Thinking of canning Z4 for SLK55-AMG

[cuddapah]

Too many issues with Z4 ... BMW NA was involved too with no resolution.
http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthre...=814229&page=3
Every 203 months, I have to take the car for either:
1. Chassis Stabilization Failure
2. Engine Malfunction
Every time sensors are replaced only to see the same issue again after 2-3 months. Thinking of canning this and get a Mercedes-Benz SLK55-AMG. Any thoughts ?

[Crazykoh]

Originally Posted by cuddapah

Too many issues with Z4 ... BMW NA was involved too with no resolution.
http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthre...229&page=3
Every 203 months, I have to take the car for either:
1. Chassis Stabilization Failure
2. Engine Malfunction
Every time sensors are replaced only to see the same issue again after 2-3 months. Thinking of canning this and get a Mercedes-Benz SLK55-AMG. Any thoughts ?

Lemon law?

[cuddapah]

Originally Posted by Crazykoh

Lemon law?

Thanks ! Looking into that as wells as other legal options.
Service Appt scheduled for Wednesday. I will ask for a detailed listing of all the fault codes recorded and what kind of service was performed for each.

[jparnes1]

Contact BMWNA or your sales manager to discuss a trade assist.

[cuddapah]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Contact BMWNA or your sales manager to discuss a trade assist.

BMW NA said my car is past the buy back period and offered to give me some $2K discount if I buy another BMW. Every now and then BMW sends mailers to trade-in and get a new car .. discounts etc. I found the offer really strange. As of now legal option is the only route. I am curious to see what the service dept finds on Wednesday.

[nicknaz]

In CA, the lemon law period is the entire new car warranty period.

Not sure what the situation is in FL, so you might want to try re-contacting after getting advice from a lemon law attorney (or maybe get said attorney to contact on your behalf).

I like the sound of the AMGs. Lots of interesting machines at the price of SLK55 right now. Good time to be shopping

[cuddapah]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

In CA, the lemon law period is the entire new car warranty period.

Not sure what the situation is in FL, so you might want to try re-contacting after getting advice from a lemon law attorney (or maybe get said attorney to contact on your behalf).

I like the sound of the AMGs. Lots of interesting machines at the price of SLK55 right now. Good time to be shopping

FL lemon law is 2 years which passed. What's happening is, either 'Engine Malfunction' or 'Chassis Stabilization Failure' indicator/messages turns on or 'AC completely shuts down'. I take it to the dealer, they either replace some part as advised by BMW NA or just clear all the fault codes as advised by BMW NA and return the car. The car has to go thru some cycles for the indicator/messages to show up again. Depending on how many times I start and shut down the car, it might take 2-3 months or more.

Frustrating !

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by cuddapah

BMW NA said my car is past the buy back period and offered to give me some $2K discount if I buy another BMW. Every now and then BMW sends mailers to trade-in and get a new car .. discounts etc. I found the offer really strange. As of now legal option is the only route. I am curious to see what the service dept finds on Wednesday.

We've seen 1 or 2 examples of z4's damaged at port (somebody here knows what the receiving area is called, I forget its name) and BMW has a routine for repairing these cars. Seems there was one member here that did a Euro delivery, had a great time over there, then on the boat ride to the states his car got damaged. Had issues with sensors, etc., like yours. I believe BMW bought it back from him but it took a lot of work.

Likewise, based on your issues, my guess is that your car was damaged upon arrival in the US and BMW repaired it. If that's true no matter how many times you take it in for service it will never be right. BMWs have some minor problems/issues but yours seems to be exceptional.

The key is to stay calm and be very persistent. The BMW NA rep monitors this board and from time to time communicates with individual to facilities resolution of their problem.

[cuddapah]

Originally Posted by teagueAMX

We've seen 1 or 2 examples of z4's damaged at port (somebody here knows what the receiving area is called, I forget its name) and BMW has a routine for repairing these cars. Seems there was one member here that did a Euro delivery, had a great time over there, then on the boat ride to the states his car got damaged. Had issues with sensors, etc., like yours. I believe BMW bought it back from him but it took a lot of work.

Likewise, based on your issues, my guess is that your car was damaged upon arrival in the US and BMW repaired it. If that's true no matter how many times you take it in for service it will never be right. BMWs have some minor problems/issues but yours seems to be exceptional.

The key is to stay calm and be very persistent. The BMW NA rep monitors this board and from time to time communicates with individual to facilities resolution of their problem.

I took European Delivery too and when arrived in US, I took PCD. I was checked status everyday and within a day or two reaching port, I was given PCD date. I didn't notice any visible damages to the car. How to find out if the car was damaged upon arrival ?

[jparnes1]

I would ask whomever you speak with, "Would you say that this car is performing up to BMW standards?" 3 years down the road you may not get them to swap out the car, but I'd like to think you'd get a lot more than $2000.

[nicknaz]

That's tough... sorry to hear about this =(

Seems like the path forward is going be a cycle of Document/escalate/repeat.....

I would be shocked if you aren't able to get more than $2000 discount from BMWNA to compensate you for your troubles (since MUCH more discounting than that is routinely available anyway through new car negotiation process)

[cuddapah]

I contacted a lemon/warranty law lawyer. We will proceed legally.

I took my car for service on 01/15. They found multiple faults and replaced one sensor, cleared off all the faults and returned the vehicle on 01/16. To my surprise the same 'Engine Malfunction' indicator turned on again on 01/18. I have to check with my service advisor on Monday. Surely whatever they are doing replacing parts is for no reason.

Waiting to test drive SLK55-AMG :-)

[Vintage]

Vintage here - I am one of the unlucky ones that had our Z4 damaged in port after our amazing ED in the summer 2009. It is a long and tortured saga that you can search on threads but in short, after the port crashed the car, "fixed" it, not disclosing anything to us and delivering the car, I then noticing several issues, including the "chassis" issue and paint problems, BMWNA gave us a new car in a swap after 3 months of fighting with the dealer and BMWNA. So our adored 2009 that we took on our second honeymoon was replaced with a 2010 with same color scheme and similar, but slightly better options. The 2010 has been trouble free but for the HPFP. We love the Z and plan on keeping it forever as our 3rd car.

[cuddapah]

Originally Posted by Vintage

Vintage here - I am one of the unlucky ones that had our Z4 damaged in port after our amazing ED in the summer 2009. It is a long and tortured saga that you can search on threads but in short, after the port crashed the car, "fixed" it, not disclosing anything to us and delivering the car, I then noticing several issues, including the "chassis" issue and paint problems, BMWNA gave us a new car in a swap after 3 months of fighting with the dealer and BMWNA. So our adored 2009 that we took on our second honeymoon was replaced with a 2010 with same color scheme and similar, but slightly better options. The 2010 has been trouble free but for the HPFP. We love the Z and plan on keeping it forever as our 3rd car.

PM'd you. Please check your Inbox.

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by Vintage

Vintage here - I am one of the unlucky ones that had our Z4 damaged in port after our amazing ED in the summer 2009. It is a long and tortured saga that you can search on threads but in short, after the port crashed the car, "fixed" it, not disclosing anything to us and delivering the car, I then noticing several issues, including the "chassis" issue and paint problems, BMWNA gave us a new car in a swap after 3 months of fighting with the dealer and BMWNA. So our adored 2009 that we took on our second honeymoon was replaced with a 2010 with same color scheme and similar, but slightly better options. The 2010 has been trouble free but for the HPFP. We love the Z and plan on keeping it forever as our 3rd car.

Thanks Vintage - wracking my brain remembering who it was. It was some time ago but I remember your ordeal and the fortunate outcome.

[HerrK]

Originally Posted by cuddapah

I contacted a lemon/warranty law lawyer. We will proceed legally.

I took my car for service on 01/15. They found multiple faults and replaced one sensor, cleared off all the faults and returned the vehicle on 01/16. To my surprise the same 'Engine Malfunction' indicator turned on again on 01/18. I have to check with my service advisor on Monday. Surely whatever they are doing replacing parts is for no reason.

Waiting to test drive SLK55-AMG :-)

Let us know how the SLK55-AMG compares to the Z. Best of luck with the legal battle! Looks like a good opportunity for another ED!

[persian54]

SLK55 AMG will make be much better than a Z4. It's an AMG…. if we had an e89 Z4 M… different story.

AMGs break better, sound better, and some with beasty V8s instead of little I6s… I wish they made an e89 Z4 with a S65, that would be beautiful.

[ManiacGT]

First time I've ever heard someone say 'little' 6's... lol

[Lambobimmer]

I would go with the C7 Vette before the Merc.

[Vintage]

ditto for me, I know the SLK55 AMG is a better car in most ways but I have never liked mercs in general, they just do not stir my soul . . . . and for the money, no contest - C7

[cuddapah]

Originally Posted by Vintage

ditto for me, I know the SLK55 AMG is a better car in most ways but I have never liked mercs in general, they just do not stir my soul . . . . and for the money, no contest - C7

Can you please check your PM here. I would like to know how you proceeded for replacement.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Vintage

I have never liked mercs in general, they just do not stir my soul . . . . and for the money, no contest - C7

Agreed on both counts.

The AMG models have really changed my mind though. I tracked the C63 a while back and it was a lot of fun, and my brother just got the 5.5L turbo E63 wagon and it pulls HARD and makes great noises, so MB models in general I am not keen on but the latest AMG models I am definitely a fan