Best Way to Contact BMWNA Regarding E70 Issues? [Thanks to All and an Update]
 

Well, got the E70 back today after being in service 5 out of the last 6 weeks and I am highly disappointed. While I technically can not lemon the car because the issues are considered "annoyances" and may not affect the vehicle's value, things can only go downhill. Right now I want to contact BMW NA about the experience. Their online webform is pretty basic and I want to properly document events of the last two months.

The clunking noise in the front has finally been cured. Turned out it was a bad sway bar. This is after a "bad hose" and front strut had been replaced.

When I first sat down and was adjusting my seat, I noticed the left side of the front driver seat was filthy. The driver's side door panel also showed some dark black stains. The dealer person suggested that perhaps this was caused by rubbing as I entered and exited the vehicle. He did clean it up and brought the vehicle back out. I am very certain this was NOT caused by me since I do not "scoot" across the seats as I exit.

Driving back home, my suspicions that it was NOT caused my me was evidenced by the crud all over the dashboard. As the sun hit the black plastic, I noticed some dark, greasy powder powder. Disgusting to say the least. I called the dealer and I was told to bring the vehicle back to be cleaned. Having other appointments I declined. As soon as I got home, I took some pictures.

A few minutes after that, I hit a patch of rough road and the loud squeaks from the cargo area manifested itself again. This was another item "fixed" when the cargo cover was replaced.

I have not tried the heat, venting, or active seat yet but I hope that is fixed. Afther the inital "working as normal diagnosis" and lots of push back on my part, the issue was determined to be a seat control unit that was drawing too much power.

I do have to give compliments to the service manager and shop foreman since they genuinely seem to want to do everything possible to make things rights. Those working under them seem to be content with sub par work.

I know I'll get lots of the usual, "It's a new model and bugs are expected" or the "it's a BMW" excuse. I frankly don't but that argument anymore. Patience and understanding is something I extend to everyone. Over the last two months, I've only called the dealer twice for an update and never tried to force things along. Whenever possible, I treat a person's word as their promise that all efforts of being made to resolve a situation. Right now that patience has worn thin.

[UPDATE 11/11/07] - Thanks for the great responses. I took the X5 out for an extended drive to check things out. The squeaking in the rear area sounds like it is either coming from the 2nd row seats or maybe in the spare tire area. I'm ruling out the cargo cover since it was replaced.

As for the seat issues, they have NOT been resolved. The driver's seat still goes off after 5 minutes. To confirm this is not normal behavior, I pulled into a local Burger King on I-93. I had a 5PM conference call with work so it was a good chance to grab a double Whopper w/ cheese, large onion rings, and a tub of Coke. I think my cholesterol went up 5 point just thinking out eating all that. I sat in the passenger seat with the vent heat off and no jacket. The outside temperature read 39F. The seat stayed nice and warm for the entire 45 minutes. I then switched over to the driver side and sure enough within 5 minutes, it was ice cold. The call just ended and I am ready to hit the read and head back into Boston.

[UPDATE #2 11/11/07]
I gotta laugh at this one. I'm not as much a car person as my brother and many others here. Feel a little silly about this one. When I first picked up the E70 back in March, I didn't think too much of the heavy steering. My brother's girlfriend had just picked up a new 07 RR Sport and wanted to compare and contrast. Her first reaction to the steering was "OMG! I feel like I am wrestling a bear. I'm glad I didn't order an X5." Many others who drove it also remarked about the effort needed to turn the X5 around corners. In my mind I attributed that to being a "sporty" vehicle. One of the fixes my SA told me about was a "bad hose" that would clear the clunking noise. When I got the X5 back from the first 2 week dealer visit, I noticed the steering was a lot lighter. I told my brother and he told me it was because I was driving a stripped down 325xi loner for so long and forgot how the X5 steered. Within a week, it went back into the shop. Well, just a few minutes ago I was gathering the paperwork to document the list of fixes. I noticed the following:
REMOVED AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING RACK. REPLACED DEFECTIVE RETURN HOSE AND TOPPED OFF POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL.
1 x 32-10-6-771-418 RMFD STRNG GEAR - WARRANTY
1 x 32-41-6-780-961 RETURN PIPE - WARRANTY
4 x 82-11-1-468-041 PENTOSIN CHF 11 22 - WARRANTY

It seems I've been driving around for more than 6 months without power steering!

[UPDATE 11/12/2007] - Spoke with Customer Relations at BMWNA and the person seemed genuinely concerned. He documented everything and told me to schedule an appointment ASAP. Well, the X5 is going back in tomorrow.

i feel your pain... i truly hope things get better for you... it is a nice vehicle and because you did pay a good price for it you should only expect great things for this purchase.

i also don't care and honestly don't want to hear the 'it's a BMW and not a Toyota" nonsense... it irritates me each time..

BMW did not just start making vehicles..they've been in business for years! Their QA process needs to be improved or revamped altogether.

i've always believed in getting what you pay for... the more you pay the better a product should be... in most cases!!

and i also understand there are manufacturers who have slightly better quality and underprice their products in order to compete with the big boys..

but these guys are getting up there in price and they've got the QA down...

Buick was even awarded top reliability ratings for this year!!

at the end of the day...if we don't complain... we won't get noticed, and they won't improve!!

do what you have to do..... and good luck!!

Try this number:
(800) 831-1117 and this email:

[email protected]

Sometimes they pat one on the head, sometimes they intervene to
some degree, sometimes they sound caring but nothing happens and,
sometimes they goad your Stlr into doing something, in my experience.

These cars are getting Gizmo'd to death, with not much real testing on
the suspect electronics and "me too" add ons, in the race to out gimmick
each other.

No excuses...but the Teutons ain't up to the Japanese in workable,
day in and day out techno stuff, or even the US based models, imo.
It is what it is, but I hear you.
Good Luck and let us know your outcome.
BR,mD

Sorry to hear the problems that you been having.

Good luck and hopefully no more problems in the future.

Something like this might get their attention????
 

I hope everything works out. Keep us posted on the rear sweak. I would be interested to find out what that is since I have an annoying rattle/squeak as well that we haven't been able to fix.

2 updates in the main post.

Reader's Digest version:
1) Front seat still not fixed. Rattles and squeaks on rear cargo area still there
2) Had been driving around for 6+ months without power steering.

That's pretty ridiculous. Doesn't the three strike rule apply for any of this stuff? Contact a lemon lawyer.

Tell me more about your sway bar fix.
 

Did they replace the entire sway bar?

Mine replaced end links about 2 months ago - didn't help.

2 weeks ago they replaced an "accumulator" and i think it's a little better but i still get the old clunk when i hit uneven pavement.

You are a very nice and patient fellow (I wish I could be as patient as you, I am told by many I need anger management), but it is time they give you a new vehicle, if not demand it, that is just unacceptable.