Alignment Issue 08 X5

[mdfud]

i recently purchased an 08 X5 4.8 w/ 5600 miles that was cpo'd by the dealer (schomp in denver). on the drive home to utah the steering wheel listed slightly to the left so i took it to the dealer here and had them check the alignment. the dealer in denver had not included all the options, i.e., active steering, sport suspension, etc. on the alignment and, as a result, it was out of alignment. the dealer here was able to align everything to specs with the exception of the right front camber (target is -0'20' and it measured 0'13'). dealer said i need to replace the upper control arm ($780) in order to align it. i had it checked by an independent alignment shop; they agreed it was slightly out and that the only way to align would be to replace the upper control arm. everyone who's looked at it can't see any damage from an accident (carfax checked clean when i purchased) but i have no idea which way to go. input greatly appreciated. TIA.

[Denalio]

Shouldn't this be covered under warranty?

[watrob]

Originally Posted by mdfud

i recently purchased an 08 X5 4.8 w/ 5600 miles that was cpo'd by the dealer (schomp in denver). on the drive home to utah the steering wheel listed slightly to the left so i took it to the dealer here and had them check the alignment. the dealer in denver had not included all the options, i.e., active steering, sport suspension, etc. on the alignment and, as a result, it was out of alignment. the dealer here was able to align everything to specs with the exception of the right front camber (target is -0'20' and it measured 0'13'). dealer said i need to replace the upper control arm ($780) in order to align it. i had it checked by an independent alignment shop; they agreed it was slightly out and that the only way to align would be to replace the upper control arm. everyone who's looked at it can't see any damage from an accident (carfax checked clean when i purchased) but i have no idea which way to go. input greatly appreciated. TIA.

About 20 months back I had some control arm issues on my first X5 E70, well they thought it was control top wisbone arm problems, turned out to be Castor, anyway they flew 3 different arms out from Germany that had different angle degrees on them. Expensive excersise, is it possible the previous owner hit a big pothole and bent a arm.

If it was me I would get it measured to see if it was actually bent first, and then have it checked to make sure if they do put a new arm on which version it is, it may have been always out of alignment! and your paying $780 which should be a BMW cost. I would see if you can contact the old owner as him about it.

[NOVAX5]

'08 and 5000 miles, man bring the truck back and scream at them. I am not paying a cent if my truck is that new. Even if I break stuff, i blame it on them. Those idiots make enough money on your purchase, make them work to earn extra on BMW's pocket not yours. I once slammed the big bill to BMW on my E60 warranty work a year back. They shut up and ate it. My warranty work list was longer than from my house to the dealer. Every time the gave me the "they all work like that" i make them pay.

[mdfud]

the dealer's position is that the upper control arm is not covered under warranty because it's that way because of an accident not a manufacturing defect. WATROB: how/what would i get measured to see if the arm is bent? everyone says it doesn't look bent but i suspect it could be slight enough that it would not be observable. is that something i should have the dealer look into? thanks.

[Denalio]

How can they claim it was an accident? They sold you car with a clean bill of health and no accidents since then correct? Now they are claiming the car was damaged in an accident? Unless they sold you a car that they new was damaged. Have them prove it! I would call BMWNA if you do not get any cooperation from the Dealer.

[watrob]

Originally Posted by mdfud

the dealer's position is that the upper control arm is not covered under warranty because it's that way because of an accident not a manufacturing defect. WATROB: how/what would i get measured to see if the arm is bent? everyone says it doesn't look bent but i suspect it could be slight enough that it would not be observable. is that something i should have the dealer look into? thanks.

Get them to order in the new arm (same part number arm) and when they take off your supposed bent arm make sure your there to check it.

Also, I would make them carry the cost unless the can prove, one, the bent arm is from an accident (sign of some damage), two, a bent arm like that would cause the front wheel to be buckled (check for signs of a wheel repair).

If none can be seen then BMW will have a hard time saying it was caused by excessive damage and just not wear & tear.

PS. If the X5 was in an accident they may have put the wrong degree arm on, or put the righthand side arm on the lefthand side, they did that on my 1st X5 when they flew in the new control arms from Germany, a few red faces there! they even once put the a rear wheel on the front lefthand side!

[soldmystang]

what does the dealer in Denver have to say about all of this? they sold you the car, i would at least call them for their input were it me.

[mdfud]

thanks for all the input. at this point, i've contacted the dealer in denver and am waiting to hear back as to whether or not they're going to step up; in reviewing the cpo paperwork the suspension components were deemed to be in line with oem specs so, in essence, the car wasn't really up to specs since they aligned it using the wrong specs and 'covered up' the problem with the upper control arm (i'm hoping they smell the potential for a 'false claims' action and decide to go along with my proposal they pay for the upper control arm to be replaced.) if not, i will have to start moving up the chain of command until someone realizes the dealer screwed up, i.e., area rep, etc. i plan to be present when they remove and replace the upper arm to make sure it aligns when they're done.

[jeep]

What is the CPO for then, looks like they CPOS'd it. I would throw it on their face, after all you are paying extra for them putting a CPO stamp on it.