BMW service- 1 year limited "adjustment period"?

y5choi · #1 03-24-2009, 09:59 AM

Hello all,

I took in my X today for a broken leaky tail-light replacement, summer tire swap, and for tailgate rattling.

Tire swap (on rims, i bought the winter tires package from them) is 69.95 CDN, but tailgate is not going to be look at for free because my "adjustments" can only be done within the first year of ownership.

Anyway, thought I'd let you know about this policy so you won't have to hear it first thing in the morning as I did today and be real happy about it

. (Oh BTW, 2 weeks ago, the other service rep told me that they fixed the rattle in the tailgate by adjustment...)

In case I'm not clear with my sarcasm- I think the tire swap fee is a little expensive, and also the free warrantee parts replacement for 4 years but 'no free adjustment of parts after 1 year' policy is down right ridiculous IMHO. oh and also one of my tail light started storing rain water a couple of weeks ago- covered under warrantee, was on back order but not its being swapped. Will get the car back tonight or tomorrow

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nynd · #2 03-24-2009, 12:08 PM

What the heck does that mean? I think I missed the point where :
1. Customer has an issue.
2. Vehicle is covered under BUMPER TO BUMPER warranty for 4 years
3. Vehicle repaired without questions.

King · #3 03-24-2009, 12:48 PM

I just called my service advisor to confirm, and unfortunately you are correct. Minor rattles and squeaks etc are only covered for one year or 20K. Especially if no parts are being replaced, I was told BMW will not reimburse the dealer for labor only costs. The tailgate rattle was my pet peeve with my E53 and they still can't get that right! I'm SO glad I don't have to deal with it now as my E70 has soft close doors & trunk!

As for your tail light, parts & labor will be covered by BMW under warranty. Finally cost of swapping wheels is between $65-$70 so again your dealer is correct. (BTW, this is for Canadian dealers. Rules may be diff in the US. Which dealer did you buy your car at??)

y5choi · #4 03-24-2009, 01:07 PM

I bought in Edmonton (Bavaria) since the manager was willing to do a deal with me personally. However, now I am in Waterloo, ON. I like both the dealerships but the policy is a bit of a downer for sure.

JCL · #5 03-24-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nynd

What the heck does that mean? I think I missed the point where :
1. Customer has an issue.
2. Vehicle is covered under BUMPER TO BUMPER warranty for 4 years
3. Vehicle repaired without questions.

I don't have a copy of any bumper to bumper warranty document, and I am not aware of one. It may be a phrase used by sales reps, in fact in sounds like something a sales rep would say. I have several warranties on my various BMWs, including the warranty in defects on parts (4 years), the adjustment period (1 year), the emission systems warranty (longer), the rust warranty (longer), the tire warranty (by the tire manufacturer) and the battery warranty (by the battery manufacturer). There may be others, but those are the ones that come to mind. I don't think it has changed recently, and mine is a Canadian experience, but on my last several vehicles the delivery process has included walking through each of those documents and understanding which one applies in which situation.

Some of the confusion may be because US vehicles have a full maintenance plan (not a warranty, but often confused with one) and that presumably covers adjustments. Canadian vehicles have only scheduled maintenance (oil, filters, etc) and so things like adjustments which aren't defects, but rather upkeep, are not covered for the duration of the maintenance plan.

golfer4life · #6 03-24-2009, 01:24 PM

I don't know about that warranty. It doesn't sound right.

All I know is I'm on my 2nd year of ownership and I take it to my SA for every single complaint and they will take care of it, parts replacements or not, no questions asked. Unless it's different here in the U.S. than Canada.

It costs 69 buck to swap tires? What a rip off. Do they have to do anything special, calibration and such to charge so much. My local tire guy charges $10 bucks, my local Costco is free, provided you bought the tires from them.

Penguin · #7 03-24-2009, 01:26 PM

> Unless it's different here in the U.S. than Canada.

It is. Canadian's do not get "free" maintenance.

golfer4life · #8 03-24-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguin

> Unless it's different here in the U.S. than Canada.

It is. Canadian's do not get "free" maintenance.

Now that sucks. I didn't know that. I guess that's another perk living here in the U.S.

y5choi · #9 03-24-2009, 01:49 PM

yeah yeah... Obama nation, we adore thee.haha

Yeah I'm thinking I should do the tire swap at the local Meineke or something for cheaper. They just swap the tires as far as I know, but the only concern is that they've (BMW dealer) has put secure lugs on each of the tires and havn't given me the key. That's my only concern with trying a different vendor.

nynd · #10 03-24-2009, 02:02 PM

** YES - MY REFERENCE WAS MORE FROM AN ARTICLE *** Never checked BMW's warranty verbage...LOL!

************************************************** **************

BMW is the only manufacturer still offering bumper-to-bumper free maintenance. It's not about to change, because "free maintenance is part of our strategy. It is very suitable for our customers," says Tom Purves, CEO of BMW of North America.

Two years ago, archrival Mercedes-Benz ended free maintenance. Other makes, including Jaguar, have followed suit. Audi has a similar plan, and Saab, Land Rover and Volvo offer limited free maintenance plans.

For BMW, free maintenance provides a competitive edge, insures lease cars are maintained properly and gives dealers a steady flow of service business for at least four years.

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