I hate the stealers

[mywidebody02]

Dropped of my 04 4.8is today cause of leaking front airbag, clunking in the front and when turning left car feels like it wants to spin around. 7 hrs later get a call from the SA. she tells me needs alot of work. the usual airbag is part of the strut so its not covered. Control arm bushings lft and rgt. Thrust arm bushings left and right. They made it sound like they wanted to replace the actual arms also. I think this is alot of wear and tear for a vehicle with 54,392 miles. A total of $3,222.

[ZsX5o3]

tell me you didn't pay that much... is this new country?

this situation sounds EXACTLY like my last experience at new country, telling me to replace those exact things when they weren't needed.

[CaliColin]

Tough times on the front end means they need to ramp up sales on the back end. When I asked how they were doing with the economy lately, my SA said that new car sales are down about 60% from this month last year. CPO sales are up, but not enough to make up for the loss. Then he proceeded to give me a hard sell on fuel injection cleaning, and talked me out of getting an alignment after they replaced my bushings. Also due to a clunking noise when driving over bumps. I'm at 36K.

[UCrewX5]

It certainly pays to have a relationship with an independent BMW mechanic once your vehicle is out of warranty.

[chilliwilli]

Sounds about right...recently had everything you listed repaired at 50k, paid an absurd amount of money (whatever my 3rd party warranty wouldn't cover). Take UCrewX5's advice...I've since developed a great relationship with an indy specializing in European-auto's.

[ZsX5o3]

I was in the same position last year until I found these guys - www.bmwservicect.com - my life has been a lot easier since then, lol.

if you're in the hartford area like I suspect it's worth it to give them a shot.

[mywidebody02]

Originally Posted by ZsX5o3

tell me you didn't pay that much... is this new country?

this situation sounds EXACTLY like my last experience at new country, telling me to replace those exact things when they weren't needed.

As a mater of fact it is. I thought under the new so called management it would be better.

[realchef]

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

It certainly pays to have a relationship with an independent BMW mechanic once your vehicle is out of warranty.

but with conditions. (this has been threaded already)

You need a good relationship with a good mechanic, whether it's at the dealer or not. I'm no Bill Clinton, but I understand you gotta go in correctly or you are screwed.

People skills people, people skills!!!

Develop a relationship with the receptionist, SA and Lead Mech. Shake some hands, say hello and don't act like an a$$hole. No matter where you take it, when you walk in the door, they should smile and say Hi Jack. If they see you and think, "Awww Sh**, here's that jerk Jack." youse gots no chance.

When you bring your car in, CLEAN IT!! If they see your care about your vehicle, they will care about your vehicle. (ask Weasel)

Thank the mechanic. Ask to meet them and talk briefly, tell them thanks before they even do anything.

Show some knowledge about the vehicle and issue at hand. Let your demeanor show you are not one to be upsold.

When it's over, bring them some coffee, bagels or donuts a few days later.

Over time, you hopefully will get past the "Customer" barrier and be able to have fair exchanges and an honest deal.

Indy's are not perfect. Around here they are a joke except for one. They offered (charging more than the dealer btw) instead of replacing the grossly worn front rotors, they could grind the edges of the new pads to fit around the lip.

[mywidebody02]

I have the CPO and maitenance warrannty. They say its a wear and tear. I didnt have them do anything. Told them if its out of warranty then I can get it done cheaper. I argued the air bag strut and she said she would work on that. Even better is my wife drove it to pick up the kids and home and it drove like when we first got it. I didn't believe it so I took it and ran it and it didn't have any of the problems. strut was even almost at the right height. WTF! did they fix it by accident or is the strut that messed up.

[ZsX5o3]

so you have a warranty, they weren't going to charge you for the work?