Must make use of the warranty!

[Ade]

Decided to follow Mark's example and make use of the BMW Warranty

My SMG light was flashing up, so this morning I've given BMW free reign to investigate any possible gearbox, clutch, diff issues. 'Take your time' I said, and if anything wanting is found, the recommendation was to simply 'replace'

The BMW service chap straight away said 'oh yes, a CSL. Mmmm, I'll make sure our Master Technician takes care of the car.' Park Lane BMW... hopefully their service is as good as their neighbourhood!

[_Nathan_]

Probably just SMG fluid level

[csl_mba]

Its amazing how many issues they would come across if the car wasnt in warranty

although judging by Marks effort his BMW dealership cant have a diagnostic kit, just replace the lot

[jcremonini]

I really don't get this mentality.

The warranty is just an insurance premium. If everyone starts claiming on their warranties then the total expense to BMW for warranty claims is greater than the income for those warranties. This means warranty costs will rise for everyone, including those who are less inclined to try to claim on them.

It's a well know fact that local franchises earn on warranty claims by claiming labour costs from BMW, so it's always in their interests to replace parts.

The 'necessity' (note the quotes) of a BMW warranty has only come about through a self fulfilling prophecy - that being people take their cars to the BMW garage for some minor, repairable, issue then BMW replace the parts because they see the benefit to them. Then the person whose car it was comes on here saying how great it is that they have the warranty because, without it, they would have had to shell out thousands. No they wouldn't

Madness, I'm telling you, Madness!!

(And no, I don't have a warranty - saved myself £3000 so far by not falling for that one)

James.

[_Nathan_]

Dunno James, I've just put through a house insurance claim for a massive new TV as the old one got a bit grubby

[jcremonini]

Originally Posted by _Nathan_

Dunno James, I've just put through a house insurance claim for a massive new TV as the old one got a bit grubby

LOL.

James.

[Ade]

Originally Posted by jcremonini

that being people take their cars to the BMW garage for some minor, repairable, issue then BMW replace the parts because they see the benefit to them. Then the person whose car it was comes on here saying how great it is that they have the warranty because, without it, they would have had to shell out thousands. No they wouldn't

Possibly true for a simpler, less electronic car than the CSL. The problem is that when the warning light comes on, and gear changes feel are a bit sloppy, there is nowt an owner can do except bring the car to the garage. At that point, the owner will always be glad they paid for the warranty.

Considering they do an initial assessment by just scanning the car key for the diagnostic codes, then I'm not sure the remedy is always going to be either a) obvious, or b) easily fixable on the driveway.

If BMW can remedy the problem, then yes - I will be glad they replace whatever - heck, even the entire gearbox (or car in Mark's situation ) - if need be. And if it's good for BMW, then why not. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

Financially speaking, I doubt the warranty business is as marginal as we make it out to be for BMW. I'm sure they've done their maths.

The warranty is meant to give peace of mind, and it does. No wonder those without it moan!

[jcremonini]

Originally Posted by Ade

Possibly true for a simpler, less electronic car than the CSL. The problem is that when the warning light comes on, and gear changes feel are a bit sloppy, there is nowt an owner can do except bring the car to the garage. At that point, the owner will always be glad they paid for the warranty.

Considering they do an initial assessment by just scanning the car key for the diagnostic codes, then I'm not sure the remedy is always going to be either a) obvious, or b) easily fixable on the driveway.

If BMW can remedy the problem, then yes - I will be glad they replace whatever - heck, even the entire gearbox (or car in Mark's situation ) - if need be. And if it's good for BMW, then why not. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

Financially speaking, I doubt the warranty business is as marginal as we make it out to be for BMW. I'm sure they've done their maths.

The warranty is meant to give peace of mind, and it does. No wonder those without it moan!

I don't have a warranty and I don't (necessarily) moan. I've got £3k in the bank that you haven't I guess what ires me is that all the advice on here is you must have a warranty and you should not buy a car without one which is total ball locks.

My point is simple - if you , let's say, instead of putting £1k a year into the warranty put it in your bank account then if something goes wrong the chances are that it can be repaired for considerably less than the cost of replacement.

Also - am I the only one who would avoid a car, at all costs, which has had considerably warranty work done on it ? The warranty covers the cost of replacement - it does not cover the cost of inconvenience at being left in the middle of nowhere/ having the car off the road for weeks .

James.

[Ade]

I take your point about 'money in the bank' and all that - I ran the GT3 without warranty for a few years and was quids in from that perspective.

But the CSL is a bit different. Just electronically more complex.

And I doubt anyone would stay away from a warrantied car.

All things being equal, I would rather buy a secondhand car that has had brand new parts fitted propertly by BMW, under their care and without shortcuts, documented and warrantied by them.

[jcremonini]

Originally Posted by Ade

I take your point about 'money in the bank' and all that - I ran the GT3 without warranty for a few years and was quids in from that perspective.

But the CSL is a bit different. Just electronically more complex.

And I doubt anyone would stay away from a warrantied car.

All things being equal, I would rather buy a secondhand car that has had brand new parts fitted propertly by BMW, under their care and without shortcuts, documented and warrantied by them.

Ok - each to their own but I would consider a car with a history of warranty claims cursed and would steer well clear in comparison to something with a clean history regardless of warranty or not. Two people - one spends 4 months a year in a private hospital having operations to repair this and that, the other has not been to hospital in 3 years. Who's your money on to live longest ?

Some of these warrantied CSLs are like Triggers broom.

James.