[X]
Write ReviewJump to 
1
Helpful
Votes
Votes
BMW Motorcycles Complaint - Don't buy a BMW - No warranty coverage for a known defect.
No warranty coverage for a known defect. - Complaint
I bought a 2009 F 650 GS bike from BMW on 9/13/08. Since I was one of the first to buy a new model bike the promised delivery date was continually put back. The experience of buying the bike was a nightmare as a result. I should have walked away.
Since then I have had problems with the bike varying from minor to major. All of them due to manufacturing defects. The first problems were recall issues and a nut that hel the headlights to the bike that worked loose and had not been properly torqued at the plant. The minor repairs cumulatively took 8 days to fix. They even tried to charge me for the replacement nut for the headlights. I had to argue with them to avoid the approx. $10 charge. Later a major problem with the rear wheel came up. The bearings went requiring complete replacement of the rear wheel. It took 4 1/2 weeks for the replacement wheel to show up from Germany. I lost the use of my bike for that time and was not provided with a replacement.
Last Friday I had my bike in to a private shop for it's 12000 mile service. This involves amongst other things checking and adjusting, if necessary, the valves. Upon removal of the surrounding parts, (the valve covers are hidden on this bike), my mechanic discovered a leaking valve cover gasket. He had already researched the replacement gasket when he called me to let me know it was a newly designed gasket and new bolts. To my knowledge the new gasket was redesigned and the hold-down bolts had a sleeve removed that kept the covers from being further tightened. The new gasket cost $68.97 plus 7.75% tax for a total of $74.32.
I called San Diego BMW Motorcycles and was told that the problem would have to be diagnosed by a BMW technician and even though Dave Campbell, the owner of the shop was a former BMW technician as was the mechanic doing the work I would have to bring the bike to BMW to get it diagnosed by them. Since it took a half hour's work to get to the valve covers it would take another half hour's work to put it back together. The result would be an hour's work for nothing which I was to be charged $80. It then would have to be taken apart by the BMW tech at the dealership.
Even though it was obviously leaking prior to the 9/13/11 deadline BMW was holding firm on their denial.
I had the shop put in the new gasket and finish the repair. On Saturday I called Irv Seaver BMW dealership in Orange, CA. A technician there told me there was a service bulletin about the gaskets as they had been leaking on numerous other bikes. The new part was designed to fix the obvious manufacturing defect.
With that information in hand I again called BMW North America and plead my case. In spite of the prior usage loss due to manufacturing defect and the obvious fact that they had documented the design flaw internally they still refused to reimburse me for the gasket. They continue to say that since it was not diagnosed by a BMW technician they will not take responsibility. (If it had been visible I would have taken it to them prior to 9/13/11 just to avoid any issues but I didn't have that option. They also declined to let me know of the design flaw in the gasket even though a replacement had been designed an manufactured).
If you own one of these bikes get it to a dealer immediately and have them check the gasket and replace it with the new one.
I'm filing in small claims in the morning.
Since then I have had problems with the bike varying from minor to major. All of them due to manufacturing defects. The first problems were recall issues and a nut that hel the headlights to the bike that worked loose and had not been properly torqued at the plant. The minor repairs cumulatively took 8 days to fix. They even tried to charge me for the replacement nut for the headlights. I had to argue with them to avoid the approx. $10 charge. Later a major problem with the rear wheel came up. The bearings went requiring complete replacement of the rear wheel. It took 4 1/2 weeks for the replacement wheel to show up from Germany. I lost the use of my bike for that time and was not provided with a replacement.
Last Friday I had my bike in to a private shop for it's 12000 mile service. This involves amongst other things checking and adjusting, if necessary, the valves. Upon removal of the surrounding parts, (the valve covers are hidden on this bike), my mechanic discovered a leaking valve cover gasket. He had already researched the replacement gasket when he called me to let me know it was a newly designed gasket and new bolts. To my knowledge the new gasket was redesigned and the hold-down bolts had a sleeve removed that kept the covers from being further tightened. The new gasket cost $68.97 plus 7.75% tax for a total of $74.32.
I called San Diego BMW Motorcycles and was told that the problem would have to be diagnosed by a BMW technician and even though Dave Campbell, the owner of the shop was a former BMW technician as was the mechanic doing the work I would have to bring the bike to BMW to get it diagnosed by them. Since it took a half hour's work to get to the valve covers it would take another half hour's work to put it back together. The result would be an hour's work for nothing which I was to be charged $80. It then would have to be taken apart by the BMW tech at the dealership.
Even though it was obviously leaking prior to the 9/13/11 deadline BMW was holding firm on their denial.
I had the shop put in the new gasket and finish the repair. On Saturday I called Irv Seaver BMW dealership in Orange, CA. A technician there told me there was a service bulletin about the gaskets as they had been leaking on numerous other bikes. The new part was designed to fix the obvious manufacturing defect.
With that information in hand I again called BMW North America and plead my case. In spite of the prior usage loss due to manufacturing defect and the obvious fact that they had documented the design flaw internally they still refused to reimburse me for the gasket. They continue to say that since it was not diagnosed by a BMW technician they will not take responsibility. (If it had been visible I would have taken it to them prior to 9/13/11 just to avoid any issues but I didn't have that option. They also declined to let me know of the design flaw in the gasket even though a replacement had been designed an manufactured).
If you own one of these bikes get it to a dealer immediately and have them check the gasket and replace it with the new one.
I'm filing in small claims in the morning.
Comments:
Posted by trmn8r on 2011-09-20:
I can understand that they would require a BMW certified dealer to do the recall. I can't take my Volvos to my Indy mechanic, who is a former Volvo mechanic, to get warranty or recall service. At least not for free.
I have a 2008 BMW motorcycle, and I just take it to BMW for service. Whenever they come up with something like this gasket, the service manager automatically takes care of it while I am there. For example, on my visit last month, they replaced the front brake line, which had a recall.
I have a 2008 BMW motorcycle, and I just take it to BMW for service. Whenever they come up with something like this gasket, the service manager automatically takes care of it while I am there. For example, on my visit last month, they replaced the front brake line, which had a recall.
Posted by Mike on 2013-02-10:
I have a 2012 BMW f650gs twin ... I purchased it new in Chandler, AZ and have had numerous problems, all of which BMW NA say are not warranty: heated grips won't turn on, battery failing after less than one year, rear tire nearly bald at 3.2K miles. I also own a 2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA - no problems at all. BMW NA is the worst company to deal with and I could never recommend buying a BMW product because of how I have been treated.
Note: All comments are reviewed by a moderator before being published. Please be sure to read our guidelines before commenting.
Company Reps: Post your company response!
Recently Discussed:
- No-Cost Maintenance
- "2006 BMW 750LI Valve Job at 75,000 miles car is a waste of money" - BMW would not step up at all!!!
- Non-existent Roadside assistance and Customer Service that ignores you - Roadside assistance and Customer Service
- Add To The List of Horror Stories With Garages! - 15 Point Fall Inspection for $29.95