Extremely horrible x5 transmission experience, long time-multiple BMW owner

[dlennard]

Originally Posted by JCL

Nobody said he should have bought it from the dealer. It is just that if he had, he would have had somebody to go back to and ask for a handout. Since he didn't buy it from the dealer, and doesn't appear to have bought any vehicles from the dealer, why would he expect the dealer to contribute to his unfortunate repair costs?

Sorry I guess I misread your post . The dealer should be interested in helping him because they are a BMW dealer. I don't think the dealers ever pay out of their own pockets they get approval from BMW NA. The dealer looses a new costumer and BMW looses more car sales and the X5 owner gets his trans fixed by an INDY and sells the X and other BMW's. The x5 owner also tells all his friends not to buy BMW and nobody wins.

If BMW NA split the cost they would still have a costumer to by their products, the dealer would make money on the work and get a new costumer and the owner would feel like he was treated right. WIN, WIN, WIN for everyone. I can dream can't I.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by dlennard

Sorry I guess I misread your post . The dealer should be interested in helping him because they are a BMW dealer. I don't think the dealers ever pay out of their own pockets they get approval from BMW NA. The dealer looses a new costumer and BMW looses more car sales and the X5 owner gets his trans fixed by an INDY and sells the X and other BMW's. The x5 owner also tells all his friends not to buy BMW and nobody wins.

If BMW NA split the cost they would still have a costumer to by their products, the dealer would make money on the work and get a new costumer and the owner would feel like he was treated right. WIN, WIN, WIN for everyone. I can dream can't I.

its ridiculous how customer service works huh? i think BMW is in "conserve mode" especially with all those fuel pumps failing in the 35 turbo engines.

OP, sorry i came off a bit harsh-- i truly hope you come up with a solution, because the 4.8is is a true beast, and i wish i could have afforded one!

One more tip: looks like your headlights are beginning to fog up--check the site for posts on using the 3M kit to repair them

[JCL]

Originally Posted by dlennard

Sorry I guess I misread your post . The dealer should be interested in helping him because they are a BMW dealer. I don't think the dealers ever pay out of their own pockets they get approval from BMW NA. The dealer loses a new customer and BMW loses more car sales and the X5 owner gets his trans fixed by an INDY and sells the X and other BMWs. The x5 owner also tells all his friends not to buy BMW and nobody wins.

If BMW NA split the cost they would still have a customer to buy their products, the dealer would make money on the work and get a new customer and the owner would feel like he was treated right. WIN, WIN, WIN for everyone. I can dream can't I?

I understand what you are saying, but that just isn't how it works. I have been on the dealer side, and the distributor side (not with BMW products) and it usually worked more like this:

• Dealer makes a case that a customer requires support. If the dealer isn't asking, and pushing the case, the distributor is unlikely to do anything. They depend on the dealer to filter out all the requests. They can't fix every broken car out there. This is related to why people rarely feel that calling BMW directly, and bypassing the dealer, helped them in the end.
• Distributor and dealer evaluate the customer and what it is worth to keep that customer. It sounds very harsh, since the OP is (was) a loyal BMW fan, but it doesn't sound like he bought his vehicles new. So, he hasn't been directly supporting the dealer or distributor, (aside from the parts purchases, and this failure isn't related to the parts purchases). The customer history is important here. Has he bought four or five new vehicles from the dealer? Did he buy the used vehicle there? Did he buy extended warranty? Those transactions all had profit that a policy settlement could be offset against.
• Distributor asks the dealer what he is contributing. It isn't all on the distributor, they will look for the dealer to contribute to demonstrate that the dealer feels strongly about it. If the dealer isn't willing to throw some money in, why would the distributor?
• They will come up with some split of dealer/customer/distributor. If the customer accepts that, great. If he doesn't, they will pull it off the table, since there is no reason to pay anything if they aren't making the customer happy. Better to save their money. Any offer they make will be based on retail. Their internal split between the dealer and distributor, on the other hand, will be based on cost. The additional challenge in this particular case is that their cost is more than a third party overhaul. It makes no sense for the OP to take that kind of offer, if he can get it fixed cheaper elsewhere.
• Any settlement offer made has a risk for the dealer, the risk that they customer won't actually buy any more from them, thus proving that their offer was a waste (to them). That is why they may make an offer more in the nature of a discount on a future new purchase, instead of one that is more of a hope and wish that the customer buys a new vehicle. This would play out as a new vehicle purchase, with the current broken vehicle being a trade. It doesn't sound like the OP would be happy with such an offer, but you never know.

As an aside, we need to remember that nothing is free. If BMW starts fixing all their out of warranty vehicles, vehicles that they have no obligation to fix and which they will not have put money aside for, the costs go one place: they are added to the price of new vehicles. We all pay in that case, if we are repeat purchasers. It sounds really harsh, and I don't want to be mean, but I hope that BMW does not fix all the second hand vehicles out there, because it will mean that it is harder for me to afford a new BMW. There is no magic pot of money.

The above may be helpful to people who find themselves in the position of looking to a dealer for out-of-warranty policy or support. It can help to understand the motivations, and the system.

[Jordo]

I'll tell you what. I'll buy that x5 off of you for $10k underblue book. Deal?

(then I'll have the trany over hauled for less then $2,500. Sell it and make a quick $7,500.)

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by Jordo

I'll tell you what. I'll buy that x5 off of you for $10k underblue book. Deal?

(then I'll have the trany over hauled for less then $2,500. Sell it and make a quick $7,500.)

Haha, I'll do the same! Time for a bidding war jordo!

[04_4.8isX5]

X5 4.8is

[04_4.8isX5]

Like I said, I realllly appreciate everyones input. I dont expect nor did I, expect BMW or a dealer to cough up and hand me a new transmission when the vehicle is a used vehicle and no longer under CP because of its age. But I dont think some sort of negotiation with costs is asking to much. Anywho--BMW--buy more work--doh!!!!

[X5Matador]

Hey man, everybody is sorry about your X and we understand your frustration but really are your kidding about wanting them to give you a dole out. Sounds like an entitlement mentality.

Listen to the owners on the board, get a quote from an indy then make a rational decision, you'll miss your diving experience.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by X5Matador

Hey man, everybody is sorry about your X and we understand your frustration but really are your kidding about wanting them to give you a dole out. Sounds like an entitlement mentality.

Listen to the owners on the board, get a quote from an indy then make a rational decision, you'll miss your diving experience.

Well put!

[04_4.8isX5]

Alright, so first of all I have to say that I love this forum because everyone is a true fan--thats how I have been for soooo long where I live!

Secondly, more back ground on this scenario is that I live in an area ruled by rednecks pretty much --everyone drives and dies by their "Dodge, Chevy, or Ford" trucks. I am the black sheep or if you want to look at it as the unique individual, driving a european SUV and cars. I love it and wouldnt have it any other way.

Third, the vehicle was well maintained by a BMW dealer through out its 35,000 mile life prior to me purchasing it. I have all records of this. Like I said, the vehicle was very well cared for. As for me, I refuse to go to a BMW service center and pay the outrageous hourly costs to perform regular maintenance usually done by who knows who!

Fourth and finally, I understand the fact that the vehicle is used and that is BMW's point, however, the car has less than 50,000 babied and well maintained miles on it, and we are speaking about the transmission. BMW themselves these are maintenance free and lifetime fluid. Now I'm obviously not a believer of that and never have been, but, case in point with this situation I would like to and I would be much more appreciative if BMW was atleast somewhat understanding and assist in part of the costs to get this replaced.

No worries everyone, I will definitely be hunting and looking for an independent BMW shop. My situation has definitely made me double think my views of BMW and their customer service. Thank you everyone for your input and help.

Lastly, this issue has been talked about so much on this site. Ive heard everything from replacing the battery to updating software to replacing the transmission, its all great to learn and hear about. I do wish their was a solid and clearer fix for this "lurch" issue.

PS-I will post a pic of the x5 for you all to drool lol
-Nathan