BMW getting me a new 2007 E65 - Sad yet happy!

After 6 trips back to the dealer for engine problems, BMW is finally giving up! You may have seen my prior posts on this before, but I have had many issues with my 2006 E65,which I absolutley love. It started with the car just shutting down to 'limp home' mode for no reason. They thought it was tied to the fuel (not) , then they thought it was the paddle shifters (not). Next they thought it was the ignitition coil (they replaced these and the problem went away for about 5000 miles but returned), then the computer (replaced and re-programmed. The problem came back in 1500 miles). When it shuts down, I have to pull over and shut off the engine, When I re-start it, the problem is gone but the yellow check engine light stays on. After this, sometimes it's just fine, and other times it runs very sluggishly. I have to take it back to the dealer and every time, the only diagnostic errors in the log are 'misfire faults' on multiple cylinders. They can't figure out why, so they are replacing the car with a 2007, configured exactly the same . They are going to use a BMW program called 'trade assist'. Anyone have any experince with this?

I think that is great customer service and the dealer has been very helpful, but I am sad that I am losing my car. I had to drive a 330i loaner for about a week (this time) and while it's a fine car, after driving my 750i, I understand those Versa commercials about auto-claustraphobia.

Congrats on this! I know it was a long and horrible ordeal. I had something similar with my Isuzu Rodeo, they ended up replacing it with the top of the line level. Only difference was all of my issues happened within 25days.

Sorry to hear of this. But the good news is that you are geeting a new car.

By the way keep us upto date for what is trade assist and its details as well as how it works.

Too bad about your experience, but good news on the fix. I too would be interested in learning about the trade assist if you do not mind sharing. Good luck.
vz

trade assist is when BMW takes the car back and gives you another one. Its BMW's terminology of a goodwill buyback. its only branded in CA if i remember correctly. Anyhow, i would stay away from buying any bmw that has a trade assist history (which only shows up when running service records, not on title or carfax) Avoids the car from being branded a lemon...

trade assist = hush money

Originally Posted by gman750i

After 6 trips back to the dealer for engine problems, BMW is finally giving up! You may have seen my prior posts on this before, but I have had many issues with my 2006 E65,which I absolutley love. It started with the car just shutting down to 'limp home' mode for no reason. They thought it was tied to the fuel (not) , then they thought it was the paddle shifters (not). Next they thought it was the ignitition coil (they replaced these and the problem went away for about 5000 miles but returned), then the computer (replaced and re-programmed. The problem came back in 1500 miles). When it shuts down, I have to pull over and shut off the engine, When I re-start it, the problem is gone but the yellow check engine light stays on. After this, sometimes it's just fine, and other times it runs very sluggishly. I have to take it back to the dealer and every time, the only diagnostic errors in the log are 'misfire faults' on multiple cylinders. They can't figure out why, so they are replacing the car with a 2007, configured exactly the same . They are going to use a BMW program called 'trade assist'. Anyone have any experince with this?

I think that is great customer service and the dealer has been very helpful, but I am sad that I am losing my car. I had to drive a 330i loaner for about a week (this time) and while it's a fine car, after driving my 750i, I understand those Versa commercials about auto-claustraphobia.

Hey gman, did you get your new car yet? Was the process of swapping out of the old and into the new tedious?

Thanks.

The new car hasn't arrived yet. I could have chosen one from stock, but I wanted a car identical to mine and I wasn't willing to compromise. Due to the year end, the only way to get one was to order a new one and it was too late to order an '06, so I had to order an '07. I am told the 19" star spoke wheels have changed, but I'll need to wait and see. Vehicle tracking on Owner's Circle says it is 'en route', although last time, I had the car for a couple of days before the web site updated. I will let you know how the process goes once I complete it.

Well, after 5 weeks, I finally got my new car. It's exactly the same, with a few minor tweaks (and 20,000 less miles!).
Here are the differences:

1. The '07 came with an AUX port in the center console. Great for iPod use, but doesn't allow for steering wheel control, does not display on the iDrive screen (obviously) and does not stop the iPod when you shut off the car. I also had the iPod adapter installed ($539.00). Riddled with problems - see my related post.
2. The '07 has retractable side mirrors - Very nice!
3. The '07 came with the trunk pass-through and ski sack as part of the package
4. Minute differences in the software. (i.e gas guage, etc...)

Trade assist was very easy. I showed up, signed about 5-6 forms (odometer disclosures, registration transfer, etc..) and a release stating that I won't sue BMS for my troubles. I handed them the keys to the '06 and was out the door within 20 minutes. Very painless.

Pics!!! Pics!!!

Originally Posted by gman750i

Well, after 5 weeks, I finally got my new car. It's exactly the same, with a few minor tweaks (and 20,000 less miles!).
Here are the differences:

1. The '07 came with an AUX port in the center console. Great for iPod use, but doesn't allow for steering wheel control, does not display on the iDrive screen (obviously) and does not stop the iPod when you shut off the car. I also had the iPod adapter installed ($539.00). Riddled with problems - see my related post.
2. The '07 has retractable side mirrors - Very nice!
3. The '07 came with the trunk pass-through and ski sack as part of the package
4. Minute differences in the software. (i.e gas guage, etc...)

Trade assist was very easy. I showed up, signed about 5-6 forms (odometer disclosures, registration transfer, etc..) and a release stating that I won't sue BMS for my troubles. I handed them the keys to the '06 and was out the door within 20 minutes. Very painless.

thanks for following up and congrats on the new car

glad to hear that the trade assist went smoothly. i have a buddy on the west coast going through the same scenario as yourself and im sure he's gonna be happy when i tell him its gonna be painless.

also, who initiated the trade assist? were you fed up with the car and decided that enough was enough, or did BMW and/or the dealer throw in the towel?

thanks.

The dealer suggested it. They told me they couldn't figure it out, even after several rounds with 'the engineers in Germany'. After 6 tries, I was well within my right to exercise the lemon law, but I didnt have to. They simply asked if I there was anything different that I wanted. They tried to locate the exact configuration elsewhere but couldn't, so they ordered an '07.

Pics soon - it's been raining almost since I got it, so I want to get it cleaned up and snap a few pics.

Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics!!!!

I finally had some time to send up the pics!

Enjoy!

Congrats on your new car. Looks really nice. Looks like your car is running in one of the pictures.

A word of caution - don't let your car run unattended - you may get a ticket There is a story on this site somewhere in which a person got a ticket in his front yard - car running while unattended.

Kidding aside, thanks for sharing the pixs.
vz

Originally Posted by von_zoom

Congrats on your new car. Looks really nice. Looks like your car is running in one of the pictures.

A word of caution - don't let your car run unattended - you may get a ticket There is a story on this site somewhere in which a person got a ticket in his front yard - car running while unattended.

Kidding aside, thanks for sharing the pixs.
vz

Serious thats just dumb, say you had a problem and had to have the car running to try and diagnose a problem.

anyway nice car thx for the pics