Problems with new purchase :(

[Bennn]

Just picked up our x5 from a dealer and it's got a few issues which weren't disclosed. Just wondering what people's thought on the issues and the situation are.

Faults I've noticed within a few hours of buying are:

Diesel fume smell on idle in the cabin. Could be a cracked manifold? Did smell this when I bought it but I assumed it was because it had been running inside the showroom for a bit.

Water temp only seems to get to halfway if the car has been idling for a bit, generally sits about 1/3rd when on the move. Is this thermostator normal with the diesel models? (I've only ever had petrol BMWs before)

Lower rear tailgate not working. Probably the electric switch?

Seemed to be a lot of condensation after it's been parked up a few minutes but it's has been raining all day. Not sure about this one.

And finally the steering wheel vibrates violently when you brake from about 60mph. After you have braked the wheel continues to vibrate the odd thing is this seems intermittent. Was thinking possible a combination of a sticking calupers and warped discs. I've checked the tyre pressures which are fine?

It's probably my own fault for not checking more vigorously but I only had a brief test drive (going no more than 40! I normally buy private but thought it would be less hassle buying from a dealer!

I rung the trader I bought it from and he said drop it back Monday night and they will sort out the problems but I think I'm going to drop it at my specialist Monday morning and see if they will spend an hour giving it a once over and get them to do a report first before I take it back.

Can't believe he wouldn't have known about any of the above so just don't trust him now but I could be wrong I suppose so will give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

It's a shame because it's a ballache and other than the above we really like the car.

Is the above unreasonable for me to ask the seller to fix? It's an old car now so I expect some wear and tear and tbh if it was just one thing id be happy enough to take it on the chin but not the above faults.

Unfortunately doing the work myself isn't an option anymore our 6th month old has out a stop to that!

Cheers Ben

[Alan Gunn]

Take it back and get them to fix it.
Manifold is cracked common thing.
Thermostats need changing as can cause more problems depending on the year of the car.
Sounds like new front discs are needed as well.
Tailgate not sure what the problem is but they will have to sort it out.

[Don Coffey]

Hi Ben,

You can’t really beat yourself up about missing these faults when looking at the car, unless doing it all the time I would say there are very few people that would know enough of what to look for. That certainly includes me!!

Let the guy have a look over the car and see about fixing all the issues. Once it’s returned you will be better placed to decide if he can be trusted.

[Reusch]

As Don as said let the dealer who you bought the car of 1st have a look at it.
Dont let anybody else start any work on it before he can have the chance to.

[Bennn]

Wasnt going to let anyone else work on just thought i would get my specialist to have a look at it note down their findings.

Also found out after it was started overnight that there is a bit of white smoke on start up. Also a bit of white smoke under the bonnet.

[Bennn]

The bloke at the garage didn't seem to want to know.

He said the puff of smoke is condensation (which it isn't, its obviously un-burnt diesel), also obviously why it had been running before I saw it both times.

Said he won't cover the thermostat as the heaters still work.

Also got a nasty whine from the left hand side of the engine bay (figured PAS) so checked the reservoir and it was full of bubbles and looked a bit milky / frothy.

I'm going to take it back tonight and he's going to take his mechanic and we'll go from there.

As soon as I get it back I think I'll get it looked at by my specialist following this and if it needs too much work I'll reject it and ask for my money back.

[Reusch]

I think you’ve got to give him a chance to fix it then if it’s not done correctly you can reject it and get a full refund.
I’m not being nosey but how did you pay for it did you by any chance pay any of it with a credit card ie deposit.

[Bennn]

I think you’ve got to give him a chance to fix it then if it’s not done correctly you can reject it and get a full refund.
I’m not being nosey but how did you pay for it did you by any chance pay any of it with a credit card ie deposit.

Hi

Unfortunately no, I wanted to for this reason but they didn't have the facility so I paid by BACS.

I'm dropping it off tonight. Will see what they say once his mechanic has looked.

Once I've done that I'll contact my mechanic and see what their finding are. If its stupid money to repair I'll reject it.

Cheers for the input chaps.

[maglite_1_]

hello ben ive kust siged up here after reading your post , the faults your describing sound suspiciously like the one ive just bought on £6000 worth of finance , manifold broke , steering vibrating violently on breaking , bottom wishboones goosed bottom balljoints goosed , steering rack goosed , passanger side tire goosed , seatpad warning fault, rear drivers side tire on the wires , aftermarket stero so steering controls dont work , cd changer doesent work the list oes on and on nd on , the dealers have just this second took the car away as ive had it back 3 times and told them i didnt want it ,, ive contacted the finance company to pull the plug and i think im going to get a call later today saying they are keeping the car as to much to fix im furious over it as 3 weeks the finance has been running and ive had the car or 3 days the rest its been back and forth .

anyway what town is it you bought in ? seems mad having the same faults like .]

[Bennn]

Pretty sure it's a different car mate. This one is standard and the previous owner has had it since 2014.

Generally the car is ok, if it was private I'd just get it sorted. Hes agreed to look at the whining from the PAS, the wobbling and the manifold but the rest is tough tits apparently as it's still working.

If that gets sorted I think I'll just accept it and will do thermostats over Christmas and a full service for piece of mind and sort the rest as and when I can as it isn't urgent.

Ive got a bad taste in my mouth about it but I really like the car. It's a 13 year old I guess so I'll get the niggles sorted and hopefully continue to enjoy it!

[Themoog2]

The dealer has to repair it by law. Don't let them fob you off if you are not happy. Within 30 days you can reject the vehicle and ask for a full refund.
I only know this a I bought a Range Rover Sport last April and had some issues that were not known at the time of purchace. I contacted Trading standards and they sent me a letter draughft to send to the dealer and it worked. Before the letter he was aggressive and dismissive toward me on the phone and after he got the letter he was all sweet and nice. Oddly I have not had chance to take it back for the repair.. If I'm honest I only sent the letter to make me feel better after the row over the phone.
Anyway, if you like the vehicle by all means get it repaired but the law is on your side on this one.
It's a tough one. I may change car next year as my X5 is 17 years old but I have been looking at various alternatives that are newer and I can tell by looking that they are not as good as my own car.

[Bennn]

Thanks for the post. That will be helpful if it comes to that but If possible I'd like to resolve it amicably with the dealer.

I am pissed off not so much because of the faults but because I do feel he knew about them and they weren't disclosed (again, that's used car dealers for you and perhaps another reason why I'll try and buy privately again next time) but taking the pragmatic view I guess all 13 year old X5's will need some work and to be honest I don't think we've overpaid. Its going to be a long term car for us so if we have to throw some money at it initially to ensure its reliable we can do.

There isn't an equivalent car with the spec we want that's withing 100 miles so that in itself is a cost and a hassle.

Time is valuable to us and the easiest route is to keep what we have an get it fixed, as I said aside from the issue we're happy with the car and it drives well.

If it ends up costing me another few hundred quid I can live with that so if I can get what I think are the "expensive" issues sorted we'll accept that.

[Bennn]

He's just to fob me off and make out that there is nothing wrong with the car so I've asked for my money back.

I still have the spare key and the documents so he is refusing to refund me until these are recieved.

I've offered to go tonight but he's said he's off on holiday and won't be back until Tuesday.

I'm slightly uncomfortable that I'm now in a situation where I've got no car and no money and to top it off he won't even tell me where the car is.

He wants me to take a day off Tuesday to go and drop the keys back in the morning.

Really unsure what I should do now? It got quite heated on the phone but I'm wondering if I should be reporting it as stolen as technically at the moment its still my car and I've got no clue where it is.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[marti]

Technically its still your car so he has to let you know where it is or as you say stolen....call him and ask where it is or you'll ring the police and report it.......

[Bennn]

Have done. He's still not saying.

Am going Tuesday with the spare keys and paperwork to get my money back.

I've honestly never experienced anything like this. Just can't believe people can get away with running a business in this manor.