2010 BMW M3 -a horrible experience

[cosminf]

I'm going through a horrible experience with a 2010 BMW M3.
It's not because of the car, just because of the inability and reluctancy of BMW UK to have it repaired (had a mild accident with it back in February) to a decent standard. Such an amazing car which left such a bitter taste in my mouth!
I even posted a video on youtube and I would like to share my experience with you:
http://youtu.be/Bfr8PaE03DM

Any comments welcome.

[davepoth]

Your expert called it "composition", I'm pretty sure it's "composite" though.

[Chr1sch]

You can certainly see the paint issues and fitment of the rear cluster, have you used a solicitor/legal aid at all? Sorry you're having such a nightmare it's a lovely car!

[RichyBoy]

Regarding paint issues my z4 didn't even have a respray and the paint didn't match. My csl had to go back twice for a respray and they still couldn't get it right.

[M3333]

I do not think they can ever get the colour 100% accurate if they paint on a per panel basis. When i have had my cars painted previously they have always blended into the next panel to get a better match. Sorry to hear of your issue's, would also ruin the experience for me on such a lovely car.

[cosminf]

Thank you for your input.
The car has been resprayed 3 times at 2 different BMW Approved Garages. They ended up spraying it all (even if it wasn't necessary initially).
After the last job- back in May I went to their showroom, put the car side by side against their Demonstrator, they didn't even bother to come and have a look for themselves. I have been told that the car has been resprayed accordingly to BMW standards- in other words to "bite" it.

No need to say about endless emails to BMW UK, BMW AG, etc which have been left without answer. They are dissociating themselves from any BMW Approved Garage, saying that they are "franchised BMW dealerships who are separate businesses in their own right and are accountable and responsible for the workmanship undertaken within the dealership".
I am wondering then who is branding them as BMW Garages- misleading the customers, who is training them and who is providing technical info involved in the car repairs? Why can't I go to have my car fixed at a different garage without loosing the warranty?

I am bitterly disappointed because it is the greatest car I ever had.
And yes, I am going to sue them!

[GroundEffect]

M3333 said:

I do not think they can ever get the colour 100% accurate if they paint on a per panel basis. When i have had my cars painted previously they have always blended into the next panel to get a better match. Sorry to hear of your issue's, would also ruin the experience for me on such a lovely car.

Yup. My dad teaches panel work at college and he's taught me how to paint panels 'properly'. They do indeed blend them in with the surrounding panels.

You cannot get it 100%.

[996 sps]

Sorry to hear about your treatment from BMW, can you give Watchdogs a go or BBC Consumers radio show?

I have had BMW paint 2 panels of 2 separate cars over a number of years and they have done a good job, however I have no intention of buying a BMW again.

[neiljohnson]

My brother inlaw had a similar issue with his m5 took a lot of messing around as the bodyshop were not intrested eventually spoke to the insurance compay who were very good & sent an independent inspector out to the car who tore the repair job to pieces, it took a while but they then sorted the job out & the inspector went out a second time to sign the job off.

[hewlett]

That's a pants repair that will have seriously devalued your car, I don't blame you for trying to name and shame them. Try the local press too, get a celebrity involved..err

[huckle1986]

My dad and me own a paintshop in hertfordshire and it is near on impossible to paint individual panels. we always flick through the panels to get the colour right. Big companys like them seem to be too big and powerfull and just make rubbish excuses just to fob you off. If i run my company like that we would be out of work in seconds. We look after a ferrari 550 and a diablo and we have never had any compaints and we dont have £50,000 paint booth. I hope you get it fixed soon.

[AB]

Is it leased? i.e. their car?

[Mr Trophy]

I had a problem with my BMW gear box. I even filmed it and gave them the car to get the problem fixed? They said there was nothing wrong with it... Couldnt get it into first gear!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au0ZecaSgBA

[hewlett]

Do a 'press release' for the local/national papers explaining what happened and send it to their PR department for pre approval. At the very least your BMW garage will get a call from someone senior asking questions and they really don't like that, if they lose 3 sales through this, replacing your car with a similar model then taking their time to fix yours before selling it on will seem like a good deal.

[S800VXR]

Premium brand... Really. Their after sales is sadly lacking as their techs (spanner monkeys) don't seem much better than yr average ford garage but you certainly pay more!
Sorry yr having such a hard time, try asking for a trade in price and see what they pick up as wrong?

[anonymous-user]

I'm confused the only issue is the paint work, but this has ruined the whole driving experience, seems a bit over the top.

Why not get it properly resprayed (the whole car) somewhere else and then fight BMW for the bill. You still get enjoyment from the car.

[DanGPR]

It's a shame that what should have been a joy to own has been ruined for you by the company behind it.

It doesn't excuse the crap classical music, though.

[neiljohnson]

S800VXR said:

Premium brand... Really. Their after sales is sadly lacking as their techs (spanner monkeys) don't seem much better than yr average ford garage but you certainly pay more!
Sorry yr having such a hard time, try asking for a trade in price and see what they pick up as wrong?

They charge top labour rates but pay as little as possible equivalent to what Kwik fit offer in many cases

You pay peanuts

[Some Gump]

Really interested to know - what was the repair for? On my latop, I couldn't see faults on the video, but tbh opn this screen, silver, white and baby blue are the samne...

[m444ttb]

That's nearly as poor as the work a local bodyshop did on one of my cars. Mine was at least reasonably cheap, where I expect that was an expensive job if Dick Lovett's own bodyshop is anything to go by (their used car salesmen use another place as their own ruins their margin!).