Got a new top - plus a little junk

[JimD]

I got my second new top on Thursday. I got the car back first thing Friday morning. I was doing my annual wash, clay bar, wax + vacumn, clean, treat interior + wash windows and noticed some "junk" in the chamber where the convertible top mechanism resides when the top is down. I attached a picture.

I had them do tsb b541409g (initially they said it didn't apply so I sent it to my service advisor and asked him to read the second line then tell me why it didn't apply). The hole that caused the second replacement was in the area that the tsb is supposed to protect. I guess I know they did the tsb, the "junk" is drilled out rivets, pieces of rivets, and washers. I vacumned out metal shavings. This stuff I plucked out with an automotive pick-up tool.

I guess this stuff would probably not hurt anything but I didn't want to leave it in there and find out. Three tops is enough for me. The car had also been washed and vacumned but that was done quite sloppy too. It was very dirty when I took it in but still.... There were also a few greasy/dirty marks in the rear seat area. I hardly ever use the rear seat so I wonder if the dealer did that too. The car was mostly clean but there were a few areas that hadn't been cleaned. It saved me a lot of time that they got most of the dirt off but if you say you wash a car, why not finish it?

I'm happy that BMW will spend the money to "make-it-right" but I'm a little frustrated with the sloppy work by my dealer. Do you think I'm being unfair?

Jim

[Section147]

Originally Posted by JimD

Do you think I'm being unfair?

Not really. We spend a lot for our cars. The service/customer care/attention to detail we
receive by the dealerships should always reflect that. Some of the horror stories I read
on these threads re: shitty treatment by certain dealers disgust me. These are BMWs,
for Chrissakes.

[afuiw]

I don't think much of the free car washes from dealerships. My dealer here in Vancouver, Canada states in writing that it is courtesy wash and not to expect the car to be 100% clean.

The crap in your photo is from purely unprofessional work so give honest feedback when BMW calls to do the survey.

Didn't know the verts had such a problem with the tops, but that in itself is the biggest issue I'd say. Maybe call/write BMW corporate with a complaint though I'm sure the bean counters in Munich who are dying to reduce the warranty costs will fix the root problem.

[kensington]

Originally Posted by afuiw

I don't think much of the free car washes from dealerships. My dealer here in Vancouver, Canada states in writing that it is courtesy wash and not to expect the car to be 100% clean.

The crap in your photo is from purely unprofessional work so give honest feedback when BMW calls to do the survey.

Didn't know the verts had such a problem with the tops, but that in itself is the biggest issue I'd say. Maybe call/write BMW corporate with a complaint though I'm sure the bean counters in Munich who are dying to reduce the warranty costs will fix the root problem.

I know someone who had their paint blasted off their car because the dealership used a powerwasher way too close. I ask them not to wash mine when I bring it in, which is fine with them (less work).

[135Pats]

No, its not at all unreasonable to expect quality work done carefully on a car that people save for years to purchase and care for dearly....now it doesnt give one license to go in and be a totall asshole about it, but your dealership should be held accountable when they leave metal parts/shavings in an area that could cause damage. Its simply not professional work. The smudge is annoying, but i could live with that, however the metal is just lazy work. You spent alot of time and money on this car, you deserve to have it worked on by people who recognize that. Theres nothing rude or unreasonable about your frustration at all, esp considering you just had to replace a part that broke due to an outright design flaw.