Rejecting a used car. Some advice please
Discussion
Folks,
I'm not normally one to make a fuss, but am getting to the end of my tether.
The summary is:
Bought a 2005, 80k mile BMW 630 in April for £10.5k from a large dealer. The car has a full and very impressive service history, which was one of the key deal makers for me.
However, within 2 months of my purchase, it developed a pretty serious fault with the gearbox (slamming into 5th gear when the engine is under load and often going into "Transmission Failsafe")
Took the car back to dealer, who confirm a fault and suggested I take it to a BMW dealer, which I did. They sdvised transmission fluid replacement and software reset, which I did at my cost.
This didn't cure the problem, so the BMW dealer advised a replacement gearbox. I, again spoke to the supplying dealer, who wanted to take the car back for a gearbox rebuild, rather than replacement. This happened and they had the car for a month, returning it last Saturday, advising it was all fixed. I drove it last Sunday, only to find the fault still present.
The car went back to the supplying dealer on Wednesday for further work (they thought it needed software adaption resetting, which they did) and was returned yesterday, following a long test drive, with the supplying dealer saying they were 100% confident the issue was resolved. I collected the car, drove less than 5 miles and upon accelerating, the problem manifested itself again, with the gearbox slamming into 5th gear and the transmission going into "Failsafe mode" once again.
I feel that I have given the dealer ample opportunity to resolve the issue, with them having the car for 4.5 of the last 6 weeks and am now at the point where I feel the only alternative I have is to reject the car and request a refund. Am I being reasonable, or should I request a final fix with a replacement gearbox (as suggested by BMW)?
I'm not normally one to make a fuss, but am getting to the end of my tether.
The summary is:
Bought a 2005, 80k mile BMW 630 in April for £10.5k from a large dealer. The car has a full and very impressive service history, which was one of the key deal makers for me.
However, within 2 months of my purchase, it developed a pretty serious fault with the gearbox (slamming into 5th gear when the engine is under load and often going into "Transmission Failsafe")
Took the car back to dealer, who confirm a fault and suggested I take it to a BMW dealer, which I did. They sdvised transmission fluid replacement and software reset, which I did at my cost.
This didn't cure the problem, so the BMW dealer advised a replacement gearbox. I, again spoke to the supplying dealer, who wanted to take the car back for a gearbox rebuild, rather than replacement. This happened and they had the car for a month, returning it last Saturday, advising it was all fixed. I drove it last Sunday, only to find the fault still present.
The car went back to the supplying dealer on Wednesday for further work (they thought it needed software adaption resetting, which they did) and was returned yesterday, following a long test drive, with the supplying dealer saying they were 100% confident the issue was resolved. I collected the car, drove less than 5 miles and upon accelerating, the problem manifested itself again, with the gearbox slamming into 5th gear and the transmission going into "Failsafe mode" once again.
I feel that I have given the dealer ample opportunity to resolve the issue, with them having the car for 4.5 of the last 6 weeks and am now at the point where I feel the only alternative I have is to reject the car and request a refund. Am I being reasonable, or should I request a final fix with a replacement gearbox (as suggested by BMW)?
morgrp said:
Ask to see the receipts for the rebuild - if they claim they don't have them then ask for details of the company who did the repair do you can contact them to discuss the rebuild - if it has been done they should give you this info.
^^^ this. Surely a rebuild is documented and I would like to know (as the owner) what fault was found and what the rebuilder did to rectify the 'fault'. schmalex said:
I have the paperwork from the rebuild:
New mechatronic unit and new actuatuators.
We that's a start and good thing, but goes way over my head unfortunately as to what these components do. New mechatronic unit and new actuatuators.
Could it be a further software thing? Fault codes need zapping now the 'new' box is in place or could it be related to the accelerator pedal i.e. wrong signal from accelerator so gearbox shifts at the wrong times?
Maybe theses stored fault codes to point to the issue.
Either way a right royal pain in the bum so far OP.
schmalex said:
It's not software... That was the reason it was back in this week - to get the gearbox software reset.
I'm in 2 minds as to how to continue, as, apart from this major issue, the car is perfect.
Decide what you want and sit down with the sales manager / after sales manager.I'm in 2 minds as to how to continue, as, apart from this major issue, the car is perfect.
If its a full refund then you're basically saying enoughs enough, i've given you the opportunity repeatedly to fix this and i want a refund.
OR you've had your solution at it, now please do as BMW said and replace the gearbox.
My only thinking would be that if you do go down the pressing for a new gearbox route, they would be financially better off to refund you and sell the car through an auction, which is a decision they are entitled to make (ie, you cant force them to fix it if its a better business decision for them to refund)
Edited by daemon on Saturday 7th September 17:55
Agree totally. BMW quoted me £5,300 for a new gearbox, fitted. There is no way they had that much in the car (plus whatever they've already spent).
I've got a meeting with them on Monday morning when the car goes back in again, so we'll see. In the dealers defence, aside from not being able to fix the problem, their care and attention have been excellent thus far.
I've got a meeting with them on Monday morning when the car goes back in again, so we'll see. In the dealers defence, aside from not being able to fix the problem, their care and attention have been excellent thus far.
schmalex said:
Agree totally. BMW quoted me £5,300 for a new gearbox, fitted. There is no way they had that much in the car (plus whatever they've already spent).
I've got a meeting with them on Monday morning when the car goes back in again, so we'll see. In the dealers defence, aside from not being able to fix the problem, their care and attention have been excellent thus far.
It does sound like the dealer is trying to do the right thing, so see how you get on on Monday, but if they don't want to replace the gearbox, I would expect a refund.I've got a meeting with them on Monday morning when the car goes back in again, so we'll see. In the dealers defence, aside from not being able to fix the problem, their care and attention have been excellent thus far.
I think I'm going to craft an email, requesting either a new gearbox fitted, or full refund, giving them 24 hours to decide their preferred course of action. I'll meet with the MD first thing, advise him the same and send the email as documented correspondence. I'm sanguine as to their chosen approach, as I like the car, but equally, I like a working car more!!
schmalex said:
I've agreed to take them out at 0800 Monday morning. It's a pretty obvious fault, with the car feeling like its been rear ended by a truck 8 / 10 times it changes into 5th when the engine is under load
I agree with your thought process OP but it does sound as though it could be something other than the gearbox. That sounds the obvious choice but a load or throttle position sensor could be giving the wrong signals to the auto box hence it's decision to change into 5th. Throttle position sensor even wheel speed sensor causing the upshift?
Fingers crossed for you.
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