[lons]

I bought my car 18 months ago as 3 month old BMW registered car with 3000 miles on the clock. Noticed a few months ago that there was a patch of paint on the nearside front bumper which looked as though the clearcoat was breaking down.

Took it in to Stratstone Tyneside yesterday to see the service manager and was all fired up for a fight as I expected to be told it was stonechips.

He spent about 10 minutes carefully examining the bumper before informing me that the car had at some stage been "smart repaired. I was shocked. It never crossed my mind that it might have been repaired before I bought it and annoyed that I hadn't been told but relieved that he said it would be sorted properly with a full bumper respray baked on in the bodyshop then promptly disappeared to "have a word" with the sales manager.

So, going in for 3 days on 17th - hope they loan me a decent car!

Can't fault Stratstones' service on this occasion

[SORA MONKEY]

The word he probably had was "oh we have been found out again" or "do they really think we don't smart repair cars"

Happens all the time, my car was an ex BMW registered car and also smart repaired and misfueled repaired all not disclosed at sale.

All BMW dealers/all car dealers are the same, just BMW have better coffee and we pay through the nose.

[lons]

Originally Posted by seccoman2000

The word he probably had was "oh we have been found out again" or "do they really think we don't smart repair cars"

Happens all the time, my car was an ex BMW registered car and also smart repaired and misfueled repaired all not disclosed at sale.

All BMW dealers/all car dealers are the same, just BMW have better coffee and we pay through the nose.

I think the saving grace for me was that the service manager was genuinely surprised (or a very good actor).
I've no doubt that the word with the sales manager quickly confirmed it though and as you said they were "found out".

At least it will be done properly now I know about it. My immediate reaction was "I'm not having that done", and there was immediate agreement.

Still annoying when you buy what you think is an pristine motor.

[dxb335d]

Well Im suprised they would fix someone elses poor repair for free.

Glad its getting sorted though. Check for paint match closely.

[F31-340i]

Nice one lons.

It looks as though he realised the trail would come back to them - so they are responsible for the work. As it was almost brand new when sold, it must have been them that did the smart repair and they would have records.

They will also probbaly be taking it up with their smart repairer - and making them fix it for free using their buying power (a dealer must push loads of work there way every month, so theres a threat there if they don't).

[lons]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Well Im suprised they would fix someone elses poor repair for free.

Glad its getting sorted though. Check for paint match closely.

I assume that one of their salesmen dinged it so sales would have paid for the smart repair at that stage.

I wouldn't be surprised if they don't ask the smart co for a refund (or maybe they'll try a paint warranty defect from BMW) - who knows - I don't care.

it'll come with a full warranty and I will check it very carefully. I'm fussy in the extreme Carl.

[lons]

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Nice one lons.

They will also probbaly be taking it up with their smart repairer - and making them fix it for free using their buying power (a dealer must push loads of work there way every month, so theres a threat there if they don't).

I made it very clear that I won't accept a "smart" repair so it's going in to Stratstones' bodyshop for 3 days to get a proper job. I'll be examining it very carefully and there'll be hell to pay if it isn't as promised.

[SteveF1]

One of my wheels had flaking paint coming off the spoke (half way) which went all the way to the primer and it looked quite a mess. Two of the other wheels were corroding behind the spoke and it won't be long before they need repairing so I went back to BMW to have them check it out. I knew under the used approved warranty I'd have no leg to stand on so pleaded on their better nature and all I got was a smart repair on the flaking paint wheel. The service dept spoke with sales and they basically couldn't care less, the sales manager pretty much told me that but the dealership principle authorised a smart repair on the flaking wheel after the service manager fought my case.

Was it worth it.....

Not really. The wheel looks ok from a distance, get closer though and you can see it looks inferior to the others, worse still it feels quite rough to the touch compared to the originals. It also looks less shiny, as though the laquer isn't as thick and the M sticker and centre hub cap have signs of overspray on them. Yes the flaking is completely gone but the overall look and feel of the wheel is not what it was. This is a shame as when they said the wheel would be sorted they never mentioned smart repairs as the last wheel they sorted out was fully dipped and painted again to a very good standard.

Nothing smart about smart repairs other than keeping the costs down for the dealer.

[lons]

Originally Posted by SteveF1

One of my wheels had flaking paint coming off the spoke (half way) which went all the way to the primer and it looked quite a mess. Two of the other wheels were corroding behind the spoke and it won't be long before they need repairing so I went back to BMW to have them check it out. I knew under the used approved warranty I'd have no leg to stand on so pleaded on their better nature and all I got was a smart repair on the flaking paint wheel. The service dept spoke with sales and they basically couldn't care less, the sales manager pretty much told me that but the dealership principle authorised a smart repair on the flaking wheel after the service manager fought my case.

Was it worth it.....

Not really. The wheel looks ok from a distance, get closer though and you can see it looks inferior to the others, worse still it feels quite rough to the touch compared to the originals. It also looks less shiny, as though the laquer isn't as thick and the M sticker and centre hub cap have signs of overspray on them. Yes the flaking is completely gone but the overall look and feel of the wheel is not what it was. This is a shame as when they said the wheel would be sorted they never mentioned smart repairs as the last wheel they sorted out was fully dipped and painted again to a very good standard.

Nothing smart about smart repairs other than keeping the costs down for the dealer.

That's really crap.....it's confirmed what I think though.

Apart from my patchy bumper, my car hasn't a mark on it (touch wood) apart from 3 of my wheels got very slightly curbed this last winter when the kerbstones were burried under snow.

I thought about having them touched up but decided to wait and have all 4 fully refurbished when they get a bit worse.

I think a poor job is worse that not having them done at all.

[m@rk]

I had a problem with the clearcoat breaking up on my front bumper (right at the bottom) last year. I have had mine from new.

The service manager told me that if the total cost (to him) was less than £500 then he was able to put it through the warrant claim process without the need to get BMW involved. In other words, on his say so.

I am assuming the cost was indeed below £500 as a few days later I got a call from the bodyshop to book it in for 3 days.

The end result was perfect.

[milesr3]

My car was delivered with a big patch of clearcoat missing from the bumper where they'd tried to polish out a small scratch.

It had a smart repair which subsequently failed when the clearcoat flaked off. It was done again and failed a second time. I kicked up a fuss and in the end the whole bumper was resprayed in their bodyshop and now looks 100%.

I had two wheels that were smart repaired too and the clearcoat came off these along with a third a short while later which had obviously been repaired too. Once again I took them back and all three were sent out to an independent wheel refurb place who stripped and powder coated them.

The after-sales manager agreed that the amount of hassle and ill feeling that the smart repairs generated wasn't worth it. It's clear to me that they just use it to make the car look presentable at the point of sale, take your money and hope that you can't be arsed to come back when it fails.

It's good that you're getting a proper repair.

[lons]

I'm a bit shocked to read some of these as I hadn't realised it was so common.
We'll see what happens next week as I'll examine it very closely and make sure I get the right warranty on the work. I assume then that he's squeezed it in under the £500 limit as suggested.

Got a call from the salesman today as they are trying to tempt me into a new 5 series but he didn't bite when I suggested they loan me one for the 3 days - Pity

[Jamese93]

My better half's former BMW. When buying a used car through a dealership the sales manager confided in me that "all the motors on my forecourt have been smart repaired" - be it kerbed wheels (nearly all demo's have kerbed wheels, either from the sales guys or test drives) or bumper scuffs. The last company 1 series that came adn went through them had the back stoved in and the side scraped by a lorry at a junction, all within three months, and was sold as an AUC as you would expect - although properly done.

Truth of the matter is never think that a motor only three months old or BMW head office (Y prefix cars) have been treated perfectly - the majority have but keep your wits about you - notice in what car and top gear how the test cars are "Y" suffix - all "management" cars or so we're told - quite a few that have been 0-60 and back with 100 miles on the clock quite a few times.... Not that it's a major issue, but for those of you that treat your cars well (as I do) it's something to bear in mind.

[tmarshall57]

Originally Posted by SteveF1

Nothing smart about smart repairs other than keeping the costs down for the dealer.

Steve - I note you live in Manchester. I would check out AWR in Bury. They will sort the wheel out for you for around £40 plus VAT. I've had two wheels which were dinged on the rims refurbished for £40 each and a bent rim straightened for approx £30. I have found their work to be fine. Their web site is at

http://www.alloywheelsrefurbished.com/

I have no connection with this company.