Hugh Prodlem - 2010 35D Roof Rails Need Help
 

All,

Need your assistance, I am purchasing the car from PrestigeBMW in NJ and it has not been a pleasant experience. I purchased the car on Oct 5th, at the time, the sales guy didn't have a clue about the 2010 car, I had to do the research on my own for the 35D and knew it would have the new Idrive. Just by reading the boards I found out that the 2010 do not have the Roof rails which give the car the look I want. This was a design change in 2010 that is not standard as it was standard in the 2009. Long story short, my sales person quit and I got assigned an idiot who didn't tell me that the roof rails are $100 before production which I would have no problem with. The car went into production, I couldn't change it by the time I found out on my own and now they want $1400 for installation at the dealer. Is this ridiculous or what? Any advice???

wow, $1400 for a freaking roof rails....

hmmm, i wonder if it would be the same case if you ordered your 35d from Paul Miller...

goodluck....

If the only reason the rails weren't added pre-production was because the sales guy who is no longer employed there didn't know they weren't standard and didn't add them from lack of product knowledge, I'd get with the GM and service manager to see if the dealership could hook you up to keep the customer happy. The service department may be able to oblige.

The way I see it the sales department sells someone their first BMW, the service department sells them every other BMW they buy... because if you don't have a good service experience you likely wouldn't want to buy another one.

Order the rails and have a body shop install them.

Problem solved.

And order them from Park Ave BMW. Screw your current dealer.

(btw - this isn't a huge probelm)

The reason they want such huge bucks is because it requires removal the headliner....That is long and painful.

I feel your pain...

OP,
Since you didn't take delivery of the car yet, you can ALWAYS cancel the order! Just call the dealership and ask to speak to a fleet manager or sales manager. Tell them your problem. If they aren't willing to budge, then tell them you want to cancel the order. And, get your deposit back.

Upon hearing this, I'm sure they'll change their mind quickly.

Opinions and perspectives vary.

Unless you were depending on putting up bicycles, a canoe, major luggage... If its only for "the look" (and I don't mean to judge your preference, really) THIS IS NOT WORTH WASTING ANY TIME ON. Too many other more important things to worry about or enjoy! Your car could have come in scratched or dented or without the new iDrive...

If you are going to install them in any case, I'd consider the X5 M-roof racks if possible.

I can't cancel the order, tried that, the car arrived today and if I cancelled I would forgoe my $1000 deposit. Alexmish, your are corrent on the removal of headliner, did you have the same issue?

I schedule to pick up mine next monday @ Prestige NJ too. who is your CA?

no, i did not have that issue, but remember reading on this forum about someone wanting to remove his rails...and getting similar quote.

If I were you, I'd push the dealership to do it gratis... But not sure how much leverage you have with them to prove it was their fault vs. you forgetting it... I am not saying it is not their fault, it is just one of those hard-to-dispute things... Sorry.

I was working with Dennis Madigan and he quit, so I got assigned Mary Kate ? She hasn't been any help, now dealing with the Manager Keith.

you can still cancel the order before dilivery....no?

State laws may differ. However, for most states, if you didn't take delivery of the car yet, you can cancel at any time and get back your deposit. Did you sign anything that states that your deposit is non-refundable? If you did, you still may have some recourse if it violates state laws regarding car purchases and deposits.

I would speak with Curtis, GM of Sales, or Chris, VP of sales. Ultimately, I have had similar experiences with them before in that arena of your problem. All four times, I went somewhere else to purchase the BMW, but their service department is very good.

On a side note, I am looking to get rid of my roof rails, and go for the cleaner look. You are more than welcome to them.

A few thoughts which might be helpful...

Check what you signed for the fine print. I cannot imagine that they can keep your deposit if they are not giving you the vehicle you ordered. What if instead of no roof rails it had come in pink with a green interior?

Go back through your documents to determine if you have anything in writing which shows what you ordered. Now, if you signed something which was an order without the rails, then you have a problem. But if you can come-up with an e-mail, order sheet, or something which shows you ordered rails, then I cannot believe the law would require them to either return your deposit or install the rails.

Of course, they have your deposit and you might have to hire a lawyer to get it back, but most dealers will cave if they know the law is against them.

You could try filing a BBB complaint against them if they are a member of the BBB. Most dealers do not like unresolved BBB cases on their record.

P.S. If the rails are for decoration only, I suspect an independent garage could come-up with an way to mount them without removing the headliner to gain inside access. Of course, if you went this route, you would have to make sure no one ever tried to use it as a functional roof rack, including subsequent purchasers.

I was gonna buy from prestige... but they promised to much w/o any writing, Their staff was somewhat mediocre... So I went with Paul Miller, more pleasant to deal with.

If you walk away and eat the $1K you will still be up by $300 dollars with another dealer (hint: P. Miller :))..... who knows, you might even get a better deal somewhere else.... $1400 dollars with rails or $100 with rails but 5-6 weeks delivery. I say walk away, it still cheaper to get another one somwhere else!

And.... personally, I would not hack a BRAND NEW car.... you know it will never be the same.

Or, If you paid through CC, maybe you can dispute it with them.

I just bought an x5 D from jmk, and my CA was working with me all the way through the last day because he mentioned that the sale is not final until the delivery. if you put your deposit on a credit card and the dealer does not want to return it you have simple solution. On the other hand your dealer may be nasty to you becaue you negotiated a great price to stArt with and if you walk out they hope to sell it right away for the same price.
Btw the new idrive is amazing!

OP,
So, did you sign any documentation that stated that the deposit was "non-refundable"? If the answer is no, then they have to give you back your money.

same dealer, my fren can'x his car 1 day before schedule pick-up, and he got full refund for his deposit.

p/s I m abt to fax over my insurance & registration (For trade-in), now I m going to hold on till I "see" the X

All those sales slip has "non-refundable" fine print on them.... thats how the dealers lock you in.

When I put down a deposit for my order last month, the only thing that I signed was the CC slip. I also signed the purchase price agreement. Nowhere did it state that the deposit was "non-refundable".

In some states, such as Wisconsin, it doesn't matter what is printed on the agreement, the State law overrides what is signed. Some dealers still put it on the agreement in Wisconsin, even though they know it is unenforceable, as most people believe it and think they are locked-into the deal.

:iagree: Unless it was costing me serious cash to wait another 5-6 weeks for delivery or I had made the deal of a lifetime, I'd walk. I'd strongly argue to get my deposit back but even if I couldn't get it, I'd walk and order a new X5 35d from a better dealer and probably get a better deal :)

Funf Dreisig.

Did the purchase price agreement have a build attached, or a MSRP? A particular MSRP number could show if the $100 for rails is in it.

In any case, I would be completely shocked if the dealer actually kept the deposit if you declined to accept the vehicle.

I agree... there is always (most cases). A way out. Ive disputed with CC (American Express) they are very lenient with stuff like this... but can be a big hassle.

This.

I found out just in time and was able to add them to my build. It looks better without them, but I like having a good place for snowboards and the like.

OP is kinda stuck, either re-order or pay, sucks. Good luck.