G30/31 active grilles stuck open - not covered by warranty
Discussion
Hi all,
Has anyone had any luck getting active grilles repaired under a BMW Comprehensive warranty? The actuators on mine have failed and they are stuck open. I've been told by my local dealer that they're not covered by the warranty because it's considered a trim piece (even though the actuator has failed). I thought this was odd as they're used to regulate air getting to the radiator for cooling efficiency.
Annoyingly I got charged a diagnostic fee when I went to get them changed (because they're not covered), and quoted £800 to fix.
I raised this with BMW insured warranty and they've come back with: "Unfortunately active grilles would be classed as body work and this would be a listed exclusion under the BMW insured warranty."
The car is a 2017 G31 540i.
Thanks,
Nick
Has anyone had any luck getting active grilles repaired under a BMW Comprehensive warranty? The actuators on mine have failed and they are stuck open. I've been told by my local dealer that they're not covered by the warranty because it's considered a trim piece (even though the actuator has failed). I thought this was odd as they're used to regulate air getting to the radiator for cooling efficiency.
Annoyingly I got charged a diagnostic fee when I went to get them changed (because they're not covered), and quoted £800 to fix.
I raised this with BMW insured warranty and they've come back with: "Unfortunately active grilles would be classed as body work and this would be a listed exclusion under the BMW insured warranty."
The car is a 2017 G31 540i.
Thanks,
Nick
Have you checked the policy wording yourself to confirm?
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61f1303e972551e...
Bodywork is definitely listed as an exclusion. You might have to fight it and argue that the actuator is behind the bodywork and an electromechanical item. Should'nt have to fight it, but it's the world we live in now.
Excludes all batteries e.g. 12V battery, high
voltage batteries, auxiliary batteries, key fob
batteries, SOS batteries, external connectivity
charging cables, external recharging station,
all exhaust components (except catalytic
converter), brake and clutch facings, discs
and drums, bulbs and fuses, channels and
guides, weather strips and seals, handles,
hinges and check straps, trim, upholstery and
cosmetics finishes, bodywork, paintwork,
wheels and tyres, wiper blades and arms,
glass, auxiliary drive belts, coolant and fuel
hoses, the cleaning or adjustment of any
component, and all service items which will
require periodic replacement
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61f1303e972551e...
Bodywork is definitely listed as an exclusion. You might have to fight it and argue that the actuator is behind the bodywork and an electromechanical item. Should'nt have to fight it, but it's the world we live in now.
Excludes all batteries e.g. 12V battery, high
voltage batteries, auxiliary batteries, key fob
batteries, SOS batteries, external connectivity
charging cables, external recharging station,
all exhaust components (except catalytic
converter), brake and clutch facings, discs
and drums, bulbs and fuses, channels and
guides, weather strips and seals, handles,
hinges and check straps, trim, upholstery and
cosmetics finishes, bodywork, paintwork,
wheels and tyres, wiper blades and arms,
glass, auxiliary drive belts, coolant and fuel
hoses, the cleaning or adjustment of any
component, and all service items which will
require periodic replacement
Thanks, I had a look at the exclusions. It is annoying to have to argue over the semantics with them - particularly as this controls something which helps to regulate the engine temperature.
What's more grating is that I had to pay to replace an SOS battery today (buried in the headliner) which is specifically included.
What's more grating is that I had to pay to replace an SOS battery today (buried in the headliner) which is specifically included.
Does the policywording define bodywork? I'd expect that to be metalwork, i.e. whats not bolted down, personally, but who knows.
I've had to argue with the warranty people before (when it was allianz) and after winning and getting the work paid for, cancelled the insurance as it was too much as the mercy of the dealers discretion as to how they interpreted the work that needed doing, and if they deemed it not in warranty, you get your pants pulled down on cost AND a substandard fix vs going to an indy.
I've had to argue with the warranty people before (when it was allianz) and after winning and getting the work paid for, cancelled the insurance as it was too much as the mercy of the dealers discretion as to how they interpreted the work that needed doing, and if they deemed it not in warranty, you get your pants pulled down on cost AND a substandard fix vs going to an indy.
Strange, but might just need some 'push back', or it's changed since I had my headlight washers replaced under warranty...as you could argue, if they're using this new definition, that the pop-up function that had failed on mine is also trim.
It could also be dealer specific, if the dealer has been a bit over-zealous with 'goodwill' claims then they may not have the slack in their warranty authorisation bucket to do it.
It could also be dealer specific, if the dealer has been a bit over-zealous with 'goodwill' claims then they may not have the slack in their warranty authorisation bucket to do it.
Edited by mmm-five on Tuesday 21st January 17:59
When you say that you've spoken to BMW insured warranty and they've said that it's not covered, did you talk to the call center or the engineer at the underwriter?
It's the latter you should talk to - just ask the call centre for number.
My experience is that a lot (but not all) dealers will say no, the call centre will probably lean towards a no, but the engineer will tell you the correct answer.
It's the latter you should talk to - just ask the call centre for number.
My experience is that a lot (but not all) dealers will say no, the call centre will probably lean towards a no, but the engineer will tell you the correct answer.
This is a known and widespread issue that's been the subject of BMW Service Bulletins. Bimmerpost is full of owners that have had fixes under warranty albeit some of these are outside the UK.
Maybe spend an hour compiling examples and then go back to BMW and Allianz(?) and ask them if they can maintain a straight face while continuing to claim it's a trim part.
Maybe spend an hour compiling examples and then go back to BMW and Allianz(?) and ask them if they can maintain a straight face while continuing to claim it's a trim part.
Most dealers are advertising for workshop staff and have a waiting time for service / repairs.
Obviously they would rather take on quick and easy servicing paid at retail rates than take on warranty work that pays much less.
Push back on the dealer / Allianz and BMW UK Customer services
If Its the actuator that has failed ask them to prove that is classed as bodywork / trim
Obviously they would rather take on quick and easy servicing paid at retail rates than take on warranty work that pays much less.
Push back on the dealer / Allianz and BMW UK Customer services
If Its the actuator that has failed ask them to prove that is classed as bodywork / trim
skyebear said:
Would you mind posting a link to that parts site please?
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/selectJust spoken to someone from the BMW Insured Warranty claims team who has confirmed that it's not covered because it's considered a trim piece. Apparently the Active Grilles come up as a claim item frequently, and whilst they were previously allowed, are blanket refused now. The person I spoke to acknowledged that it its an electrical/mechanical part that has failed (rather than a piece of trim), but due to a lot of claims involving external factors such as leaves that were blocking them, they are now excluded.
He mentioned that the current policy (which I purchased) is out of date and is being rewritten. I asked about the scenario of the engine being damaged due to overheating (caused by the blinds failing shut), and in this example, the engine would not be covered - so worth checking them!
All very irritating given that they're covered under a 15 year warranty in the US. The policy is regulated by the FCA, so I will contact them next.
He mentioned that the current policy (which I purchased) is out of date and is being rewritten. I asked about the scenario of the engine being damaged due to overheating (caused by the blinds failing shut), and in this example, the engine would not be covered - so worth checking them!
All very irritating given that they're covered under a 15 year warranty in the US. The policy is regulated by the FCA, so I will contact them next.
OP
I would try an email direct to the head of BMW UK
Pointing out that this is a well known problem and indeed in the USA it is covered by an extended warranty period.
AND
That the official BMW warranty provider appear to be moving the goal posts mid policy term and the policy they are relying upon is currently being "rewritten"
The warranty covers manufacturing defects - but not owners neglect. Whilst they might argue blocked with leaves is owners neglect i dont see how they can arbitarily rule out every claim for faulty active grills especially when its an electrical item that has failed
I would try an email direct to the head of BMW UK
Pointing out that this is a well known problem and indeed in the USA it is covered by an extended warranty period.
AND
That the official BMW warranty provider appear to be moving the goal posts mid policy term and the policy they are relying upon is currently being "rewritten"
The warranty covers manufacturing defects - but not owners neglect. Whilst they might argue blocked with leaves is owners neglect i dont see how they can arbitarily rule out every claim for faulty active grills especially when its an electrical item that has failed
Edited by edthefed on Friday 24th January 14:41
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