BMW dealer wrecks M5 and won't pay for damage

Originally Posted by gizmo jean

Insurance company committed to paying...even made a counteroffer. The only thing left to negotiate is the final number my friend will accept. They're only about $3k apart right now.

Just pointing out a trend... it will be harder in the future to get these payments are many companies are now specifically excluding it. Good that your friend was able to get it without having to put up a big fight.

little update fwiw -

Based on the quoted mission statement I know what dealer this is.

I'm not trying to disparage the OP, but this is what I found and what I know. I just returned from driving the entire area where the OP said the accident happened and where he said he found 30ft of skid marks and curb impact. There are three streets behind the dealership. I drove up and down each of those streets VERY slowly and found no evidence that matched what the OP reported. I found one place where you could tell someone had laid down some rubber. There was one short strip and one longer strip, but neither one showed any sign of an out of control car and there was no evidence at all that the curb in that area had experienced any kind of impact once much less twice. So, that is what I observed.

I know the management of this dealership and the OP's account of how he was treated is 180 degrees opposite of this dealership's management style/philosophy. I know the owner is a man of very high moral standards and is a very strong supporter of the local community; to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars in support of community organizations each year.

I'm not saying the accident didn't happen; though I could not find the evidence the OP reported. I am saying I don't believe the OP is representing the facts and the details accurately. I find it interesting the OP got a lawyer so quickly and is already thinking of ways to "crush" the dealer. I'm thinking his story better be accurate or he may just be opening himself up to a libel claim.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

little update fwiw -

Based on the quoted mission statement I know what dealer this is.

I'm not trying to disparage the OP, but this is what I found and what I know. I just returned from driving the entire area where the OP said the accident happened and where he said he found 30ft of skid marks and curb impact. There are three streets behind the dealership. I drove up and down each of those streets VERY slowly and no evidence that matched what the OP reported. I found one place where you could tell someone had laid down some rubber. There was one short strip and one longer strip, but neither one showed any sign of an out of control car and there was no evidence at all that the curb in that area had experienced any kind of impact once much less twice. So, that is what I observed.

I know the management of this dealership and the OP's account of how he was treated is 180 degrees opposite of this dealership's management style/philosophy. I know the owner is a man of very high moral standards and is a very strong supporter of the local community; to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars in community organizations each year.

I'm not saying the accident didn't happen; though I could not find the evidence the OP reported. I am saying I don't believe the OP is representing the facts and the details accurately. I find it interesting the OP got a lawyer so quickly and is already thinking of ways to "screw" the dealer. I'm thinking his story better be accurate or he may just be opening himself up to a libel claim.

The only things that matter are:
1) was the M5 damaged?
2) who was driving the M5 when this happened?
3) how much was the M5 damaged?


These three questions should be very easy to answer.

And the fact that the Dealership is negotiating with the M5's owner is very strong indication as to 1) and 2).

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

Just pointing out a trend... it will be harder in the future to get these payments are many companies are now specifically excluding it. Good that your friend was able to get it without having to put up a big fight.

It's all good...

Although he didn't have to fight regarding the concept of diminution, he has had to fight about receiving fair value. Having a friend who's a lawyer made it a lot cheaper to fight

Originally Posted by galahad05

The only things that matter are:
1) was the M5 damaged?
2) who was driving the M5 when this happened?
3) how much was the M5 damaged?


These three questions should be very easy to answer.

And the fact that the Dealership is negotiating with the M5's owner is very strong indication as to 1) and 2).

That may be, but have you read all of the OP's posts in his thread? I have.

What's the issue again?
I thought it was that the dealership wasn't going to completely pay for the repairs. Is there more to this?

Originally Posted by The HACK

Good luck with that. According to some here that even the 3 series gets treated like a rare one-off Ferrari at dealerships and porters and techs take every opportunity to beat on them...What chance does an M5 stand?

For those of you wishing to have a fun read...Search for "Savage BMW" here. I was somewhat involved in that saga and all I can tell you is, you're only seeing one side of the story.

Having witness this first hand, the M5 owner should have immediately contacted HIS insurance company and have them deal with the dealership's insurance rather than try to haggle with the dealership. That or call his lawyer "friend" immediately and have him show up at the dealership with him.

I know. I was being as they say, facetious.

Since BMW gives me a stripped, reeking from tobacco 328i as a loaner, I have been hanging around the lounge/service area instead. What I don't know unfortunately will hurt me.

Originally Posted by hpowders

I know. I was being as they say fecetious.

I hope you were being facetious. That other thing would be disgusting.

Originally Posted by hpowders

Since BMW gives me a stripped, reeking from tobacco 328i

Since when do they allow smoking in loaners?

Originally Posted by guerilla twang

Since when do they allow smoking in loaners?

I definitely noticed the fragrant smell of stale tobacco in my last stripped 328i loaner sedan.

People do whatever they want.

Originally Posted by hpowders

I definitely noticed the fragrant smell of stale tobacco in my last stripped 328i loaner sedan.

People do whatever they want.

This is true, I guess i'm the one of the few who respect the rules.

Originally Posted by guerilla twang

This is true, I guess i'm the one of the few who respect the rules.

Me too. We are a dying breed.

No loaners for me anymore. I sit in the lounge and sneak looks at the service bay.

Originally Posted by hpowders

Me too. We are a dying breed.

No loaners for me anymore. I sit in the lounge and sneak looks at the service bay.

I sneak looks at the front desk service girl. I'm going out to my local dealer to test drive a 135i today. Maybe she'll come with me.

Originally Posted by guerilla twang

i sneak looks at the front desk service girl. I'm going out to my local dealer to test drive a 135i today. Maybe she'll come with me.

dct? My SA is a looker too. She also told me very loudly and completely without shame "I expect all perfect scores!"

Originally Posted by hpowders

dct?

Yes, i'm curious as to how well of a performer it is.

Originally Posted by guerilla twang

Yes, i'm curious as to how well of a performer it is.

I liked it. I had it in auto mode and frankly couldn't tell the difference between it and a good ZF Steptronic.

It has been said it produces a delay when first backing up and then putting it in "drive". I didn't get a chance to do this. I only went forward.

My right knee brushed the console in the 135i. That never happens in the 3 Series-much more room.

However, I could see myself being quite happy with the 300hp. I just wish I could spread the love among the highway troopers.

Unfortunately I never got the chance to manually shift the DCT. The test drive went by so fast.

Originally Posted by hpowders

I liked it. I had it in auto mode and frankly couldn't tell the difference between it and a good ZF Steptronic.

It has been said it produces a delay when first backing up and then putting it in "drive". I didn't get a chance to do this. I only went forward.

My left knee brushed the console in the 135i. That never happens in the 3 Series-much more room.

However, I could see myself being quite happy with the 300hp. I just wish I could spread the love among the highway troopers.

You sure about that?

Originally Posted by tturedraider

You sure about that?

I'm aware. I changed it. That would only happen in merry old England.

I'll post up a brief review, I may end up testing a 6MT but we'll see.

I loved the 135i M sport I drove. Real muscle feel to it. Was not the DCT though..
The 335is I drove was and I could tell it shifted a little faster, but the main feeling was how smooth the power was and the less loss during shifts, the dual clutch.
1M +dct would be fun but I hear it will only be offered in 6MT. Similar to one of my favorites, the E39 M5.

And OP, if I wanted to know about a local dealer I would check the regional sections of the forum and/or a local forum such as azbmw.org
If you are not on azbmw.org already, there is a lot of info on which shops to go to for what. Bunch of goofs though..

Originally Posted by guerilla twang

I'll post up a brief review, I may end up testing a 6MT but we'll see.

Good.

Yesterday, I gladly bought a new five
My Bmw dealer strived to just keep it alive.

tturedraider, I'm sure you see a good side of that dealership, but my experiences have been less than positive. Note that I have purchased FIVE new BMW's since 2004. I'm not exactly a window shopper. I shop to purchase.

On two separate occasions I have attempted to purchase through them, but on both occasions I was not treated as a serious buyer. I felt like the CA thought I was wasting his time both times. I had scheduled appointments and shown up on time for them. I am not a hard negotiator. I am actually a pretty easy sell. My household income is what I would consider well into upper middle class and my credit score as of two weeks ago was approaching 800. Yet, when I walked in with my wife and two kids, the CA acted as if I was just someone there to take a free test drive despite the fact that each time I pulled up in a relatively new BMW. Thanks, but no thanks.

To each his own, I guess, but I'll stay where I am since I am able to buy the car I want at a price that's comfortable for me. My last two were negotiated via email. I only showed up for delivery and to sign the paperwork. I have a great SA who knows who I am when I call or stop by out of the blue and who even tells me things most people wouldn't know about the cars. We even discussed the HPFP issue before I bought my 335.

Originally Posted by rgzimmer

tturedraider, I'm sure you see a good side of that dealership, but my experiences have been less than positive. Note that I have purchased FIVE new BMW's since 2004. I'm not exactly a window shopper. I shop to purchase.

On two separate occasions I have attempted to purchase through them, but on both occasions I was not treated as a serious buyer. I felt like the CA thought I was wasting his time both times. I had scheduled appointments and shown up on time for them. I am not a hard negotiator. I am actually a pretty easy sell. My household income is what I would consider well into upper middle class and my credit score as of two weeks ago was approaching 800. Yet, when I walked in with my wife and two kids, the CA acted as if I was just someone there to take a free test drive despite the fact that each time I pulled up in a relatively new BMW. Thanks, but no thanks.

To each his own, I guess, but I'll stay where I am since I am able to buy the car I want at a price that's comfortable for me. My last two were negotiated via email. I only showed up for delivery and to sign the paperwork. I have a great SA who knows who I am when I call or stop by out of the blue and who even tells me things most people wouldn't know about the cars. We even discussed the HPFP issue before I bought my 335.

I've heard this complaint before. It may be 100% valid, but I think, at least sometimes, it's because they try to be really low pressure. I've had it happen, too. I'm in there looking for several minutes before anyone even approaches me and asks if I need help. However, blowing you off as a serious customer is unacceptable. I can't imagine a CA doing that with someone who had the courtesy to make an appointment and even show up on time. I have not actually purchased from them, only because I've ended up finding and purchasing my bimmers from long distance. I have used their service department and have been pleased with those experiences.