M4 DOA

[M!]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

I placed my order with a local Los Angeles area dealer for a loaded ($82k msrp w/o carbon brakes) MW/SO M4 back in June, and was alerted that it had just arrived at the dealership on Tuesday. I showed up Wednesday morning to pick it up and found nearly half a dozen dealership personnel clustered at the rear, where there was a very obvious indentation on the top center of the bumper. It measured perhaps 2 sq in, though no more than 1/8" or so deep. As I said, it was very obvious that something was either dropped on it, or perhaps jammed into it. Naturally, I was bummed. The dealership has since sent the car to a body shop to remedy the issue, though I don't know whether that involves an entirely new bumper, or just some body work on the existing one. In either case, the bumpers don't come painted so even if it gets a new bumper it will require a paint job. I'll be contacted after the work is done so I can inspect it before going forward.
Now my dilemma. I've invested a lot of emotion in this purchase (and money if I go ahead with the purchase) and now I find that my enthusiasm has waivered somewhat. After it is repaired it may not give me the same joy as if I'm getting a new car.
At this point I have not bought the car. Do you think an allowance from the dealership for diminished value would be in order? That is, has the car's value taken a financial hit? What would you expect the dealership to do, if anything, if you were in this situation?

[Wah]

I would probably reorder and demand a bigger discount. Sucks, but that's probably what I would do.

[DocWeatherington]

I would think it would done in house and no one will know but you and the dealership. But I would reorder if they are a questionable dealership, or let them repair it and be like its tainted and I am stressed and I should get something free.

[WVUDrJay]

I would take the car but ask for a discount or a per like performance parts or something.

The waiting sucks. Twice would be awful.

[SakhirM4]

I would still take the car. Things like this are repaired all the time at VPC and people aren't even aware of it. You just happen to knoe about this one.

I would want to know how it happened and if it was the dealer's responsibility would try to get some perk in exchange.

I sure wouldn't turn down the car and go through that waiting process again.

JMO

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by gmcconn535

I would still take the car. Things like this are repaired all the time at VPC and people aren't even aware of it. You just happen to knoe about this one.

I would want to know how it happened and if it was the dealer's responsibility would try to get some perk in exchange.

I sure wouldn't turn down the car and go through that waiting process again.

JMO

Yeah, the wait is worse than the repair (at least to me)

[Fifth Echelon]

Ditto. Stuff like this happens at the VPC a lot. There are any number of new BMWs being driven where owners had no idea about something that may have occurred during transit.

I would take delivery of the car after negotiating a substantial discount from the dealer for your trouble.

[mpbruin108]

Originally Posted by RS Sherer

I placed my order with a local Los Angeles area dealer for a loaded ($82k msrp w/o carbon brakes) MW/SO M4 back in June, and was alerted that it had just arrived at the dealership on Tuesday. I showed up Wednesday morning to pick it up and found nearly half a dozen dealership personnel clustered at the rear, where there was a very obvious indentation on the top center of the bumper. It measured perhaps 2 sq in, though no more than 1/8" or so deep. As I said, it was very obvious that something was either dropped on it, or perhaps jammed into it. Naturally, I was bummed. The dealership has since sent the car to a body shop to remedy the issue, though I don't know whether that involves an entirely new bumper, or just some body work on the existing one. In either case, the bumpers don't come painted so even if it gets a new bumper it will require a paint job. I'll be contacted after the work is done so I can inspect it before going forward.
Now my dilemma. I've invested a lot of emotion in this purchase (and money if I go ahead with the purchase) and now I find that my enthusiasm has waivered somewhat. After it is repaired it may not give me the same joy as if I'm getting a new car.
At this point I have not bought the car. Do you think an allowance from the dealership for diminished value would be in order? That is, has the car's value taken a financial hit? What would you expect the dealership to do, if anything, if you were in this situation?

I had once bought a S550 and the dealer drove right into a pole driving the car out to deliver it to me. They were more than accommodating by giving me a discount (or threw in packages for free) and replaced the entire damaged part. Because I never actually took ownership, it never showed up in any carfax and thus there is no paper trail about a damaged S class. They even gave me a CLS55 as a loaner for a week or so. I would assume your dealer would be willing to do the same for you as it was their fault. Negotiate well, show anger and disappointment and good luck.

[GrussGott]

I drive a 'vert and so I would've probably been fine with buying a 335 and loved it: power, performance wise ... might have even liked it better than the M.

But the problem with me is, I know the M is there. It would've tore me up. So I spent the extra $10k probably just for peace of mind.

yeah some shit probably happens in transit or at the VPC, but you don't know about that stuff ... this you know about. you saw it. other people saw it. You might think about it every time you walk up to the car in the same way as when you first saw it ... you'll remember the disappointment ...


Anyway, it's a personal choice, but if it were I ... I'd do what it takes to get a new perfect car.

[KevinM]

Ouch. Sorry to hear this. I'm pretty (OK, very) particular about my cars. That said, I cannot imagine waiting another 3 months for a replacement. These days, i consider the plastic bumper to be in a different category than the rest of the car. Easily replaceable, often re-sprayed due to rock chips, etc. There is no structural damage to the car and if the repair is done correctly (e.g., new bumper, excellent paint job) no-one will know.

So...I would negotiate a discount and keep the car. GL!

[gthirtyfizle]

One word of advice from a fellow member. Make sure you fully inspect the car as thoroughly as possible when u get it cause MW is very hard to match. Its a bitch color.

[Audio Fan]

I'd get a new one.

[Vectors2final]

I'd keep it, wager a discount and some other things thrown in like tint or something.

The wait is agonizing, and like others have said, stuff like this happens all the time at VPC and you don't even know it.


I have about 3.5 months till I can place my order. It sucks.

[Johnathan198705]

Originally Posted by Wah

I would probably reorder and demand a bigger discount. Sucks, but that's probably what I would do.

Completely agree

[04RC51]

I'm going to be in the vast minority and ask them to send it back to the VPC and have them repair it. Work out a deal for $1k off or something if possible. I would just drive it until the parts arrive and then give it back once they arrive if they allow. There are so many people on this and other forums driving cars that have had so much worse happen and they were never notified. It's a non-event to me but again, I'm sure I'm in the minority. Most will tell you that you deserve a free car.

[SOM3]

Don't buy that car. Instead get the RC-F.

[/// M sa]

Originally Posted by SOM3

Don't buy that car. Instead get the RC-F.

Geezus some people lol

[myzmak]

Interesting to do the psychological analysis the see the different views from the same people on 3 threads:
- dent in new car (this one)
- tinting guys maybe stole my car
- meanie's thread o' woe about how he waited a week to only be 2nd person in SA with M4 when promised to be first.

I suspect in all of of our own minds we rank these transgressions and do so easily, but, though easy and obvious to ourselves, we come to different conclusions!

To my mind, car theft is much worse, followed by this cosmetic repair than meanie's moaning about loss of bragging rights.

But @04rc51, you seem to reverse at least top two - as do others who say live and let live to joy riding tiniters.

Not looking to debate who is correct, just point out I find it interesting how differently we see the magnitude of three very different events.

[Brosef]

life's too short. don't wait for another car. cars go through wear and tear everyday you drive it. don't sweat it.

[stuka]

In general, plastic parts don't affect resale.

As in, getting a new bumper will not lower the value of your car.

What WILL lower the value of your car is if there is paintwork on the metal, as in, if I run my paint meter on your car and saw that some panels were painted.

I would suggest you ask the dealer to replace that bumper with a Euro bumper and call it a day.

Just to be sure though, spend the $400 on a paint meter and go through all the panel with the car to make sure that car was not painted anywhere along the way.

[STooK]

Ouch that sucks. Is the car a lease or financed? If it's a lease I wouldn't worry about it and ask for a discount or freebee of some sort, but if I had purchased the car and plan on keeping it for a long time I would think about re ordering if that's even possible. I'm sure the dealer would try to do their best to sell you the car instead of having to order a new one though. Hope everything works out.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by stuka

Just to be sure though, spend the $400 on a paint meter and go through all the panel with the car to make sure that car was not painted anywhere along the way.

Many BMWs have paint work done at VPC to repair intransit damage. This is done all the time without the new owner ever knowing about it.

I must really be missing something here. The car had a 2" square dimple that was caused by ? (never explained) and the OP should request a new car? I waited almost 6 months for my M4 and would sure not go through that wait again over a very minor dent!

Get it fixed, make sure it is done right and then enjoy your new car.