BMW.....This is getting old now. Broken, again

Unit74 · Nov 23, 2004

BMW.....This is getting old now. ..Update!7/19/05

BMW USA.....

My 03 330i has been in the shop now 4 times for the same problem. The bizenons decide to work whenever they want....sometimes both are out, sometimes one goes......

It was at BMW of Riverside in Cali 2 weeks ago for this and is back again once more. 2 weeks ago, igniters, bulbs and a headlight assembly were replaced. Everything was finally good, or so we thought.

As I got in the car to go home today, I got about 2 miles and there goes the right headlight again. I need a resolution to this once and for all, so I drive right back to Riverside and they are scratching their heads. The service writer, Russ, remembers me from the last time and does not have any idea, other than saying it might be the wiring harness this time.

I now have no trust in my car, my wife is affraid to drive it as she comes home later in the evening and needs headlight and I can only hope that I will not get pulled over for defective equipment the next time it goes.

The lemon laws are in place for good reason and I am about to persue that vigorously, as my safety, my wifes safety and the rest of the motoring publics safety are at risk ever time I drive this vehicle. The lights do not give warning when they are going and imagine if I was at cruise speed of 70 and they go. Who's going to be resonsible for the accident? Who's going to end up in the hospital? Where is the resonsibilty going to fall?

If you can't tell, I am frustrated and mad beyond belief. I feel like $40k in car I have is one huge paperweight, restricted to daylight driving only and not road worthy.

We stepped out of a Saturn L300 for this.............? PLease......... [thumbd]

codex57 · Nov 23, 2004

Lemon law it

Unit74 · Nov 23, 2004

I'm researching the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty act and will see where it takes me from this point.

codex57 · Nov 23, 2004

Lemon law attorneys should be free since I believe the law says they can get compensation from the auto companies when they win.

DrivingTopless · Nov 24, 2004

Best of luck w/ the lemon law!

Just in case you are caught in a situation when the xenons go out at night pull back the light stalk, as if you are flashing to pass someone. The highbeam halogens should be able to guide you to a safe spot. You'll be annoying oncoming traffic, but it's better than 70mph in the dark as you say. That is of course if the halogens work when the xenons don't.

aNoodle · Nov 24, 2004

Sorry to hear about your hiccups, 74. I've never heard of anything like that before. Out of ten thousand parts in a 3 series, just one can cause such a headache. I hope they find it. That's no fun, especially with a brand new car!!

geneo · Nov 24, 2004

possible you lamp control module is bad.

Unit74 · Nov 24, 2004

Ok....Got it back today.

They replaced the right side igniter assembly and said it should all be good now........Somehow I don't beleive this....but OK I guess.

I contacted BMW NA and gave the gal on the phone a polite earfull of my problems. The only answer I got was" "The technical staff will look into this sir" which I interperate as go stick a fork in your eye buddy....

I then contacted an attorney who specializes in this area and will be exploring the options available. After Thanksgiving, we'll get the ball rolling on it. Due the potential liability of the matter, he viewed this as a legit case as long as all the service records are correct as stated by me. Of course, I am forwarding the records, lease contract and registration to him for this.

It's total BS if you ask me. We loved our 330 up until this mess, but now I have a really bad taste for BMW. I thought $40k got me safety, performance, reliability and style......All it's given me now is a migraine...................

I will say that the folks at Riverside BMW have treated us well. A very nice dealership indeed.

epj3 · Nov 24, 2004

Unit74 said:

The unfortunate thing is ALL new cars always have their problems... but when it's a saftey item, it's obviously not good!! My parents bought a $32,000 Chevy Blazer new in 1995 (thats a lot for a chevy...so you'd expect something nice), and it had its abs system replaced 2 times, and once the brakes seized on us on a back road.

Good luck, I hope it was fixed this time. If it was, will you still persue the lemon law? I doubt they will consider the car a "lemon" for a headlight problem (assuming it was just one "side").

Unit74 · Nov 25, 2004

I will have my counsel look it all over and evaluate it. If it's fixed for now, when's the next failure? Again, this is the 4th time it has been in for it. 2 weeks ago, both headlights were out. Tuesday, only the right failed again so who knows where the problem is. If I am not mistaken, the headlights have their own controlers so to me, there is a problem before the igniters which is causing the failures by burning or screwing up the lights.

If it happens again, you can bet on legal action if BMW does not step up to the plate buy back or replace the car. We cannot afford to have a fair weather car anymore.....

330i and like it · Dec 1, 2004

Luckly for you it is the same problem which is what the Lemon Law will cover, i had a car which had to go in 6 times in the first year but for different problems, the Lemon Law only covers you if it is the same problem which they can not fix. It sound like even if they can fix it you probably don't want to keep the car. Go luck getting ride of your problem!

epj3 · Dec 1, 2004

Well, if you have problems not related to the headlights, I'd consider it normal. You think its bad with a BMW... you should've seen how many times our GM vehicles have been in for stupid stuff (like the power sliding door that opens itself at highway speeds!!)

BMW NA Customer Relations · Dec 1, 2004

I’m with BMW of North America, LLC. I’m so sorry to read about the problems you have encountered with your 330i. We are here to work with you and your BMW center, and we want to help. Please phone us at (800) 831-1117, and mention Reference #200433600190 so that we can help you more efficiently. If you prefer, you can email us through the Owners’ Circle at www.bmwusa.com.

epj3 · Dec 1, 2004

BMW NA Customer Relations said:

Unit74 - if this doesn't make you happy, then what will? The company actually searching for unhappy customers to see what they can do to help... good luck finding another manufacturer who does that. Very impressive (to me anyways). I hope all your problems are fixed.

codex57 · Dec 1, 2004

epj3 said:

Wait til he actually calls and tries to get them to actually do something.

MrElussive · Dec 1, 2004

epj3 said:

I think what will make him happy is if the car didn't have the problems in the first place, or at least have them fix it the first time around.
He has also taken his car to the dealership multiple times already to have the car fixed. They've tried on more than three occasions to fix his car, and that qualifies as a lemon, not to mention I think the poor guy has reached that "enough is enough" point.

epj3 · Dec 1, 2004

MrElussive said:

Oh i'm not saying its alright. I'd be super pissed in his situation too. Unfortunately these things happen and sometimes I think people go over the edge with the whole lemon law thing - not in this case, but in others.

theBMWenthusiast · Dec 1, 2004

Unit74...may i ask if you have always taken your car to Riverside BMW?

Unit74 · Dec 1, 2004

BMW USA Poster, I have already talked to the 800 number and felt like I was brushed off, refering to the post I made above. No phone calls as of yet or contact of any sorts.

The first vist was to Brecht in Escondido, Ca. The I took it to Savage in Ontario, Ca. Then it was at Riverside BMW once, then twice.

The headlights are working now, but for how long is the question? I find it odd that both lights failed within months of each other. If BMW is serious, they will get us out of this car and into something different.

When all this was unfolding last time, I talked to a salesman at Riverside about trading in the car for an X3, but I don't feel like taking $4k upside down on the lease and puting it into the new payment. If we are driving a rolling wreck waiting to happen, why should we have to take in the shorts is my position....

BMW USA, if your serious about taking care of this customer, call me. You have my info already. The last numbers on my VIN are KM26269

Unit74 · Dec 6, 2004

I called BMW....Again.......Today and talked to a guy who sent me to a voice mailbox for the person who is supposed to handle my issues.

Didn't get a call back of course. I am going to call once more later this week and if no respose by then, Norman Taylor and Associates will be representing me. Apparently this guy is some high roller in the lemon law area and wins 90 something percent of his cases without court action. The retainer is $600 and if it goes to trial, $1200. I hope it doesn't go that far, but I guess we'll see.....

BMW.....This is getting old now. Broken, again

Member

2

Member

2

Member

1000 Post Club

Member

Member

Senior Member

Member

Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

2

2

Senior Member

2

Member

Member