Comedy of errors - dealer trashed finish and more!

[Caveatesq]

As some of you know, a little more than a week ago my two week old M3 died and had to be towed to my dealer with a faulty throttle sensor. Well, after a week in the shop waiting for a diagnosis and parts, I picked up the car last Friday. When I arrived, the car was parked outside in bright sunlight and was covered from roof to bumper in swirls and scratches. Seems like the dealer chose to wash and then dry the car with sandpaper. To add insult to injury, the car also now has a ding on the roof above the passenger door, the tow truck bottomed out the car while loading it and scratched the front spoiler and the dealer put over 40 miles on the car! Needless to say, I am appalled and heartbroken. The dealer has offered to detail the car but not much more and I am very reluctant to put the car at the mercy of an inexperienced "detailer" with an orbital - for some reason I suspect that nothing good will come of that encounter. As for the other items, it looks like I may be on my own to pursue a claim through roadside assistance with no help from the servicing dealer.

I am really regretting my decision to get rid of my 997 to get the M3. Yes, Porsche service cost a fortune, but the experience and treatment was above and beyond. This BMW experience has been amature at best. Looking forward to completing the survey!

[ES_TRADER]

sorry to hear man....i hope this car is a lease.

[Caveatesq]

Originally Posted by richpuer

sorry to hear man....i hope this car is a lease.

Luckily, it is. But I have to live with it for the next 35 months and the thought of making huge payments for a car that is now a mess sucks.

[M3maniac20]

Are the scratches going to be able to come out? If not...I wouldn't have taken the car back.

[walsh]

Sorry to hear about your car... I would suggest switching dealers though.

[Caveatesq]

Originally Posted by M3maniac20

Are the scratches going to be able to come out? If not...I wouldn't have taken the car back.

In the right hands, the scratches, with the exception of the gouges to the front spoiler, look removable. I just don't have faith that the dealer's detailer has the ability to do anything more than cause more damage.

[elm3]

Really the onlything you should worry about is the ding on the roof. Which a paintless dent removal will do and you won't be able to tell. As far as the swirls, a little polishing will take care of that. These new cars do not have wax from the factory, so everytime you wash your car with regular soap it will show swirls. Hope this will help you out.

[Crazy Bimmer]

Sounds like a terrible dealer. They are not all like this.

Complain to the dealer and tell them to pay the bill for a detailer of your choosing.

[shendrick]

I've had this happen before with a dealer that (at the time) didn't have an auto car wash but instead used minimum wagers who used the same towels over and over so that they were full of dirt. Swirl scratches everywhere. Get them pay for correcting the car from a high end detailer so that they learn a lesson. Be thankful it's a lease - but get something in writing so that they don't ding you when you turn it in.

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by elm3

Really the onlything you should worry about is the ding on the roof. Which a paintless dent removal will do and you won't be able to tell. As far as the swirls, a little polishing will take care of that. [b]These new car do not have wax from the factory,[\b] so everytime you wash your car with regular soap it will show swirls. Hope this will help you out.

With the possible exception of VERY high end exotics, there aren't ANY cars that come from the factory with any protectant (sealant or wax) on them.

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by shendrick

I've had this happen before with a dealer that (at the time) didn't have an auto car wash but instead used minimum wagers who used the same towels over and over so that they were full of dirt. Swirl scratches everywhere. Get them pay for correcting the car from a high end detailer so that they learn a lesson. Be thankful it's a lease - but get something in writing so that they don't ding you when you turn it in.

Put what in writing? That it was polished? Really?

[elm3]

Originally Posted by quality_sound

With the possible exception of VERY high end exotics, there aren't ANY cars that come from the factory with any protectant (sealant or wax) on them.

Agree...

[Kyoshi71]

All these dealerships suck now. My dealer, Hassel BMW in NY used to be incredible with service. Now they have a vallet company (who doesnt habla) checking your car in with dirty uniforms. I've also seen the car washers/swirlers using rags that were piled up on the fucking floor! I brought my car there for an inspection recently. All I asked was for the sticker to be put on strait. Wouldn't you know, it now looks like a yield sign.
But the absolute stupidest thing they do is have prompts on the phone when you call. I dont know about you, but most of my calls to the dealer happen when I'm driving and remember something or hear something, etc. Why have prompts where you have to jeopardize yourself pushing Gad Damn buttons?????

[Caveatesq]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

That sucks man! Drop it off at http://www.detailersdomain.com/... well worth the trip. Your car will be better than new.

I feel like every time you drop off your car at the dealership, the M3 dies a little bit.... got mine back yesterday... they covered the driver's seat with plastic to protect the light grey leather.. well, when they pulled out the car from the shop one of the tech's decided to ride shot-gun on the *uncovered* passenger seat, after he just did an oil change....

Thanks - I already got in touch with Phil at Detailers Domain over the weekend. His work looks first rate. Waiting to hear back from the dealer today.

[Race_Doc11]

I was at the dealer the other day and I saw how the guy was washing the cars. He was using one bucket for 4-5 cars with a long brush (like a broom) and it WAS NOT boars hair I can tell you that. He dipped the brush and swiped the car top to bottom. I almost started a thread in here to advice guys NOT to let the dealer to wash their cars. The first thing I say when I go to the dealer NO TEST DRIVE & NO CAR WASH.
What you can do is to take your car to a professional detailer (you can't go wrong with Phil from Detailers Domain) and get them to remove the swirls and let the dealer pick the bill

Originally Posted by Caveatesq

As some of you know, a little more than a week ago my two week old M3 died and had to be towed to my dealer with a faulty throttle sensor. Well, after a week in the shop waiting for a diagnosis and parts, I picked up the car last Friday. When I arrived, the car was parked outside in bright sunlight and was covered from roof to bumper in swirls and scratches. Seems like the dealer chose to wash and then dry the car with sandpaper. To add insult to injury, the car also now has a ding on the roof above the passenger door, the tow truck bottomed out the car while loading it and scratched the front spoiler and the dealer put over 40 miles on the car! Needless to say, I am appalled and heartbroken. The dealer has offered to detail the car but not much more and I am very reluctant to put the car at the mercy of an inexperienced "detailer" with an orbital - for some reason I suspect that nothing good will come of that encounter. As for the other items, it looks like I may be on my own to pursue a claim through roadside assistance with no help from the servicing dealer.

I am really regretting my decision to get rid of my 997 to get the M3. Yes, Porsche service cost a fortune, but the experience and treatment was above and beyond. This BMW experience has been amature at best. Looking forward to completing the survey!

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by MERCSUk153

No not that it was polished. That the spoiler was scratched by the towing company/dealer tow and that the dent was also caused by them so when he turns in the car and the scratch and dent is still there he can just show the finance company the letter.

The scratch should be covered in wear and tear and the dent sounds like PDR can take care of it. Absolute worst case is the scratch put on the "We Owe" notice and he's good. Everything else can easily be taken care of before he takes delivery. Hell, if he doesn't get his panties in a bunch and talks to the tow company and dealership with an even keel he can probably get the lip replaced as well.

[Caveatesq]

Originally Posted by quality_sound

The scratch should be covered in wear and tear and the dent sounds like PDR can take care of it. Absolute worst case is the scratch put on the "We Owe" notice and he's good. Everything else can easily be taken care of before he takes delivery. Hell, if he doesn't get his panties in a bunch and talks to the tow company and dealership with an even keel he can probably get the lip replaced as well.

I have been very calm and accommodating with the dealer and am giving them the chance to make this right. Just seems like they are only focusing on one of the issues and ignoring the others hoping that I will go away. I will be patient for a little longer and then escalate if the need arises.

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

That sucks man! Drop it off at http://www.detailersdomain.com/... well worth the trip. Your car will be better than new.

I feel like every time you drop off your car at the dealership, the M3 dies a little bit.... got mine back yesterday... they covered the driver's seat with plastic to protect the light grey leather.. well, when they pulled out the car from the shop one of the tech's decided to ride shot-gun on the *uncovered* passenger seat, after he just did an oil change....

Absolutely...Let Phil have it!! The car will come back better than ever

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by Caveatesq

I have been very calm and accommodating with the dealer and am giving them the chance to make this right. Just seems like they are only focusing on one of the issues and ignoring the others hoping that I will go away. I will be patient for a little longer and then escalate if the need arises.

That is 100% the right case. I've been in your shoes and the adage about catching more flies with honey than vinegar definitely applies.

[Ben Choad]

Originally Posted by Caveatesq

As some of you know, a little more than a week ago my two week old M3 died and had to be towed to my dealer with a faulty throttle sensor. Well, after a week in the shop waiting for a diagnosis and parts, I picked up the car last Friday. When I arrived, the car was parked outside in bright sunlight and was covered from roof to bumper in swirls and scratches. Seems like the dealer chose to wash and then dry the car with sandpaper. To add insult to injury, the car also now has a ding on the roof above the passenger door, the tow truck bottomed out the car while loading it and scratched the front spoiler and the dealer put over 40 miles on the car! Needless to say, I am appalled and heartbroken. The dealer has offered to detail the car but not much more and I am very reluctant to put the car at the mercy of an inexperienced "detailer" with an orbital - for some reason I suspect that nothing good will come of that encounter. As for the other items, it looks like I may be on my own to pursue a claim through roadside assistance with no help from the servicing dealer.

I am really regretting my decision to get rid of my 997 to get the M3. Yes, Porsche service cost a fortune, but the experience and treatment was above and beyond. This BMW experience has been amature at best. Looking forward to completing the survey!

I am starting to experience multiple problems with my car. Today was the first day I am really regretting purchasing this car as well. Already looking into my options to get rid of it. I needed a 4-door as a daily driver and thought this car would do the trick but as of a week ago, it is turning into a nightmare.

[quality_sound]

What, exactly, are the issues?

[hababa]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

That sucks man! Drop it off at http://www.detailersdomain.com/... well worth the trip. Your car will be better than new.

+1 Phil does awesome work!