Steptronic recall campaign will be made voluntarily by BMW - Updated

[BMW_Driver22]

A friend forwarded the following information to me. Seems like there is beginning to be some light at the end of our tunnel. Hope you find it as helpful as I did.

Go to the following site http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm

On the left side of the page Under Defective Investigations, select "Search"
Using the box on the right select type of search for "Vehicle"
Select "Year" 2004
Select "Make" BMW
Select "Model" 325 Ci
Select "Component" Auto-Transmission
Select "Document Search"

The documents are in a pdf format. Very thorough example of an experience many of us were forced to endure.

 

[TIXXdriver]

Thanks for posting this. I also had this problem occur with a car purchased in Virginia. It is encouraging to see that somebody stuck to their guns and followed through in such an organized manner. Clearly this will make BMWNA get the message.

 

[Kirby]

While my experience with my dealer was nowhere near this person's, the information about the defect in this document is consistent with what I and others had been told in the December/January time frame. This document clearly shows that BMW had been working on the problem and has solved it. Clearly they intend on fixing all cars with the problem. I guess it's up to debate as to whether they should have sold cars from October - January knowing that some might be defective. From my experience, I feel that it was around October that they knew it was not just an isolated problem with a few cars.

Here's the key text from the letter:

 

[kumafa124]

thanks for posting this ..... this should be very helpful for those that are in the process of getting their tranny fixed.

 

[IMPORTERofRECORD]

Thats it - Order cancelled

A friend forwarded the following information to me. Seems like there is beginning to be some light at the end of our tunnel. Hope you find it as helpful as I did.

Go to the following site http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm

On the left side of the page Under Defective Investigations, select "Search"
Using the box on the right select type of search for "Vehicle"
Select "Year" 2004
Select "Make" BMW
Select "Model" 325 Ci
Select "Component" Auto-Transmission
Select "Document Search"

The documents are in a pdf format. Very thorough example of an experience many of us were forced to endure.

I knew it. This person did the right thing. I took the time and went to NHTSA and read the information. Some people on these boards have done a great disservice to me and other unsuspecting buyers by spreading misinformation and by misrepresenting themselves as "working with BMW" to resolve the problem.

Kirby, it is less than honest to take two paragraphs from correspondence totaling twelve pages to support your position. The overwhelming gist of the correspondence is complete and total disatisfaction regarding the wall of silence BMW has masterfully orchestrated to keep this off the front pages. The author has intentions of contacting the media. I for one hope she does. If there is any hesitation accepting the cancelation of my order I plan on using these letters to ensure my deposit is placed directly back in my hand.

Disgusted

 

[LarryE]

Re: Thats it - Order cancelled

I knew it. This person did the right thing. I took the time and went to NHTSA and read the information. Some people on these boards have done a great disservice to me and other unsuspecting buyers by spreading misinformation and by misrepresenting themselves as "working with BMW" to resolve the problem.

Kirby, it is less than honest to take two paragraphs from correspondence totaling twelve pages to support your position. The overwhelming gist of the correspondence is complete and total disatisfaction regarding the wall of silence BMW has masterfully orchestrated to keep this off the front pages. The author has intentions of contacting the media. I for one hope she does. If there is any hesitation accepting the cancelation of my order I plan on using these letters to ensure my deposit is placed directly back in my hand.

Disgusted

I'd still like to understand where you got this "working with BMW" and exactly what is means to you? To a certain degree, all of us have been working with BMW on this. What is the context in which what you are quoting was used? Maybe I'll be as pissed as you are when I see it.

 

[Kirby]

Re: Thats it - Order cancelled

I knew it. This person did the right thing. I took the time and went to NHTSA and read the information. Some people on these boards have done a great disservice to me and other unsuspecting buyers by spreading misinformation and by misrepresenting themselves as "working with BMW" to resolve the problem.

Kirby, it is less than honest to take two paragraphs from correspondence totaling twelve pages to support your position. The overwhelming gist of the correspondence is complete and total disatisfaction regarding the wall of silence BMW has masterfully orchestrated to keep this off the front pages. The author has intentions of contacting the media. I for one hope she does. If there is any hesitation accepting the cancelation of my order I plan on using these letters to ensure my deposit is placed directly back in my hand.

Disgusted

You are just one hell of a suspicious, conspiracy theory, confrontational person, aren't you?

1. READ THE TITLE OF THE ORIGINAL POST. It clearly says " Steptronic recall campaign will be made voluntarily by BMW - Updated " My post and clipping was in DIRECT response to that subject, nothing more, nothing less.

2. I didn't post the WHOLE document because this system allows a maximum of 50K attachment. This file was 39K and I had to compress it to get it to upload, hence the quality.

3. I absolutely AGREE that the whole gist of the letter was dissatisfaction, and ANYONE who goes to the government site can easily read that.

4. Explain to me what misinformation you are talking about & how I misrepresented ANYTHING. If you go back and read my posts over the past 6 months on this subject (which you clearly haven't), I stated that I was working with BMW by allowing them several opportunities to reprogram the transmission on multiple service appointments, and then I reported to them if the software changes had made any difference. I was told that techs then used this information to further study the problem.

I define WORKING WITH BMW as coming to a mutually beneficial, agreeable solution between two parties, which also means NOT being overbearing and unreasonable. What do you think it means? That I am a BMW employee, or they are paying me off???? [???1] What's your deal, man?

You don't have to AGREE with my method of resolving my problem. I don't give a rat's a$$ what you think of my decision, but DON'T EVER accuse me of being dishonest and intentionally msleading people.

The best part is that your character is being judged in this public forum by the wild accusations and assumptions you make in your posts.

 

[Section_8]

More to the point, why did you cancel your order for a car, that this problem has been resolved for? The new car that would be built according to your specifications (If you are ordering) would be outside the production date of the cars with issues. So, you just canceled your order for a car because of a problem your cars tranny will not have, and *might* not have ever had depending on where it was built. (what factory it was assembled)

Kirby grabbed the 'meat' of the 12 page file that most of the folks here wanted to see. The rest of it could easily be written off as simply a terrible dealership - which plague all car companies, BMW or otherwise. (Savage BMW comes to mind in California). I say this, because numerous folks with the steptronic tranny problem have had theirs replaced at the drop of a dime by their dealer(while others unfortunately have not had as pleasant an experience with their dealer). It's your decision where to spend your money, but sounds more like you didn't really want the car anyhow? Put all your worries to rest, go find a early model 2003 with low milage and buy it instead.. Or.. Place your order for a car again! You're certain to get a car now that would be quite fine.

If you think BMW suddenly 'sucks' because they may or may not have sold a car knowingly with problems, is a debate we can all bicker back and forth about, but unless you work for BMW directly, we're all shooting in the dark. But you certainly need a wake-up call if you think issues like this are not going on with all car manufacturers in some form or fashion.

It's all about the $, and how the corporations can make more (Increase the shareholders profits!). (Is it more affordable to recall X number of vehicles to make a satisfactory repair, or just to fix the ones that complain, and settle any lawsuits that arise?) Believe me, it's almost always the #2 stance, if you think otherwise, you need a lesson on how corporate america works (like it or not..)

 

[BMW_Driver22]

This is supposed to helpful

A friend forwarded the following information to me. Seems like there is beginning to be some light at the end of our tunnel. Hope you find it as helpful as I did.

Go to the following site http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm

On the left side of the page Under Defective Investigations, select "Search"
Using the box on the right select type of search for "Vehicle"
Select "Year" 2004
Select "Make" BMW
Select "Model" 325 Ci
Select "Component" Auto-Transmission
Select "Document Search"

The documents are in a pdf format. Very thorough example of an experience many of us were forced to endure.

I posted what was sent to me because I saw the confusion some were having not accepting that the answer to their steptronic difficulties is having the transmission replaced. It was not intended to start WW IV. Maybe the two or three that want to rant and rave can do it on a personal message or direct email? You are taking away from the ability for the rest of us to share openly.

Thanks

 

[Section_8]

*smirk*


We are sharing openly, some more than others..



Good point, good post, good reading on the GOV site.

 

[LipSmacknGOOd]

?

A friend forwarded the following information to me. Seems like there is beginning to be some light at the end of our tunnel. Hope you find it as helpful as I did.

Go to the following site http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm

On the left side of the page Under Defective Investigations, select "Search"
Using the box on the right select type of search for "Vehicle"
Select "Year" 2004
Select "Make" BMW
Select "Model" 325 Ci
Select "Component" Auto-Transmission
Select "Document Search"

The documents are in a pdf format. Very thorough example of an experience many of us were forced to endure.

Now I seriously question why my dealer was soo eager to dump a 2003 automatic. I waited a long time to get this car. If it ends up with same problem I will be just plain sick.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Re: ?

Now I seriously question why my dealer was soo eager to dump a 2003 automatic. I waited a long time to get this car. If it ends up with same problem I will be just plain sick.

If it has a problem I would not even hesitate to take legal action against them, since at this stage anyone would agree (with the exception of that particular dealership) that they KNOWINGLY sold the car with a defect.

 

[MyHarley]

Re: ?

Now I seriously question why my dealer was soo eager to dump a 2003 automatic. I waited a long time to get this car. If it ends up with same problem I will be just plain sick.

Look at the manufacturing date on your 2003...........I have a 2003 and have no problems with the transmission................

 

[LarryE]

Re: Re: ?

Look at the manufacturing date on your 2003...........I have a 2003 and have no problems with the transmission................

It also has to do with whether or not you have a GM tranny.

 

[Kirby]

Re: Re: ?

Look at the manufacturing date on your 2003...........I have a 2003 and have no problems with the transmission................

Lisha makes a good point, this seems to have appeared only on late 2003 models. As I recall, over the months we have heard from a number of 2003 owners that have said they do not have the problem. I think there is an old poll on here about that.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Re: Re: Re: ?

Lisha makes a good point, this seems to have appeared only on late 2003 models. As I recall, over the months we have heard from a number of 2003 owners that have said they do not have the problem. I think there is an old poll on here about that.

Not true, my car is built 1/03 and it had a sliptronic and that POS loaner was built 1/03 too and also has* (I doubt they fixed it) a sliptronic.

 

[Kirby]

OK, I stand corrected...

 

[IMPORTERofRECORD]

Response

More to the point, why did you cancel your order for a car, that this problem has been resolved for? The new car that would be built according to your specifications (If you are ordering) would be outside the production date of the cars with issues. So, you just canceled your order for a car because of a problem your cars tranny will not have, and *might* not have ever had depending on where it was built. (what factory it was assembled)

Kirby grabbed the 'meat' of the 12 page file that most of the folks here wanted to see. The rest of it could easily be written off as simply a terrible dealership - which plague all car companies, BMW or otherwise. (Savage BMW comes to mind in California). I say this, because numerous folks with the steptronic tranny problem have had theirs replaced at the drop of a dime by their dealer(while others unfortunately have not had as pleasant an experience with their dealer). It's your decision where to spend your money, but sounds more like you didn't really want the car anyhow? Put all your worries to rest, go find a early model 2003 with low milage and buy it instead.. Or.. Place your order for a car again! You're certain to get a car now that would be quite fine.

If you think BMW suddenly 'sucks' because they may or may not have sold a car knowingly with problems, is a debate we can all bicker back and forth about, but unless you work for BMW directly, we're all shooting in the dark. But you certainly need a wake-up call if you think issues like this are not going on with all car manufacturers in some form or fashion.

It's all about the $, and how the corporations can make more (Increase the shareholders profits!). (Is it more affordable to recall X number of vehicles to make a satisfactory repair, or just to fix the ones that complain, and settle any lawsuits that arise?) Believe me, it's almost always the #2 stance, if you think otherwise, you need a lesson on how corporate america works (like it or not..)

In order:
Provide one official document from BMW stating defective steptronic transmission is resolved.
Coupes are only manufactured in Regensburgh Germany (plant closed to visitors for months)?
Problem is present from early 2003 forward
Shall we tell our loved ones no more transmission safety issues "Section 8" said so?
"May or may not have knowingly sold cars with defect trans"? (wrong over a year minimum)
You seek commonality of cause and situation thereby lessening the impact of this defect
Correct, BMW has exercised option #2 (just deal with the ones who complain)
Lastly, I need no lessons from you.

 

[IMPORTERofRECORD]

and another thing

In order:
Provide one official document from BMW stating defective steptronic transmission is resolved.
Coupes are only manufactured in Regensburgh Germany (plant closed to visitors for months)?
Problem is present from early 2003 forward
Shall we tell our loved ones no more transmission safety issues "Section 8" said so?
"May or may not have knowingly sold cars with defect trans"? (wrong over a year minimum)
You seek commonality of cause and situation thereby lessening the impact of this defect
Correct, BMW has exercised option #2 (just deal with the ones who complain)
Lastly, I need no lessons from you.

Please note I let your Kirby grabbing his meat comment go by without comment.

 

[Kirby]

Re: and another thing

Please note I let your Kirby grabbing his meat comment go by without comment.