defective brand new BMW!

defective brand new BMW!

August 17, 2006 - Business Reply - From: Email User

Defective BMW

Please be advised that the issue surrounding this vehicle was resolved. The client has been driving the vehicle for the past year and there have been no further issues. I would appreciate you removing the complaint from your website. www.complaints.com/directory/2005/july/29/53.htm Neil Cooke Dealer Principal

Supertech

359 South Coast Road

Rossburgh

Email: Email User

Tel: +27-31-465-1981

Fax: +27-31-465-4676

Cell: +27-83 253-2633

July 29, 2005 - Consumer Message:

I recently purchased a brand new one series Bmw from Supertech in Durban/KwaZulu Natal. Shortly after taking ownership of the vehicle i had problems starting it. Supertech informed me that it was a factory fault and that a bolt was not tightened properly and the mechanism that controls the stop start feature had overheated and burnt out. I met with Supertech dealer principal Neil Cooke and the Regional General Manager Steven Botha earlier this week. They offered to repair the vehicle and send me happily on my way. Mr Botha treated me with contempt and tried to make light of my problem. I also believe that were i a white Mr Botha would have reacted very differently and treated my matter with more concern and respect. After describing my problems with the car which also included an intermittent strange whistling sound eminating from somewhere in the car and a faulty gear stick which came out in my hand, Mr Botha then told me if i thought i was going to get a replacement car i needed to get the idea out of my head. I did not ask for a new vehicle nor did i make any insinuations to this effect, needless to say i found Mr Botha's continous harping on this matter strange and offensive. Mr Botha made it seem like he was doing me a personal favour by repairing the car. I am disallusioned and unhappy with the service i've been given and the fact that I've been sold a defective motor vehicle for which i am still expected to pay the full purchase price. Both the dealership and the manufacturers are now passing the buck between each other. The dealership says its up to the manufacturers to sort out my problem and BMW customer care says its up to the dealership to deal with it. I have commited to paying 220 thousand rands for a brand new car more especially a BMW which comes with the unwritten promise of reliability and being a prominent face in the media ( i am a television journalist) i believe i am walking advertsiment for the car. I have not had any peace of mind and my vehicle is anything but reliable and secure. Both BMW South Africa and the dealers refuse to compensate me in any way for selling me a defective car. BMW is a renowned and trusted name, people have expectations of it, this is my very first brand new car and it's been a nightmare. According to South African common law (Actio Quanti Minoris) i have the right to insist on a reduction in the purchase price of the defective article in this case a BMW. But the dealership says its up to the manufacturers and the manufacturers say its up to the dealer. I am now burdened with a defective car, which is prone to malfunctioning and is literally falling apart (gear stick) and am being shoved from pillar to post. I have refused to allow them to repair the car (for now) until they compensate me or reduce the purchase price of the vehicle. Please help! vanessa Click this link to e-mail the message author: Email User