Ordered a stick, was delivered an automatic

So I just went to pick up my stripped 2012 328. It has heated seats, BMW Assist and a manual transmission. That's it. Alpine White.

We filled out the paperwork and walked out to the car. It looked beautiful. We walked around it and got in to get the rundown from the dealer guy. He said, "So go ahead and start it.". I put my foot down, looking for the clutch. Nothing. I look right to the center console and see the auto transmission. F**k.

Needless to say, we didn't take delivery. They are looking to make good by us. They're looking for a similar vehicle, but I know that not a lot of people order a stripped F30 like we did.

After 8 weeks of waiting... I am disappointed to say the least.

Obviously it was not what you ordered, but the 8AT is a really nice transmission. The dealer probably would have gotten corporate support to give you a ferocious discount on it, and that would be to their advantage too, because a stripped down car is harder for them to sell.

Wouldn't they obligated to give you a free loaner car until re-order arrives?

Originally Posted by voip-ninja

Obviously it was not what you ordered, but the 8AT is a really nice transmission. The dealer probably would have gotten corporate support to give you a ferocious discount on it, and that would be to their advantage too, because a stripped down car is harder for them to sell.

It is a great transmission, but we got this car because it's one of the few luxury cars that allows us to get a manual transmission.

Even if they come back to us with a huge discount, my wife won't have it. A stick or nothing. That's why I married her!

Originally Posted by whoever

Wouldn't they obligated to give you a free loaner car until re-order arrives?

We drove our trade-in back home. I'm going to talk to the GM on Monday.

Hilarious!

Wow, what a mess up. Like many, I dont want a 2-pedal car.

It used to be if the AC forgot to check a box, they would ship an MT. As a result, many dealers had unexpected numbers of MT units they could not sell.

Apparently that was fixed.

Originally Posted by sunnyd13

After 8 weeks of waiting... I am disappointed to say the least.

I sympathize with you, after all that waiting. . . what a nightmare. My dealer questioned me wanting the 6-speed but I insisted. I made sure that it's on the VIR and the BMW website.

Originally Posted by rdle_F30

I sympathize with you, after all that waiting. . . what a nightmare. My dealer questioned me wanting the 6-speed but I insisted. I made sure that it's on the VIR and the BMW website.

When I ordered the car, the PO (or whatever it is) didn't say anything about a transmission. It just listed the options I wanted.

I asked no less than 10 times, "Are you sure it's a manual?" I saw a PO for another car and it clearly showed an automatic, so I trusted they knew what they were talking about.

What a horribe experience sunnyd13. Inform us on your progress on getting your desired car and the dealer's response.

At least the dealer seems to be taking responsibility for the error. We took delivery of a Z4 at the performance center and it came with the wrong interior trim. We weren't going to take delivery but our dealer said they would fix it when we returned home. We took the car and by the time we got home the dealer had changed his tune and didn't want to take responsibility for it. We ended up having to involve BMW NA and they got the dealer to fix it.

I would never buy from Checkered Flag in Virginia Beach again.

Originally Posted by sunnyd13

It is a great transmission, but we got this car because it's one of the few luxury cars that allows us to get a manual transmission.

Even if they come back to us with a huge discount, my wife won't have it. A stick or nothing. That's why I married her!

My wife and I are also devoted manual transmission drivers. The automatic transmission could have 20 speeds, and we will both still want the manual. You have my sympathy.

There have now been several instances reported where a special-ordered BMW arrived with the AT instead of the MT. I think there is confusion, since the standard (default) transmission is now the automatic and the manual is now the (free) option. The dealer MUST check that option box.

My advice to all: stand your ground and insist on the manual transmission. If you settle for an automatic (after specifying a manual), it will justify BMW discontinuing the manual.

Stand your ground and insist on getting the car you ordered.

CA

Ouch! (my first reaction when I saw your post.)

Ouch! (still my reaction!)

I'm really feeling your pain, and hope the issue is resolved for you soon.

Thanks for everyone's kind words.

I went in to the dealer today to see where we are on a solution. Looking for comparable cars was a bust, as I figured. The few options I want (heated seats, Bluetooth audio (BMW assist)) are pretty important. And most manuals are pretty loaded, so it's way too much for the dealer to swallow.

It looks like we may have to put a new order in. They seem to be willing to do well by me, so we're talking about then throwing something else in (likely the xenons that I cut for price).

Nothing is done until I drive off the lot 8 weeks from now!

I'll keep this thread up-to-date.

Originally Posted by sunnyd13

Thanks for everyone's kind words.

I went in to the dealer today to see where we are on a solution. Looking for comparable cars was a bust, as I figured. The few options I want (heated seats, Bluetooth audio (BMW assist)) are pretty important. And most manuals are pretty loaded, so it's way too much for the dealer to swallow.

It looks like we may have to put a new order in. They seem to be willing to do well by me, so we're talking about then throwing something else in (likely the xenons that I cut for price).

Nothing is done until I drive off the lot 8 weeks from now!

I'll keep this thread up-to-date.

That the dealer will throw in the xenons for no charge seems like pretty decent compensation to me. Also, I would think that BMW would help out by slipping the build into the earliest possible open slot, bringing you the new car before too long. Wishing you good luck with that!

oh man I am so scared right now. You know why? finally Friday I get my build in the order and the slot. I go thru the specs to make sure everything is ok and at first glance its exactly the price with the options I want. Still I go thru every option. Everything is right on EXCEPT, you guessed it. 8 AT instead of Manual. This is late Friday afternoon, I have send 3 emails to my internet dealer and left two messages on his cell. No response yet, he told me he was going to go away for the weekend. Monday I am jumping again on this. My last email said in bold capital letters, this car comes with AT and you keep it. I feel for the OP to wait all this time and get an AT it would be disastrous for me. That and the adaptive suspension would be deal breakers if my 335i doesn't have them. every other option I can bend.

To mangle Marcus Tullius Cicero, "A BMW without a manual transmission is like a body without a soul."

Originally Posted by Majikthese42

To mangle Marcus Tullius Cicero, "A BMW without a manual transmission is like a body without a soul."

/thread.

OP - Sucks. Hope it works out and you (and your wife) get the car you ordered..

Originally Posted by akthorp

At least the dealer seems to be taking responsibility for the error. We took delivery of a Z4 at the performance center and it came with the wrong interior trim. We weren't going to take delivery but our dealer said they would fix it when we returned home. We took the car and by the time we got home the dealer had changed his tune and didn't want to take responsibility for it. We ended up having to involve BMW NA and they got the dealer to fix it.

I would never buy from Checkered Flag in Virginia Beach again.

I went thru the exact same trim order error, however I'm still waiting for the dealer "fix" as promised in writing.

They got all 0 in the survey, by the way.

OP: good luck in the new order. Hopefully it will be a blessing in disguise...

Fs

Originally Posted by windsor027

oh man I am so scared right now. You know why? finally Friday I get my build in the order and the slot. I go thru the specs to make sure everything is ok and at first glance its exactly the price with the options I want. Still I go thru every option. Everything is right on EXCEPT, you guessed it. 8 AT instead of Manual. This is late Friday afternoon, I have send 3 emails to my internet dealer and left two messages on his cell. No response yet, he told me he was going to go away for the weekend. Monday I am jumping again on this. My last email said in bold capital letters, this car comes with AT and you keep it. I feel for the OP to wait all this time and get an AT it would be disastrous for me. That and the adaptive suspension would be deal breakers if my 335i doesn't have them. every other option I can bend.

From what dealer told me, the e90 didn't explicitly have to have the manual listed. For the f30, you need to see a ZMT on your order to be sure it's a manual.

Curious how they are going to get xenon without premium?

Originally Posted by kjboyd

Curious how they are going to get xenon without premium?

It's a "stand alone" item for 2013.