Problems going away when you go to the dealer

m7ammed · 07-18-2010, 07:09 AM

This crossed my mind today, and would like to know it happened to other people. Have you ever had a squeak or some sort of problem with the car and once you go to the dealer to show him the problem it is magically not there. And couple hours later it would return or something. It happened to me a couple of times in every car I've owned. Share you experience.

syenisch · 07-18-2010, 07:20 AM

You're not alone.

Sylon · 07-18-2010, 07:36 AM

It happened with my window problem. My driver window would go all the way up, then go 1/3rd the way down by itself. I took it to the dealer and it worked fine the whole time. Luckily the dealer knew what I was talking about and he was able to help me fix it.

When I was working on trading in my first car, every time I was driving to the dealership the CEL would turn on, lol. And it was ONLY when I was going to the dealer to talk about the new car purchase. I made about 5 or 6 trips, each time, every time, the CEL would come on, lol.

bozola · 07-18-2010, 09:02 AM

Usually the dealer writes: "Could not duplicate"

Qunadry · 07-18-2010, 09:22 AM

It is called Murphy's Law.

Drew330 · 07-18-2010, 04:46 PM

Keep your camera with you and videotape it when the problem happens.

I once had a problem with belt slip that frequently show up in cold start and was annoying as hell (and embarassing when you are in a parking lot and the high pitch noise drew so much attention

). Complainted to the dealer several times and even let them keep my car for a couple days, but they could not resolve it because they could not reproduce it.

End up I recorded the video in my camera, showed it to them, and they finally fixed the faulty belt.

Tessio · 07-19-2010, 10:05 PM

Just kidding. I hate trying to complain about rattles. I know damn well that it is likely to be from some harmonic that comes about from the roads I drive on and when they drive it on the roads near the dealership they won't be able to replicate it. I usually end up tracking that stuff down myself.

fwmcb · 07-20-2010, 09:38 AM

I know how that goes, my sunroof wouldn't work for the past 4 days, I made an appointment and then it mysteriously cured itself!

tbird · 07-20-2010, 11:52 AM

That's what the IPhone Camera and IPhone video is for. Works like a charm. The gas station pumps by my house started to go super slow. I complained, they said they were fine. I showed them video, they said "Oops". Following week, they were fixed.

And yes, that is called "Mechanic's Murphy's Law".

But there is also that a Service Rep can be paying attention. I took mine in for service (basics of oil change, wiper blades, etc). He found that the rear light bulbs were recommended to be replaced and did it, as well as a couple other things. My SR is really really great. Anyone in South Florida area, go to Braman Miami for service, nothing but great service there for both BMW and Mini.

radiantm3 · 07-20-2010, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew330

Keep your camera with you and videotape it when the problem happens.

I once had a problem with belt slip that frequently show up in cold start and was annoying as hell (and embarassing when you are in a parking lot and the high pitch noise drew so much attention

). Complainted to the dealer several times and even let them keep my car for a couple days, but they could not resolve it because they could not reproduce it.

End up I recorded the video in my camera, showed it to them, and they finally fixed the faulty belt.

I've done that and my service department still wouldn't fix the issue without being able to replicate it themselves.

SDSmurf · 07-20-2010, 04:36 PM

My friend had a volvo (brand new) that, when accelerating hardish, made a constant 'scritching' noise that was easily audible with the window open. Took it in, and the mechanic (of course) said he heard nothing.

Went back, got the guy in the car with him, and duplicated the noise. Nope, guy can't hear a thing. My friend tells him "Bullshit", and the guy asks "I'm not deaf and I can't hear it".

Friend replies "no, not saying you're deaf, I'm saying you're a lowdown lying piece of shit".

Another dealer found that an engine mounting was 'loose' and repaired the issue, noise gone.

Personally, I had an old Opel that would cut out randomly anywhere, provided a mechanic was not near the car. Eventually sold the car to a guy who dumped the engine for another, for track use. Never found out what the problem was...

Ash83 · 07-20-2010, 04:59 PM

Yeah it happens all the time..

07-18-2010, 07:09 AM	#1
m7ammed Captain 210 Rep 959 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Saudi Arabia iTrader: (0)	Problems going away when you go to the dealer This crossed my mind today, and would like to know it happened to other people. Have you ever had a squeak or some sort of problem with the car and once you go to the dealer to show him the problem it is magically not there. And couple hours later it would return or something. It happened to me a couple of times in every car I've owned. Share you experience. __________________ Instgram: @m7m_photo
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07-18-2010, 07:20 AM	#2
syenisch Captain 111 Rep 810 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Gran Coupe Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Winter Garden, FL iTrader: (1)	You're not alone.
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07-18-2010, 07:36 AM	#3
Sylon Brigadier General 189 Rep 3,435 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, SG/CR, 6MT, M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Michigan / Ohio iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 135i [9.20]	It happened with my window problem. My driver window would go all the way up, then go 1/3rd the way down by itself. I took it to the dealer and it worked fine the whole time. Luckily the dealer knew what I was talking about and he was able to help me fix it. When I was working on trading in my first car, every time I was driving to the dealership the CEL would turn on, lol. And it was ONLY when I was going to the dealer to talk about the new car purchase. I made about 5 or 6 trips, each time, every time, the CEL would come on, lol. __________________ 2011 BMW 135i \| Space Gray \| ///M-Sport \| BMW CCA #450291 Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Twitter
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07-18-2010, 09:02 AM	#4
bozola Unloved BMW Addict 86 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: King County WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Z3 Coupe [10.00] 1998 318Ti [0.00] 1998 318Ti [10.00] 2008 128i [9.00]	Usually the dealer writes: "Could not duplicate"
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07-18-2010, 09:22 AM	#5
Qunadry First Lieutenant 31 Rep 388 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northeast iTrader: (0)	It is called Murphy's Law.
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07-18-2010, 04:46 PM	#6
Drew330 New Member 0 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 128i Jet Black on Coral Red Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Keep your camera with you and videotape it when the problem happens. I once had a problem with belt slip that frequently show up in cold start and was annoying as hell (and embarassing when you are in a parking lot and the high pitch noise drew so much attention ). Complainted to the dealer several times and even let them keep my car for a couple days, but they could not resolve it because they could not reproduce it. End up I recorded the video in my camera, showed it to them, and they finally fixed the faulty belt.
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07-19-2010, 10:05 PM	#7
Tessio Private 0 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2001 M5 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powhatan, VA iTrader: (0)	That's a sure sign that it's you're imagination Just kidding. I hate trying to complain about rattles. I know damn well that it is likely to be from some harmonic that comes about from the roads I drive on and when they drive it on the roads near the dealership they won't be able to replicate it. I usually end up tracking that stuff down myself.
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07-20-2010, 09:38 AM	#8
fwmcb Major 31 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: 2015 F30 328i X-drive Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NB iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 128i [0.00]	I know how that goes, my sunroof wouldn't work for the past 4 days, I made an appointment and then it mysteriously cured itself!
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07-20-2010, 11:52 AM	#9
tbird Captain 31 Rep 683 Posts Drives: "Bianca" 135cic AW/TC Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: FLL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135cic [0.00]	That's what the IPhone Camera and IPhone video is for. Works like a charm. The gas station pumps by my house started to go super slow. I complained, they said they were fine. I showed them video, they said "Oops". Following week, they were fixed. And yes, that is called "Mechanic's Murphy's Law". But there is also that a Service Rep can be paying attention. I took mine in for service (basics of oil change, wiper blades, etc). He found that the rear light bulbs were recommended to be replaced and did it, as well as a couple other things. My SR is really really great. Anyone in South Florida area, go to Braman Miami for service, nothing but great service there for both BMW and Mini. __________________ 2008 135cic, Alpine White/Terracotta Leather/BlackTop, Premium Package (Bluetooth, folding mirrors, etc), Sport Package with M Wheel, Navigation, Logic7 with HD and IPod and Sirius, Steptronic, M Aerodynamic Kit 2001 Focus ZX3, modified for fun commuting Previous 2006 325xi 2002 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro 1997 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro 1984 Audi 4000S Quattro modified 1955 Ford Thunderbird 1969 Camaro modified 1993 Ford Explorer (basic hauling) 1984+1988 Ford Broncos 1993 Honda Civic (Commuter, junk) 2008 Mini (wife's car, AWESOME) A few more
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07-20-2010, 04:36 PM	#11
SDSmurf Private 27 Rep 74 Posts Drives: Subaru WRX Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	My friend had a volvo (brand new) that, when accelerating hardish, made a constant 'scritching' noise that was easily audible with the window open. Took it in, and the mechanic (of course) said he heard nothing. Went back, got the guy in the car with him, and duplicated the noise. Nope, guy can't hear a thing. My friend tells him "Bullshit", and the guy asks "I'm not deaf and I can't hear it". Friend replies "no, not saying you're deaf, I'm saying you're a lowdown lying piece of shit". Another dealer found that an engine mounting was 'loose' and repaired the issue, noise gone. Personally, I had an old Opel that would cut out randomly anywhere, provided a mechanic was not near the car. Eventually sold the car to a guy who dumped the engine for another, for track use. Never found out what the problem was...
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07-20-2010, 04:59 PM	#12
Ash83 Major 41 Rep 1,177 Posts Drives: 135i & RS5 (SOLD)/ 18 CTS-V Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (1)	Yeah it happens all the time.. __________________ Alpine White, Coral RED , Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, M sport, 6MT, NAV, HiFi, USB-iPod, Bluetooth Performance: JB4\|BMW PE\|DP Cosmetics: BMW Sport Pedals\|Black Kidney Grill
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