Split/cracking driver seat - another photo

[X5Sport]

Transfer box:  It isn't yet a common fault, but is becoming more frequently reported and almost always involves mixed brands of tyres, large tread depth between front and rear axles or use of non '*' marked tyres.  It is more prevalent on staggered wheel setups (as found on 19" and above wheel sets) than in square setups which have the same tyre size on all corners.

BMW AUC has a mixed past.  Some Dealers are very good, but most are average to poor.  If they can either get out of it, or pass everything to the insured warranty company they will.  Too many reports on here of cars being sold with faults that have gone through AUC and been missed.

[CondorX5]

I have seen several reports of transfer boxes going, particularly in our model year and the 40d.  As X5Sport said, a sure fire way of killing the transfer box is mismatching tyres or using non star rated tyres, but there have been reports of the box failing with owners categorically denying using the wrong tyres.  The dealer, when you report a potential transfer box problem, focusses on tyres and wheels in the first instance, and their tick box algorhythm involves swopping out the wheels on the car with a completely different set. 
Can't say my 40d never had the wrong tyres fitted, but it is only a second owner car and was still under full service plan when I bought it - even had a free service done before the 60k limit kicked in.  Plus the tyres were brand new 21"star rated with genuine, very pricey, BMW 21"alloys.  So I think its unlikely that cheap chinese ditchfinders were ever fitted to the car.

Our resident transfer box expert on the forum did seem to indicate that these boxes were susceptible to premature failure.

Annoyingly, my parking sensors have now given up the ghost, so my lovely E70 doesn't even have the reilable parking sensors of a Ford Focus or similar cheaper car.........So another dealer visit in a few weeks, planned with MOT as NI cars (bought from JKC in Coleraine and shipped over to me by ferry) don't come with a full 12 mo MOT as AUC - its in the small print, never realised it, but I suppose anything they dredge up they will have to fix - the first year of the AUC warranty does cover absolutely everything, even the battery.

The AUC warranty has been really good on my 4.8is but they are increasingly looking to refuse or argue about repairs, claiming wear and tear even though the same components were covered only 10000 miles previously without a murmur.  I will likely keep it going on the E70 as well although apparently fairly pricey? Due to twin turbo.
As previously said, the WD type warranty is a real chore to get payment and frequently a waste of time and money - its cheap for a reason.

Hope you keep on at them about that seat, let me know if you want photos of mine as its almost the same age and mileage.

[kgeddes]

Thanks for info re. Transfer box.

CondorX5, I would be grateful if you could post a photo of your seat, thank you.

The dealer Head of Business has now offered to deliver a replacement car to my home, collect the X5, repair the faulty led rear light and have a cosmetic repair company look at the seat and report back to them.

It looks like they are going to try to fob me off with a glue the cracks solution! I'm not keen on this obviously because if it currently has two 4" cracks more will probably develop soon. The only effective, long term fix is a new seat cover.

I had asked him, due to the issues to date, for a return the X5 for a full refund solution, he has evaded that question!

What should I do please?

[CondorX5]

Will do one in the light tomorrow, sorry didn't have a chance to login till now.

Re rejecting a car, needs to be done within the first 30 days or so, I think, and you do need to give the dealer an opportunity to rectify the issues. I think you are too far from purchase to reject, but others might have a different view.  No 60k miler is going to be absolutely perfect and brand new,  but those cracks look to me far from acceptable in an AUC which cost £25-30k only a few months ago. 

Looks like they are at least engaging now, see what they say/offer/do.  It does make one lose confidence, these cars are really expensive (well I find them very pricey) and probably one of the biggest purchases one makes apart from a mortgage on a property.

[kgeddes]

Thanks CondorX5, I've told him I'll go with his plan as long as a new seat cover is to be fitted. At a push I'll accept them removing the seat cover and having an Approved automotive upholsterer replace the damaged leather panel but not interested in a glueing fix!

The whole matter is just ridiculous...this vehicle cost me £24,995!

Will update as the saga unfolds........... >:(

[kgeddes]

Forgot to add, I emailed (with photos) BMW UK on Thursday morning last week and to date have had absolutely no response from them......disappointing!  >:(

[X5Sport]

BMW UK have a very poor reputation.  They'll just pass you back to the supplying dealer and show no further interest.  Been there myself and was not impressed.  It doesn't affect them directly so they don't care.

[kgeddes]

Just got this from BMW UK. I have forwarded it to the dealer and asked them to present a case for a manufacturing fault with the seat......

'Thanks for your email about the faults on your BMW X5 Series. I’m sorry to hear this – I can understand how frustrating this must be for you.

All new BMW cars come with a three-year warranty that covers the cost of repairing any manufacturing faults. This is usually more than enough time for these to come to light.

When this expires, we don’t usually help with the repair cost unless a BMW Insured Warranty is purchased. But, if a BMW Centre is sure that the problem is down to a manufacturing fault, they may make a case for us to help. Whether we do offer a contribution, and how much, depends on a number of factors such as:

·        The fault
·        The car’s age and mileage
·        Service history
·        Ownership history

The best thing to do is to speak with xxxx xxxxxxxxx service manager. He’s in a position to discuss this further with you. I’ve copied him into this email so he’s aware I’ve referred you to him.

If there’s anything else I can help with, please get in touch.

Kind regards

Xxxxxx

BMW Group
United Kingdom
Xxxxxx xxxxxxxx
Senior Customer Service Consultant
Customer Service
Summit ONE
Summit Avenue, Farnborough
Hampshire, GU14 0FB
Tel: +44 (0)370 5050 160
Email: customer.service@bmw.co.uk
Web: http://www.bmw.co.uk'

[X5Sport]

Shock horror.......they're alive down there.

Good result 

[kgeddes]

Yes, there is life there......

I've now received an email from the dealer's Senior Franchise Service Manager inviting me to bring the car to him for re-inspection!

Looks like they are maybe going to present a case to BMW UK highlighting a manufacturing fault?

I'll update as the matter progresses....ridiculuous that I have to go on at them like this!  >:(

[Nat]

[quote="X5Sport"]
BMW UK have a very poor reputation.  They'll just pass you back to the supplying dealer and show no further interest.  Been there myself and was not impressed.  It doesn't affect them directly so they don't care.
[/quote]

+1 on that . I was sold a car by BMW main dealer . It was an  ex BMW  Mgmt car and came with the full AUC . Turns out it was sold to me  with many faults and I proved that the dealer didn't do the pdi and lied on many occasions. As they  Sold a car with pre existing faults  the BMW warranty was void.  When I put it into my local BMW main dealer, BMW UK refused any claims.  Did BMW UK Customer services care  or take up my case ? Absolutely not. As the man said, they couldn't give a fuck. Biggest wast of time on the planet. I have also found out that every main dealer I have ever used is a complete waste of time and they are incompetent.

What can I say other than find a decent independent garage.

[kgeddes]

Very, very poor Nat!

I have an appointment to meet the Senior Franchise Service Manager on Saturday morning so hopefully common sense prevails..........

[Nat]

Ooooo long important title. Lets hope he can fill it.

I have just looked at your picture again. I may be wrong, but...................I have never seen leather crack like that............... Ever. I am the wrong side of 50 and had countless cars, some of them with mileage that would make the millennium falcon look low mileage. I have leather at home , on clothes , bike leathers , in fact most kind of leathers of varying ages/qualities. My Kitchen chairs are leather and are over 20 years old and my house is frequented by numerous teenagers and they havent cracked at all . I have never seen leather crack like that.

Could that section of seat be plastic or leatherette / faux leather ?


As for the car sold with faults, that came from a main dealer in Scotland. Never again.

[kgeddes]

Next instalment......

Met with Senior Franchise Service Manager this morning. He agrees that the cracked seat panel does not appear to be leather. The older E70s I looked at last week were definitely leather so it looks like BMW have changed the design! Hard to imagine why any right-minded organisation would put a synthetic material on the most stressed part of the seat!

As far as he is concerned this is wear and tear.....not the response I expected!

However, he will present a case to BMW UK but realistically told me, at best, to expect a contribution from them, with me funding the balance.

I didnt want to 'bite his head off' at this stage. I'll wait to see what he comes back with then re-negotiate with the dealer paying the balance, not me!

So there you are, it looks like 2012 BMW X5 leather seats are not completely what they seem......I'm positive that the online advertisement for the car clearly stated Nevada Oyster Leather interior......misleading?

Anyway, that's it for now, will update when I have more......

To think I bought an X5 due to concerns about Range Rover reliability and dealers.....if I could turn back time I know where I would go......  >:(

[X5Sport]

I don't remember seeing 'part leather' in ads either.  Could be the supplier pulling a fast one on BMW.  Certainly needs an explanation.