BMW NA Customer Service is clueless

[Chris F.]

Originally Posted by gresch

You know what? I really don't care either way, the bottom line is that they're too easily stolen, I've been majorly inconvenienced both in time and money and I'm determined to figure out a way to minimize this happening again.

Easy gresch, we're just trying to help....

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by Chris F.

Easy gresch, we're just trying to help....

Chris - I know, that last post wasn't in anger or meant to be hostile... sorry if it came off that way... Trust me, I'm greatful for all of the ideas and suggestions...

[breytonX5]

Originally Posted by diogenes!

Professionals don't steal pieces of cars - they take the entire car. Pro's don't look for a $300 - $400 payoff. A completely chopped X5 would likely bring upwards of $20,000.

Patrick

....or they can ship the entire car (BMW, MB...) to Russia, China or some other countries and sell them for way over the original cost. It's a huge operation.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by breytonX5

....or they can ship the entire car (BMW, MB...) to Russia, China or some other countries and sell them for way over the original cost. It's a huge operation.

this is also true... either way, i'm out $1,000 (total was $5600), the entire situation blows

If I had the room to park it, I'ld buy a beater in a heartbeat, but I only have room for 2 cars at my townhouse

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by breytonX5

....or they can ship the entire car (BMW, MB...) to Russia, China or some other countries and sell them for way over the original cost. It's a huge operation.

I heard somebody's car was stolen from NJ and when they went to Belize on vacation they saw some dude driving their car with their license plates still on.

[breytonX5]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

I heard somebody's car was stolen from NJ and when they went to Belize on vacation they saw some dude driving their car with their license plates still on.

Ouch! That'll ruin your vacation in a hurry.

[Chris F.]

Originally Posted by gresch

Chris - I know, that last post wasn't in anger or meant to be hostile... sorry if it came off that way... Trust me, I'm greatful for all of the ideas and suggestions...

No prob. I understand you are very upset (Trust me, I would be too). We shouldn't have to put up with this problem, however when the X5 was designed stealing Xenons was not even going on in a big way....

The whole situation sucks to put it mildly.

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by gresch

it makes perfect sense when xenon headlight assemblies cost over $1200 a side not including the bulbs and the northeast is experiencing a serious problem of them being stolen, and not only on BMW's but on other high end cars as well. They can be stolen without the hood being opened. Also, the dealers that i spoke to about getting my x fixed all said that it's a HUGE problem right now and getting worse.

maybe where you live it's not a problem, unfortunately in NY, NJ, CT and LI it's a major problem. one of my co-workers has had the lights in his acura stolen 3 times and another friend has also had them stolen 3x from his lexus.

all i asked customer service was is there a way to bolt them in so that they're more difficult to remove and/or the hood needing to be popped and thus the alarm going off.

I know what problem you speak of - I lived in NJ for a few months in 2002. And even back then lots of Acuras were losing their xenons. However, BMW has no reason to prevent theft of headlights.

In fact, it's financially smart to make sure components are stealable, so that new ones may be purchased, as Jess said.