BMW UK AUC - what should happen? (Brakes)

[spud989]

Evening all.

I've just bought a 3-year-old 123D coupe. It felt OK on the test drive (very mundane route), but within the first day or so I noticed that it wasn't braking as sharply as I thought it should. Also, a '3000 mls' readout kept popping up on the start-up every time I went to it, despite it being serviced a thousand miles earlier (40k on the clock).

I took it in to the service department today (now reading 2600 mls) and they said that they were connected and it was the remaining brake life. I've never had a car that read that out to you before. But it made me a little annoyed. I know that BMW replace tyres in the AUC process if they get to a certain tread depth - does the same thing apply to brakes? I feel slightly miffed that I'm paying a premium for an AUC car that comes with what would be (for some people!) barely 6 weeks left in the brakes.

Does anyone know if I'm being overly picky or not? Like I said, I'm not really should what I 'should' expect.


Other, potentially pertinent info:

- the two front tyres were done as part of the AUC preparation (so it wasn't 'skipped' entirely or anything like that)
- the salesman (new in post) has been nothing but helpful
- there were a few other minor niggles that I'd previously spotted (various scratches on the boot lid, presumably from keys) that were sorted, and some like peeling centre caps on all 4 wheels that haven't been addressed yet
- I overheard whilst waiting from one of the other service guys who was on the phone that they had an enormous backlog in service involving preparing cars, processing trade-ins and doing routine servicing and were actually turning away non-essential work


Like I said, am I being overly picky? Or should this have been picked up?

Edited by spud989 on Friday 4th October 07:13

[davepoth]

Should have been replaced IMO, that's what you pay the premium for.

[northandy]

I'd have expected those to have been replaced before sale.

[spud989]

Glad it's not just me thinking it's a bit 'off'.

[northandy]

spud989 said:

Glad it's not just me thinking it's a bit 'off'.

I had a browse of the web as I seem to remember seeing some BMW AUC standards a few years back, but can't find them now.

I seem to remember something about tyres at 4mm +, and any service due in 2 months completed, mot always 6 months + etc.

[northandy]

http://www.dicklovett.co.uk/Dealers/BMW/BMW-Approv...

Ah found it, makes reference to any service due within 4k should be completed.

[Ozzie Osmond]

spud989 said:

It felt OK on the test drive (very mundane route), but within the first day or so I noticed that it wasn't braking as sharply as I thought it should.

There is no way that worn pads affect the feel of the brakes. It's like imagining your pencil starts to write badly when it's been sharpened down to half its original length.

[RobM77]

Do they promise to do an n-point check (e.g. 50 point check) before selling on a used car? If so the brakes should be in there and the sort of thickness the pads would have had would be immediately noticeable.

[CO2000]

Ozzie Osmond said:

spud989 said:

It felt OK on the test drive (very mundane route), but within the first day or so I noticed that it wasn't braking as sharply as I thought it should.

There is no way that worn pads affect the feel of the brakes. It's like imagining your pencil starts to write badly when it's been sharpened down to half its original length.

Maybe glazed ?

& should have been replaced.

[spud989]

It just didnt feel right and there was a judder when you braked quite hard - similar to what you get on icy mornings.

[Dr Interceptor]

I'd now be wondering what else they've missed.

I'd be asking for a copy of their inspection.

[McWigglebum4th]

RobM77 said:

Do they promise to do an n-point check (e.g. 50 point check) before selling on a used car? If so the brakes should be in there and the sort of thickness the pads would have had would be immediately noticeable.

Checklist

Brakes = fked


Yep they've checked them


Doesn't mean they've fixed them

And don't kick up a fuss about tyres

Girl at work got an approved MINI from BMW and it came sprting a brand new set of goodrides one of which was fitted backwards

[philmots]

If the pads are actually that worn that they need changing too I'd be pissed too..

I'd approach them assuming it's just an oversight on their behalf.. I'd expect they'd get replaced FOC