BMW Warranty warning
Discussion
Just a warning.
It looks like I need new tension struts as the bushes have split. (p/n 31126774829/830). Car has 67K on it but this has been like it for 4K miles.
I'm paying for the full comprehensive Mondial Warranty at 80/month. The dealer phones me and tells me that BMW won't put it though warranty and it will be 713 all-in to replace. Even the dealer thinks it's premature failure. BMW are saying as it's over 60K it's wear/tear.
Anyhow I phone Mondial and they tell me it's a claim issue and not a sales issue and can't help me (even though I point out as I'm the one paying them, my relationship is with them and not the dealer).
The dealer gave the name of the claims assessor in BMW and I've just spoken to his colleage who is now looking into this, but I think he was more concerned about how I got his number as "they are not customer facing".
It's all very one-sided and it appears to be made near impossible to argue your case, yet they are willing to take the money...
It looks like I need new tension struts as the bushes have split. (p/n 31126774829/830). Car has 67K on it but this has been like it for 4K miles.
I'm paying for the full comprehensive Mondial Warranty at 80/month. The dealer phones me and tells me that BMW won't put it though warranty and it will be 713 all-in to replace. Even the dealer thinks it's premature failure. BMW are saying as it's over 60K it's wear/tear.
Anyhow I phone Mondial and they tell me it's a claim issue and not a sales issue and can't help me (even though I point out as I'm the one paying them, my relationship is with them and not the dealer).
The dealer gave the name of the claims assessor in BMW and I've just spoken to his colleage who is now looking into this, but I think he was more concerned about how I got his number as "they are not customer facing".
It's all very one-sided and it appears to be made near impossible to argue your case, yet they are willing to take the money...
Update. BMW claims dept have just called me back and have agreed to cover the work. They said that the dealer was saying wear/tear so they had nothing else to go on. Funny - the dealer originally told me that they were surprised BMW would not cover it as it seemed to be premature failure.
I'm pleased that BMW have come through for me but am not impressed by the episode and the need to phone round fighting my own corner etc.
I'm pleased that BMW have come through for me but am not impressed by the episode and the need to phone round fighting my own corner etc.
ecain63 said:
Has the level of component cover changed since going beyond 60k?
There's nothing detailed in the policy handbook apart from the 100K level. There is a generic wear/tear policy on page 16 but it's very generalised."Applicable to all levels of
component cover
Wear and tear exclusions
As the insured vehicle’s age and
mileage increases, more components
will reach the end of their serviceable
life due to normal wear and tear.
These components will require
replacement at your cost and will not
be reimbursed under this policy."
Anyhow it's sorted now but the whole thing is heavily biased in their favour.
I'd have assumed it was a wear & tear item too.
My guess is the dealer gets paid much less for the work by Mondial, than by a customer, and thus tells the customer that Mondial won't cover it without even asking.
Customer is none the wiser and goes ahead and pays!
It's not just the Insured Warranty that this happens on though, as I was told by the dealer (during an Inspection) that I needed new rear ARB bushes. I asked if they were covered under the AUC warranty and was told that they weren't, so went to get them done elsewhere. The 'elsewhere' told me they were fine, and have only just replaced them recently 40k+ miles later.
My guess is the dealer gets paid much less for the work by Mondial, than by a customer, and thus tells the customer that Mondial won't cover it without even asking.
Customer is none the wiser and goes ahead and pays!
It's not just the Insured Warranty that this happens on though, as I was told by the dealer (during an Inspection) that I needed new rear ARB bushes. I asked if they were covered under the AUC warranty and was told that they weren't, so went to get them done elsewhere. The 'elsewhere' told me they were fine, and have only just replaced them recently 40k+ miles later.
mmm-five said:
I'd have assumed it was a wear & tear item too.
My guess is the dealer gets paid much less for the work by Mondial, than by a customer, and thus tells the customer that Mondial won't cover it without even asking.
Customer is none the wiser and goes ahead and pays!
It's not just the Insured Warranty that this happens on though, as I was told by the dealer (during an Inspection) that I needed new rear ARB bushes. I asked if they were covered under the AUC warranty and was told that they weren't, so went to get them done elsewhere. The 'elsewhere' told me they were fine, and have only just replaced them recently 40k+ miles later.
Funnily enough when I found out I might be on the hook I phoned my local reputable indy for a quote. I told them the situation and they felt that they should last much longer than 60 odd.My guess is the dealer gets paid much less for the work by Mondial, than by a customer, and thus tells the customer that Mondial won't cover it without even asking.
Customer is none the wiser and goes ahead and pays!
It's not just the Insured Warranty that this happens on though, as I was told by the dealer (during an Inspection) that I needed new rear ARB bushes. I asked if they were covered under the AUC warranty and was told that they weren't, so went to get them done elsewhere. The 'elsewhere' told me they were fine, and have only just replaced them recently 40k+ miles later.
Having re-read this i topic you should conclude that any work regarding the failure of bushes, gaitors, hoses or seals by normal wear should not be considered for a warranty solution. However, where the line gets blurry is deciding the mileage that items should last and therefore covered. This is down to the dealer to decide and i think that any car above 40k miles is going to be scrutinised mildly, over 50k a bit more firmly and over 60k its going to be a struggle to get them to cover it, unless of course the parts were already changed within the 2 year parts warranty period. You have to remember that if the dealer gets caught putting claims through that maybe should not have been proceeded they could land themselves in rather warm water, which in turn could affect many other owners who use the same dealership if the dealers allowance or ability to process warranty work is hampered. 99% of dealers are in thier own right independant and have to seek permission to trade under BMW's name so they have to protect thier interests as much as provide you a pleasant service.
I love warranty solutions as much as the next guy, but sometimes we have to bite the bullet when it comes to perishables.
I love warranty solutions as much as the next guy, but sometimes we have to bite the bullet when it comes to perishables.
Had a similar game with Mondial. Rear spring snapped and BMW tech instruction is to replace both. Dealer that I trust told me Mondial refused to replace both as the other hadn't failed. I called Mondial and got the sales staff and then backroom 'engineers' insistent on only replace failed parts. Anyway bit of 'who's accountable for deviating from BMW tech advice should something happen' speech made them take the issue away and think about it. Dealer phoned me back and said Mondial wanted proof of BMW advice and then agreed to pay for both. All good until Mondial phoned me back and said origially the dealer only wanted to change the one and they hadn't actually contacted Mondial. Hmmm. Odd since when I had phoned them earlier they knew about the claim, the car and the dealer. Probably not their best hour! Especially as I investigate legal compliance for a lving... And I'm an engineer.
Suggest you look at Warrenty Direct as possible alternative- I only pay £40(this amount allows dealer rate) per month for my 535d, this covers most of the parts electrically and mechanically. As the car gets older, they reduce for wear and tear on parts, but most of cost tends to be labour, which they pay in full no matter what the mileage. I've found them very good at paying out generally. Ie- I broke a spring, it punctured a shock, they covered no questions. BTW- BMW actually said at the time single side CAN be replaced on its own.
Krisbiker2 said:
Suggest you look at Warrenty Direct as possible alternative- I only pay £40(this amount allows dealer rate) per month for my 535d, this covers most of the parts electrically and mechanically. As the car gets older, they reduce for wear and tear on parts, but most of cost tends to be labour, which they pay in full no matter what the mileage. I've found them very good at paying out generally. Ie- I broke a spring, it punctured a shock, they covered no questions. BTW- BMW actually said at the time single side CAN be replaced on its own.
I've had bad experiences with Warranty Direct and wouldnt go near them personally.Philrose said:
Krisbiker2 said:
Suggest you look at Warrenty Direct as possible alternative- I only pay £40(this amount allows dealer rate) per month for my 535d, this covers most of the parts electrically and mechanically. As the car gets older, they reduce for wear and tear on parts, but most of cost tends to be labour, which they pay in full no matter what the mileage. I've found them very good at paying out generally. Ie- I broke a spring, it punctured a shock, they covered no questions. BTW- BMW actually said at the time single side CAN be replaced on its own.
I've had bad experiences with Warranty Direct and wouldnt go near them personally.Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff