[Em135eye]

BC - keep calm, be reasonable, don't get shouty, mention this issue is being watched by many other BMW owners, get as much as you possibly can down on paper, take photos of everything, if you reach an agreement, insist the dealer writes down all the info and signs it.

Apart from the crash (!) they seem to have been quite reasonable so far so I reckon you'll be fine - just inconvenienced. Don't forget to make a note of how much this "hassle" is costing you in loss of earnings. Almost impossible to get that back but it's a bargaining tool.

[creepy coupe]

I'd try and get a new house out of them.

[G82Dude]

Good point. Take pictures and keep a diary/daily log of what is happenening, when and who said what and when and to whom. Just in case...

[dimisa1977]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Sounds like an unlikely scenario given the damage to the car!

I'd be looking for some form of recompense for the loss of value that this will have on the car.

Good luck with it.

agree, or perhaps a new one if you complain enough about loss in value (providing it's not a lease).

[cdb]

Originally Posted by uke92dude

Good point. Take pictures and keep a diary/daily log of what is happenening, when and who said what and when and to whom. Just in case...

sensible advice - especially when things drag on, i've done 2 civil claims and was so thankul for my notes when they finally come round as it's usually a good 6-8 months later

just in case

[Carrera RSR]

The aggressive nature of some posts is exactly why I got out of the motor trade after just two years with a premium brand. I am a genuine guy and most in the dealers are. Every company, brand or business have bad eggs and tarnish the reputations of everyone. No one did this on purpose. Just think of the lad that did it. Probably shitting himself with a disciplinary looming. The BMW dealer is all that you can deal with at present as its between you both. BMW UK are a suppler of vehicles and administer franchises. If the dealer involved is progressing the issue BMW UK will not get involved in the short term. Sounds to me like a deal can be had and good luck.

As for the list of parts needed. The dealer will replace every conceivable component to ensure you are confident with the final repair. There are millions of repaired cars on our roads today. It isn't uncommon.

As for the flamers out there, hand on heart have you never made a mistake in your life before? Did you never try to put it right? How would you feel being on the receiving end of your accusations of lying and cheating. Everyone in the country are just getting too aggressive with each other. FFS just chill out. It can be fixed. Its just metal. Watch the news of areas in floods, earthquakes, fires, famine, disease. Now look at your own lives. A repaired car isn't the end of your life now is it. Rant over!

[xenon]

^ agreed. As I said earlier it's a real pisser but a sense of perspective is needed.

[BlackCat]

I agree with the sentiments of chilling out... all I want is to go back to Wednesday morning and have my car back in one piece without questionable resale value and driving as sweetly as it always does.

I'm not ranting and raving with the dealer, I'm treating them as grown ups and in return expected to be treated the same. There is an issue regarding consequential loss on reslae which I want them to address, plus the more emotional issue of feeling that the car won't be the same again. I am prepared to do a deal around a new car which involves my putting in some pennies, or involving a second-hand car as long as the spec is similar or better and due consideration is given to the low mileage of my car and the fact that I've had it from new. Let's see what they come back with.

Regards,

BC

[xenon]

Good luck, BC. Sounds to me like you've got your head screwed on and are going about things the right way.

[fastloop]

Originally Posted by BlackCat

Saw the other car, incidentally: minor scuff to the corner of the bumper and the whole bumper out of alignment. Best guess is that the corner of the other car hit my wheel and kept on going...

OP, good to hear that after some more digging and questions that the facts matches the story. I don't envy an SA that has to call a customer that they have managed to crash a car in their care, let alone the mechanic that did it. It's a very unfortunate situation for all involved parties, but you are ultimately the one who will be most affected by this and the dealer has to ensure that you are happy with the outcome and they compensate you for the pain this has caused. Only an independent assessment of the work can validate that it's fully fixed and that nothing is bent. So all depending on the outcome of this, then it may be a matter of replacing the broken parts to the other extreme of them sorting out another car. A friend of mine had a 20mph shunt on the front left wheel from a women running a t-junction and fair enough it was probably a slightly bigger impact than this, but not enough to pop the air-bags. Needless to say that the front was slightly bent and was repaired. However a year and 4 broken wheel bearings later, a proper investigation found that the strut tower was not aligned properly causing excessive load on the bearing. So make sure that the repair is to your satisfaction.

Unfortunately hearing the story from SA's who doesn't always have the all facts can raise alarm bells, and you should rightfully question and review their explaination and all the facts before you make your own judgement. It wouldn't be the first time a dealer has tried to be less than truthfull and cover something up, so I would always recommend that you take a cautious approach and question everything. It should be the dealers responsibiliy that they resolve this issue above and beyond what's expected and don't try to cut any corners.

[Tippo]

Reading all this puts into perspective my own current dealer issues; scrapes on the front nearside bumper and a misaligned tail light, after my car had been to a dealer's bodyshop. It is going back to be sorted though.

Situations like this all do depend on how the dealer responds. Fortunately for me SO FAR is that the dealer has agreed to take the car back to sort out the issues with no problem. Will be interesting to see if they charge me for the courtesy car again though.

In your case I commend your restrained temper but then again in reality if we lived in France or Spain then the opposite to this would be expected which is a shame really cause I bet they get a lot more in return for their 'Latin temprament' rather than us with our 'stiff upper lip' and 'oh well that is life' attitude.

[leetennis]

This sense of perspective people are talking about and comparing things to world disasters has no relation.

A car is something we all work hard for and for me it keeps my family safe when we get around. If the damage caused removes the confidence in the cars ability to keep him or his family (if he has children?) he can kick up a fuss. Grand scheme of things its a small drama, that doesnt deminish a dealers responsibility to restore his confidence or deminish his arguement to have it put right the way he desires.

Good luck with it, i still suggest you need to touch base with BMW UK, for me they made everything right again after losing all confidence in the BMW brand.
Over an out

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by Carrera RSR

The aggressive nature of some posts is exactly why I got out of the motor trade after just two years with a premium brand. I am a genuine guy and most in the dealers are.

And the rivers flow with chocolate and the clouds are massive candy floss, and the prince lived happily ever after with the beautiful princess in their big castle made of honey and ....hmmm carbon fibre....


Wake up ...wake up mate!!!....you're still dreaming...

BUSINESS IS BUSINESS NOWADAYS....


Lehman brothers went out of business!....shares, stocks, brokers making deals, chavs stealing wheels caps, some damaging other people's property, read the news!!!, scam artists everywhere, insurance NOT wanting to pay, gota read ALL the small prints!!! all these politicians with their "expenses claims" ...everyone is after money and profit...


Accidents do happen, but if you don't ask for a decent settlement, you won't get one!...Not asking the OP to go with lawyers and Trading standards brochures on his next meeting with the dealership....but politely asking for a decent settlement is fair IMO....

[BlackCat]

Quick update: I'm seeing the Operations Director tomorrow for a face to face meeting. This either means that (a) they want to play hardball or (b) they want to resolve the matter properly. I hope the latter.

BC

[toxicnerve]

Originally Posted by BlackCat

Quick update: I'm seeing the Operations Director tomorrow for a face to face meeting. This either means that (a) they want to play hardball or (b) they want to resolve the matter properly. I hope the latter.

BC

I would hazard that it's being escalated because they know they dropped a bollock big time.

I think this could help things swing in your favour though I have been known to be wrong from time to time (once in 28 years I think ).

[Carrera RSR]

Originally Posted by zltm089

And the rivers flow with chocolate and the clouds are massive candy floss, and the prince lived happily ever after with the beautiful princess in their big castle made of honey and ....hmmm carbon fibre....


Wake up ...wake up mate!!!....you're still dreaming...

BUSINESS IS BUSINESS NOWADAYS....


Lehman brothers went out of business!....shares, stocks, brokers making deals, chavs stealing wheels caps, some damaging other people's property, read the news!!!, scam artists everywhere, insurance NOT wanting to pay, gota read ALL the small prints!!! all these politicians with their "expenses claims" ...everyone is after money and profit...


Accidents do happen, but if you don't ask for a decent settlement, you won't get one!...Not asking the OP to go with lawyers and Trading standards brochures on his next meeting with the dealership....but politely asking for a decent settlement is fair IMO....

Yes and its that 'fuck everyone and anyone who gets in my way and take heed 'cus I'll pop a cap in yer ass' which is causing all this aggression every day. I'm fed up with it in my life from customers, colleagues and twats on the road who get aggressive whilst behind some metal and glass.

I'm fine with firm discussion and negotiation to get the best deal but I'm pissed off with the aggression in all forms of work, personal and forum that goes with it.

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by Carrera RSR

Yes and its that 'fuck everyone and anyone who gets in my way and take heed 'cus I'll pop a cap in yer ass' which is causing all this aggression every day. I'm fed up with it in my life from customers, colleagues and twats on the road who get aggressive whilst behind some metal and glass.

I'm fine with firm discussion and negotiation to get the best deal but I'm pissed off with the aggression in all forms of work, personal and forum that goes with it.

You wanna step outside and say that?

[Oli]

Originally Posted by Carrera RSR

Yes and its that 'fuck everyone and anyone who gets in my way and take heed 'cus I'll pop a cap in yer ass' which is causing all this aggression every day. I'm fed up with it in my life from customers, colleagues and twats on the road who get aggressive whilst behind some metal and glass.

I'm fine with firm discussion and negotiation to get the best deal but I'm pissed off with the aggression in all forms of work, personal and forum that goes with it.

What he said - Completely correct, all this jumping on the lets take the dealer down rubbish, really gets on my wick!

[pjs]

OP - I'm reading this thread with interest, and I think the tough part is indeed the knowledge that when your car comes back, you know its not the same. Doesnt matter if they crashed it or you did, its the knowing its had a decent whack. Regardless if its repaired to an as new standard, you lose some of the feel good factor. Not so bad if its a 3 year old high miler, but it isnt.

If it was me, I'd want to be put in a slightly better position that I was before to reflect the inconvenience. If you are happy to put your hand in your pocket on the basis of a new car at 'cost' to the dealership whislt receiving 'top trade' for yours, then that is probably your best outcome.

Good luck

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by Carrera RSR

Yes and its that 'fuck everyone and anyone who gets in my way and take heed 'cus I'll pop a cap in yer ass' which is causing all this aggression every day. I'm fed up with it in my life from customers, colleagues and twats on the road who get aggressive whilst behind some metal and glass.

I'm fine with firm discussion and negotiation to get the best deal but I'm pissed off with the aggression in all forms of work, personal and forum that goes with it.

Here here.

100%

[Chris335d]

That made good sat morning reading.

[RagingKileak]

Originally Posted by BlackCat

Quick update: I'm seeing the Operations Director tomorrow for a face to face meeting. This either means that (a) they want to play hardball or (b) they want to resolve the matter properly. I hope the latter.

BC

I don't understand why they keep throwing 'people' at you.

What have you said to the service manager? What did he say to you? Etc!!

Matt