NEED TO SPEAK WITH KENN SPARKS

[Z4Z4]

I really need to speak to Kenn Sparks, does anyone know how to get in touch with him?????

I had my car at 07 Homecoming and I started to have problems with my Z4 (fuel pump 2nd one) As I said in a previous post I took it to the tech tent and had it looked at, They said they would get in touch with my service manager (I gave him the name) 2 week went by and hadn't heard a word, so I e-mail and called BMW of NA. Well I finally talked to someone yesterday, my BMW service man called, we made an appt. FINE!!! I got an e-mail today from a "Customer Relations _ Service Representative" saying they called me at my home phone, no answer, no answer machine, then they said they tried my cell phone, guess what??? no answer no answering machine, they said they tried numerous times. NOT TRUE, I HAVE CALLER ID, ANSWERING MACHINE, CALL WAITING, CALL FORWARD. I just phoned them 5 minutes ago, a secretary said it is documented, I told her I didn't appreciated being lied to. My service dept have been super with my car, no problem there except for the distance. I have had many, many problems with this Z4, I had NO problems with my Z3. I need to talk to someone higher up.

Does anyone know who that would be??? Kenn??? Sorry for being so long, just had to vent.

 

[2003 Z4]

GOOD LUCK!!!! I have a 2003 Z4 Roadster and I have a long list of problems with my car. In 4 years (the car only has 52,000 miles) I had problems with the buttons to lower the roof, heater control module (could not turn the fan motor off), The GPS screen was dark (another module), the care just started running on 5 cylinders (they replaced all six coils), the oil light was always lighting up (had to replace the sensor), the top made some kind of clicking noise when you put the top down (they refused to replace the top and installed some kind of rivit), the CD player would not eject the cd (they replaced the unit and it would not work so they had to order another one and install it a week later), then I finally talked to the East Coast Rep. and he did authorize replacing the top. The top was replaced but they used the original rubber which was part of the problem to begin with and now the air leaks more than before. I just found out that the plastic around the windshield could have been replaced under warranty but since I did not know this, I still have the old which is dry rotted and cracking. Since they replaced my top, the back glass defoger stopped working. The third brake light has springs that are too strong and it broke the tip off of the plastic lens. I bought a new one and it did it again! This time I glued the piece back on and did not tighten the screws. If you find a way to get your problems taken care of, let me know. As for me, when I get the car in a condition good enough to sell, ITS GONE!!!!!!

 

[20ducks]

GOOD LUCK!!!! I have a 2003 Z4 Roadster and I have a long list of problems with my car. In 4 years (the car only has 52,000 miles) I had problems with the buttons to lower the roof, heater control module (could not turn the fan motor off), The GPS screen was dark (another module), the care just started running on 5 cylinders (they replaced all six coils), the oil light was always lighting up (had to replace the sensor), the top made some kind of clicking noise when you put the top down (they refused to replace the top and installed some kind of rivit), the CD player would not eject the cd (they replaced the unit and it would not work so they had to order another one and install it a week later), then I finally talked to the East Coast Rep. and he did authorize replacing the top. The top was replaced but they used the original rubber which was part of the problem to begin with and now the air leaks more than before. I just found out that the plastic around the windshield could have been replaced under warranty but since I did not know this, I still have the old which is dry rotted and cracking. Since they replaced my top, the back glass defoger stopped working. The third brake light has springs that are too strong and it broke the tip off of the plastic lens. I bought a new one and it did it again! This time I glued the piece back on and did not tighten the screws. If you find a way to get your problems taken care of, let me know. As for me, when I get the car in a condition good enough to sell, ITS GONE!!!!!!

You have had one unique experience with your Z4, and especially your dealership that services it. All vehicles have issues and yours appears to have had more of its fair share. You didn't post what dealer you went to or how issues were taken care of (or not). It looks to me that this car has had problems for some time and for some reason another happens as a different one is solved. btw, Kenn Sparks is not a person who could remotely assist as he works for BMW Manufacturing not BMW North America. Saying that, your BMW dealer is your first line of approach. I have had excellent service from my dealer, Baron BMW of Merriam, KS for over 5 years. It looks to me that this car and perhaps you dealer is not what you expect and if it were me I would be selling the car as well. Sorry to read about these problems and hopefully your next vehicle will be trouble free for you. Good luck.

 

[Smokin]

Ditto, ducks!

My dealer, Performance BMW in Chapel Hill is most excellent and I have a great service adviser. I've never had a problem with them. I have, however, heard of other dealers who are not quite so good.

Rather than try to get Ken, start walking up the ladder of BMWNA. I don't know about the rest of you, but when I take my car in for service, the dealer calls to make sure everything is ok and BMWNA calls for me to rate the service I got. Let 'em know you're not happy.

 

[2 Zero]

What good is the phone call after you get home from BMWNA if they dealer blackmails you to give them all 5's??

My BMW dealer isn't as bad as my MB dealer but they really harass me to be sure I give them an excellent score. Doesn't seem like a true system if they even mention it much less influence what you tell the survey.

 

[Smokin]

My dealer doesn't pressure me. Not really. I think if I every really had an issue, they would try to make it right. Of course, Rick Hendrick owns Performance BMW. They also have some competition from Leith in Raleigh (who also have the Rolls dealership)

 

[rabman5]

What good is the phone call after you get home from BMWNA if they dealer blackmails you to give them all 5's??

My BMW dealer isn't as bad as my MB dealer but they really harass me to be sure I give them an excellent score. Doesn't seem like a true system if they even mention it much less influence what you tell the survey.

I agree that it's a little insulting when they solicit good reviews. The way my dealer explains it makes sense. Before I leave, they tell me to advise them of any reason i would not give them a 5 so they can fix it before I leave. There have been occasions when the other dealer around here didn't deserve 5's and I was honest.

 

[20ducks]

I have told my SA when I leave what score I will leave with the service phone call follow up. There are no surprises for him or anyone else if it isn't a "5".

 

[Z4Z4]

Hi, Thanks for finally responding.As it so happens, I never did get my fuel pump changed The Pittsburgh dealer said if it doesn't make that noise for them they can't change it. So where does that leave me?????? Well, it's still making the same loud noise and it's a year later :evil:

I took it to the "TECH TENT last year, they said they would notify my dealer, that never happened. This years homecoming came I took it to the "TECH TENT of course they said they couldn't work on it, they would call me last week AND notify my dealer. GUESS WHAT....... I NEVER GOT A FRIGGEN CALL!!!!!

i ALWAYS SAID FROM DAY ONE THAT I GOT A LEMON. ON TOP OF ALL THAT I HAVE ALWAYS SAID IT FEELS LIKE PAINT OVER SPRAY ON IT AND IT' WAS BRAND NEW AT THE TIME. I told everyone I was going to park it in their sales lot with a sign on it.

It just upsets me, you pay good money for a car that says BMW Z4 and have problem after problem.

 

[20ducks]

Z4Z4, what are the names of the people at your dealer and what were the names of the people you spoke to at the Tech Tent (specifically, the name of the persone that said they would call.).

 

[2 Zero]

I have already been contacted by BMWNA and I wasn't even home yet. I believe my car may actually get fixed this time. We'll see!

 

[rabman5]

I took it to the "TECH TENT last year, they said they would notify my dealer, that never happened. This years homecoming came I took it to the "TECH TENT of course they said they couldn't work on it, they would call me last week AND notify my dealer. GUESS WHAT....... I NEVER GOT A FRIGGEN CALL!!!!!

Why couldn't you call the dealer? :scratchhead:

 

[Smokin]

I'd be on the dealer like a duck on a June bug.....and stay there until it is fixed. I don't ask for special treatment, but I demand what's due.

 

[Z4Z4]

I talked to Belinda or Brenda Sterm at the tech tent. She said she was out of NJ. and said she would call me and the dealer.

Last year I talked to Taylor, dont remember his last name, I'm sure I have it on one of my many papers in the car.

Right now I don't want to say the name ofthe dealership. I found out I have something on carfax against my Z becuse of a repair they did, now does that sound fair to anyone here????

I've been disgusted from the time I bought it. It's been one headache after another, you should see the pack on papers from having it in the shop so much, by the way when BMWNA does call, I tell them exactly what has been going on, but I never had a call saying "Is there anything we could do to help remedy these problems" .

Radman5, I have called the dealer, I have had it to the dealer many times, they said "if we don't hear the noise, we can't fix it. I left it for a week so they could coold start it and they said they didn't hear a thing. Last year at the Embassy when it was making noise, It was embarrassing. Tech tent people said drive it home. :evil:

 

[Smokin]

Does your state have a lemon law? EVERY car manufacturer has one now and again, they're only human. If you can't get satisfaction on this car, contact your state AG and go from there. This, of course, is the last thing you should consider. Have you contacted a competing dealer?

If your dealer repaired something you did, then it IS fair for them to report it to CARFAX as it is protecting them and whomever would buy that car if you sell it. If it was something they did prior to your buying the car, then you got large leverage.

 

[Z4Z4]

Smokin, my car was at their shop for a different problem, they scratched the paint and didn't tell me about it. I always look my car over befroe I leave and saw the scratch, they sent it to a body shop. Like I said, it's been one problem after another.

We do have Lemon Law in Pa, but I think you have to have the same problem 3 times with-in a certain amout of time (like 2 - 3 months).

 

[Smokin]

They carfaxed it for a *scratch*? Musta been a big one!

Check into that lemon law--I think in NC it doesn't have to be the SAME problem, just a set number of major problems in a certain amount of time.

 

[Z4Z4]

Smokin, I just went through ALL of my history print-outs from the day I bought the car in 05 new, I had it in the shop 7 times for the same thing, when finally a BMW rep took my car for a ride and said to change a few parts, other wise they more or less said it was all in my head or "NORMAL" for the car.

The scratch , well they sent my car to a bodyshop for repair & paint, their "porter" put the scratch on it while parking it.

 

[Smokin]

bummer. Like I said, ALL car companies make a dud now and then. To me the test of a good one is how they handle it. I'm sure BMWNA pretty much feels the dealer should take care of stuff like that. Of course, if the dealer isn't fixing the car, yet is submitting warranty paperwork and getting reimbursed from BMWNA, wouldn't that count as fraud?????????