Delays from factory

[e46m3Mark]

As I need a frugal daily I decided to treat myself to a new 1 series. Ordered a 118i SE way back on November 3rd 2018 and am still waiting for the bloody thing to arrive with the dealership. I had a moan to BMW UK via Twitter and was told there's an 'outstanding technical campaign' for the rear lights on all 1 series. Quite what that really means I have no idea?

Is a 3 month wait usual? I've never had a new BMW before and I'm almost at a point where I may just cancel.

[SteBrown91]

3 months for a factory order is fairly normal especially in times of WLTP emissions regs with cars needing to be re-tested.

However if it is a UK stock order (I’d imagine a 118i SE is unless it’s an unusual colour or some options have been chosen) it should only be a week or 2 really.

[e46m3Mark]

It's a white, poverty spec with the only options being anthracite alloys and no badge. I knew it had been a while but was shocked to see it's been 3 months. Originally I was told early 2019 at the latest.

[Smuler]

Family have had 3 “ordinary” BMWs , 8 weeks from order was turnaround.
Latest example 2017.

[craig1912]

Check on Babybmw but there is a delay on all 1 series due to a rear light issue.

[e46m3Mark]

Thanks Craig, I'll take a look.

[4rephill]

craig1912 said:

Check on Babybmw but there is a delay on all 1 series due to a rear light issue.

Which the OP had already been made aware of, by BMW themselves:

e46m3Mark said:

......... I had a moan to BMW UK via Twitter and was told there's an 'outstanding technical campaign' for the rear lights on all 1 series. Quite what that really means I have no idea?.......

There's obviously a manufacturing issue with the rear lights, possibly due to a design problem, that is not a simple fix.

BMW don't manufacture the rear lights, they get them from a supplier, who by the sounds of it, are struggling to fix the issue, so what are BMW supposed to do?:

Magic a supply of suitable rear lights out of thin air?
Redesign the rear end of the car and fit rear lights from another model?
Supply cars with faulty rear lights fitted, just to get them out the door?
Supply cars without rear lights, just to get them out the door?

BMW will be far more pissd off about this situation than any customer, due to having to park unfinished cars all over the place waiting to have the lights fitted when they finally turn up!

(As with all car manufacturers, BMW's production methods are designed for a constant, uninterrupted flow of cars through the factory - having to park cars up and then fit parts later on is a major headache for them!)

Moan and bh to BMW all you like - There's nothing they can do to speed up things up!

[e46m3Mark]

Maybe one thing they could have done was make their customer aware of the issue, rather than simply give approximated delivery dates and then (after 3 months) only admit to their being a problem when their customers patience wears thin? I don't expect anything more than a bit of courtesy and decent customer service.

[SL550M]

OP. Not sure if it'll make you feel better...but I waited 8 months from ordering to delivery of my new 440i M Sport (Tanzanite Blue). The dealer originally stated 3-4 months. I never did satisfactorily get to the bottom of why it took so long (I got bored of asking after a while to be honest). The supplying dealer lent me a new X3 for the final 3 months that I was waiting so they felt sufficiently guilty at least!

[va1o]

I ordered my Z4 M40i on the 3rd October and I'm still waiting! Not expecting it for at least another month. Should be worth the wait though hopefully

[HARTLEYHARE1]

I waited 5 months for my 335. Ordered January and collected June

Worth the wait, hell of car and brand in my opinion

[craig1912]

Two and a half months for my 140- delivered mid Dec

[e46m3Mark]

Dealership finally called and have said the car is due to arrive with them on Friday and it'll be ready for collection a week today. Time will tell.

[e46m3Mark]

Just heard the campaign has been lifted and my car is due to land any day. Evidently the problem (with the lights) has been a bolt that 'could' be overtightened and crack the lens.

By way of an apology though, they gave me this...



for a couple of days.

[mmm-five]

e46m3Mark said:

Just heard the campaign has been lifted and my car is due to land any day. Evidently the problem (with the lights) has been a bolt that 'could' be overtightened and crack the lens.

Strange that they didn't bother to resolve that issue on the e85/e86 Z4s then!

[e46m3Mark]

I don't know. I was just mailed the following...

''We had three cars arrive yesterday, all ones that were with you on the campaign hold. BMW saying the hold is now lifted - and all it was in the end was a over tightened bolt in the rear light housing that COULD be cracked.... nice to know they have such acute attention to detail but a frustration none the less as its something so simple!! So, whilst your car isn't here, it should arrive any day. Will keep you posted.''

[OtherBusiness]

Due to collect an X3 1st March and dealer last week said it was held up with the same sounding issue (rear light side panel) so hopefully mine will also be released from the hold... fingers crossed anyway!

[e46m3Mark]

Fingers crossed.

Still no news re mine. I'm supposed to be going away and actually need it for next Friday, so won't be happy if they let me down. I'm about to call and remind them in the hope they'll sort a courtesy car...maybe.

[OtherBusiness]

All for a bolt! Hope it arrives soon for you

[e46m3Mark]

Still nothing. Said they'll sort a solution on Wednesday but no idea what that'll be, if anything.