Rain sensor was not working.

[zman]

A few days a go when the rain was drizzling, I noticed that my rain sensor was not working. At first, I thought there was not enough rain hitting the wind shield. But, after a while I was sure that it was not working.

But, the next day it was working like a charm. [???1]

Has this ever happened to any of you?

 

[aNoodle]

Yes...I think you should try something we've all noted. If the stalk as already in the automatic position when the car was started, then it won't work. You need to turn the stalk off then back to automatic or adjust the sensitivity.

I think they disabled it so you don't caught in a bad position in a car wash or something. I'm not sure.

Could this be what happened? Or it wasn't working at all, even after turning the stalk off then back to automatic?

 

[Tom]

^^ Yup, what Scott said.

 

[zman]

I did all that. I set it on the off and set it back to automatic and readjust the sensitivity for at least 10 x times. The only time the wiper worked if I set to normal speed, fast speed, or mist.

 

[aNoodle]

I did all that. I set it on the off and set it back to automatic and readjust the sensitivity for at least 10 x times. The only time the wiper worked if I set to normal speed, fast speed, or mist.

Right on. Then it looks like you have a faulty part in there somewhere...it shouldn't work one day and not the other. Looks like you're still under warranty, so I'd just take it. Hopefully the dealer won't say they can't recreate the problem.

 

[zman]

Hopefully the dealer won't say they can't recreate the problem.

I have had some odd problems in the past and was only sent home because they can't recreate the problem.

So, will they? I guarantee that they can't recreate the problem.
Face it, not being able to recreate the problem means BIG SAVING for them.
Only a fool would say that they could recreate the problem especially if the customer doesn't know how to recreate the problem.

Now, if the warranty is over, they WILL recreate the problem(s). In fact, if you bring the car in just for checking, they will give you a list of hundres of parts that they find them wrong. To fix it? Wow....might as well sell your house give everything to them and live under the bridge.

 

[Uncle Rusty]

"I have had some odd problems in the past and was only sent home because they can't recreate the problem.

So, will they? I guarantee that they can't recreate the problem.
Face it, not being able to recreate the problem means BIG SAVING for them.
Only a fool would say that they could recreate the problem especially if the customer doesn't know how to recreate the problem."

Do BMW dealerships save big by not doing warranty repairs? I'm not sure about BMW, but with most other dealers are reimbursted by the manufacturer after submitting a warranty claim. Do BMW dealers have to absorb the cost of warranty repairs themselves?

As to recreating the malfunction, I think that depends on the dealer. If they are smart, they will help you keep your car working as it should. Skirting an issue with your car will tend to make someone want to go elsewhere. At least that is how I see it. That being said, if you are having trouble getting the warranty service that you need, try elsewhere.

Fortunately, I haven't had any problems with my 325i, of course it's not very old, but so far, I have been amazed at how well I've been treated. I have heard stories of salesmen that act as if you can't afford a BMW and don't seem to want to give you the time of day. When I bought a 325i in may, I was totally amazed at how well I was treated. I bought the lease expensive car I think BMW sells here in the US and they treated me like a king! I really hate buying cars, all the sale tricks etc., but I really enjoyed buying my new BMW because of the courtious and respectfull way the I was treated. I know where I'll be buying my next car.

 

[aNoodle]

Do BMW dealerships save big by not doing warranty repairs?
...
but I really enjoyed buying my new BMW because of the courtious and respectfull way the I was treated. I know where I'll be buying my next car.

Yeah, BMW dealers can do good work sometimes.

To answer your question, I remember reading a while back (in Roundel I think) about how the incentives are put in place to keep warranty costs down. There is some sort of a average that is calculated on costs per vehcile or problems...when BMW USA has less warranty costs the saving are somehow passed to the dealers on an annual basis. I don' know how the calculation is made. But there can be no doubt that financial incentives are in place to keep costs down!

 

[bmwrocks]

Fortunately, I haven't had any problems with my 325i, of course it's not very old, but so far...I know where I'll be buying my next car.

Hang tight. Your problems will surface soon. Your sunroof shade will break, your speakers will rattle, your window regulators will break, your door moulding will fall off....you may have coils fail, your radio may have crappy reception (do you have tinted windows?), your CD player may skip, your mirrors may not tilt properly, your tranny might fail, and other intermittent non-recreatable problems.

BUT THE CAR WILL ALWAYS DRIVE LIKE IT IS ON RAILS!!!!!