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BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

2734 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 242 of 274

#2408 of 2734 Help! Need a 3rd Windshield Replacement by afishionada

Nov 20, 2009 (7:25 pm)

I am facing the THIRD replacement of my windshield on my 2007 530 wagon.
Here's what happened:
August: rock hits and cracks windshield within driver's sight.
 
October: Windshield replaced by bodyshop with BMW parts - no problems with fit but windshield has blurry spot in middle and is defective.
 
November: BMW shop that sold the defective windshield replaces it under warranty.
 
This week, I drove took car on the highway and it has so much wind noise it seems like the window is open. BMW shop #1 says that the BMW shop #2 that did the work did a really bad job. I can see black stuff oozing out on the sides and the mirror is not lined up right.
So, I took it back to BMW shop #2 which did the work - they apologize and agree the work is bad. Car needs to go back in and windshield needs to come out again.
 
Question: It seems like I am stuck with the shop that did the bad work. Does anyone think I have any recourse to get BMW to pay for the windshield somewhere else? I am not wild about using this dealer. In fact, I am not so sure the current installation is even safe.
 
Thanks for any advice.

#2409 of 2734 Re: Help! Need a 3rd Windshield Replacement [afishionada] by andys120

Nov 20, 2009 (8:58 pm)

Replying to: afishionada (Nov 20, 2009 7:25 pm)
Don't you have comprehensive coverage on your insurance policy, that should cover a broken windshield regardless of which shop does the work..

#2410 of 2734 Re: Help! Need a 3rd Windshield Replacement [andys120] by afishionada

Nov 21, 2009 (5:15 am)

Replying to: andys120 (Nov 20, 2009 8:58 pm)
Yes Insurance covered it the first time, but the defective window made it a warranty issue. At that point, the BMW shop that sold the window had to supply the new window and labor at no cost. The third time is a poor workmanship issue. Again, the shop the did the bad work is supposed to rectify it. I could take it elsewhere but I would have to pay.

#2411 of 2734 Re: Help! Need a 3rd Windshield Replacement [afishionada] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 21, 2009 (10:50 am)

Replying to: afishionada (Nov 21, 2009 5:15 am)
I would just pay, IF they pay for the glass itself. What would you do if this were your doctor? Exactly. If it's not done right, you could get leaks, wind noise, etc.

#2412 of 2734 Re: Help! Need a 3rd Windshield Replacement [Mr_Shiftright] by afishionada

Nov 22, 2009 (3:33 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 21, 2009 10:50 am)
Good point. I am going to see if they will just provide the glass. The labor at the body shop is a fraction of the BMW labor. Thanks.

#2413 of 2734 Re: Help! Need a 3rd Windshield Replacement [Mr_Shiftright] by afishionada

Nov 22, 2009 (4:11 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 21, 2009 10:50 am)
Actually, now that I have thought this through, I am calling corporate BMW to ask for them to arrange the repair at another shop. I did a llittle research and I am terrified the window will be put in wrong again. An improper installation can cause an activated airbag to go thru the window and the roof to collapse. I cannot believe I can see black stuff sticking out of the window on the inside of the car and that I can actually feel the edge of the window from the inside. I think I may be able to push the window out if I tried. It looks like a real rooky put this one in. On top of the defective windshield and now the inept workmanship I think they need to accomodate me.
 
Thanks for making me think about this!

#2414 of 2734 Re: Help! Need a 3rd Windshield Replacement [afishionada] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 22, 2009 (5:34 pm)

Replying to: afishionada (Nov 22, 2009 4:11 pm)
I'm rather surprised the dealer even did the work. Are you quite sure they didn't farm it out?
 
Anyway---yes, you have a right to proper workmanship. I"m not sure how the dealer billed BMW, so that could be tricky.

#2415 of 2734 Re: Help! Need a 3rd Windshield Replacement [Mr_Shiftright] by afishionada

Nov 24, 2009 (9:38 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 22, 2009 5:34 pm)
Amazingly, the dealer did do the work. According to them only one or two of their technicians are qualified. They said the foreman will check the work next time, but isn't this what should have happened last time? I don't trust the foreman either.
 
My usual dealer does send it out to a vendor.
 
I did call BMW corporate and it is tricky. They are going to "advocate on my behalf" to the 2 dealers I would go to. I am not sure how this is going to work out since someone is going to have to pay. I just know it should not be me. Right now, I have a car I am afraid to drive a distance. If I cannot get another dealer to do the service, I am going to ask the dealer that did the bad work to ship the parts to my bodyshop and I will pay the bodyshop for the service.
 
However, it still seems like I should be getting top quality work at a dealership and I should not have to eat any of the cost. BMW said it would call me back later this week. As BMW represents that its dealers are qualified, I will push harder if need to. I am sure I have potential legal recourse, but right now I am trying to be nice about it. If I don't get what I want, then I'll put on my legal hat.

#2416 of 2734 Re: Help! Need a 3rd Windshield Replacement [afishionada] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 24, 2009 (9:41 am)

Replying to: afishionada (Nov 24, 2009 9:38 am)
That's correct. If a business hangs a sign that says it is authorized BMW service, then they can't cop out by insisting they "didn't know" or it was "too hard", etc. The sign on the building implies that they are responsible to do the job correctly.
 
The dealer should farm this work out to professionals who do it all the day long. That's how you get really good at something.

#2417 of 2734 2001 BMW 540i by dsylvia1

Dec 03, 2009 (8:56 am)

I bought a 2001 BMW 540i about one year ago. The coolant tank broke somehow while driving and emptied all the coolant. Engine is now dead. I would like to sell it to someone who is willing to repair it. Car has 82,000 miles on it, 3 month old tires, brand new headliner and rides great. I just don't want to deal with a BMW anymore. Any advice?

Messages Page 242 of 274

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