Lemon
 

Well. Took my X5 in for third time today for airbag malfunction. Also mentioned saw a drop of oil-like fluid in garage.

They have been unable to cure airbag issue, despite talking with BMW Tech support. AND. . . . front diff seal has leak.:yikes: Need to replace front diff!! This will take a week.

Tomorrow will mark first month on owning the car. Has been in too many times. 3rd time for the airbag. It's been in service about 10 days (plus the upcoming week).

I spoke with the manager. HE asked, Should I tell BMW you don't want the car back? He agrees we should proceed with applying for a "trade assist" and seemed confident it would happen. I told him I can probably lemon the car myself (airbag is a safety isssue). He says he expects to hear from BMW shortly. I am disappointed in the quality and hope BMW will step up and quickly replace the car. The manager said they have done trade assists before. Anyone have any experience? IF BMW agrees they either order or find one to your liking.

END of RANT. . . . for now

What happens to the vehicle AFTER it's been lemoned? Do they simply try and fix it again for the 4th time and put it on the lot for sale? The title of the vehicle should state it is a 'manufacturer buyback' but do they actually tell you that? I have heard of many vehicles being lemoned but I have never actually seen one advertised anywhere where they tell you up front. I guess you wouldn't know unless you did a search on it yourself!

I've always wondered this too...

To the OP, good luck!

I think they have to tell the buyer, it's a buy back by law. At least in Missouri.
I've seen cars on Ebay that were buy backs. Is it true, if BMW purchases the car back, the next one if it has problems, it's on you?

Craig

Good question OP on the lemons and where they go. I always wondered if the companies take them back and overhaul them -- then toss them into the CPO program?

Keep us posted on how things go. I am also having nasty issues with my X5. First time in seven BMWs that I have had major problems. BMW has always been good to work with for me, hopefully that stretch will continue.

I am going through the same thing right now with my 535i. Been towed in 3 times in the last 4 weeks, and been in for engine problems and electrical problems 6 times in one year. Had fuel pump replaced. They had more fuel pump issues. Then had fuel injectors replaced. Also have had electrical problems. I am suppose to hear from BMW tomorrow as to what is happening. If they do a trade, I am hoping to get into the X5. I just hope I don't have the same problems all over again.

I did a google search and could find very little. One thread on another site talked about a person buying a 3 series or M5 (I forget which) that was labeled a "trade assist" so I think it shows up somewhere. From what I read, you sign an agreement and can never talk about it so that is why there isn't much info. They don't want it lemoned, b/c these are hard to sell. Read that some banks won't give loan on such a vehicle.

THe wait is going to kill me. I will probably call every two days or so.

Good luck, I hope it works out well...

Craig

Thanks.

I saw an Ebay listing a while back for a 2008 X5 4.8 Sports Pkg-- fully loaded with about 10K miles. The seller from a dealer (not BMW), did state it was a buy-back that it had a power steering problem, but he claimed BMW fixed the problem and has a certificate on the fix (not sure if it's warranteed, if so how long). Anyways, that car sold for 44,900 I believe -- which is a good price for an fully loaded 08. I always wondered if the issue is really solved for a buy-back car.