have about the leather in the seat.. leather creases when you sit on it, mine is just the same as the drivers side gets more use, I think you might be chasing issues that aren't there to some extent. I do empathise, trust me with the issues I've had, but you do have to stop and check yourself to ensure you're not going too far and starting to see issues where none may exist perhaps..

So why doesnt it do it on the passenger side then? The extendable bolster thing doesnt sit tight against the base on the drivers seat but does on the passenger seat and offers more resistance when trying to close it. It leaves a gap thats un uniform and creased as the picture shows.

Others may think I am being over picky but if one seat is perfect, why cant the other one be?

 

[Maniac]

Calm down John, I'm not having a go, I'm saying you need to put things into perspective 'perhaps'. Its your car, you know what you want, I'm speaking as a person with an e89 that is also picky and had lots of things done to make it just so, but when do you stop? As I say, my seats are similar, mainly due to the drivers side being used more than the passengers side. Pursue it by all means, I'm just offering my perspective and thoughts...

 

[JDM]

Sorry mate, I wasnt having a go. I was just stating a point that both should be the same.

I understand that drivers seat gets used more but, with the mileage on the car it hasnt been used much. Not to warrant the leather to do that..

My old coupe never looked like that and it had nearly 50k on it..

 

[Maniac]

I understand, you're pissed off, and its fine to be pissed off... to give you some heart, my repayments monthly are nearly double yours, and because I'm not PCP but financed, its value has dropped so low I'll have to keep it a good while before I can even get my money back. Add that into lots of picky and some quite serious issues such as wheels, engine and gearbox and perhaps you won't feel quite so bad about yours. Mine's all tip top now, and I love it, but dear me it took some doing.

 

[Carol M]

John, I'm going to pm you. I can't put too much on here but I am now about to take legal action against my dealer. You would not believe whats been going on about my parking sensors issue. Haven't been able to talk about it on here just in case it gets as far as I think it's going to.
I have already started the ball rolling and will share with you what I have learned so far.

 

[JDM]

Cheers Cazza

 

[Carol M]

Cheers Cazza

You are more than welcome me luv, sent pm now.

 

[cjp2k]

John, I'm going to pm you. I can't put too much on here but I am now about to take legal action against my dealer. You would not believe whats been going on about my parking sensors issue. Haven't been able to talk about it on here just in case it gets as far as I think it's going to.
I have already started the ball rolling and will share with you what I have learned so far.

I understand why you dont want to post on here, but I hope that you get this resolved

 

[Carol M]

John, I'm going to pm you. I can't put too much on here but I am now about to take legal action against my dealer. You would not believe whats been going on about my parking sensors issue. Haven't been able to talk about it on here just in case it gets as far as I think it's going to.
I have already started the ball rolling and will share with you what I have learned so far.

I understand why you dont want to post on here, but I hope that you get this resolved

Thank you, me too. You wouldn't believe what's been happening the past couple of weeks.
When it's all over I will share. :thumbsdown:

 

[Rialas]

Thank you, me too. You wouldn't believe what's been happening the past couple of weeks.
When it's all over I will share. :thumbsdown:

Best of luck and understand why you can't share just yet.

But this has seriously pushed my curiosity meter to number 11.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with the logic with your seats.....both should be the same. I haven't had my car for 3 weeks, so can't check.

My leak is still there - it looks like your last photo. Will need to update my thread.

Perhaps John, Carol and I should meet for a drink....we're all in the same boat to some extent, its bloody frustrating isn't it!!!!

 

[sars]

Interesting comment about the seat belt, mine does exactly the same, just open the door and it releases, doesn't happen a lot but it does happen.

Good luck with everything else though

 

[TitanTim]

Have to say my seatbelt has never jammed as John describes and my drivers seat seems OK. I have however had the leak as bad as yours John and Kevins on the passender side only, however I'am curious with mine as its only leaked bad the once and on the odd occasion I get a drip and no more. I have lubricated the rubber seals with Krytox especially in the corners where the roof meets the header rail and the leak stopped immediately. What is strange is the Zed has stood in torrential rain and had no leak, the following day it will sit in torrential rain again and I might get one or two drip spots (the roof hasn't been lowered in between times) Again when its sat in rain on numorous occasions it hasn't leaked. I actually think on occasions before you park up, if you have hit a pothole or rough patch of road the roof moves enough to affect its sealing capibilities. Once you use the car again the roof seals and it probably won't leak again for a while. If you think about it the roof must ne moving slightly all the time and its pot luck if when you park up its sealled 100%. I'm not saying a leak is acceptable but will say these types of roofs are prone to leakibng to some extent, nature of the beast. If you go any forum, albeit SLK, VW EOS etc you will come across leaking threads.

I seem to fairly lucky with problems, the main being this engine whine when cold, fix attempt No2 is for tomorrow, annoyingly after a few minutes it seems to dissapear but when cold is noticeable.

Tim.