Best approach to get BMW dealer to help with immediate repairs after used purchase?

[theweebabySeamus]

Hey gang,

I just bought a one owner, dealer maintained 2015 M3 with less than 50k miles from a BMW dealer back east (don’t want to name them yet) and had it shipped out. It drove great after delivery, but the next day it threw a CEL. I washed the car and afterwards, it went away. I ordered a wifi adapter but kept driving the car. Fast forward to today, where it threw another CEL. I checked the codes and it came back with 135A08 and 135808, which both point towards a valvetronic issue. I’m going to have it diagnosed by my local dealer, but I’m obviously not happy, as I’d be shocked if the valvetronic motor wasn’t having issues before they sold it to me.

I understand used cars are sold as-is, but I’m looking to get some kind of help from the selling dealer, and I’m looking for the best approach. Anybody have any ideas or directions they can point me towards? I’m thinking contact a manager at the dealer and potentially file a complaint with BMWNA, but I’m open to ideas.

Thanks for any help anybody can give me.

TL;DR: bought a good condition 2015 M3 from BMW of Louisville and had a valvetronic motor failure the day after I received it. Dealer gave half the repair back. Will not skip a PPI again.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by theweebabySeamus

Hey gang,

I just bought a one owner, dealer maintained 2015 M3 with less than 50k miles from a BMW dealer back east (don’t want to name them yet) and had it shipped out. It drove great after delivery, but the next day it threw a CEL. I washed the car and afterwards, it went away. I ordered a wifi adapter but kept driving the car. Fast forward to today, where it threw another CEL. I checked the codes and it came back with 135A08 and 135808, which both point towards a valvetronic issue. I’m going to have it diagnosed by my local dealer, but I’m obviously not happy, as I’d be shocked if the valvetronic motor wasn’t having issues before they sold it to me.

I understand used cars are sold as-is, but I’m looking to get some kind of help from the selling dealer, and I’m looking for the best approach. Anybody have any ideas or directions they can point me towards? I’m thinking contact a manager at the dealer and potentially file a complaint with BMWNA, but I’m open to ideas.

Thanks for any help anybody can give me.

I don't think the selling dealer would help you as even though the car was dealer maintained, it wasn't you building the relationship with the service department but the original owner. Though it never hurts to ask, but not sure what they can do since you cannot even bring the car back to the east coast.

Did you do a PPI before you bought it?

I don't think filing a complaint with BMWNA would do anything at this point, it's out of warranty so they aren't legally required to help you. But if you ask real nicely, they may grant you good will and assist in the repair. However before you do this route, you may want to stop by your local BMW dealership to see if they can help you out with that.

Realistically, I would start building a relationship with a indy BMW shop since that's what most people do after warranty. BMW charges like idk $250/275 dollars per labor hour?

[theweebabySeamus]

Yeah, I definitely understand. I’m at a disadvantage and they are not (that I can tell) legally obligated to do anything. I’m more just hoping I can get them to do something just on the grounds of their reputation.

I did not get a PPI, like I usually would, as I thought if any situation excused the need, it would be a one owner car being sold at the dealer that serviced it it’s whole life. Fool me once.

Edit: if I can’t get any goodwill, it will be done by a local indy. I’m confident in my abilities to repair, but this one is beyond me.

Thanks for the advice!

[icegrill]

Dealers are shady af for the most part. I would count on getting exactly nothing.

[StockholM3]

Depending on where you live there are probably legal requirements the dealer is obligated to follow.
Usually you would have some protection against faults that were likely there and known by the dealer at the time of sale.
Whether that's the case for you or not, you could always reach out to them and ask.
If they get to fix it themselves it's often cheaper for them than it would be for you.
If they're not willing, you can either pursue your legal options within consumer rights or try public reviews if they care about that.

[Taylorsherk]

I would think the car would have been sold with some sort of 30day warranty or something similar.

due to the dealer being on the other side of the country, i could see them ghosting you but you should def reach out

[BzsBimmer]

- Reach out to dealer and see what they can do
- Go to Indy and get it quoted and repaired
- Follow up with dealer and see if they will credit you

[theweebabySeamus]

Thanks guys, appreciate all the input so far. I was considering having a dealer do a diag before I contact the selling dealer so it's a more 'official' approach, do you think there's any merit to that?

[NYG]

BMW dealers are some of the worst out there.

I can't help but love the username.

[theweebabySeamus]

Originally Posted by NYG

I can't help but love the username.

[falconey]

Some states require dealers to ensure a vehicle passes emissions before they can sale. Might be one angle you can approach. They should have a certificate stating the vehicle passed emissions. Having said that, "as is" is going to be your obstacle to any relief.

[kk_alpine]

If I am not mistaken, if buying the car sight unseen, don't the dealers have a 3 day, some odd mile return policy on the car?

[WordOnRoad]

Sorry to hear that, OP. Hopefully, you have a good relationship with your salesperson, they can usually go to bat for you in some regard.

Personally, I would authorize an hour of diagnosis at the dealership so they feel that you've participated, and then ask about goodwill. BMW does have a policy for DSA, which is Dealer Self Authorized GW; basically, your advisor uses their discretion and a matrix to cover some or maybe all of the repair.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...35010-9999.pdf

[theweebabySeamus]

Originally Posted by WordOnRoad

Sorry to hear that, OP. Hopefully, you have a good relationship with your salesperson, they can usually go to bat for you in some regard.

Personally, I would authorize an hour of diagnosis at the dealership so they feel that you've participated, and then ask about goodwill. BMW does have a policy for DSA, which is Dealer Self Authorized GW; basically, your advisor uses their discretion and a matrix to cover some or maybe all of the repair.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...35010-9999.pdf

Thanks, I called the local dealer and got....not the best vibe. I had leaned towards having them diag and looking for goodwill but just didn't get the impression they would be that helpful so I'm thinking I will get it done at an indy and express my issues to management at the original dealer. I'm sure I'll get nothing, but they'll at least get an earful.

[WordOnRoad]

Originally Posted by theweebabySeamus

Thanks, I called the local dealer and got....not the best vibe. I had leaned towards having them diag and looking for goodwill but just didn't get the impression they would be that helpful so I'm thinking I will get it done at an indy and express my issues to management at the original dealer. I'm sure I'll get nothing, but they'll at least get an earful.

Did you contact the selling dealer and let them know what's going on/your plan to potentially have it done at a BMW dealer?

If you're comfortable sharing, which dealership did you buy it from?

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by theweebabySeamus

Thanks guys, appreciate all the input so far. I was considering having a dealer do a diag before I contact the selling dealer so it's a more 'official' approach, do you think there's any merit to that?

I think if you want BMW NA support you'll have to get a diag with a quote for repair, reach out to BMW NA and see if they can goodwill or assist in the repair. Mind you, it might still be more expensive out of pocket than going straight to an INDY but YMMV.

I had an out of warranty repair from Toyota and they only comped the part, I had to pay discounted labor (10% off or something), but mind you I was the original owner, always maintained my car at the dealership for oil changes etc, so the dealership was willing to at bat for me to ask Toyota for Goodwill Repair. I had to get a crankshaft and sprocket replaced.

[theweebabySeamus]

Originally Posted by N1rve

I think if you want BMW NA support you'll have to get a diag with a quote for repair, reach out to BMW NA and see if they can goodwill or assist in the repair. Mind you, it might still be more expensive out of pocket than going straight to an INDY but YMMV.

I had an out of warranty repair from Toyota and they only comped the part, I had to pay discounted labor (10% off or something), but mind you I was the original owner, always maintained my car at the dealership for oil changes etc, so the dealership was willing to at bat for me to ask Toyota for Goodwill Repair. I had to get a crankshaft and sprocket replaced.

That's kind of where I'm at. I doubt BMWNA or the dealer would do 100% and even if they did 50% that may still be higher than an indy.

[theweebabySeamus]

Originally Posted by WordOnRoad

Did you contact the selling dealer and let them know what's going on/your plan to potentially have it done at a BMW dealer?

If you're comfortable sharing, which dealership did you buy it from?

I'm definitely comfortable sharing but I want to speak to them first. Not to threaten them that I will complain on the forum, but just so the issue is somewhat resolved.

[bigj505]

Personally, I don't trust bmw dealers to diagnose issues. Track record with them for me has been awful. Indy is the way to go.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by theweebabySeamus

That's kind of where I'm at. I doubt BMWNA or the dealer would do 100% and even if they did 50% that may still be higher than an indy.

If the dealer did it, it would be warrantied for a year though. If that matters to you at all lol.

[theweebabySeamus]

Originally Posted by N1rve

If the dealer did it, it would be warrantied for a year though. If that matters to you at all lol.

Definitely does, the shop warranties parts and labor for 2 years.

[bigj505]

Originally Posted by theweebabySeamus

Definitely does, the shop warranties parts and labor for 2 years.

You should consider having the Indy diagnose and have the dealer fix then.