Completely blown away--Consultation requested !!!!!------->

[IMPORTERofRECORD]

My car is due to arrive in New York tomorrow. I have read sooo many other peoples disasterous experiences with the steptronic transmission I want to know what my options are before I take delivery.

Can I cancel my order? If so will I lose my deposit?
Can I demand an independent inspection of the trans before accepting the car?
How about accepting delivery on a conditional basis? Meaning if the car has the sliptronic issue can I force them to buy it back?

I am sorry so many have experienced this problem BUT please try and understand I do not want to go through two or three transmissions trying to get a safe car. Somebody must have good advice.

 

[Bryan330i]

I don’t think you need to accept delivery if you don’t want the car. If you did not sign a purchase agreement or contract you should be fine, and even if you did a condition is likely delivery of the vehicle.

I think once you take the vehicle it is yours and only under rare circumstances will they be required to give you a new car down the road.

If I were concerned I would decline the car. BMW has such a good reputation they will be given every opportunity to correct the problem. I called NHTSA about BMW issues and the company has an outstanding reputation and very few actionable issues in their history and these were safety related. At best if you have a lot of trouble you would probably need to take action through your local consumer protection department under lemon law statutes.

PS-I made my deposit with American Express and I made sure I would receive a full refund in the event of any difficulties. The information I received was that nothing was binding until the final purchase contract and delivery. The deposit was more of a way of saying I am a serious buyer.

 

[rjp325i]

If its any consolation the problem seems to be limited to the steptronics made by GM in France, the GM5 tranny, not the German made ZF5HP19 ones. Both carry the steptronic label. The Monrony label (window sticker) has the country of origin named for both engine and transmission.

 

[bmwrocks]

If its any consolation the problem seems to be limited to the steptronics made by GM in France, the GM5 tranny, not the German made ZF5HP19 ones. Both carry the steptronic label. The Monrony label (window sticker) has the country of origin named for both engine and transmission.

The problem is NOT isolated to the French trannys. My Monrony has transmission country of origin as Germany, but my tranny slips.

I have posted this before and I am sure i will have to post it again.....

 

[IMPORTERofRECORD]

I don’t think you need to accept delivery if you don’t want the car. If you did not sign a purchase agreement or contract you should be fine, and even if you did a condition is likely delivery of the vehicle.

I think once you take the vehicle it is yours and only under rare circumstances will they be required to give you a new car down the road.

If I were concerned I would decline the car. BMW has such a good reputation they will be given every opportunity to correct the problem. I called NHTSA about BMW issues and the company has an outstanding reputation and very few actionable issues in their history and these were safety related. At best if you have a lot of trouble you would probably need to take action through your local consumer protection department under lemon law statutes.

PS-I made my deposit with American Express and I made sure I would receive a full refund in the event of any difficulties. The information I received was that nothing was binding until the final purchase contract and delivery. The deposit was more of a way of saying I am a serious buyer.

Appreciate your comments. Seems like I have two options: 1)take possession of the car and hope it is steptronic defect free or 2) refuse the car. Wish someone from my dealership or BMWNA would offer some assistance and guidance. My last call to BMWNA the person acted like I was speaking cantonese when I decribed my concerns about the problem transmissions. BMWNA rep said he had "never heard of the steptronic transmission problem before". When was or when will this problem be resolved completely for new purchases?

 

[rjp325i]

The Monrony is usually a good indicator but there are some errors on some of the Monrony labels although there should not be. My Monrony stated that I have a 6 speed steptronic and it does not and this error has now made it up to Corporate level since BMW does not install the 6 speed steptronics in the 3 series. I am waiting for a response from the dealer and/or Corporate.

 

[LarryE]

Appreciate your comments. Seems like I have two options: 1)take possession of the car and hope it is steptronic defect free or 2) refuse the car. Wish someone from my dealership or BMWNA would offer some assistance and guidance. My last call to BMWNA the person acted like I was speaking cantonese when I decribed my concerns about the problem transmissions. BMWNA rep said he had "never heard of the steptronic transmission problem before". When was or when will this problem be resolved completely for new purchases?

That's cause in spite of the fact that some say otherwise, BMWNA is useless. If you go to bimmerfest.com, you will find people that think BMWNA is great.

Getting back to your car, I think you have a third option. The car will be shipped to your dealer for delivery, correct? I would call your CA right now and tell him that you want him/her to show you demonstrable proof that the tranny in the car was either not one of the ones that had the problem, or that it was manufactured after the problem was corrected. On top of that, I would tell your CA that you want the repair shop foreman to test drive the car on coldstart after being left outside overnight ... and that you personally want to speak to him face-to-face about the results. Press him to be honest. If you wish, insist that you be allowed to go with him (you'll have to get up early one day ). You can also insist that you speak to the dealer's rep from BMWNA (different person than the people who answer the 800 number) and press him/her to certify to you that you don't have a problem tranny. That is probably the person who is the best equipped of anyone to do things like look up build dates and research serial numbers. If you have any doubts at all after all of this, refuse delivery and insist on your money back. Just my thoughts.

 

[IMPORTERofRECORD]

Monrony?

The Monrony is usually a good indicator but there are some errors on some of the Monrony labels although there should not be. My Monrony stated that I have a 6 speed steptronic and it does not and this error has now made it up to Corporate level since BMW does not install the 6 speed steptronics in the 3 series. I am waiting for a response from the dealer and/or Corporate.

Sorry for flaunting my ignorrance but what is a "monrony"? [???1] I can take from context but am curious where name is derived from.

 

[donmbmw]

OK, BREATHE........BREATHE......there, that's better.
First, you don't know that your car will have a slipping transmission.
Second, some sliptronics (like mine) are nothing more than a minor inconvenience. You let the car warm up a little, or use the manual option for a couple of minutes and go on your way.
Third, BMW is owning up to the problem and fixing it. (My dealership left me a vosice mail today to set up an appointment for the fix and informing me that I will get a loaner for the day)
Fourth. The Steptronic is a fabulous transmission that will add greatly to your driving excitement and pleasure.
Like most new cars, there will probably be some gliches that will require a fully covered visit to the service dept.
You got yourself a great car. Enjoy

 

[rjp325i]

The Monrony label is the window sticker that is required by law to be provided with each new vehicle. You probably just don't recognize it by the name dealers refer to it by. It is the sticker usually attached to a window that lists the equipment and msrp prices as well as the assemby point , country of origin, source of components etc.

 

[MyHarley]

The Monrony is usually a good indicator but there are some errors on some of the Monrony labels although there should not be. My Monrony stated that I have a 6 speed steptronic and it does not and this error has now made it up to Corporate level since BMW does not install the 6 speed steptronics in the 3 series. I am waiting for a response from the dealer and/or Corporate.

Well I'm confused, I had a 2004 330 loaner car a couple of weeks ago and it clearly stated on the "Monrony" that it was a 6 speed steptronic..........the reason I looked was that the car drove very differently from my 2003.........there was not a difference while driving in sport mode versus Drive Auto as there is in mine........I didnt like driving the car....too mild......[???1]

 

[rjp325i]

I'm very interested in what BMW has to say in this matter as I believe it involves some legal issues and now I know of at least one other occurrence. The 6 speeds are only supposed to be in X5, 5 and 7 series models.

 

[Average Jae]

slip tronic is great!!

For me to poop on!!
that's why you should row your own gears i kidd of course!

i feel for those that have issues w/ their auto trannys, hope your delivery's problem free, and wish ya the best. dun think potential issue is enough to not take delivery.. what's your alternative anyway? get a manual tranny? gasp* walk away from a bimmer altogether?

 

[Average Jae]

oh yea, btw..
i think you can only get the 6 speed steptronics on the V-8 models. quite nice on my parents' x5 altho it's quite scary to see a near 3 ton truck going so fast..

 

[RuflessPhilly]

I live in the NorthEast and it's been in the 20's every morning since I took delivery and I have not had any problems. If your build date was after mid Dec. I don't think you should have any problems. Also, in most states you have 72 hours to back out on any contract!

"I'm Rich Biotch" - Dave Chappelle

 

[IMPORTERofRECORD]

I live in the NorthEast and it's been in the 20's every morning since I took delivery and I have not had any problems. If your build date was after mid Dec. I don't think you should have any problems. Also, in most states you have 72 hours to back out on any contract!

I estimate my build date to be mid to late January. I sincerely hope I have the same "no problem" experience as you. I will be looking into the 72 hour walk away option. Thanks for responding.

 

[LarryE]

I estimate my build date to be mid to late January. I sincerely hope I have the same "no problem" experience as you. I will be looking into the 72 hour walk away option. Thanks for responding.

Don't "estimate" your build date. It's either on the side of the driver side door, or it can easily be found on the computer by your dealer.

 

[IMPORTERofRECORD]

Hey dude:

Don't "estimate" your build date. It's either on the side of the driver side door, or it can easily be found on the computer by your dealer.

I haven't even taken delivery yet to determine build date. But thanks for your input.

 

[Krafty04]

If you ordered the car, you probably signed a contract, you should read it... I don't think you have a choice... sorry

JK

 

[IMPORTERofRECORD]

I hope not

If you ordered the car, you probably signed a contract, you should read it... I don't think you have a choice... sorry
JK

I am traveling and do not have any of my docs with me. Best I can recall is signing a purchase order not a contract. I did put couple grand down as a deposit on my AMEX. Thankfully, contract law is is not at all unfamiliar to me.