Keeping Your 3 Series Origami Top in Tip Top Shape

I had a horrible clattering sound coming from the roof area going over bumps, and although I cannot find a service bulletin, Morristown BMW in NJ fixed it beautifully! Here is what was done:

Road test car, verified noise. Very loud banging from the top. Removed the headliner and adjusted the roof pistons a little bit each time until it was perfect.
We made 3 small incremental adjustments and now it is fine. Reinstalled headliner and road tested car once more with nary a sound coming from previous problem area.

Oh and also there was a metallic rattle coming from the drivers side door. Here was the fix: Door striker was misaligned. Re-aligned drivers side door striker and now door is pindrop quiet.

BRAVO and 5 stars to Morristown Open Road BMW in Morristown NJ!!

Wish that was the standard for BMW regarding tops but it isn't. Glad to hear that this shop goes the extra mile and was successful for your problem...

Yea, I hear you man. Three dealerships insisting it's "normal" to have noise in a hardtop. Noise? sure. Sounds that remind me of when I shot off an SKS on the firing range? Not so much.

Glad to hear Morristown BMW fixed your problem Dark Knight for me still having to deal with BMWNA. Stay tuned.

BMWNA agreed to repurchase my vehicle and I'm getting another E93.

Originally Posted by 1zamboni

BMWNA agreed to repurchase my vehicle and I'm getting another E93.

Great news! Are they repurchasing it outright and then you are ordering another E93? Or, are they doing a trade where you keep your present car until the replacement car arrives at which time you return the old and drive off the lot with your new E93? I would think you want the second option, as it keeps you in a BMW uninterrupted.

Originally Posted by 1zamboni

BMWNA agreed to repurchase my vehicle and I'm getting another E93.

NICE !!

How did you convince them that there was a problem after being rebuffed so many times ?

Got an attorney involved for CA lemon law and they responded with a buy back now I have to wait to turn in the vehicle and get my down payment refund, I needed it for next vehicle and await to hear back from BMWNA. Want to get it resolve as soon as possible so I won't miss the holidays credit cash from BMW.

Originally Posted by 1zamboni

Got an attorney involved for CA lemon law and they responded with a buy back now I have to wait to turn in the vehicle and get my down payment refund, I needed it for next vehicle and await to hear back from BMWNA. Want to get it resolve as soon as possible so I won't miss the holidays credit cash from BMW.

Hmmm. That is a bit odd. If you are rolling into another BMW, you should be able to place the order (and lock in the holiday cash) now. When the replacement car arrives, you should be able to roll your repurchase amount into the purchase price of the replacement car.

Originally Posted by anE934fun

Hmmm. That is a bit odd. If you are rolling into another BMW, you should be able to place the order (and lock in the holiday cash) now. When the replacement car arrives, you should be able to roll your repurchase amount into the purchase price of the replacement car.

I'm still lock in for the holiday cash for 90 days since I've fill out the credit app, not so sure how the buy back process work.

Originally Posted by 1zamboni

BMWNA agreed to repurchase my vehicle and I'm getting another E93.

GREAT news Zamboni, and just in time for the holidays! Keep us posted, and best of luck with it!!

Originally Posted by 1zamboni

I'm still lock in for the holiday cash for 90 days since I've fill out the credit app, not so sure how the buy back process work.

Things may have changed since BMW repurchased my ex-E93, so take the following with that qualification. There are two tracks in a repurchase: 1.) Cash refund of purchase price (total of car + factory options + tax and license less deduction for miles driven before first failed repair attempt), or 2.) Trade Assist where a replacement car same model, same factory options is ordered. Trade Assist locks in the same price that was paid for car being repurchased, basically swapping out old car for replacement car. Cash refund can be better if there are purchase incentives for new car that weren't available for the old car (sounds like that is the circumstance for you). Edit: If you are doing a cash refund, you will need to place the order for the replacement car to be sure the order is placed in time to qualify for the current incentives.

In both cases, the lemon car is surrendered and an inspection is performed. The inspection uses the same metrics as is used at lease turn-in, so be sure to replace any non-standard items you may have added to the car. Otherwise, you will be charged for getting the car back to standard. Any damage (paint chips, scratches, etc.) will be evaluated according to the lease turn-in criteria (tire tread depth is measured...). Until the car being surrendered is accepted (it passes inspection), you are responsible for it, so keep making payments, keep registration and insurance current, etc.

Once the car is accepted by BMW, a check will be cut quickly (I was cashed out of my ex-E93 in 3 business days). Any loan on the car will be paid off and the balance between the loan amount and your 'equity' (total purchase price above less adjustment for miles driven) will be paid to you by BMW.

Good luck. IMO you got a fair resolution. Stuff happens. My d has been flawless. Best wishes for a great ownership experience with your replacement E93.

Originally Posted by anE934fun

Things may have changed since BMW repurchased my ex-E93, so take the following with that qualification. There are two tracks in a repurchase: 1.) Cash refund of purchase price (total of car + factory options + tax and license less deduction for miles driven before first failed repair attempt), or 2.) Trade Assist where a replacement car same model, same factory options is ordered. Trade Assist locks in the same price that was paid for car being repurchased, basically swapping out old car for replacement car. Cash refund can be better if there are purchase incentives for new car that weren't available for the old car (sounds like that is the circumstance for you). Edit: If you are doing a cash refund, you will need to place the order for the replacement car to be sure the order is placed in time to qualify for the current incentives.

In both cases, the lemon car is surrendered and an inspection is performed. The inspection uses the same metrics as is used at lease turn-in, so be sure to replace any non-standard items you may have added to the car. Otherwise, you will be charged for getting the car back to standard. Any damage (paint chips, scratches, etc.) will be evaluated according to the lease turn-in criteria (tire tread depth is measured...). Until the car being surrendered is accepted (it passes inspection), you are responsible for it, so keep making payments, keep registration and insurance current, etc.

Once the car is accepted by BMW, a check will be cut quickly (I was cashed out of my ex-E93 in 3 business days). Any loan on the car will be paid off and the balance between the loan amount and your 'equity' (total purchase price above less adjustment for miles driven) will be paid to you by BMW.

Good luck. IMO you got a fair resolution. Stuff happens. My d has been flawless. Best wishes for a great ownership experience with your replacement E93.

The car is in original condition when I purchased back in July 12 no mod and current mileage is 5100 miles. First reported incident was 580 miles and there is the same vehicle on the lot with extra options and my guess is have to pay the difference if I want to go with 328i.
Can I upgrade to 335i in this case?
Thanks for the feed back.

Originally Posted by 1zamboni

The car is in original condition when I purchased back in July 12 no mod and current mileage is 5100 miles. First reported incident was 580 miles and there is the same vehicle on the lot with extra options and my guess is have to pay the difference if I want to go with 328i.
Can I upgrade to 335i in this case?
Thanks for the feed back.

With a cash refund, you are free to get the 328i on the dealer's lot or upgrade to a 335i. Either way (328i or 335i), you would be paying the difference between your refund amount and whatever you were able to negotiate for the new car.

Originally Posted by anE934fun

With a cash refund, you are free to get the 328i on the dealer's lot or upgrade to a 335i. Either way (328i or 335i), you would be paying the difference between your refund amount and whatever you were able to negotiate for the new car.

How about option B you have mentioned not cash refund can I still be able to do the upgrade?

Originally Posted by 1zamboni

How about option B you have mentioned not cash refund can I still be able to do the upgrade?

You would have to talk to BMW. Upgrading is at discretion of BMW. There are instances where they have done an upgrade, but it is usually because they have inventory that they want to clear out at model year end. Ask, the worst they will do is say no. But don't miss the incentive deadline to get the order placed for your replacement car. If memory serves, the $3,500 goes away at year end.

Originally Posted by anE934fun

Great news! Are they repurchasing it outright and then you are ordering another E93? Or, are they doing a trade where you keep your present car until the replacement car arrives at which time you return the old and drive off the lot with your new E93? I would think you want the second option, as it keeps you in a BMW uninterrupted.

Went to local dealership today and pick out an E93 space gray 335i with a power kit upgrade on the option can't wait until I can turn the old one one and take the new one home.

Originally Posted by 1zamboni

Went to local dealership today and pick out an E93 space gray 335i with a power kit upgrade on the option can't wait until I can turn the old one one and take the new one home.

Great news! Be sure to test the car to be certain it doesn't have any top rattles (or water leaks). Edit: If the dealer knows about the trade/repurchase decision, they can sometimes push things along a bit.

Originally Posted by anE934fun

Great news! Be sure to test the car to be certain it doesn't have any top rattles (or water leaks). Edit: If the dealer knows about the trade/repurchase decision, they can sometimes push things along a bit.

Appreciated the advise and I will test drive the car first and looks for the squeaks & rattle noise, next option is the new F10 535i four doors with Msport package as back up plan, the wife really wants this car but I convinced to stay with E93.

Here is the one I pick out today at dealer place.

http://www.stevenscreekbmw.com/new/B...008151e40e.htm

Originally Posted by 1zamboni

Appreciated the advise and I will test drive the car first and looks for the squeaks & rattle noise, next option is the new F10 535i four doors with Msport package as back up plan, the wife really wants this car but I convinced to stay with E93.

Decisions, decisions. Although if wife really, really wants F10, you need to know when to hold and when to fold. Hint: it might be better to get the F10, as you may end up owning any problems with E93.... Personally, I would choose the E93 over the F10 (worst case, if car is a lemon, you can unload it (no limit on lemon law remedies in CA) and move on to F10). 2013 is last MY for E93 cars. Then again, I don't know what is making your wife want the F10.

I realized 2013 was the last year for E93 chassis and did not like the feel of electric steering on F30 either beside BMW removed the seat bolster feature on F10, this was the key reason why she prefer the seating of E93 over F10.F10 is not a bad car when equipped with Msport package more stabble & comfy but it's a bit short of snappy compare with E93.

Signed off the settlement letter with BMWNA today and await to turn in the car and start to search for a replacement car soon. Stay tuned.

Real shame that the dealer never took sufficient interest in fixing this problem when it is fixeable. Hopefully the new ride will be more of what most of us have experienced, a good solid BMW. You know that red M3 E93 is one nice ride!!!!

This is the replacement of my e93 328i once the buy back is completed.