My X has been in the shop for 5 months

[trent_ky]

Well, back in May the transmission in my 2001 X5 4.4 with 112k miles decided it needed some TLC. I wasn't surprised, nor was I overly worried about it since I (supposedly) had a powertrain warranty on the vehicle. So I bring the truck into a local transmission shop which has been in business for over 40 years, who I had previously done business with and had a great experience.

Needless to say the warranty that came with my vehicle when I bought it in October of 09 was nothing other than a piece of paper and a huge scam from the shady used car lot where I bought the vehicle. Again, I wasn't surprised...you do get what you pay for.

So obviously I tell the shop to go ahead with the rebuild (this was on June 2nd). He lets me know that it will cost around $2500 give or take a couple hundred bucks. It is now almost November and I STILL do not have my truck back. The communication as to WHY it is taking so long has been piss poor and they keep telling me "it will be done next week, we are just waiting on a couple more parts". I have been hearing this since July. I am being very persistent with them and I call at least 3 times a week. I am trying my best to be polite and not get angry with them because after all this time I at least want my vehicle to be fixed right so I don't have this problem again.

I have considered taking it somewhere else but my car is already taken apart and in what seems like a million pieces and I just don't see that being a very smooth transition AT ALL. I just don't know what to do!!! Sorry for the long story but I just thought I might be able to get some advice from someone who can relate. :-S

[powers1]

Originally Posted by trent_ky

Well, back in May the transmission in my 2001 X5 4.4 with 112k miles decided it needed some TLC. I wasn't surprised, nor was I overly worried about it since I (supposedly) had a powertrain warranty on the vehicle. So I bring the truck into a local transmission shop which has been in business for over 40 years, who I had previously done business with and had a great experience.

Needless to say the warranty that came with my vehicle when I bought it in October of 09 was nothing other than a piece of paper and a huge scam from the shady used car lot where I bought the vehicle. Again, I wasn't surprised...you do get what you pay for.

So obviously I tell the shop to go ahead with the rebuild (this was on June 2nd). He lets me know that it will cost around $2500 give or take a couple hundred bucks. It is now almost November and I STILL do not have my truck back. The communication as to WHY it is taking so long has been piss poor and they keep telling me "it will be done next week, we are just waiting on a couple more parts". I have been hearing this since July. I am being very persistent with them and I call at least 3 times a week. I am trying my best to be polite and not get angry with them because after all this time I at least want my vehicle to be fixed right so I don't have this problem again.

I have considered taking it somewhere else but my car is already taken apart and in what seems like a million pieces and I just don't see that being a very smooth transition AT ALL. I just don't know what to do!!! Sorry for the long story but I just thought I might be able to get some advice from someone who can relate. :-S

Sorry to hear about your bad experience.Totally unbelievable that they say they are awaiting for parts!This excuse would only be acceptable in the first weeks!
You say they been in business fro 40 years but had they worked on an X5 transmission before?
They gave you an estimate for the work but did they also give you an estimate of time?
They should at least have provided you with a spare car(if you dont have this under your own insurance).
For a $2500.00 rebuild,wouldnt it be wiser to have a Bmw dealer fit one ,for a bit more?
I would try to get the car out of there if you can,or ask them for a deadline!
Good luck mate.

[mywidebody02]

First a tranny from the dealer is way more that just a little. They replace not rebuild so aost triple of the rebuilt.

Second you might think about calling a lawyer and see if that lights a fire under their ass. I think you've been polite and patient enough.

[X5Sport]

If it helps at all with estimates, my rebuild on a 2005 ZF 6spd took two weeks and came to a total of 17.75 hours of labour - and that included taking the box off, rebuilding it and putting it back and post build road testing. Parts were on 'Next Day' from the ZF repair centre in the UK. The rest of the time was analysing the problem, getting the warranty company assessor to agree to the repairs needed and their costs and getting it into the workshop. This was all done immediately after Xmas Holiday too.

Something smells bad about the job taking this long. My feeling is that they've either bitten off more than they can chew, or broken something expensive and can't afford to fix it. If it was my business and I was stuck, I'd send the unit off somewhere where it could be fixed and then refit it, but keep schtum!!

Is the car there - can you inspect it? Not sure if you could just turn up on their doorstep and demand access to your property?

[motordavid]

My bro-n-law does a BMW auto tranny or two, a week, at his joint in North Jersey...
the "long" jobs take about a week and change, if they are waiting for parts for the
usual core exchange deal. Something is amiss, but the OP knows his situ is fooked up.
GL, mD

[TwinsPoppa]

I think they don't know what they're doing and/or they screwed up something else with your X. I would go in there and:

1) Demand to see the X.
2) Get a complete explanation and walkthrough of exactly what is the problem and their proposed fix. Have them physically point out and show what they're speaking of.
3) Get an acceptable explanation of why its taken so long.
4) MAYBE try to get a firm deadline. I say maybe because you probably don't want them screwing up your X more than it probably is already.

I think what you may find from those steps is that they screwed something up and are trying to cover their ass. Call BBB or lawyer up - again depending on how screwed up it is.

Good luck on getting it resolved.

[m5james]

Quit being so passive by simply calling, I'd be standing there on their doorstep asking and SEEING exactly what is going on. If they're having such issues with getting parts, have them call Jaggi at www.jie.com. He either has the parts or knows the people that do. His service is top notch every time I've called, from parts to even staying on the phone with me during a repair.

[trent_ky]

I have actually went to his place of business on three separate occasions. He was glad to show me all of the parts he took off and also showed me to worn torrington bearing(?) that was the main cause of the problem. My X has been sitting outside in a fenced in area this whole time and probably god knows what will mess up due to it sitting for so long.

I didn't even consider taking it to the dealer because I would sell the X for parts before I'd spend what they would charge for a transmission.

Also, he does have experience with BMW's because I know people who have had their transmissions rebuilt there on 3 and 5 series cars in the past. He also claimed to have done rebuilds on X5s before but I didn't have proof of that. He is a super nice guy and basically does most of the the work himself but it's getting to the point where I don't think I can be nice in return any longer.

I will let you all know of any news when I call him again. Thanks for the advice!

[FSETH]

Man up or it will be another five months before you get your car. Time to take matters into your own hands. You obviously haven't gotten anywhere letting them control the situation. You need to be more assertive in this situation. Mr. Nice Guy will only get you so far with certain people.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by FSETH

Man up or it will be another five months before you get your car. Time to take matters into your own hands. You obviously haven't gotten anywhere letting them control the situation. You need to be more assertive in this situation. Mr. Nice Guy will only get you so far with certain people.

+1 What he said.

If he knows exactly what needs to be done then why hasn't he done it in the last 5 months. How hard is it to order a part, install and rebuild - not 5 months.

Obviously, something is missing in this story and there's more to it than a missing part. That's what you should really be afraid of.

If you don't man up, don't complain if it takes another 5 months and still nothing. Wonder how much dirt, bird poop and crap will be on the X by then. I doubt they're washing or maintaining it.