Disaster!!!! (I think)

[OU812]

Sounds like you will be in line?

[Eqyn Dad]

When I discussed my concerns to my dealer...after my 3rd final drive oil seal failure...he had an immediate remedy for me. "Have you considered an extended warranty?"

This line encapsulates the mind set of the "new" BMW dealer. The new goal is based in retailing and not motorcycling.

[bmwr1150rbmw]

I think the BMW rep coming out is very good news. It shows that at some level they are looking into this issue and taking it seriously. At a minimum, the mechanics at the dealer will do their best to fix it right without inflating the repair bill as they know 'people are watching.' It seems the best thing you did was contact the local BMW reps and of course shared with all of us the issue. As crappy as it is to shell out so much money for this repair, the bright side is you have your beloved bike back running well with a warranty related to this issue. Would it be possible to meet the BMW rep at the dealer to add the 'human' factor to the problem?

[NoRRmad]

Betcha the BMW rep leaves with the bad parts...

[Beemeridian]

11

[johnnyjs1]

Can I demand that they give me the old parts? I could understand if the rep says they will pay for the fix, then they can take the parts. But...if he says too bad no warranty, then I have every right to keep the old parts since I am paying for everything, correct? I'll call them first thing tuesday morning(they're closed mondays) and tell them i want the old parts for some testing, maybe that will give the rep. a better reason to "help a brutha out"

[NoRRmad]

Good idea!

The old parts belong to you, but BMW can buy them from you -- for, say, the price of replacement, labor included.

[OU812]

[johnnyjs1]

Called the dealer....the BMW Rep. is looking at the bike as we speak. Should here back from them shortly. When I called, the manager mistakenly thought I was somebody else(owner of one of the other bikes there with the same problem). Told me 2 bolts sheared off in the clutch housing and the splines were toast. Then told me it would be $1400. Then he realized who I was, and said "The Rep is looking at it right now". Because of his comments, I have a feeling that either
A: The other guy didnt ask them to bring it up to the Rep's. attention and are charging him full price
or
B: My outcome will be exactly the same. Pay for full repairs myself

[challey]

Johnny --

I hope you have good luck with the BMW rep. The situation with the clutch/shaft splines is very similar to that of premature FD failures. The MCN article on the FD failures noted that BMW was handling the service compliants "quietly, on a case-by-case basis". More importantly, the article goes on to state that [MCN] "has not learned of a single case of final drive failure that the factory has refused to warranty."

Hopefully, that will be the result for you as well. I would certainly try to make the case with both the dealer and the rep that the spline and FD issues are very similar (sub-par design, sub-standard manufacturing, poor lubrication or some combination of the 3) and that your hope is, that as with the FD failures, BMW will do the right thing and quietly stand behind their product.

I'm sure you'll let us know how you make out, but bon chance anyway.

Charlie

[OU812]

"BMW will do the right thing and quietly stand behind their product."
I would like to see that also.
Never heard of them doing just that. Not after the warranty had expired anyway.

[johnnyjs1]

Ok...so i call the dealer at 5:30 and ask for the service manager. The phone op. acts as a go between. I ask for the status of my bike, he says the clutch is removed. I ask about what the rep said, he tells me....i dont think BMW is going to cover any of the repairs, but he said he will try and get something done with his managers. I say, tell dave(service manager) that I will be there first thing in the morning to pick up the parts that were removed so i can get em tested. He says, uhhhh, ummmm, call first thing in the morning. I say..the rep. better not have taken any of MY parts with him as it is my legal right and the law that i get MY parts back if i want them. He says....ummm I'm not sure, call dave in the morning. Looks like I'm paying for repairs myself. Way to go BMW!!! I have been advised that if the rep took my parts, I can go file a police report for theft of personal property

[OU812]

What a bunch of BS! from BMW. Take the parts for what? To what end? To improve the original design? One could only hope. I think it is so you can't post pics of the failed parts. Just my caveman thinking.

[Beemeridian]

11

[Trout]

I'm on the edge of my seat... I can't wait for the next episode. This is better than following one of those really exciting trip reports over on advrider.com. Thanks for the play by play Johnny. I'm very sorry that you are going through this, but it's very interesting to get a real story - real time - first hand. Thanks again.

[johnnyjs1]

The next installment will come tomorrow, thinkin of charging a subscription fee though

You guys sure you dont mind my posts? Sometimes I think I am boring you all with the details. I am going to everything I can to bring some attention to this issue. I am seriously considering submitting an article about my experience with BMW to BMWMOA's ON Magazine. But I'd be willing to put money on it that it wont make the "cut".

[baltm604]

Perhaps you should call the BBB and your states attorney's office. Include a copy of the article from MCN. Perhaps they will be interested in a consumer fraud case! sounds better than a theft complaint of worn out parts.

Bill

[rdsmith3]

The next installment will come tomorrow, thinkin of charging a subscription fee though

You guys sure you dont mind my posts? Sometimes I think I am boring you all with the details. I am going to everything I can to bring some attention to this issue. I am seriously considering submitting an article about my experience with BMW to BMWMOA's ON Magazine. But I'd be willing to put money on it that it wont make the "cut".

I am definitely interested, in case I end up going through the same problem.

I keep thinking about how GM handled a problem I had with my GMC Yukon XL (similar to a Suburban -- an enormous SUV). They did a much better job than BMW.

My wife was driving on an interstate highway with our 2 year old in the car. Suddenly, the vehicle would not move. She managed to get to the shoulder, called AAA, and had it towed to the dealer. Bad news -- the transmission needed replacing, and it would cost about $3,600 with labor, tax, everything. I explained to the dealer that I have had it serviced regularly at dealers, I have never towed anything, and the transmission should last more than 63,000 miles. They were sympathetic, and suggested I call GM. As it happens, a friend of mine from church works for GM, so I called him. He is in a different division, but he helped me out. (I would have said it was God who was helping me, but religion is not allowed in this forum.)

The end result was that GM said I could have a rebuilt transmission for free, or I could have a brand new transmission, with a warranty, for a $100 deductible. I chose the new one. I had to wait for it to come from Detroit or Oshawa or wherever these things come from, but within a few days we were back in business. There was no debating with me that we had improper driving technique, or that we did something wrong. They just fixed it. BTW, the warranty on the 2003 models was 3 years/36,000 miles, so we were way out of warranty.

[FloridaBeakster]

I am seriously considering submitting an article about my experience with BMW to BMWMOA's ON Magazine. But I'd be willing to put money on it that it wont make the "cut".

Do it. I think it will be of great interest to the MOA membership and I don't think people give the MOA and the Owner's News enough credit that they're not BMW lap-dogs. I believe that a fairly written (not a BMW-bash fest) article has a place in the ON, even if it ends up being negative towards BMW. I would e-mail Vince and let him know what you're thinking as far as an article goes and see what he says. I would be more than happy to help edit from a writing perspective (I'm of no help on technical issues on this topic).

[sjbmw]

I am seriously considering submitting an article about my experience with BMW to BMWMOA's ON Magazine. But I'd be willing to put money on it that it wont make the "cut".

Do it. I think it will be of great interest to the MOA membership and I don't think people give the MOA and the Owner's News enough credit that they're not BMW lap-dogs. I believe that a fairly written (not a BMW-bash fest) article has a place in the ON, even if it ends up being negative towards BMW. I would e-mail Vince and let him know what you're thinking as far as an article goes and see what he says. I would be more than happy to help edit from a writing perspective (I'm of no help on technical issues on this topic).

This is a good idea. Mike, since John is unfortunately very close to the emotions that this event brings about, it's great that you offered to help him. It could be the factor that gets it published. I know if I had to write it cold while caught in the throes of dealer mechanic hades the number of @!#$%'s in the article would get it filed in bin #13.

With a little massaging out of the natural (and justified) flames, the MOA ON would print it, I believe that.