What year is my X5?? Please help

[EdwardL]

Originally Posted by bmwman3241

I did this just now, but it does not give any dates!? Only the production date.

StumpyPete & EdwardL, I don't have a compliance sticker or a build plate. Any other way to find out these 2 dates?

What production date did it give you?
My understanding is that the production year and build year are one and the same, they cannot be different. Although I'm surprised that you don't have a build plate - I thought every car had one...

[StumpyPete]

If the build plate isn't there, I would suggest that someone may have removed it, perhaps to pass off a 2008 car as a 2009!

[bmwman3241]

The production date given was 2008/04.

It is very likely that the build plate was removed to pass the car as a 2009. I will try to go to my dealers to see if the X5's in the showroom have a build plate on them.

So no other place I could find these dates?

[X5 Meister]

I don't see the issue. Car was built in 4/2008. It's a 2008.

[bmwman3241]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

I don't see the issue. Car was built in 4/2008. It's a 2008.

So I bought a 2009 and paid for a 2009, but I am driving a 2008. I just wanted to know/confirm what the date was. I think it would make anyone mad to spend soo much money ($125,000 US) and not get what they paid for.

What options do I have as far as talking to the dealer or BMW regarding selling me the wrong year? Or is it too late for that?

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by bmwman3241

Or is it too late for that?

What did your bill of sale/invoice say you were buying? I assume that for $125,000 there is some piece of paper showing what you bought. If it states you paid for a 2009 model, I would think you have a good case.

[bmwman3241]

Yes I do have a bill of sale/invoice. It is currently at the office, but I am certain that it lists it as a 2009. I will check it out.

Who would I present the case to, the dealer or BMW? Also, what are possible outcomes? I don't want to waste time or money (if I need a lawyer) just to get a letter of apology or something stupid like that.
I know my dealer would be unwilling to listen or cooperate.

Also, what are differences between the 2008 and 2009? I know there are many between 09-10-11, but am not sure of any between 08 and 09.

[Penguin]

Assuming your vehicle is licensed in the US, your vehicle registration slip should also have the model year.

If your have the paperwork that shows your vehicle was deceptively presented to you (bill of sale says 2009, vehicle is 2008), then I would check with the used vehicle value guides and see what the difference is in value between a 2008 and 2009 with identical equipment and mileage. I would then go to the dealer, present the data, and ask for the difference.

While I doubt the dealer will immediately open their wallet and count out the cash, they may come back with a counter=proposal which you can consider.

Obviously having a lawyer would maximize the odds of success, but it might be a Pyrrhic victory after paying the lawyer fees. As an alternative, you can file complaints against the business with the BBB and your State Consumer Protection Agency, etc. There are laws against fraud, and if your bill of sale says 2009 it would seem to be a pretty clear-cut situation. If you have no written documentation that they presented it to you as a 2009 model year vehicle, then you are out of luck I'm afraid.

As for contacting BMW, they might be of some assistance, as I am sure they do not want dishonest dealers, but they are really not involved in the transaction and will likely say that is totally between you and the dealer -- the dealers are independent businesses and BMW themselves were not involved in any transaction deception, they merely sold the vehicle to the dealer.

[bmwman3241]

Thanks for the advise Penguin.

Unfortunately my vehicle was purchased (Abu Dhabi) and is in Dubai, UAE. The rules and laws here are different from the US which is why I am unsure of the outcome, if any.

I really am pissed about this, and am never buying from this dealer again. The car will never be the same to me either.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by bmwman3241

The car will never be the same to me either.

Well, I hear ya', but don't let it ruin your enjoyment of the car -- the car is as good as always and there were no changes of any real importance that I can think of from 2008 to 2009, i.e., it's really just a question of price, not the vehicle's quality or performance. So be angry at the Dealer, but enjoy the car.