BMW

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BMW • Airbags • "Certified, pre-owned" BMWs • Cooling fan failure • Flaming seats • Flooded trunk • Paint problems • Steering failure • Transmission problems • Warranties • BMW Financial Services • Miscellaneous problems • 740 Series • 740 cell phones --- News • California Class Action Says BMW Software Causes Engine Problems • BMW Owners Suffer Reversal of Fortune • BMW Plans Price Hike • Transmission Failures Plague BMW Owners • New BMW to Burn Hydrogen and Gasoline • Gay Automotive Website Takes on BMW

Big Money Wasted? We think that's going a little far. The BMW is a great car -- if you like high-strung racing cars in street garb. Unfortunately, lots of everyday consumers buy these things thinking that because they're expensive, they must be reliable and trouble-free, which is about as far from the truth as Stuttgart is from Santa Monica.

All cars require maintenance and high-performance cars require lots and lots of very expensive routine maintenance. Also they're notorious for being afflicted with all kinds of exotic problems. If you're really into cars, understand them and are willing to lavish time, money and attention on one, the BMW may be for you. If you're looking to raise your self-esteem by buying something really expensive, we recommend real estate.

A few of the more recent complaints ...

John of New York NY (01/16/07)
Brought vehicle from shop on date of 1/26/05. Purchased 2002 BMW 530i sport from Pace BMW certified pre-owned. Dealer ship never sent me a copy of a diognostic report and car fax requested. Never was informed by dealer ship that vehicle was in a collision ran a car fax on 1/16/07 and found out that the vehicle was in an accident. I wrote a car fax today on 1/16/07 stating that my 530I keeps turning off on me, brakes keep locking on me, and also electrical problems. Please feel free to contact me for any additional information.

Carmela of Bay Shore, NY December 19, 2006

Carmela of Bay Shore NY (12/19/06)
I have a 2000 323ci convertible bmw and I was also told the same thing about the phone. My car is also equipped with the hands free. I was told by the service guy that bmw is working on developing a new phone or a way for customer to use there existing phones with the cars hands free. This was due to the many problems he said that bmw was having with there phones. It sounds like bmw just doesnt want to deal with the phone and/or any problems associated with it.

Yakov of Bronx, NY December 7, 2006

Yakov of Bronx NY (12/07/06)
I had leased a 2003 BMW 745i from Open Road BMW. In the three years that I operated this vehicle, I have encountered endless problems. I have brought the car to the dealership on numerous occasions, always with the similar computer related problems, which were never truly addressed by Open Road BMW. Specifically, on few occasions when the computer had shut down the mileage on the screen jumped and when the screen came back on the mileage failed to match the actual mileage.

On another occasion I turned on the car and the mileage on the screen displayed 999999999. I have advised the BMW of North America of this issue and have it documented as well. While I can continue to list the endless problems, failures and violation on behalf of the BMW of North America that seems redundant. I have obtained all documentation in support of my claim. The ongoing problems with this vehicle constantly forced me to take time off my busy schedule and bring the car for service. I have notified the employees of the BMW service that this vehicle is unacceptable and needs to be replaced. However, time and time again I was assured that everything would be fixed. Nonetheless, I would be back at the dealership service station the following month with the same problem. This run-around has caused me not only severe inconvenience, but significant monetary losses. I am self employed and each day that I had to spend trying to get this vehicle repaired meant significant monetary loss for my business. Now, to my great surprise and disappointment, after all of the problems that I've endured and time wasted, the BMW of North America sends me a bill for excessive mileage?!

Forgive my frustrations, but this seems absurd. Instead of BMW replacing the poorly constructed vehicle when they first learned of the problem, I was forced to keep the vehicle. Upon the request of the dealership I did not contact the Lemon Law attorneys previously, nor did I report this problem to public factor and consumer affairs. However, at this point I feel that I personally cannot this issue with the BMW of North America. Thus, I turn to you for help. I feel that BMW of North America and Open Road BMW specifically, have bluntly defrauded me from obtaining proper services and appropriate resolution to this issue.

The staff at the dealership kept reassuring me that everything will be resolved in my best interest and now, after speaking with a Lemon Law attorney, I learn that this was just a clever scam on behalf of the dealership to get me to return the vehicle. As it turns out, in the state of New Jersey (where the vehicle was leased from) Lemon Law states that the vehicle must be in my possession in order for me to file a claim. It is now clear to me why the dealership is not responding to any of my phone calls or letters, as they were so eager to do while I still had the vehicle in my possession. I have sent numerous letters and made numerous phone calls to Open Road BMW, their branch manger David Branch, BMW Financial Services, all with no response. I turn to you for help, as I feel that the fees I am presently being charged with are unfair and fraudulent.

This vehicle was clearly a LEMON. The approach taken by the dealership further shows disregard for NJ State lemon law. The dealership was aware that this vehicle needed to be replaced, yet they did everything in their power to stop me from doing so.

The present charges are also unclear. The bills that I have been receiving have different charges on them. Most recent bills which I asked BMW Financial Services to fax to me is for 6,291.14.

Madelyn of Annapolis, MD November 29, 2006

Madelyn of Annapolis MD (11/29/06)
Purchased a certified pre-owned 1999 323i. in 2001. After owning it one month the right rear bearing went; dealer replaced it. After 6mos. the left rear bearing went; dealer reluctantly replaced it. A yr. later two windows broke; the heating and cooling system went; two automatic window opener broke; CD player broke; gear panel doesn't work. A few incidences of no reverse. Starter went. Thermostat broke. Leather drivers seat cracked. The sealant and insulation deteriorated in two door panels causing major water damage under the back seat. All repairs were out of pocket. Will never buy another BMW.

Loss of time at work, frustrated, feel unsafe on the road not to mention the thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Marko of Bethesda, MD November 25, 2006

Marko of Bethesda MD (11/25/06)
My fiancee was driving my 2001 325i when I was overseas. When when she tried to park the car, it would not reverse anymore. A few days later, she had it towed to a mechanic who concluded that the transmission had died. When I returned from my business trip, I contacted the dealership where I bought the car and where I have had it serviced for the past 5 years -- including all of the required maintenance. I was quoted 5,700 to fix the transmission.

I urgently need a new car! I have been renting cars on the weekend and I will need to take the bus and metro to work. Not only is BMW not willing to replace the transmission at any discount, they are not offering any special trade in beyond a lease at a fair market value. It is clear from this website alone that BMW has issues with its transmissions, which the BMW dealers and BMWNA should be willing to fix for free in the ultimate driving machine. Perhaps they should change the slogan to the ultimate forward driving machine. What is SO infuriating is that there is clearly a problem, but that the sales staff act as if this is a rare and infrequent occurence when this seems like a BMW-specific issue. How many BMW owners are there out there who have had this problem, but have not bothered to write in?

Patrick of Fresno, CA November 24, 2006

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