Anyone know how to get a hold of someone at BMW corporate to solve a problem?

[snareman]

As the title suggests. My car is stuck on some mystery hold. The dealer has apparently tried escalating multiple times to regional reps, etc and is still "in the dark" with no response from their BMW higher ups. I called BMW customer service but was just told I had to go through the dealer, which isn't working. BMW CS told me they don't have any routes to send me to anyone higher up through them. Only the dealer can do it from their end. Does anyone know how to get a hold of someone who can actually do something? With some past problems with BMW I've actually had more success getting stuff done than the dealer, but I'm not having any luck this time.

Thanks.

[NorthernDancer]

Very simple. Join BMWCCA and get one of their ombudsmen working for you.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

Very simple. Join BMWCCA and get one of their ombudsmen working for you.

I'm a member. I'll look into that. Didn't know about them.

[Glen e]

What exactly is the problem? Are you talking about a car that you have purchased that is delayed in the production line? Or somewhere along the way?

If it’s still in Germany it’s very hard to get information as to why something is delayed. If it’s here, and it’s delayed, it’s probably waiting for a part.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by Glen e

What exactly is the problem? Are you talking about a car that you have purchased that is delayed in the production line? Or somewhere along the way?

If it’s still in Germany it’s very hard to get information as to why something is delayed. If it’s here, and it’s delayed, it’s probably waiting for a part.

Yes, the problem is on the Germany side. The car is allegedly done and "waiting for carrier assignment" to get to the port to catch a ship. It's been in that status since June 7th. Meanwhile other cars that were ordered after mine have come and gone and owners taken delivery per the 8er forum. My CA said he was told its on an indefinite parts delay, except, isn't the car isn't the supposed to be done?

So my questions are...

What stage of completion is the car actually in?
What part is the part hold up?
What's the ETA on that?

He thought maybe it was the hands free trunk foot thing, which I thought was deleted anyway. I said if I could find out it was something like that I'd tell them to just forget it and give me the car. It hasn't worked on my last several BMW's because of the splitter so no loss for me. Or maybe if it was an interior trim type issue I'd say the same thing. The only thing odd unique about my spec is the individual paint, but that was allegedly done 2 months ago, otherwise cars with the same stuff have come and gone. I'm just trying to get a little knowledge here. Sitting in indefinite no info limbo is painful and I expect better of BMW, especially on a $140k car. Surely someone somewhere must know something and there must be a way to get a hold of those people.

[Glen e]

Yeah I doubt you’re gonna get any specific information, not when it’s on the German side, just kind of the way the system is set up . The Germans look at it as it’s still their car, so they don’t Owe any specific information other than just its status. As I said, it sucks but that’s kind of the way it is.

The parts supply channels right now are totally screwed up all over the world, there’s probably a really good chance that even Bmw doesn’t know when the part might be available as it’s a vendor supplied item.

The regional distribution manager in Schaumburg Illinois which is the region HQ, possibly may be able to help through the Ohio area manager, but I doubt it. Your general manager can ask the area manager for more insight. As a retired area manager I can tell you these situations are frustrating for us too, because we couldn’t get any information yet we understood exactly how you felt.

I would possibly have the dealership search for another car available that they can transfer in from another dealer, or one at the Port that can be swapped into their allocation, and move off this car.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

Very simple. Join BMWCCA and get one of their ombudsmen working for you.

Live look at some BMWCCA wag trying to call HQ and raise hell..

[snareman]

Originally Posted by Glen e

Yeah I doubt you’re gonna get any specific information, not when it’s on the German side, just kind of the way the system is set up . The Germans look at it as it’s still their car, so they don’t Owe any specific information other than just its status. As I said, it sucks but that’s kind of the way it is.

The parts supply channels right now are totally screwed up all over the world, there’s probably a really good chance that even Bmw doesn’t know when the part might be available as it’s a vendor supplied item.

The regional distribution manager in Schaumburg Illinois which is the region HQ, possibly may be able to help through the Ohio area manager, but I doubt it. Your general manager can ask the area manager for more insight. As a retired area manager I can tell you these situations are frustrating for us too, because we couldn’t get any information yet we understood exactly how you felt.

I would possibly have the dealership search for another car available that they can transfer in from another dealer, or one at the Port that can be swapped into their allocation, and move off this car.

Thanks for the insight Glen e . It all sounds pretty screwed up from the BMW corporate side of things with the lack of information channels. I'm in Ohio and my dealer is in Maryland. He said they just got a new regional rep last week that is also new to BMW, which likely isn't helping matters.

I'm assuming not, but in any situations have you seen BMW 'do anything' for the customer as a gesture of good will/good customer service? And does longevity with or what car or cars you're buying matter to them? I have my 7th and 8th BMWs on order (see my sig) and am spending over $200k with them in a matter of 2 months. Since I don't know the stage of the car, the only thing I've asked for is if they could install the B&W radio I got screwed out of as it wasn't available for only the first 2 months of ordering the M8's. I'm not even asking for it for free. I'm happy to pay for it as a regular option. I figure if they are going to have the car for who knows how long they could put it in. I don't imagine any of that would happen as I picture BMWAG being more cold hearted on the customer service side of things than perhaps BMWNA might be.

[BMWCCA1]

First, installing the B&W sound system after the car is produced, is just a fantasy. You'd be better off starting over with a new production spot. Can't help you with the special paint, but we have a 2023 M8 GC in Alpine over Black, complete with 50th Anniversary emblems, that was ordered as a sold car but took so long to arrive that it is now available. One of only two cars we have on the lot that are not pre-sold!

Second, we had an M4 stick complete production November 2021. It arrived at our dealership about two-weeks ago (July 2022). Never during that time could we get an answer as to what the heck was causing the delay. We've had other cars shipped from their plant of manufacture in Germany on a listed date, but not arriving in Bremerhaven until five-months later. No explanation. These are tough times, but BMW could certainly be handling it better. Thank goodness they weren't in charge of COVID vaccine production.

[M8Bimmer]

I would cancel that car and buy another one Snareman. You have waited and been fucked over long enough imo. They can't answer your question....see ya to them. Buy one that's here already.
Ask for your deposit back.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by M8Bimmer

I would cancel that car and buy another one Snareman. You have waited and been fucked over long enough imo. They can't answer your question....see ya to them. Buy one that's here already.
Ask for your deposit back.

I'm not going to another brand. I've been pining over this car for years now and am finally in a place to get it. I could order a new one, but for an extra $10k. I'll have a look, but I'd definitely have to compromise on options if I went with an existing one.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

First, installing the B&W sound system after the car is produced, is just a fantasy. You'd be better off starting over with a new production spot. Can't help you with the special paint, but we have a 2023 M8 GC in Alpine over Black, complete with 50th Anniversary emblems, that was ordered as a sold car but took so long to arrive that it is now available. One of only two cars we have on the lot that are not pre-sold!

Second, we had an M4 stick complete production November 2021. It arrived at our dealership about two-weeks ago (July 2022). Never during that time could we get an answer as to what the heck was causing the delay. We've had other cars shipped from their plant of manufacture in Germany on a listed date, but not arriving in Bremerhaven until five-months later. No explanation. These are tough times, but BMW could certainly be handling it better. Thank goodness they weren't in charge of COVID vaccine production.

Well, I get that with the aftermarket install, but that's also why I'm trying to figure out what stage of build the car is actually in. And yes, good thing they aren't in charge of covid. We wouldn't have the vaccine or information on it.

And just some info (which apparently I won't likely get) is the biggest thing I'm after. Is it going to be a month or 5 months. Its its going to be more the latter then I'd likely try another option.

[M8Bimmer]

Originally Posted by snareman

I'm not going to another brand. I've been pining over this car for years now and am finally in a place to get it. I could order a new one, but for an extra $10k. I'll have a look, but I'd definitely have to compromise on options if I went with an existing one.

I didn't mean another brand.
Some guys here say they are on some lots in certain states or places. Your in America, can't you do that?
Your wait is beyond reasonable to me.

[M8Bimmer]

Originally Posted by snareman

I'm not going to another brand. I've been pining over this car for years now and am finally in a place to get it. I could order a new one, but for an extra $10k. I'll have a look, but I'd definitely have to compromise on options if I went with an existing one.

Plus didn't you get screwed out of the B&W sound system you wanted. Or am I wrong there?

[snareman]

Originally Posted by M8Bimmer

I didn't mean another brand.
Some guys here say they are on some lots in certain states or places. Your in America, can't you do that?
Your wait is beyond reasonable to me.

I took a look on Autotrader, cars.com and Kilter. None of the 23's have the B&W yet, which if I was going to compromise on some options or colors would definitely want that added. I'll keep an eye out for them though. If I start getting close to winter (I know we're still in July) I'd definitely cancel and reorder as I can't drive it in Ohio winter with summer tires. If I order a new one and nix the individual color the price would be closer to a wash. with the $4100 price increase and $3400 B&W.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by M8Bimmer

Plus didn't you get screwed out of the B&W sound system you wanted. Or am I wrong there?

Yup. I worked hard to get a first month March allocation and B&W wasn't available for ONLY March and April allocations. At least (assuming things go smoothly) I'll have the X3 next month which should provide some good honeymoon time with a new BMW.

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by snareman

I'm trying to figure out what stage of build the car is actually in.

You said earlier that it was complete and awaiting transport. That's post-production and probably sitting in Dingolfing waiting for a ride to Bremerhaven. Your dealer should be able to tell you what Status it is in by code. Their DAR can tell them that and there's no reason they shouldn't share that with you.

Here's the tracking report for our M8 from production to post-production from Dingolfing (now in-stock):

151. Entry body shop/serial # assgn. 5/16/22
152. Entry paint shop 5/16/22
153. Entry assembly 5/17/22
154. Assembly 5/17/22
155. Assembly finish /quality check 5/18/22
181. Handover to distribution 5/18/22
182. Handover to carrier/load assignment 5/18/22
190. Dispatched from AG 5/23/22
191. Returned to AG
193 Arrival at port or compound 6/28/22

You can see the obvious glitch there (Status 191), but it was soon back on track. Your dealer should be able to provide you with this same information.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

You said earlier that it was complete and awaiting transport. That's post-production and probably sitting in Dingolfing waiting for a ride to Bremerhaven. Your dealer should be able to tell you what Status it is in by code. Their DAR can tell them that and there's no reason they shouldn't share that with you.

Here's the tracking report for our M8 from production to post-production from Dingolfing (now in-stock):

151. Entry body shop/serial # assgn. 5/16/22
152. Entry paint shop 5/16/22
153. Entry assembly 5/17/22
154. Assembly 5/17/22
155. Assembly finish /quality check 5/18/22
181. Handover to distribution 5/18/22
182. Handover to carrier/load assignment 5/18/22
190. Dispatched from AG 5/23/22
191. Returned to AG
193 Arrival at port or compound 6/28/22

You can see the obvious glitch there (Status 191), but it was soon back on track. Your dealer should be able to provide you with this same information.

It's 182. But the last email he got from them also said that it was on a parts hold so something just seems odd there. Hence pay of the reason for me trying to figure stuff out. Surely it would get a ride in a month and a half if that was the issue when a bunch of other cars that came after it got a ride right?

[snareman]

Here's my schedule thus far...

[BMWCCA1]

Your production didn't begin one-week early, as your timeline indicates. Status 150 "production started" simply means it has a VIN and parts are on-order that will be needed when the actual build begins. Wonder why you can't get the actual BMW Status codes? Can you not check on the car in your My BMW Garage at BMWUSA? I assume you have the production number and VIN?

Other than that, it seems it is waiting for a part. Someone should be able to tell you whether it's a door, or fender . . . or RAM module. Usually the latter they'll just ship the car and install it later. Though your delay so far really isn't anywhere near as excessive as I've seen. Sit tight for a couple of weeks.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

Your production didn't begin one-week early, as your timeline indicates. Status 150 "production started" simply means it has a VIN and parts are on-order that will be needed when the actual build begins. Wonder why you can't get the actual BMW Status codes? Can you not check on the car in your My BMW Garage at BMWUSA? I assume you have the production number and VIN?

Other than that, it seems it is waiting for a part. Someone should be able to tell you whether it's a door, or fender . . . or RAM module. Usually the latter they'll just ship the car and install it later.

I got the 182 code from my CA. All the other info/dates I got from the Mygarage page other than what was supposed to be my projected build week. Is there another place to find the codes?

And yes, that's the kind of info I'm trying to find out (what the holdup is and what I'm waiting on part-wise) that my dealer says they are in the dark about with no response from BMW. Hence the reason I started this thread. 🙂

[Rux]

Originally Posted by snareman

I got the 182 code from my CA. All the other info/dates I got from the Mygarage page other than what was supposed to be my projected build week. Is there another place to find the codes?

And yes, that's the kind of info I'm trying to find out (what the holdup is and what I'm waiting on part-wise) that my dealer says they are in the dark about with no response from BMW. Hence the reason I started this thread. 🙂

What was your production date?

My 22 M4C production date was 6-24-22 and was pretty spot on that date. From completion of the car on June 24th 2022 to a couple days ago, I was status 182: Awaiting carrier assignment. So for about a month my car was sitting in a parking lot waiting for a train ride to BeemerHeaven. For the past couple 3 days, it is status 190

orderStatusCode: "190"
overHeadLongMessage: "Your new BMW has left the factory, and is on its way to you."
overHeadMessage: "Dispatched from factory"

So it sits on a train to sit in another parking lot until a ride to a port in the US is avail. I have been ordering new cars of various brands every 2 years or so for the past 20 years. I have never had such a delay in shipping. (sans special/popular hard to get models). I did call everyone and their mother for any added info. Genius told me nothing that I did not already know other than "ports are overloaded".