[rogerxp]

Well, the X3 went into a main dealer this morning for an MOT, and two hopefully warranty issues.

Firstly, the drivers side wing-mirror doesn't appear to be demisting, and secondly, the rear washer-jet also doesn't seem to be working - both previously replaced under warranty.

Had to annoyingly 'authorise' an hours investigation at a cool £143 but fingers crossed they'll find somethings and correct under warranty so I pay nothing. I've paid £492 over the last 12 months through warranty (£41p/m) so that's my target figure to get back .

Oh, and they also want £15 for the insurance of their hire-car, I've never paid this before but its new company policy wef 1st January. I've told them I'm not overly happy with this and we'll discuss it once I know what's going on with my car .

I await the phone call nervously...

[davyk31]

My X5 is due an oil service which shouldn't be too bad but also perhaps needs air filter, micro filter etc. Also needs a set of tyres but scouring Ebay for those as part worns as they are £300 each. Brake fluid showing for February, also front and rear pads within 2-3000 miles, hopefully not disks.

Could be an expensive few months but will limit it as much as possible by either doing brakes myself or a local independent. oil service I will keep with dealer for the stamp in the book.

[rogerxp]

Well, apparently the wing-mirror isn't covered by my 'extended' warranty, it was through the AUC warranty (as I had the other one done in 2010), but not once you extend it. Apparently as the heater element is within the glass it isn't covered. At £160 I told them to swivel as it's not huge issue. Annoying though .

Still looking into the rear washer jets however, given the above news, doubt it'll be covered anyhow. I can sense my £143 going up in smoke already . There was resistance to it being done last time (a 3 day job to redo all the pipework & dry the car due to a leak) but as it was a known issue they caved in - again this was done in 2010 under the AUC warranty.

They've found a slight oil leak from the engine and something about glowplugs which apparently are covered so these will be sorted out.

Also, the brake fluid service is due, so at £73.30 I've told them to crack on with it - can't be bothered shifting it elsewhere to just save a few £££.

Oh, could do with new wipers, but at £50, you can already guess what I said to that.

[willhollin]

How long ago was the wing mirror replaced?

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by willhollin

How long ago was the wing mirror replaced?

March 2010 but they told me it was the other one which I'd forgotten. Passenger side replaced but now the Drivers side has done the same (an open circuit or something?!?!).

I'm a bit miffed actually that when you extend the AUC Warranty beyond the 12 months you get with a used car that you seem to lose some cover - I'd assumed it was exactly the same .

[dxb335d]

Can't believe that.

[rogerxp]

Hilarious. I just received a call from the Dealer asking if I was out and about. I said no. They've just realised the car I've been given has no road tax and is therefore not insured. They're sending someone over with a replacement car .

[willhollin]

I expect the element has failed in the heated mirror, can't be too hard a DIY job?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X3-DOO...ht_2938wt_1110

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by willhollin

I expect the element has failed in the heated mirror, can't be too hard a DIY job?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X3-DOO...ht_2938wt_1110

Good find Will, nice one, worth consideration at least.

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

Hilarious. I just received a call from the Dealer asking if I was out and about. I said no. They've just realised the car I've been given has no road tax and is therefore not insured. They're sending someone over with a replacement car .

I sense a refund of the £15 and some sort of goodwill at least! Maybe a new wing mirror element? That could have been a very costly mistake on their part.

Actually, being a little more reasonable I'd push for the brake fluid. It's virtually all labour so easy for them to swallow. Go for it Roger!

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by rich1068

...I'd push for the brake fluid. It's virtually all labour so easy for them to swallow. Go for it Roger!

I like your way of thinking .

Well, the old-shape 1 series has just been taken away (116d, White M Sport, 'Edition' with olympic badge, dark alloys - quite nice looking) has just been replaced with a new-shape 1 series. Looks alright in the flesh, the nose is a little droopy though, but not driven it so can't comment - will be interesting to drive later though...

[pjs]

Still hoping to sell the X3?

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by pjs

Still hoping to sell the X3?

Yes but it kind of depends what happened today. If it ends up costing me too much I'll be unwilling to trade it in so would like to forge on with a private sale. I stuck 12 months road tax on it the other day (didn't realise the premium for just putting on 6 months at a time now equated to £50 over the year so plumbed for the full 12 months) - if I do trade-in at least I can get a refund. Then again, if it gets a clean bill of health, will it change my mind to sell - probably not but does make it easier to sell privately.

It's ending up costing me being so indecisive - if I knew I was trading in I'd not have bothered with the brake fluid service or investigation into the rear washer and just got it threw the warranty - nor would I have put 12 months road tax on - but, as I stand, I can't locate a replacement yet (hardly any available yet with the engine being so new) so am stuck in limo.

[TMP]

Fecking el...cant believe the heating element is not covered. is it in the exclusions list of the policy then?

you know my views on the £15 insurance....

1er looks ok inside

[rogerxp]

Just reading the warranty terms now...

"covers all factory fitted mechanical & electrical components of the insured vehicle with the exception of *long list of brakes, exhaust, tyres, etc* and glass"

...now surely this is a grey area. The glass hasn't failed. The electrical component INSIDE the glass has failed.

Do you reckon I can start a challenge or save my breath???

edit - awaiting a call back from the warranty chaps...

[davyk31]

Def start a fight, the warranty people and BMW seem to change their opinions depending on how much pressure is exerted. Mention your disappointment in their stance and how you may remember this when you are planning to buy a new car which is going to be very soon.

[Kerr]

Sure the warranty should clarify what they mean by glass.

If they were meaning the workings of heated rear windscreen or electric mirrors that should be clarified.

As you said though you don't require the mirror to be replaced. Just the electrical workings.

Seems pretty clear cut to me.

[TMP]

Yep, the glass hasn't failed i.e. you can still use the glass mirror as it has not cracked

Argue like fook. Ask them to clarify what component has failed = the electrical element
In your attachment it says: "Covers all electrical components"

(it does look like the element and glass is one unit though)

[rogerxp]

Wing mirror being replaced under warranty - result . I simply left a message for the warranty chap at the Dealer to call me, he'd already predicted my enquiry, so looked into things before calling me back and got clearance to replace, then called with the good news. Well done Blue Bell Wilmslow .

He's gone off to see what he can find out about the rear washer jet and my £143 authorised investigation - I'd really love this to come off too but not holding my breath.

[dobsy]

Is'nt it disgusting when you have to fight over every last detail to get anything done. Where has customer service gone!?
God these companies wind me up!

[rogerxp]

Update - the rear washer jet seems to simply be a blocked filter under the resevoir - not covered obviously under warranty but the warranty chap going to have a word as it won't have taken a whole hour to diagnose it. I'm happy to pay as long as I feel it's reasonable - even more happy if they waive it . Possibly not the correct mixture of washer fluid used which is perfectly possible as I'm very lazy and just top-up with water usually .

Can't get a new mirror for this afternoon so I've got the 1er overnight. Plus they broke the old mirror getting it out so not sure they'd be happy to give me the X3 back anyway (though I'm pretty sure I only need 2 mirrors to remain legal).

Must admit, it does cause me a slight headache, as my wife can hardly tootle around in the Zed so she's stranded (she won't really want to drive an unfamiliar car - especially a manual).

[dopper99]

Make sure they dont charge 2 x £15 for the two days to have the 1er.