Appealing Dealer Service Dept. Decision(?)

DBADBMW · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 01:16 PM

I added aftermarket performance coil springs to my 02 745 LI about 8 months ago. Prior to that I had a problem with the alignment. Last week I went to the dealer to pay for an alignment ($180)and it was discovered that my bushings needed to be replaced. I was told by the service manager that I would have to pay $700 for them since I have voided the suspension warranty by adding the springs. In that same conversation he acknowledged that these bushing wear out as part of normal wear and tear and it was reasonable to assume that the bushings wore out normally considering the car is 5 years old. He still refused to cover them as normal wear and tear even though it was acknowledged that I had a problem predating the addition of the springs. What are my options to appeal this decision that was made at the dealer level? I know that a rep from BMW of NA visits the dealership service rep. on a regular basis. Please advise on my best course of action in getting 'Deep Pockets' to pay for this reasonable request? Thanks in advance for your input!

Neel · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 05:04 PM

In all honesty im not the best qualified to comment, however i will anyways.

First - take it to another dealership. Circumvent the problem

If you have to go back to the original dealer, prepare yourself because they are right. You changed something with the suspension and bushings are a suspension related item. So under some part of the Magnusson-Moss legislation the dealership has you beat. Sorry to say this but i honestly think that they dont have to do shit.

Im not a lawyer, but i do work at a dealership and i have seen stuff like this before....

Sorry to be the bearer of what i see as bad news for you.

DBADBMW · #3 (**permalink**) 03-25-2007, 07:36 PM

Thanks for the feedback Neel! In regards to taking it to another dealer, isn't the fact that I was denied at one dealer denoted in their computer system? Or even programmed into the key?

Neel · #4 (**permalink**) 03-25-2007, 08:35 PM

Honestly i wouldnt know that much. However dealerships dont communicate with each other, sharing that kind of database for customers would involve an investment alot of dealerships would rather avoid.