Dealer RIPPING me?.....your opinions please

m2m · #1 (**permalink**) 08-01-2003, 04:25 PM

Ok, i finally picked up my 2004 330ci (standard) after over a monrth of waiting and i was pretty stoked...i was happy for 2 hrs then shit started to happen..

well i drove it around for about 2 hrs (less than 100 km on it ) when i was at a light...it turned green and shifted into first and thats when i realized the clutch was super stiff, i couldnt shift the shifter into first....

Well my car messed up on the first night of owning it so i had it towed to the dealer the next moring. The next day they call me and said i messed up the cluctch and now they're replacing the whole clutch and its gonna cost me a damn lot (not under warranty)

unfortunately i do not know whats wrong or do not know what i even "did" and know whether or not they are bs'ing me...i sure hope its not a small problem that can be fixed but instead they want my money so they say they are "replacing" the whole clutch..

Just curious though, say it WAS my fault, can u destroy the whole clutch les than 2 hrs of driving? they are saying its my fault and that its burnt...

the weird part is that ive driven manual before so i knew i what i was doing and wasnt even suspecting i was doing anything wrong while i was driving (shifts were going smoothly,1 stall)

any recommendations on how to fight this? its going to be hard to convince the manager that its not my fault after the service manager is saying it is

thanks for your advice

01BMW3Coupe · #2 (**permalink**) 08-01-2003, 05:54 PM

thats total bs....sounds more like a manufacture defect rather than negligence in my opinion

Evil 330ci · #3 (**permalink**) 08-01-2003, 05:56 PM

Ya, i'd say he's screwin you, unless you're lying to us, but i doubt you would.

E36mike · #4 (**permalink**) 08-01-2003, 06:01 PM

theres no way you could have done that in 2 hours! argue your ass off and if that doesnt work than get a lawyer!

ryan8624 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-01-2003, 06:53 PM

but why wouldnt they cover it, its part of the drive line, its not like he voided it some how, anyone know?

m2m · #6 (**permalink**) 08-01-2003, 07:00 PM

hey guys thanks for your input, clutches arent usually under warranty cause its considered a wear and tear thing like brakes and tires...i just got back from the dealer and they have apoligized for accusing it was the drivers fault and now said they will investigate...

i personally dont see how i coould of damaged it and am thinking its a defect like they suggested..

petar7408 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-01-2003, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by m2m
clutches arent usually under warranty cause its considered a wear and tear thing like brakes and tires...i just got back from the dealer and they have apoligized for accusing it was the drivers fault and now said they will investigate...

yea tear and wear but after 1 day its not possible! (well i guess it would be possible- lots of reving on the clutch if you really wanted to destroy a clutch) but anyways this cant be your fault and you have to go to upper managment and complain telling them its all BS-- or check with another dealer about the warranty

illegalprelude · #8 (**permalink**) 08-02-2003, 10:19 AM

shit i dont even know if u wanted to destory ur clutch that u could do it in one day. But if you just bought the car, I would put up a majore fight. No way that car should break down.

m2m · #9 (**permalink**) 08-02-2003, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by illegalprelude
shit i dont even know if u wanted to destory ur clutch that u could do it in one day. But if you just bought the car, I would put up a majore fight. No way that car should break down.

ya i think for it to be even possible to burn out (clutch) in a day it would be such a noticeable thing to notice while driving....i wasnt even under any impression i was hurting the clutch or there was problems...this is why it seems very odd to me

Duckydos · #10 (**permalink**) 08-02-2003, 08:36 PM

Yea, seems that they are jerking you around. Wear and tear is one thing, but it's another for a product defect. Argue your ass off until you get it replaced for free.

Anyway, best of luck with the new car. Nothing but open roads and clear skies.

-Ducky

STAGER328 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 09:00 AM

I'm suprised no one has asked you this: how hard were you driving the car? If you were driving it hard, you weren't following directions. They advise you not to drive hard until after you properly break in the car. There are only a few possibilities. Either you really suck at driving manual, the car had a major defect straight from the manufacturer, or you were driving the car abnormally. If what you are telling us is correct, then you MUST fight this. If you were ****ing around, then you need to bite the bullet. Just my .02

m2m · #12 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by STAGER328
I'm suprised no one has asked you this: how hard were you driving the car? If you were driving it hard, you weren't following directions. They advise you not to drive hard until after you properly break in the car. There are only a few possibilities. Either you really suck at driving manual, the car had a major defect straight from the manufacturer, or you were driving the car abnormally. If what you are telling us is correct, then you MUST fight this. If you were ****ing around, then you need to bite the bullet. Just my .02

out of the three things its definately not the driving it too hard, i stuck to the break in rules and my only concern was to get it to the dealer back to my house so i can just stare at it..

Im not going to say that it is definately not my driving, because there is a possibility...but i have driven manual in the past for several months and had no problem....while i was driving the bmw tho i did not notice and signs of problems or incorrect drving and it seems odd to me for it to break that fast...

anyways like i said they are now underinvestigation so i will see how it goes from there

STAGER328 · #13 (**permalink**) 08-04-2003, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by m2m
out of the three things its definately not the driving it too hard, i stuck to the break in rules and my only concern was to get it to the dealer back to my house so i can just stare at it..

Im not going to say that it is definately not my driving, because there is a possibility...but i have driven manual in the past for several months and had no problem....while i was driving the bmw tho i did not notice and signs of problems or incorrect drving and it seems odd to me for it to break that fast...

anyways like i said they are now underinvestigation so i will see how it goes from there

I wish you the best of luck!

M3driver411 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-04-2003, 02:39 PM

Threaten a lawsuit, same thing happened to me when i got my car.