105 in Jersey and my Saturday adventure (Alternator content - I think)

[Ricky Bobby]

Well I got my invoice from the body shop down the road from me, both Shadowline B-pillars are damaged, one is $392 and the other is $126 -

Total Estimate to repair damage from them breaking into my car when I was 1.5 hours from home without my spare key - $1,097 !!!!

My body shop guy is great, hes the one who painted my skid plate, said he would just need to order parts and can drop off for repair in 2 days once he orders.

I just emailed the GM, and the Owner of Circle BMW in Eatontown, with my estimate for repair, along with pictures of my damage (which the GM already saw), and the parts invoice from Open Road BMW to fix my door handle.

I am actually doing them a FAVOR because I just want them to cover the parts on my drivers door - I don't mind DIY'ing the door carrier in the least.

That's another $240.

So because they tried to fuck my up my ass on Monday when I just needed my alternator replaced, they ended up screwing themselves. Repairs to my car and parts to fix it exceed what I paid to repair my alternator. (And I'm even DIY'ing the part they broke!)

What's that phrase? Do it right or do it twice? If they would have just fixed my door handle after their tech broke it, instead of trying to act like it was my job to pay to fix something they broke, this all did a cascade effect now - kind of ironic - if my door was fixed I wouldn't have been locked out, etc.

Maybe if they treated me fairly and didn't try to price gouge me or have me pay for additional work not needed, I would consider going back to their dealership (or another BMW dealership for that matter) for service. However, I avoid dealerships like the plague for this reason and was thankful never to have to be in one until now - I couldn't really avoid it though, when my car is dying on the side of the road and I'm over an hour from home.

The good news so far? Even though apparently my battery "failed a load test, recommend replacement @ $337 plus labor" - after 24 hours on the trickle charger its stronger than ever, go figure! Charging at 13.8-13.9v all the way to work. Isn't that something?

Will try to upload pics of damage later just for giggles.

[OptimusPriM5]

Gonna bang them for a rental car too? Rub more salt into that wound!

[Ricky Bobby]

^Lol.

I will admit, they did comp my rental for 2 days that I needed because I got limped to the dealership.

Service director just returned my call and confirmed my email I sent this AM with the estimates - he is overnighting me the B pillar trim pieces, and parts to repair my door handle on the drivers side, and told me to have the body shop call him personally when my car is done so he can pay them directly with a credit card over the phone.

If this all works out like it should and as he mentioned to me on the phone, yes I'll feel like they did a good job of correcting their mistakes and making it right.

Nicely enough, my good friend actually loaned me his F80 M3 while he is on vacation in Italy until August 5 - former member of our E53 group, Naz (Naz24) - I told him his baby is in good hands while he is away.

So if all goes well and I drop my car off for repair starting Monday, I'll have a "rental" and a gorgeous ride to drive all week. Its sleeping in my garage now because I had to bring my car to the shop to get the estimate today, but I plan on giving it a nice cleaning and driving it a bit and taking good care of it while he is away.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

I feel your pain RB.

This is a classic case of why my X NEVER rolls into a dealer or indy shop.

I dealt with lots of similar dealer BS before swearing to DIYing everything.

NOBODY will treat my vehicle with the same care that I do.

My transfer case chain job had around 25 different torque specs during re-assembly, I would bet most would have been air ratchet tight had I let the "pros" do the job.

There are good and bad BMW techs. For most of us it is the luck of the draw. I am OK with a dealer with a good reputation doing warranty work but when the warranty runs out it's time to DIY. I wholeheartedly agree, "Nobody will treat my vehicle with the same care that I do".

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

There are good and bad BMW techs. For most of us it is the luck of the draw. I am OK with a dealer with a good reputation doing warranty work but when the warranty runs out it's time to DIY. I wholeheartedly agree, "Nobody will treat my vehicle with the same care that I do".

I think we're fortunate (bc, Ti and others in the DFW area) to have choice in dealerships in the Dallas / Fort Worth region because I think the competition does bring out the best in some of them. I've been using Autobahn in Fort Worth since 2004 and have only had two repairs that I had to have corrected. In addition, they've sent me a 15% discount card on parts and service now for the last 5 years. It is a nice feeling to drive in to the service department and have three or four people greet me by name. Of course, with 380,000 miles of driving in the last 13 years, they've seen me a few times And by the way RB, my alternator failed soon after the expansion tank cracked and blew coolant all over it at 126,000 miles. I think the replacement cost was $867 at the dealer.

2002 X5 3.0 306,100 miles
2014 428i 20,200 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird - under restoration

[Ricky Bobby]

UPDATE: Thanks to an OE door carrier, I DIY'ed my repair on Friday after work (the dealership overnighted the parts to my office) - Definitely something I only recommend using OE door carrier on - my drivers carrier sure looked original to me, so pushing 13 years.

Also took the time to use the RegulatorFix window regulator clips, and the black OE window clips to "reinforce" my window regulator, while I had the vapor barrier off. Worked excellent, and now I'm no longer worrying about door handle or window problems on my drivers door. - the clips work really well to make the window feel solid!


Dropped my X at the body shop this AM with the 2 new Shadowline pillar trims for the replacement of those on the passenger side, as well as the paint repair to my door jamb and inner door - will update as it goes, all going well so far.