Check your car thoroughly after dealer visit (Thanks for the lesson Habberstad BMW)

135iMike · 06-18-2013, 08:45 AM

Just wanted to reinforce that you should really look your car up and down after getting it back from any kind of service. I usually give it a quick walkaround but that doesn't always find everything as I just learned.

I picked up my car a week ago from a normal service. A week later I noticed damage done to my car that most likely only could have been done from someone driving it, and they're the only ones who've touched my car since. Unfortunately it had been a week and they told me there was nothing they could, or would do for me aside touchup paint, which isn't much help considering the depth of the scrapes. I know this could happen anywhere, but that is probably the last time my car will go there.

This is meant to be a word of warning rather than a this dealership sucks post. I highly encourage an in depth look at your car after service.

Looks like they misjudged coming around a curb of sorts at low speeds.

tuco44 · 06-18-2013, 08:53 AM

It is possible that the damage was done by someone else (a child's wagon, a kid on a skateboard...??) when your car was parked somewhere. It is POSSIBLE, even if not likely. It is impossible to prove who did it at this point. You assume the dealership, but who really knows?

Frustrating, yes.

vertebra · 06-18-2013, 08:53 AM

Sorry to hear about that. Might be the perfect opportunity for some performance skirts.

135iMike · 06-18-2013, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuco44

It is possible that the damage was done by someone else (a child's wagon, a kid on a skateboard...??) when your car was parked somewhere. It is POSSIBLE, even if not likely. It is impossible to prove who did it at this point. You assume the dealership, but who really knows?

Frustrating, yes.

I know anything is "possible".. That's the only reason I'm not full out flaming the dealer. It just seems pretty obvious. Very frustrating!

bluecat · 06-18-2013, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuco44

It is possible that the damage was done by someone else (a child's wagon, a kid on a skateboard...??) when your car was parked somewhere. It is POSSIBLE, even if not likely. It is impossible to prove who did it at this point. You assume the dealership, but who really knows?

Frustrating, yes.

Yeah, good point. I'm not hyper vigilant about all the scrapes on my car. Maybe it should say "Check your car thoroughly BEFORE and after dealer visit".

Also, that sucks man, every ding is a kick in the nuts, I'm sorry to see that.

Macflyer516 · 06-18-2013, 06:31 PM

The placement of the damage looks like it was caused by a lift arm. Was your car at the dealer for anything that required the use of a lift?

135iMike · 06-18-2013, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macflyer516

The placement of the damage looks like it was caused by a lift arm. Was your car at the dealer for anything that required the use of a lift?

It had a 4 wheel alignment that may have?

They called the tech over and he said 'Our lift couldn't have done that'

Bmwbreed · 06-19-2013, 02:07 AM

Sorry to see this bro. Arent you leased also? Will you be charged for that when you return it?

JimD · 06-19-2013, 07:03 AM

Good message and true for lots of reasons. I try to empty my car out before taking it to the dealer (so stuff doesn't go missing and so they don't have to work around my junk) and then look it over before driving off. One thing we cannot do on our bimmers is check to see if they put oil back in (without driving it and risking damage if they didn't). But as soon as I can, I try and get a reading. I have a co-worker who's wife's car got a dealer oil change without a refill of oil. They had it towed back to the dealer who gave them an extended powertrain warranty. That's some compensation but checking it before driving off would have been better.

Jim

kullenberg · 06-19-2013, 08:12 AM

Ask them to save the empty containers. Not foolproof, but tells them you are paying attention.

the1andonly · 06-19-2013, 08:36 AM

VERY WISE WORDS INDEED!

I dropped my car off at the dealer to have a rattle looked at. when I picked up the car it looked great, freshly washed. I always do a walk around and BAM...two small but visible dings on my back bumper, as if someone backed into a pole or corner wall. Because they didn't have it marked down when I dropped off the car they could not argue that it wasn't their fault (trust me i know every square inch of my car and tit was not there when I dropped it off).

I spoke to the manager and we settled on a full strip and repaint of my back AND front bumper. why front you ask? because my car is a 2012 and I wanted to be compensated for having to have my bumper repainted....my front bumper picked up a few dings while on the highway and I wanted it back to showroom new. They gladly repainted both and all is well

JTB · 06-19-2013, 08:38 AM

I always take quick pictures with my iPhone before I leave my car with any shop. I then repeat the process when I pick it up. Cheap, easy, and removes any doubt - on my side as well as their's.

I should mention that I once had similar damage done by a riding lawn mower. I always park close to curbs to avoid door dings and a guy mowing inadvertently clipped me

.

jkoral · 06-19-2013, 08:50 AM

I've had a Honda and Mazda (family mobiles) where both dealerships went around the car and made notes of any scratches/damage on a little picto-gram of all the car. I'm surprised more dealerships don't do that to protect themselves from folks claiming their car was damaged during service.

JimD · 06-19-2013, 09:01 AM

Anybody watch "gas monkey". I got to goof off on fathers day and was watching some episodes where they are fixing up a million dollar Ferrari. They bought the totaled car for $400K. I think the story was an employee at the dealership lost control during a joy ride and totaled the car. Could be worse.

Jim

Vigilante375 · 06-19-2013, 12:46 PM

Yea thats an old episode and it's a F40 with the story you said being correct.

The car is together now but I haven't seen that episode yet, I have seen the commercial a couple of times for that episode. They had issue's putting things back together, like the motor and trans wouldn't go back in......and they cracked the windshield when they put it back in. Something like $7k for a windshield! Along with other things. I believe they couldn't get it re-certified by Ferrari so the owner, whatever his name is, kept it and didn't sell it.

But my car is at the dealer getting the battery recall done and the yearly oil change done. So I'll be sure to check it out like I usually do. I'm sorry for your experience but that's how you learn is from your mistakes.

06-18-2013, 08:45 AM	#1
135iMike Lieutenant 40 Rep 398 Posts Drives: 2012 White 135i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	Check your car thoroughly after dealer visit (Thanks for the lesson Habberstad BMW) Just wanted to reinforce that you should really look your car up and down after getting it back from any kind of service. I usually give it a quick walkaround but that doesn't always find everything as I just learned. I picked up my car a week ago from a normal service. A week later I noticed damage done to my car that most likely only could have been done from someone driving it, and they're the only ones who've touched my car since. Unfortunately it had been a week and they told me there was nothing they could, or would do for me aside touchup paint, which isn't much help considering the depth of the scrapes. I know this could happen anywhere, but that is probably the last time my car will go there. This is meant to be a word of warning rather than a this dealership sucks post. I highly encourage an in depth look at your car after service. Looks like they misjudged coming around a curb of sorts at low speeds. Last edited by 135iMike; 06-18-2013 at 09:37 AM..
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06-18-2013, 08:53 AM	#2
tuco44 Colonel 644 Rep 2,294 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	It is possible that the damage was done by someone else (a child's wagon, a kid on a skateboard...??) when your car was parked somewhere. It is POSSIBLE, even if not likely. It is impossible to prove who did it at this point. You assume the dealership, but who really knows? Frustrating, yes. __________________ 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Sunset Orange Previous BMWs - 19 others since 1971.
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06-18-2013, 08:53 AM	#3
vertebra Lieutenant 21 Rep 493 Posts Drives: 2010 135i vert Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 Audi A4 Vert [0.00] 2010 BMW 135i Vert [0.00]	Sorry to hear about that. Might be the perfect opportunity for some performance skirts. __________________
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06-18-2013, 06:31 PM	#6
Macflyer516 New Member 3 Rep 27 Posts Drives: Montego Blue Coupe Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NW Florida iTrader: (0)	The placement of the damage looks like it was caused by a lift arm. Was your car at the dealer for anything that required the use of a lift?
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06-19-2013, 02:07 AM	#8
Bmwbreed Major 60 Rep 1,198 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Rota Spain (US Forces) iTrader: (3)	Sorry to see this bro. Arent you leased also? Will you be charged for that when you return it? __________________ 2013 BMW 135i Alpine white/coral red JB4 stage 2/ AFE stage 2 sealed intake box/ VRSF 3.5 inch catless dp/ Dinan exhaust/ Alpine V3 6000k HID angel eyes/ JB speed AW rear lip spoiler/ OEM mud flaps. ER charge pipe/ VRSF 7 inch FMIC forge star CF5s 19x8.5 and 19x9
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06-19-2013, 07:03 AM	#9
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	Good message and true for lots of reasons. I try to empty my car out before taking it to the dealer (so stuff doesn't go missing and so they don't have to work around my junk) and then look it over before driving off. One thing we cannot do on our bimmers is check to see if they put oil back in (without driving it and risking damage if they didn't). But as soon as I can, I try and get a reading. I have a co-worker who's wife's car got a dealer oil change without a refill of oil. They had it towed back to the dealer who gave them an extended powertrain warranty. That's some compensation but checking it before driving off would have been better. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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06-19-2013, 08:12 AM	#10
kullenberg USAF RET. 2 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 128i COUPE - CRIMSON Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	Ask them to save the empty containers. Not foolproof, but tells them you are paying attention.
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06-19-2013, 08:36 AM	#11
the1andonly Lieutenant 82 Rep 539 Posts Drives: black on black 128i manual Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: midwest iTrader: (0)	VERY WISE WORDS INDEED! I dropped my car off at the dealer to have a rattle looked at. when I picked up the car it looked great, freshly washed. I always do a walk around and BAM...two small but visible dings on my back bumper, as if someone backed into a pole or corner wall. Because they didn't have it marked down when I dropped off the car they could not argue that it wasn't their fault (trust me i know every square inch of my car and tit was not there when I dropped it off). I spoke to the manager and we settled on a full strip and repaint of my back AND front bumper. why front you ask? because my car is a 2012 and I wanted to be compensated for having to have my bumper repainted....my front bumper picked up a few dings while on the highway and I wanted it back to showroom new. They gladly repainted both and all is well
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06-19-2013, 08:38 AM	#12
JTB Private First Class 18 Rep 116 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Colorado iTrader: (2)	I always take quick pictures with my iPhone before I leave my car with any shop. I then repeat the process when I pick it up. Cheap, easy, and removes any doubt - on my side as well as their's. I should mention that I once had similar damage done by a riding lawn mower. I always park close to curbs to avoid door dings and a guy mowing inadvertently clipped me . __________________ JTB Spec Miata - 2nd SCCA RMDiv 2014 Spec Miata - 2nd SCCA RMDiv 2013 2009 135i - let the modding begin!
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06-19-2013, 08:50 AM	#13
jkoral Lieutenant Colonel 1023 Rep 1,968 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MA iTrader: (7)	I've had a Honda and Mazda (family mobiles) where both dealerships went around the car and made notes of any scratches/damage on a little picto-gram of all the car. I'm surprised more dealerships don't do that to protect themselves from folks claiming their car was damaged during service.
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06-19-2013, 09:01 AM	#14
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	Anybody watch "gas monkey". I got to goof off on fathers day and was watching some episodes where they are fixing up a million dollar Ferrari. They bought the totaled car for $400K. I think the story was an employee at the dealership lost control during a joy ride and totaled the car. Could be worse. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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06-19-2013, 12:46 PM	#15
Vigilante375 Major 116 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: 2012 AW 6M 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Yea thats an old episode and it's a F40 with the story you said being correct. The car is together now but I haven't seen that episode yet, I have seen the commercial a couple of times for that episode. They had issue's putting things back together, like the motor and trans wouldn't go back in......and they cracked the windshield when they put it back in. Something like $7k for a windshield! Along with other things. I believe they couldn't get it re-certified by Ferrari so the owner, whatever his name is, kept it and didn't sell it. But my car is at the dealer getting the battery recall done and the yearly oil change done. So I'll be sure to check it out like I usually do. I'm sorry for your experience but that's how you learn is from your mistakes.
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