[chentw]

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My M3 was at a dealership for a rattling noise. The car was kept at the dealership for 4 days for road tests and repairs. However, I noticed the wheel and tire were damaged when I picked up the car today. I called it out on the spot. The dealer refused to take full responsibility. What can I do next?

[ano0oj]

Not much you can do here unless you have a damage inspection report that was done before your car was taken in. Of course BMW is going to it for their own loaners, but have very little motivation to do it on a customer's car.

Try escalating to BMW NA, but I can see them honestly saying OR if you're pesty enough they'll just get one of their wheel repair guys to touch it up.

[Mp3Supply]

More or less SOL if you dealer isn't willing to own it. I had a recent event with my PPF being jacked on my carbon sideskirts that were literally 2 days old and they owned up to it. I used the cost to fix it as credit to buy OEM parts that I would have bought anyways.

This is one of those times when a good SA is worth their weight in gold.

Assume you don't have the wheel and tire package? you can maybe leverage that for reimbursement via that program?

[Juanero]

Escalate to BMW na. But they will always say it's not their fault, so you have to be pushy about it.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Juanero

Escalate to BMW na. But they will always say it's not their fault, so you have to be pushy about it.

BMWNA has zero to do with the dealers.

[1209582]

which dealer?

[FC4]

This is exactly why you don’t take the car in for minor issues. Dealers often cause bigger headaches than what the car went in for in the first place.

Easiest thing to do would be to fix it on your own. Shouldn’t cost more than $200 to make that look as good as new, unless it’s worth your time chasing them down for that.

Good luck.

[chris3g]

agreed, avoid the dealer at all costs. significant clear warranty replacement stuff only. They always manage to mess something up. Probably didn't fix your rattle either.

[chicagofan00]

Unless you have proof the wheel was in perfect shape prior to dropping off and leaving it, it will be hard to get them to own up to it. Could try sending a polite note to the service manager and/or general manager of the dealership and see if they’d be willing to cover the cost of the repair. If they still don’t own up to it, just take that as a reason to not return for service at that dealership anymore and then go find a reputable mobile repair guy. A good repair guy can make that look like it never happened and usually for $150 or less.

[Juanero]

no wonder bmw dealers have poor ratings around me. porsche dealer would've fixed it; but of course you spend a lot more money in service there. thanks for the heads up!

[Tyga11]

The dealer should be taking detailed pictures (including the wheels / tires) prior to you dropping it off. That is their standard protocol.

Request the pictures

[BryanCO]

“Full responsibility”. Did the dealer offer to split it with you or?

Drivers side rear?

Talk with the service manager.

Some stretch on those tires…

[YamaLink]

Too late, but each time I visit dealer there are pics and videos with narration of "such and such day, dropping car off for, wheels and body work are perfect. There is nothing wrong with this car cosmetically." I do it in the service bay with employees and their cameras recording.

[G MONEY]

Perfect reason to get aftermarket wheels!!

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by YamaLink

Too late, but each time I visit dealer there are pics and videos with narration of "such and such day, dropping car off for, wheels and body work are perfect. There is nothing wrong with this car cosmetically." I do it in the service bay with employees and their cameras recording.

[FC4]

Originally Posted by YamaLink

Too late, but each time I visit dealer there are pics and videos with narration of "such and such day, dropping car off for, wheels and body work are perfect. There is nothing wrong with this car cosmetically." I do it in the service bay with employees and their cameras recording.

LOL

[FC4]

Originally Posted by G MONEY

Perfect reason to get aftermarket wheels!!

Those are Titan 7s.

[G MONEY]

Originally Posted by FC4

Those are Titan 7s.

Oh!! We’ll time to get
Nicer aftermarket wheels😳🤣😘

[Fins1972]

Originally Posted by KevinGS

Well done -- I video the vehicle inside and out prior to handing over the keys to the service advisor. The video is date and time stamped automatically. Be sure to get a shot of the "DO NOT WASH" signs (yes, multiples).

[KANdaddy]

Sorry to hear, OP. I had the same thing happen to me when I took my car in for its 1200 mi service. Kid drove my car from service area to front and annihilated my rear rt. As soon as he parked the car he literally tossed me my key and tried to skirt out of there hella quick. I saw the damage and immediately called my SA over. He was pissed but got me a new wheel and tire, no questions asked. I now have the old one as a spare.

As others said, this is where a good SA relationship is key. I would honestly make your dealer’s life hell until they pay. Where do you live? Out here we have a two news channels that welcome these kind of stories and will run on air segments to help consumers.

[MKParris]

Did the dealer have to take the tires off?

Without any sign of touching a curb, unless they had to take the tires off I cant see how that happened at the dealer. I had someone install some new tires on my 437m wheels once and their machine made a scratch like that.

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by Fins1972

Well done -- I video the vehicle inside and out prior to handing over the keys to the service advisor. The video is date and time stamped automatically. Be sure to get a shot of the "DO NOT WASH" signs (yes, multiples).

I love it, Fins

I thought I was "on it" when I've whipped out my combo DO NOT WASH and NO SOFTWARE UPDATE sign and plop it in the windshield when at the dealer.

Well, you far surpassed my anxiety level. Respect, man, respect...

Please post one of your "dealer prep" videos, so I can practice for my next dealer visit.