Warranty work... anything else?

[pbdm4k]

My Z4 is with the dealership for some warranty repairs. And a final check up before my warranty expires in a month.

1.) Fogging headlights, they said they'd order me a new one if I can prove that it does fog up. I just need to find my pictures of it.

2.) Windshield wiper relay - faulty and replaced.

3.) Radio - It gurgles with CD-R's sometimes. Dealer refuses to replace it as they say it is normal for CD-R's not to be read properly. Anyone have any ideas how I can intentionally break the radio but make it look faulty? (Unethical I know, but frick I want MP3 playback). The service advisor admittedly said its an older radio that I have so it has a crappy laser, but unfortunately due to policy he can't replace it unless its broken).

4.) They checked out the suspension and made sure nothing was wrong.

Anything else I should get the dealer to check out before my warranty is up?

[takedown8]

Which dealer did you bring it to?

[pbdm4k]

Town+Country BMW.
My cousin is the service advisor. So he tries to do as much for me as possible.
One of the best things is getting a courtesy car even though I didn't buy my car from their dealership.

[BlackSapphireZ]

i had the CD "gurgle" or shake inside of the CDplayer so they replaced mine under warranty. it was so intermittent so I had to take a video of it to prove it.

even if u get it replaced, it won't be replaced by the new headunit. They can only order by ur VIN and faulty unit has to be sent back.

[Hawkeye]

I don't know of any good ways to 'break' a headunit besides putting in a damaged disc and then saying the headunit did it. There are some other more complicated ways for more advanced headunits but I think this HU is probably more integrated with the car than a standard after market one.

Good luck and take em for all you can get!

[imz4n]

If you have any paint chipping on the steering wheel plastics or the door handle plastics, wiper blades,rain censor ( no bubbles on censor)( gets you a new wind shield also )

[pbdm4k]

Originally Posted by BlackSapphireZ

i had the CD "gurgle" or shake inside of the CDplayer so they replaced mine under warranty. it was so intermittent so I had to take a video of it to prove it.

even if u get it replaced, it won't be replaced by the new headunit. They can only order by ur VIN and faulty unit has to be sent back.

I got them to replace the driver side headlight as a result of the fogging.

The radio, I'm still pushing, my SA says he'll push the tech guys to check the radio again once they get the car back in the shop tomorrow. (Headlight is on order).

Oh well, even if I don't get the new MP3 model, I'll still be happy having pushed them for a newer head unit. Then I can remove it and put in a Navigation deck...

Okay... its the principle of the situation. If its faulty it should be fixed.

Like my wiper blades, wiper blades that dont turn on during a snow storm is a death trap. So they installed a new wiper module.

[pbdm4k]

Originally Posted by imz4n

If you have any paint chipping on the steering wheel plastics or the door handle plastics, wiper blades,rain censor ( no bubbles on censor)( gets you a new wind shield also )

Cosmetic damage is part of the warranty?!?!

Is that written anywhere? Cuz I have a really ugly scratch under the hand brake from the previous owner.

[imz4n]

Bumper to bumper except tires and alignment and rock chips. I have mfsw and had all plastics around the volume and track selectors replaced and the plastics at the window controls on the door as well.

[Hawkeye]

That I didn't know. Wow.

[pbdm4k]

Originally Posted by imz4n

Bumper to bumper except tires and alignment and rock chips. I have mfsw and had all plastics around the volume and track selectors replaced and the plastics at the window controls on the door as well.

I just called my SA and he said cosmetic damage is not under warranty.

How the heck did you manage to get them to replace yours?

[imz4n]

I just asked why the paint was coming off the plastic so easily and that it looked cheap. It was only stated once and was taken care of without question. Perhaps a difference between Canada and USA? I did not call and ask. This was done in the service area where other customers were around.

[takedown8]

No way you're gonna get one of our T.O. dealers to cover cosmetic stuff. I've been told a couple of times already that "Wear and tear" is not covered under warranty.

Nice to hear you have someone on the inside, but I bring my car to Parkview and they give me free courtesy cars, and I definitely didn't buy my Zed there!

If I were you (and I will be a year from now), I'd bring my car in to an independent mechanic (RMP Motors or Bimmersport) and have them look it over for you. It might cost you $70-100, but you get an independent assessment that is documented. BMW may see that something is wearing but still ok for now, but won't tell you about it. If you have the independent mechanic (working for & paid by you) document that, then you have a better chance of fighting for it to be covered under warranty should it fail later.

A bit OT: What are all of your thoughts on Extended Warranties? I've been reading about them, and for all you Canadians out there, we finally have a 3rd party company in Canada offering them (warrantydirect.ca).

Are they worth it?

[imz4n]

I had mine covered to 100K when i got the car. I am now at 114K and every thing that the car needed , oil changes and brakes, I could have had it done by an independent service place and saved money. At 106K I had to replace the throttle valve at my expence. I have no issues with the car to date.

[pbdm4k]

Originally Posted by takedown8

No way you're gonna get one of our T.O. dealers to cover cosmetic stuff. I've been told a couple of times already that "Wear and tear" is not covered under warranty.

Nice to hear you have someone on the inside, but I bring my car to Parkview and they give me free courtesy cars, and I definitely didn't buy my Zed there!

If I were you (and I will be a year from now), I'd bring my car in to an independent mechanic (RMP Motors or Bimmersport) and have them look it over for you. It might cost you $70-100, but you get an independent assessment that is documented. BMW may see that something is wearing but still ok for now, but won't tell you about it. If you have the independent mechanic (working for & paid by you) document that, then you have a better chance of fighting for it to be covered under warranty should it fail later.

A bit OT: What are all of your thoughts on Extended Warranties? I've been reading about them, and for all you Canadians out there, we finally have a 3rd party company in Canada offering them (warrantydirect.ca).

Are they worth it?

I kind of figured with the cosmetic damage, but I had to ask considering one of our fellow members was lucky enough to have it replaced.

I'm my own mechanic and I do a lot of my own maintenance and repairs. My collection of tools grows annually. I bring it in for warranty cuz (1) its covered so why should I bother, and (2), its too freaking cold outside.

And for anything that's too big a job for me or I'm too lazy, I bring my cars to Lukasportz out in Woodbridge. So far one of the most trustworthy mechanics I've met and amazing service.

In regards to extended warranty, I inquired for my own car through the dealership and the cost was around $2000 for 2 years or 100 000km. For that price, I figured something would have to go seriously wrong in order to make my money back. And considering how anal I am about maintenance (as I should be considering I track my cars), I doubt anything serious would go wrong.
Also considering I had a few major items replaced under warranty already (steering column, wiper module, headlight, repair driver side seat). I figure that's at least $2000 right there. So I think I'm somewhat good for repairs in the long run. Heck, I even had the dealer clean my rain ducts for me.

I think I've had a good run. I just need to drive down to Buffalo to get my free oil change and call it a day.

[veryhuman]

Originally Posted by pbdm4k

I think I've had a good run. I just need to drive down to Buffalo to get my free oil change and call it a day.

Was your Z4 imported? I bought a used 2005 imported Z4 in a used dealership here in Toronto, could I also take it across the border and be eligible for free maintenance?

[pbdm4k]

Originally Posted by veryhuman

Was your Z4 imported? I bought a used 2005 imported Z4 in a used dealership here in Toronto, could I also take it across the border and be eligible for free maintenance?

Yeah, free maintenance for US cars is only covered in the US. My car originated from Jersey.

Bumper to bumper warranty is covered in Canada as well as the US. Just no free oil changes or brake pad/rotor replacements in Canada.

[BigLeo48]

Two Things.

My understanding is that once you have imported the car into Canada, it is a Canadian car, so you are no longer eligible for the free maintenace in the US if you take it there. Has anyone tried...cause the US dealer is actually closer to me than the Canadian one.

Second, Town & Country BMW in Toronto sold my buddy a used Z3 a while back and failed to disclose that the car had been in a very serious accident. Because it was a 1996, it did not show up in the standard MTO branding checks. This was a vioaltion of their OMVIC dealer conduct agreement and I tried to persuade my buddy to persue a claim for FULL refund...not difficult to do and he would have eassily won. But allas, he did not go for it. So needless to say, Town & Country won't ever see any business from us.

Big Leo

[takedown8]

Originally Posted by BigLeo48

My understanding is that once you have imported the car into Canada, it is a Canadian car, so you are no longer eligible for the free maintenace in the US if you take it there. Has anyone tried...cause the US dealer is actually closer to me than the Canadian one.

I imported mine too from the US. I haven't taken it across the border for maintenance, but it will be free if I do.

BMW and RIV are not coordinated. But either way, I asked BMW of Canada and a BMW dealership in the US and they both said that the maintenance would be covered if I brought it back to the US.

[speedygirl]

True,

I bought mine from a US BMW dealer and was told that I could have the free service done in the US if I liked.

[pbdm4k]

Originally Posted by BigLeo48

Two Things.

My understanding is that once you have imported the car into Canada, it is a Canadian car, so you are no longer eligible for the free maintenace in the US if you take it there. Has anyone tried...cause the US dealer is actually closer to me than the Canadian one.

Second, Town & Country BMW in Toronto sold my buddy a used Z3 a while back and failed to disclose that the car had been in a very serious accident. Because it was a 1996, it did not show up in the standard MTO branding checks. This was a vioaltion of their OMVIC dealer conduct agreement and I tried to persuade my buddy to persue a claim for FULL refund...not difficult to do and he would have eassily won. But allas, he did not go for it. So needless to say, Town & Country won't ever see any business from us.

Big Leo

Having never bought a car from them, I'm sorry to hear that, although my friend did buy a Mini Cooper S from them at 3% off.

Although, maybe its just me as I have the family insider, but service has been great for me. And its nice to loot their fridge for OJ and muffins for that early morning breakfast when I'm dropping off or picking up my car.

And your friend should have gone back and shoved it up Town and Country's ass. I wouldn't stand for it if the sales team pulled crap like that on me. A lawsuit goes a long way. Who knows, maybe could have settled on a new BMW at dealer cost.
But its also hard to say on the dealership's side. If it didn't show up in the MTO report, is it possible that the dealer wasn't aware of the accident either?
Regardless I would have gone back to seek settlement for undisclosing such information. Even if they didn't know, I'm sure the dealership would have settled with you. Dealerships fear head office coming down on them.

But back on topic, I was told that I could get my free maintenance if I were ever in the states.

[BigLeo48]

Originally Posted by pbdm4k

Having never bought a car from them, I'm sorry to hear that, although my friend did buy a Mini Cooper S from them at 3% off.

Although, maybe its just me as I have the family insider, but service has been great for me. And its nice to loot their fridge for OJ and muffins for that early morning breakfast when I'm dropping off or picking up my car.

And your friend should have gone back and shoved it up Town and Country's ass. I wouldn't stand for it if the sales team pulled crap like that on me. A lawsuit goes a long way. Who knows, maybe could have settled on a new BMW at dealer cost.
But its also hard to say on the dealership's side. If it didn't show up in the MTO report, is it possible that the dealer wasn't aware of the accident either?
Regardless I would have gone back to seek settlement for undisclosing such information. Even if they didn't know, I'm sure the dealership would have settled with you. Dealerships fear head office coming down on them.

But back on topic, I was told that I could get my free maintenance if I were ever in the states.

First, I just sold our Audi and got my wife a Lexus. They all have the coffee muffin, juice thing

Second, in Ontario...full disclosure of any significant fact is now law. So not knowing is no excuse. Most people do seem to understand that in Ontario, car dealerships are strongly regulated (so much so that I abandoned my dealership aspirations due to the new legislation). He wouldn’t have need to sue, but to file a petition for arbitration. It would have been easy and full refund no matter the length of ownership would have been easy to obtain. Buyer beware is no longer valid when dealing with a licensed dealership.

Cheers...BigLeo