Lemon Law

A

abzotech

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Anyone know about car lemon laws? I heard after 3 times fixing the same problem, the dealer has to replace the car.

My new 2003 325i is in the shop again for the same oil leak problem for the 3rd time. The first time they replaced a gasket. The next two times there replacing the cylinder cover. It's been in the shop for almost a week now because there waiting for parts. Car has only 7K miles.

They gave me a Ford Taurus loaner in the mean time. But now I'm disenchanted on Beamers. Kind'a wished I should have bought a different car besides BMW.

If anyone knows about Lemon Laws, Please advise.
 
aNoodle

aNoodle

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If you're really intent on having them repurchase the vehicle from you, then you may not be happy with the "reasonable offset" they are entitled to for the period you owned the car. Realize the lemon laws address "serious safety defects," a "nonconformity" with the warranty with four or more attempts to repair, or an "out of service" provision for 30 or more days. That's Washington's statute (other states are similar).

Merely mentioning the lemon law with an official notice to the address at the back of your warantee will get them moving. Be nice, but firm.

I'm sure you're pissed off, and probably rightly so. But the lemon laws are not that easy to qualify for. BMW, of course, will bend over backwards to make sure your car is not labeled a lemon. Every manufacturer has to keep records of "lemons" and there is just about nothing they hate more than a "lemon" statistic. If you fax them at the address in your warantee, citing Washington Statute 19.118.041, they'll be on the phone with you within 24 hours, no doubt.

They'll do a good job of getting the dealer focused. You could ask for some compensation for your troubles, in lieu of demanding the repurchase of your car (assuming it even qualifies for the lemon law). They might go for giving you some money back to avoid being hit with a lemon statistic. They are in the business of making its customers happy. But don't be too opportunistic. Give 'em a chance to make things right.

I highly doubt you'll find a better car than your E46 or a better manufacturer than BMW.
 
codex57

codex57

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If you want customer service, you can go to Lexus. You probably won't be at the dealer much though cuz the cars are so reliable. But, you won't have BMW's maintenance warranty besides the great driving feel. And if you think your experience is bad, you definitely don't wanna buy a Mercedes.
 
B

BMWgrl

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I can't believe they gave you a Ford Taurus to drive. My dealership has ALWAYS given me another BMW to drive whether it be for a day or a week.......and it's usually a new bimmer, which is even better!!!!!!!!!
About the lemon law thing, I'm not sure!!!!!!
Good luck !!!
 
MyHarley

MyHarley

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My car has been in the shop since Wednesday and it won't be ready until next Friday. They decided to order all new parts for the windows, doors, seat railings and headrests.....but I have a 2004 325I without sliptronic for a loaner.....its black too.......real nice.......and this is just for rattles.......my service guy is the best............you should get the same kind of service from your dealership and its a shame that they are giving BMW a bad name.........
 
Abdoman

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Each dealership is different from the other. While there are two dealerships in OK, one of them sucks. I have had nothing but problems with one, while the other has been outstanding, so saying that all Lexus dealerships are great and all Mercedes dealers suck is not very accurate.
If you want boring, buy Lexus.

It's really too bad you are having this problem with your car. I have owned 5 BMWs and have had very good experiences with all of them. The only time I have every had an oil leak in any of my cars was well over 100K (at least on the I6), so I would have to imagine that this is very unusual. I hope that you get your problem resolved. I would suggest trying a different dealership, as they definately are not equal.
 
aNoodle

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Abdoman said:
Each dealership is different from the other. While there are two dealerships in OK, one of them sucks. I have had nothing but problems with one, while the other has been outstanding, so saying that all Lexus dealerships are great and all Mercedes dealers suck is not very accurate.
If you want boring, buy Lexus.

It's really too bad you are having this problem with your car. I have owned 5 BMWs and have had very good experiences with all of them. The only time I have every had an oil leak in any of my cars was well over 100K (at least on the I6), so I would have to imagine that this is very unusual. I hope that you get your problem resolved. I would suggest trying a different dealership, as they definately are not equal.
Click to expand...
So true! We have five in the Metro Atlanta area. Two of them you coulnd't pay me money to take my car to. One of them "lost" parts when they did a fix on my car (back when there were kinked a/c hoses in the first month of production). I was livid. But luckily I just went to another dealer and found out what a big difference there can be.

I'm at 104,500 miles now...and have yet to have ANY oil leaks...knock on wood.
 
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