BMW Service Sucks!

[harjothundal]

I guess I should state all facts in this rant...

September 2007 - take car to dealer for a list of problems, of which one was cd not rememebr what you were listening to when you returned to the car... Tech could not verify....

May 2008 - take car for a list of problems, cd changer problem listed again as well as audio distortion, dealer cound not verify...

July 22 2008 - drop car off for leaking mechatronic sleve, also drop for navigation problems, cd changer problems, and audio system distortion... mechatronic sleve replaced, nav computer replaced, logic 7 computer replaced along with programming...

July 23 2008 - Pick up car, immediately notice audio system is still distorting and subwoofers are cutting out even more...

July 24 - Notice Nav has gone wild and will not display properly. Cannot listen music as it keeps turning off by itself... If volume is adjusted while nav is rebooting, system will freeze and volume will go to full power, and get stuck there for a minute or so...

July 25 - dropped off car again for issues above...

August 4 - dealer say car done... go pick up.. before driving away i test audio in service drive, still distorting... Bring tech back out, he verifys distortion. Tech brings out another 7 series with logic 7... This was a new 7 with a newer version of the idrive (more colorful display and different looking menus) The same cd's did the same thing in this car, subwoofers cut out and rear speakers distorted, but not as bad... Tech thought it was "just a characteristic" of the car... However, this "other" 7's dash speaker was also crackling... The tech noted that, but still said it was "normal"..... So they got the shop forman (mr. mackie) and he verified the concerns, and wanted to keep the car to address the issues....

each time its a 45 mile drive, plus a 4 dollar toll i have to pay to cross back over the bridge...

i know this is mostly just a rant, but why cant the dealers ever properly test a car instead of just throwing it back to the customer?

[momo's_se\/en]

Sorry man , BMW service do suck depending where you take it though

[imxelite]

Man I'm going through a similar situation as you but not as bad. I feel your pain. I can't get BMW to duplicate my problem but whenever I get in the car the speakers sound like crap. I really think they are trying to prolong the problem until the warranty runs out, then they will know exactly what the problem is and can fix it at a cost.

[manithemoneyman]

Sorry to hear but I totally understand how you feel...

It took me 2 months to get them to replace a broken wheel bearing which was causing a horrible whining sound inside the car, they "couldnt reproduce" it until I locked the my SA inside the car and drove around at 100mph on the freeway.

I also said I would drive straight into a wall if he didnt fix it.*







*I didnt really do that. I did stab him though. **






**No I didnt do that either. :cry:

[harjothundal]

Man I'm going through a similar situation as you but not as bad. I feel your pain. I can't get BMW to duplicate my problem but whenever I get in the car the speakers sound like crap. I really think they are trying to prolong the problem until the warranty runs out, then they will know exactly what the problem is and can fix it at a cost.

im shocked as to how common this problem is... the dealer must know whats going on, yet they hate admitting to it... the "other" 7 series the tech brought to test with had the same issues, and the center speaker in the dash was crackling, even with logic 7 off... that right there is a serious issue... it sounds perfectly fine with logic 7 on, i just dont get what could be wrong... theyve replaced the nav unit n logic 7 amp, along with the power module... no ask or any speakers, maybe thats where the problem really is...

[sunny_j]

i have the same problem. when ever i take my car in for problems they say it cant be duplicated:mad::mad:

[BMW_tech]

Kathy D is a boob. Who is the tech? Shane G. was my feminine advisor. His old team wasn't getting it done until I saved him. Mackie, that's the man you should be talking to. Tell him I asked you to get BMWNA to give you an ASK. Then you'd have no more reasons to be a nice guy and seek for the death penalty (a.k.a. Best Buy). You have the latest and greatest. It's not the integrity of the circuit and it has no effect on environmental conditions therefore...........it's a rat!

If I were the tech, depending on the information you gave....it may take awhile to determine wether it occurs on all audio source or mainly ONE. And if it occurs only on FM, it means the ANT would be the culprit. TCU would have been my first suspect if it happens on any audio source (even when the audio is turned OFF). I'd check it and repair via MOXA if neccessary. And if it occurs only on FM, it means the ANT would be the culprit. Jumping the MOST connector would bypass the particular module and if the crackle becomes crack less, the module you jump is the rat! If the symptom persists, I'd get a known good ASK from a used car and see if that fixes it. I would then send the FASTA data with the original and the donor ASK. Create a PuMA case with my findings and include the difference between the 2 ASK tested. This info includes the part number and the identification page. Any information that is required by the technical liason. If there is a pattern seen with the particular part by providing all these information...........Asking them for an ASK would almost feel like not asking but receiving a gift. The gift of knowing the PROTOCOL, the gift of doing everything required without shortcuts and detour. I don't know any BMW Technician that gifted. In all honesty, it's survival of the fittest and the last guy always finish last (and broke). Anybody want to hire a shop foreman who does nothing but fix problem cars instead of babysitting an entire shop full of cry babies with wet diapers hungry for the paying customers fresh milk ? The problem is, no technician wants to take on a problem/repeat visit car because they can only claim the work done. The diagnosis time is on the house. BMW made it so that there should be 3 shop foreman for 50 technicians. How many of them know how? (to please the boss? to handle the techs? to manage production?). How many of them know how to fix these cars............ because they're too busy managing? I see STEP graduates struggle to make it. You think you have it bad? LOL At least you can still get your motor running and get on the highway because you were born to be wild. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[harjothundal]

replied to your pm tech, many thanks to you! i dont know the tech that worked on it the first time, the second time it was an asian man by the name of hong or kong, kung? (no joke intended) they really pronounced his name like that...

side note, if anyone had their BARBERA RED 7 SERIES in for service at CONCORD BMW on 8-4-2008, your stereo is BROKE! the tech brought this car to compared against mine... it had a custom california license plate that read BAYBEST and the license plate trim was chrome and had some real estate info on it... if your on this forum, and you don't already know, your dash speaker crackles like a mofo at any volume level, and your subs cut out as if they weren't there... nice car btw, love the white interior =)

[Lucardes]

You need to change your title. Not your BMW service but the place that serviced your BMW. The dealer I go to service at is one of the best service experience.

[BMW_tech]

replied to your pm tech, many thanks to you! i dont know the tech that worked on it the first time, the second time it was an asian man by the name of hong or kong, kung? (no joke intended) they really pronounced his name like that...

That's Cuong. He is also known as King Kong. He was my Jedi Knight, he took over where I left off. I already told you how to fix your car. Tell them how to fix it. They'll be surprised how you knew. Once it's fixed and the "white noise" no longer occurs, tell Mackie and your advisor boobarella the hun (including shane ney ney Garner) that Bimmerfest is your source of help and information. Here, you don't need a PuMA case. Every question is answered, every post/thread does not require authorization. Unless explicit/pornographic/or illegal (except in canada or uk). That means suspension and an Infraction. Or perhaps jail time.

You need to change your title. Not your BMW service but the place that serviced your BMW. The dealer I go to service at is one of the best service experience.

Famous last words. Everyone had said that a few times. All it takes is that one time you aren't satisfied or was treated differently than what you expected. It's a fact that you don't always get what you want, we get spoiled and one day (when saturn lines up with the moon and uranus) when disappointment comes knocking at your door, we don't bother to look. We scream "rape" , retaliate and make demands or ultimatum. Give them an inch, they'll take a foot rule. You couldn't possibly please everybody. It's our nature to have different opinions and beliefs.

[jgriffith007]

I have cracking noise in my speakers and they ordered me 3 new ones getting installed next week. If this does not work, I will use this info as well. Thanks Tech

[ClermontFlash]

Sorry for your problem. Question. Did you buy the car new or used? Also was it involved in any accidents?

I have a 2006 7 without any issues whatsoever. I did have a Benz which was great until it had an accident and it went to the crapper after that. I had to get rid of it.

[Seven11]

I have a 2006 7 without any issues whatsoever.

better knock on wood for throwing crazy words like that around :eeps:

[harjothundal]

[QUOTE=ClermontFlash;3447187]Sorry for your problem. Question. Did you buy the car new or used? Also was it involved in any accidents?[QUOTE]

bought the car used in 06, never been in an accident with the exception of wheel failure mid last year...


for anyone following this thread, the dealer told me today that they've tried to replace everything in this car, and they cannot get rid of the problem... they said it was a "normal" characteristic of the logic 7 in a 7 series... called bmw relations and rep said he'd talk to the foreman, but i doubt this will solve anything........

damn bmw

[sunny_j]

they cannot get rid of the problem... they said it was a "normal" characteristic of the logic 7 in a 7 series... damn bmw

thats not acceptable

[harjothundal]

got the car back... shes definately distorting, and the technician definately verified that there was distortion, but could not do anything to fix it... to be quite honest, coung and kathy seemed appaled that i was comin to my man bmwtech for advice... apparently, tech used to be the foreman at concord, according to king kong and boobarella the hun that is..........

[imxelite]

got the car back... shes definately distorting, and the technician definately verified that there was distortion, but could not do anything to fix it... to be quite honest, coung and kathy seemed appaled that i was comin to my man bmwtech for advice... apparently, tech used to be the foreman at concord, according to king kong and boobarella the hun that is..........

Yeah I would ask them how about a new car because what are you suppose to do ride around in a car without music. But it's okay BMW because you can't fix it so I should ignore it. :mad:

[johndade]

So its still not fixed thats unacceptalble. I had same probmes to but now it sounds great with no distortion in the rear door speakers or the subs. Good luck with your issues.

[harjothundal]

i am DONE!!! WITH BMW....

Audio problem not fixed, can't enjoy my music at the volume's i prefer, and now look what happened on the drive home... I can see the repair order paperwork already... "Could not verify concern"

I'm done, this car just makes me sooo sick inside... and the best part THE DEALER ASKED IF I WAS BRINGING IT BACK IN TOMORROW MORNING!!!!!!!!!

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and there was NO POWER STEERING WHEN DRIVING HOME!!!! YOU CANT ROW A BOAT WITH NO POWER STEERING!!!! ARGHHHHHHHHH

[kemosobe77]

have your battery and alternator checked. I had the exact same thing. It was the alternator. Ofcourse the dealer told me it was the ignition switch($1200) even though I took it in for a faulty alternator. I even gave them the alternator's reading. Any way, it wasnt the ignition as it happened within 30 miles of leaving the dealer. When I took it back they told me it was a bad battery cell. What they didnt know is that there was a brand new battery on the car since I was stuck and had to purchase one to drive to the dealer. I played along with them and let them replace the battery. They wanted close to 500 for it. Got it for 200. It wasnt the battery either as it happened again within 30 miles of leaving the dealer. I went home, called BMW North America. 2 days later the shop mgr called me and asked to take the car in. After speaking with the techs that worked on the car he confirmed that they had never manually tested the alternator. He asked me if I had told anyone about it. Lucky me, the first SA I delt with actually wrote the readings from the alternator that I gave him. They replaced the alternator free of charge. SA told me I made out since the alternator is 800 plus labor. Not sure about that, still feel like I was f___ed. As a whole, the service departments at BMW suck! Someone like me who is out of warranty is better off taking it to a regular mechanic. Unfortunally these cars are so complicated that sometimes one has no choice. By the way, not the first bmw I own. I've had problems witht the service department with every bmw I've owned. Could not duplicate! The last time I was there for vibration in the steering wheel. They "fixed" it 3 different times. The last time I picked up the car I drove the car out of the lot and felt the vibration at about 10 mph. I pulled into their garage and tossed the keys to the first guy I found wearing a BMW shirt and walked away. 2 days later they called me to tell me they had found a bad ball joint. LOL, sometimes with these dealers you have to be an ass. They really leave you no choice. Really, if you went to a restaurant and you got a burnt stake when you asked for medium for the 3rd time, they would go out of business. Luxury service departments get away with this type or lack of service because their arent that many around. There is only 1 in my area. On onother note, what is this nonsense about making an appointment, what are they doctors? If they were, they wouldnt be able to afford the malpractice insurance....

[BMW_tech]

I think it's time for you to see me. I sent you a PM. Let me know what you want to do. It seems like you got a bunch of CAN faults along the way. I wonder if that is being overlooked and all the focus is on the MOST bus. I saw on your vehicle history that you had this Dynamic Drive repaired and they replaced the module. It also seemed like they had a programming failure during that time and another module was replaced. If you've got nothing to do one day, come in and we will write you up. You can partake on the diagnosis process. I will explain as we go along, and I will ask for your opinion. We can exchange educated guesses as we prove them one by one. That way, we can eliminate possibilities until there is one left. If we both run out of ideas and parts to swap for testing purposes, we can try talking to it using a ouija board. Once we meet the spirit, we can begin the exorcism. You've come this far, I'm certain you know a lot of prayers we can use. If only it were a zombie, I've got the thing for them.

[sunny_j]

If we both run out of ideas and parts to swap for testing purposes, we can try talking to it using a ouija board. Once we meet the spirit, we can begin the exorcism. You've come this far, I'm certain you know a lot of prayers we can use. If only it were a zombie, I've got the thing for them.

:rofl:

[harjothundal]

I think it's time for you to see me. I sent you a PM. Let me know what you want to do. It seems like you got a bunch of CAN faults along the way. I wonder if that is being overlooked and all the focus is on the MOST bus. I saw on your vehicle history that you had this Dynamic Drive repaired and they replaced the module. It also seemed like they had a programming failure during that time and another module was replaced. If you've got nothing to do one day, come in and we will write you up. You can partake on the diagnosis process. I will explain as we go along, and I will ask for your opinion. We can exchange educated guesses as we prove them one by one. That way, we can eliminate possibilities until there is one left. If we both run out of ideas and parts to swap for testing purposes, we can try talking to it using a ouija board. Once we meet the spirit, we can begin the exorcism. You've come this far, I'm certain you know a lot of prayers we can use. If only it were a zombie, I've got the thing for them.

once again, i can not thank you enough... you've went through the service history so i'm sure you've seen my complaints about the errors above, each time they replace a sensor etc etc... they even tried to blame it on the fact that i needed a new battery, not realizing the batt in there right now was brand new as of august 2007... i will definately follow your advice in the pm and call the lady to schedule this... for the type of service you're giving me, i rather drive an hour 30 (according to mapquest) rather than 45 for concord... mad mad respect :thumbup:

[csmooth79]

I have very similar issues and want to ship my car there ... at moderate volumes it crackles and distorts ...

P.S. I have a new batt, alternator, logic 7, ask unit, cd changer, tcu unit disabled (bmw assist) ... and still have problems (nav flicker, thats next prob will be getting a new nav unit and computer) we will see.

Harjot good luck

Tech if you still have my info check the service history if you could and see if there is anything they are not doing ... thanks PM me if needed

[03745Li-chicago]

... for the type of service you're giving me, i rather drive an hour 30 (according to mapquest) rather than 45 for concord... mad mad respect :thumbup:

damn, all the issues you're having reminds me of my 03. i think it would be in your best interest to drive 90 min to see BMW_tech (hopefully once) then constantly go to the joint you're currently going to numerous times. I was in your situation when I had my 03 7. I would drive an hour + to let this one tech work on my car (he was damn good). I would pass up many places (about 5) just to ensure a successful visit. Unfortunately, the tech relocated to the west coast :( I wish BMW_tech was in the midwest.

Good Luck.

[dfauerbach]

Maybe a little more up front camera time coming for Harjot! don't you guys have 7 on your side or shame on you with the local news carriers? Harjot didnt that Sevas wheel that broke go through the trunk? could it have damaged some wiring back there by chance that they are missing?

[harjothundal]

Maybe a little more up front camera time coming for Harjot! don't you guys have 7 on your side or shame on you with the local news carriers? Harjot didnt that Sevas wheel that broke go through the trunk? could it have damaged some wiring back there by chance that they are missing?

yes, the wheel incident was me... the side in which this took place was on the power side... it killed the battery and also stopped the shrapnel from traveling furthur and damaging more electronics... also, this just started happening when they updated software in teh car... before that i would bang the holy spirit out of this stereo and it would deliver nothing but the cleanest sound i've ever heard...

anyways, after complaining to the service manager and general manager yesterday, both called to console and help... i explained the issue with the idrive errors and the no power steering... they offered to send someone to pick up my car with a loaner, instead of having me again drive to concord... they also said a "technical engineer" or some special person will be at the dealership tomorrow, and she would like to show the stereo to him/her... i took a video this morning of the stereo, and you can actaully hear whats going on... i will capture that footage and upload it for ya'll to see later tonight...

for now, they picked up my 7 and dropped my off with a x3, but its a pretty sweet lookin vehicle... havn't driven it yet, but much more specey than the 3, now i can fit without cramming my legs =)

bmwtech, i called your lady 2 times and left 2 messages, she never returned my call... i wasn't going to get concord take the car, i was going to bring it straight to you... but then i thought, might as well let them document the errors on the car so i have it in writing...

thats all for now, what a headache!:eeps:

[dfauerbach]

Good Luck !