BMW warranty and track days
Discussion
I said I'd let you guys know of the outcome of my dispute with BMW.
In today's (12/11/02) Autocar there is a letter from me regarding this (I was asked to write it by Autocar to see if there are other BMW drivers out there who have had the same problems.)
In case you missed the previous thread: I took my M3E46 on a few non-competitive track days (and as I was getting through a set of brake pads every day - BMW became aware of the fact that I was doing said track days). But when a pin locating the flywheel heat-shrunk and came adrift, causing the webbing to break inside the gearbox - I needed a new clutch, flywheel and gearbox. (ouch).
BMW refused to pay for this. I was told by the BMW dealer that this repair was not covered under the terms of the BMW warranty, due to the fact that ‘racing, rallying or other competitive sports’ were specifically excluded.
I was then told that my ENTIRE BMW warranty was now invalid.
There then followed 5 letters from my lawyer to BMW explaining that a non-competitive driver improvement track day is not 'racing, rallying or a competative sport' and in each five replies BMW refused point blank to respond to this point.
They did however, under threat of litigation agree to re-instate the warranty, but have made it completely clear that under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will any defect that occurs whilst on ANY form of driver improvement day (including skid pans) be covered by the warranty.
They also refused to refund the money I spent on repairs.
I have today sent out a news release to all the motoring press, daily newspapers, consumer associations and relevant TV programmes to let people know of this situation.
The deputy Editor of Autocar's reaction was kind of typical of what I've heard back so far "what do they think the M stands for!"
My simple advice to any of you that are considering taking your car on a track is - don't tell BMW.
If any others out there have had similar problems, I'd be very interested to know (as would Autocar magazine).
You can e mail me: Steve@SteveCarter.com
If you would like to read the news release I have put a copy on the net ... here >>
www.stevecarter.com/news-release.htm
Thanks to Dom for his great assistance with this.
Steve
In today's (12/11/02) Autocar there is a letter from me regarding this (I was asked to write it by Autocar to see if there are other BMW drivers out there who have had the same problems.)
In case you missed the previous thread: I took my M3E46 on a few non-competitive track days (and as I was getting through a set of brake pads every day - BMW became aware of the fact that I was doing said track days). But when a pin locating the flywheel heat-shrunk and came adrift, causing the webbing to break inside the gearbox - I needed a new clutch, flywheel and gearbox. (ouch).
BMW refused to pay for this. I was told by the BMW dealer that this repair was not covered under the terms of the BMW warranty, due to the fact that ‘racing, rallying or other competitive sports’ were specifically excluded.
I was then told that my ENTIRE BMW warranty was now invalid.
There then followed 5 letters from my lawyer to BMW explaining that a non-competitive driver improvement track day is not 'racing, rallying or a competative sport' and in each five replies BMW refused point blank to respond to this point.
They did however, under threat of litigation agree to re-instate the warranty, but have made it completely clear that under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will any defect that occurs whilst on ANY form of driver improvement day (including skid pans) be covered by the warranty.
They also refused to refund the money I spent on repairs.
I have today sent out a news release to all the motoring press, daily newspapers, consumer associations and relevant TV programmes to let people know of this situation.
The deputy Editor of Autocar's reaction was kind of typical of what I've heard back so far "what do they think the M stands for!"
My simple advice to any of you that are considering taking your car on a track is - don't tell BMW.
If any others out there have had similar problems, I'd be very interested to know (as would Autocar magazine).
You can e mail me: Steve@SteveCarter.com
If you would like to read the news release I have put a copy on the net ... here >>
www.stevecarter.com/news-release.htm
Thanks to Dom for his great assistance with this.
Steve
That's funny - I was just reading your letter in AutoCar. Didn't realise it was you until I logged onto PistonHeads and read this thread.
Good luck getting it all sorted. This and the "launch control" topic really make me wonder what BMW are playing at.
BMW - The Ultimate Driving Machine*
(* Note your warranty will be voided if you actually drive it)
Good luck getting it all sorted. This and the "launch control" topic really make me wonder what BMW are playing at.
BMW - The Ultimate Driving Machine*
(* Note your warranty will be voided if you actually drive it)
That is terrible service...
This is a totally different attitude to some other manufacturers. I get a free trackday each year from my local Subaru dealer (AF Noble), where I get to drive my car & to test new models etc. They even bring along mechanics to fix things that break (under warranty)
This is a totally different attitude to some other manufacturers. I get a free trackday each year from my local Subaru dealer (AF Noble), where I get to drive my car & to test new models etc. They even bring along mechanics to fix things that break (under warranty)
Steve.
I take it that the BMW owners club is being kept upto date with the news that their cars are not covered for "driver improvement" days.
As already mentioned what does the "M" stand for then?
DAZ
Keep up the crusade Steve, these manufacturers have got to know that when they charge premium prices for "high performance" cars the bloody things should stand up to the driving.
I take it that the BMW owners club is being kept upto date with the news that their cars are not covered for "driver improvement" days.
As already mentioned what does the "M" stand for then?
DAZ
Keep up the crusade Steve, these manufacturers have got to know that when they charge premium prices for "high performance" cars the bloody things should stand up to the driving.
I can see BMW's obvious desire to not pay out for track day wear, but as people say what is the 'M' for? I suppose the solution then maybe to offer a 'trackday' section of the warranty with the M cars. But then you would have people with non M beemers saying "well I should be covered too" and in that case it could get very expensive for BMW.
Regardless, if the day is 'non-competitive' then it cannot come under the 'racing, rallying or competetive sport' phrase they use. It's a fast car, you're spending a day driving it fast, it should do what it says on the tin!
(Un)luckily my BMW is way too old to remember what a warranty is
Regardless, if the day is 'non-competitive' then it cannot come under the 'racing, rallying or competetive sport' phrase they use. It's a fast car, you're spending a day driving it fast, it should do what it says on the tin!
(Un)luckily my BMW is way too old to remember what a warranty is
My dealer is very helpful wth my repairs - and they know I do track days in it. (un)Fortunately all my repairs are wear and tear and not breakages so BMW don't have to pay anything . . . except for the time the timing chain cover exploded and I have to get towed to the dealer.
Strange though that when it thought to be a 'cash' repair' it was a 3-day timing chain and whatever replacement costing £2k . . . once it was known to be a warranty repair it became a £250 timing chain tensioner and cover replacement.
What is there position if a component breaks while doing the traffic light GP? Is that not racing?
Or how about thrashing it on some of those lovely Scottish roads you like so much Steve - same damage, different BMW view?
'Ultimate Driving Maching', my arse . . . 'Ultimate marketing bullxxxx" more like! They've really lost the plot. What's their view on testing days . . . you know, like the ones where they take the M3 to the Nordschleife for 'testing'.
Should ask for a refund as the car is not up to acceptable standard and get an e30 instead.
Strange though that when it thought to be a 'cash' repair' it was a 3-day timing chain and whatever replacement costing £2k . . . once it was known to be a warranty repair it became a £250 timing chain tensioner and cover replacement.
What is there position if a component breaks while doing the traffic light GP? Is that not racing?
Or how about thrashing it on some of those lovely Scottish roads you like so much Steve - same damage, different BMW view?
'Ultimate Driving Maching', my arse . . . 'Ultimate marketing bullxxxx" more like! They've really lost the plot. What's their view on testing days . . . you know, like the ones where they take the M3 to the Nordschleife for 'testing'.
Should ask for a refund as the car is not up to acceptable standard and get an e30 instead.
Maybe the wrong thread to mention this but since TVR came up in a prior post here goes.
TVR rebuilt my Cerbera engine and replaced the gearbox under extended warranty after it dropped a valve when high speed cruising in 5th gear. The car was 4 and a half years old and had done 37,000 miles.
I call that service.
TVR rebuilt my Cerbera engine and replaced the gearbox under extended warranty after it dropped a valve when high speed cruising in 5th gear. The car was 4 and a half years old and had done 37,000 miles.
I call that service.
getcarter said: In case you hadn't seen it in this month's EVO
"BMW has completely revised it's policy and now accepts that many of it's models encourage track use and that this shouldn't in itself put the warranty in jeopardy"
Well done people!
Steve
And they didn't phone you for an interview? What a cheek. How do they think these policies change? BMW suddenly feeling generous!!
DAZ
Pat yourself on the back before anyone else mate. You deserve it.
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