Main dealer can't solve problem...
Discussion
I purchased a BMW X5 in January. It was an approved used car from a BMW main dealer 100 miles from me.
The car has an electronic handbrake. Since owning it this handbrake has failed on 4 separate occasions. When I say failed - you try to put that handbrake on/off and an error appears on the screen to say it has failed, it will no longer work and are instructed to take it ASAP to a dealer.
Each time I have taken it to my local main dealer they have treated me well and fixed it under warranty. Each time they have fixed it, it has failed around a month later.
There is no rhyme or reason to why it is failing. On the 4th occasion they told me that they've done everything possible to stop it ever happening again, they have no idea what keeps causing it and will have no idea what to do if it happens again.
Today it failed for the 5th time.
Obviously I am getting annoyed now. I would like to know where I stand with the car. Obviously I have owned it 9 months so can hardly ask for my money back. Each time this happens it is extremely inconvenient for me & I feel I have given them enough opportunity to fix the problem.
There are no other main dealers local to me & I don't feel I should have to make the effort to send it miles away anyway. My local dealer has looked after previous BMW's without problem. The 4th time it failed they had the car for 2 weeks. I was told this was because they changed so much stuff and had so many different technicians look at it to make sure it wouldn't happen again.
Anyone else had a 'car that can't be fixed' and what was the outcome please?!
The car has an electronic handbrake. Since owning it this handbrake has failed on 4 separate occasions. When I say failed - you try to put that handbrake on/off and an error appears on the screen to say it has failed, it will no longer work and are instructed to take it ASAP to a dealer.
Each time I have taken it to my local main dealer they have treated me well and fixed it under warranty. Each time they have fixed it, it has failed around a month later.
There is no rhyme or reason to why it is failing. On the 4th occasion they told me that they've done everything possible to stop it ever happening again, they have no idea what keeps causing it and will have no idea what to do if it happens again.
Today it failed for the 5th time.
Obviously I am getting annoyed now. I would like to know where I stand with the car. Obviously I have owned it 9 months so can hardly ask for my money back. Each time this happens it is extremely inconvenient for me & I feel I have given them enough opportunity to fix the problem.
There are no other main dealers local to me & I don't feel I should have to make the effort to send it miles away anyway. My local dealer has looked after previous BMW's without problem. The 4th time it failed they had the car for 2 weeks. I was told this was because they changed so much stuff and had so many different technicians look at it to make sure it wouldn't happen again.
Anyone else had a 'car that can't be fixed' and what was the outcome please?!
I believe that if you give them 3 chances to fix it and the vehicle is still not fit for purpose then under SOGA you could be allowed a refund. You should try and resolve it amicably by requesting an "audience" with the Dealer's Principal (not point going any lower) and be quite firm but quite courteous nonetheless.
Firstly very sorry to hear of your plight, have had a few repeat visits to BMW to attempt fixes but nothing quite so serious as a handbrake.
Of the 9 months you have owned the car how much time has it spent unusable at the dealer and when did it first occur? Perhaps consider how much time has it cost you such as days off work. I honestly would ask for bmw to take it back at the price originally paid as it's not fit for purpose and you have lost faith in a key safety feature of the vehicle or their ability to correct it. Would be a liability once the warranty expires.
I'm sure the more legally minded will offer sound advice as to your rights and whether this is a tenable outcome.
Best of luck.
Adam
Of the 9 months you have owned the car how much time has it spent unusable at the dealer and when did it first occur? Perhaps consider how much time has it cost you such as days off work. I honestly would ask for bmw to take it back at the price originally paid as it's not fit for purpose and you have lost faith in a key safety feature of the vehicle or their ability to correct it. Would be a liability once the warranty expires.
I'm sure the more legally minded will offer sound advice as to your rights and whether this is a tenable outcome.
Best of luck.
Adam
Firstly very sorry to hear of your plight, have had a few repeat visits to BMW to attempt fixes but nothing quite so serious as a handbrake.
Of the 9 months you have owned the car how much time has it spent unusable at the dealer and when did it first occur? Perhaps consider how much time has it cost you such as days off work. I honestly would ask for bmw to take it back at the price originally paid as it's not fit for purpose and you have lost faith in a key safety feature of the vehicle or their ability to correct it. Would be a liability once the warranty expires.
I'm sure the more legally minded will offer sound advice as to your rights and whether this is a tenable outcome.
Best of luck.
Adam
Of the 9 months you have owned the car how much time has it spent unusable at the dealer and when did it first occur? Perhaps consider how much time has it cost you such as days off work. I honestly would ask for bmw to take it back at the price originally paid as it's not fit for purpose and you have lost faith in a key safety feature of the vehicle or their ability to correct it. Would be a liability once the warranty expires.
I'm sure the more legally minded will offer sound advice as to your rights and whether this is a tenable outcome.
Best of luck.
Adam
Thanks for the responses. The situation is slightly more difficult in that I purchased the car from a different main dealer to the one it is being repaired at.
I guess my best hope is that BMW UK will step in. Taking the car back at what I paid for it would obviously be a great result!! I can't see them offering this after 9 months though. I purchased the car in January. I think the problem first occurred in April.
Whilst the problem hasn't cost me anything in terms of the repairs there is obviously a worry about what will happen once the warranty expires!
I guess my best hope is that BMW UK will step in. Taking the car back at what I paid for it would obviously be a great result!! I can't see them offering this after 9 months though. I purchased the car in January. I think the problem first occurred in April.
Whilst the problem hasn't cost me anything in terms of the repairs there is obviously a worry about what will happen once the warranty expires!
I'd be asking them to bring in someone from BMW uk. I had a Saab years ago that had a strange problem with that the dealer couldn't fix. After a serious discussion with the dealer principle thay asked Saab uk to send someone out to look at it. Some technical director character turned up with a load of trick computers etc and to give him his due, fixed the car.
Alternatively, I'd be tempted to find a GOOD BMW specialist and seek there opinion. Quite often these guys have spent the time researching problems more thoroughly than main dealers who can't or won't spend the time.
Alternatively, I'd be tempted to find a GOOD BMW specialist and seek there opinion. Quite often these guys have spent the time researching problems more thoroughly than main dealers who can't or won't spend the time.
Also look at this:
http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f77/x5-e70-han...
This is a known fault and BMW know about it.
Go to your dealer and complain.
Suggest you ask for compensation for time and trouble.
BC
http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f77/x5-e70-han...
This is a known fault and BMW know about it.
Go to your dealer and complain.
Suggest you ask for compensation for time and trouble.
BC
I've had a persistent fault with the Sat Nav in my car since I bought it. Its been back to dealerships a total of 10 times and its still not fixed. Once dealership even managed to damage the paint on the car and I had to pay to have it corrected (£100).
They refused to replace the car and I ended up having to buy a TomTom to run along side.
They refused to replace the car and I ended up having to buy a TomTom to run along side.
Cemesis said:
I've had a persistent fault with the Sat Nav in my car since I bought it. Its been back to dealerships a total of 10 times and its still not fixed. Once dealership even managed to damage the paint on the car and I had to pay to have it corrected (£100).
They refused to replace the car and I ended up having to buy a TomTom to run along side.
Cool story, bro. And how does this help the OP exactly?They refused to replace the car and I ended up having to buy a TomTom to run along side.
Just a point to add in case you end up arguing with them...
The idea of a "hand" brake is an emergency brake, not just a parking brake, Tanya why they check the balance on the mots, in case the std foot brakes fail.
Hence, even more so unfit for purpose, unroadworthy and dangerous....if you want to get shirty with them.
They don't like the thought of public health and safety being put to risk in their hands.
The idea of a "hand" brake is an emergency brake, not just a parking brake, Tanya why they check the balance on the mots, in case the std foot brakes fail.
Hence, even more so unfit for purpose, unroadworthy and dangerous....if you want to get shirty with them.
They don't like the thought of public health and safety being put to risk in their hands.
Marlboro said:
Also look at this:
http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f77/x5-e70-han...
This is a known fault and BMW know about it.
That link points to something completely different; an owner not understanding that the handbrake works only on the rear wheels and that the front axle is not driven if the engine isn't running, so putting the gearbox in Park will not lock all four wheels.http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f77/x5-e70-han...
This is a known fault and BMW know about it.
Thanks for all the responses. Interesting thread about the software upgrade. Also agree that playing the 'health and safety card' is more likely to get BMW UK attention!
I spoke to my dealer this morning who acknowledged that the situation is becoming a bit of a joke. They will speak to BMW UK about it on Monday but this will only be about the next course of action in fixing it. I was told there was no chance of any money back or an exchange for a similar car in the network! Oh well, at least it's not costing me anything other than inconvenience!
I spoke to my dealer this morning who acknowledged that the situation is becoming a bit of a joke. They will speak to BMW UK about it on Monday but this will only be about the next course of action in fixing it. I was told there was no chance of any money back or an exchange for a similar car in the network! Oh well, at least it's not costing me anything other than inconvenience!
Would not holdout much hope with BMW UK. I contacted them after a whole host of problems with my 3 series Coupe.
They did nt bother to reply. Then wrote To CEO still no reply.
Eventually got the supplying Main Dealer to fix the car after threatening to park outside their showroom with a list of faults attached. Once fixed I got rid of the car and will never go near another BMW.
Slightly different situation as I bought the car new from this dealer and I note you are using a different dealer from the dealer you purchased the car from.
Good luck, but will be amazed if BMW UK will give a toss.
They did nt bother to reply. Then wrote To CEO still no reply.
Eventually got the supplying Main Dealer to fix the car after threatening to park outside their showroom with a list of faults attached. Once fixed I got rid of the car and will never go near another BMW.
Slightly different situation as I bought the car new from this dealer and I note you are using a different dealer from the dealer you purchased the car from.
Good luck, but will be amazed if BMW UK will give a toss.
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