[dreamweaver]

Was after some help or advice, the car a F30 316d SE, just hit 5k. From the moment it was delivered there have been faults with this car.

1: Car came setup to German on idrive, sorted myself after some fiddling. Also when delivered unable to open the bonnet. After booking in a dealer it was noted that the cable inside the bonnet had never been attached during production. Garage which car came from advised that it was PDI before sending to me, somehow this seems a bit odd if they couldn’t open the bonnet. Also car ran out of screen wash after day 1 which meant 2 weeks with no screen wash.

2: Around 4 weeks after delivery, was driving on the motorway in rain when the Idrive flashed an error. Imminent wiper failure, within 4 seconds wipers would not turn off, even after switching of engine, again took 7 days to get car booked in and another 2 days to fix.

3: Thursday last week, again driving in torrential rain on the motorway, bing “imminent wiper failure” this time they just stopped working, I literally had to stick my head out the window to see where I was going and very nearly took a car out at the side of me, hazard lights started to flash, interior light was on and off, and no access to boot.
Called BMW assist who took car in again, still with them been told 5 days to fix.

Car is leased through LEX, I have been on the phone to them and also sent an e-mail basically saying the car is not fit for purpose, after a long towing and throwing they called me on Friday night saying they have been in touch with BMW Germany and are trying to sort out some compensation or would I accept a another BMW brand product.

I really like the F30 but have no confidence in this vehicle now as I nearly wiping myself out last week on the motorway, Should I stick with my gut feeling and reject, maybe look at another BMW range. Did pop into my local BMW on Saturday to get some belongings out and there was a 1series Msport which looked ok. Any help kindly appreciated

[MaestroAl]

Well obviously your car was a lemon but that's not representative of the brand or even the product. You gotta do what you gotta do but there must be a reason you went for the F30 in the first place?

You take your chances with any purchase - you can get a lemon or a tasty apple. By some crazy chance, I'm sitting in a house with two broken Bosch appliances, a dishwasher and a washing machine that cost a combined £1400. Doesn't mean Bosch make rubbish or that I'll never buy a Bosch Logixx dishwasher again. It just means I got a lemon ... or two in this case

If I were you, I'd get another F30

[ikonic]

Sorry to hear of your problems.

With regards to rejecting the car, I "THINK" that you only have grounds to reject the car after you have given the dealer 3 opportunities to fix any given fault.


So my guess is that if the wipers pack up a third time, legally you should be in a position to reject it.


NB: There's a chance I'm talking absolute nonsense, but I'm sure this was the case when I read it in Autocar (Autoexpress) a couple of years back.

[rjberry]

If it was me I'd feel the same. The car has let you down and so there will be a reluctance to get another one.

I was toying with the idea of the new 1 series M Sport. They seem fairly similar internally although the boot space would never have had enough room for my family needs. As this is going to be my car and the wife has the family wagon S-Max this wasn't such a big stumbling block. When I looked at the two, the F30 even in non M Sport guise just blew away the 1 Series.

You've been unlucky with the problems but they're the sort of problems that fortunately are rare and so you can console yourself with the thought that lightning shouldn't strike twice.

I'd give the F30 another chance, maybe you can get some more options thrown in as part of the compensation? Whatever they offer, go back for more though. You never know unless you ask

[TMP]

It would seem the bonnet cable and lack of windscreen wash are the fault with the supplying dealer not doing the PDI correctly (not the car itself)

I would give them a chance to fix the wipers....

[MaestroAl]

Originally Posted by TMP

It would seem the bonnet cable and lack of windscreen wash are the fault with the supplying dealer not doing the PDI AT ALL....

FTFY

[TMP]

Originally Posted by MaestroAl

FTFY

[Spacebug]

Originally Posted by MaestroAl

FTFY

What does FTFY mean?

[MaestroAl]

Fixed That For You

[JOHNBMWM5]

You must have a "Lot" of patients< I would have demanded a new car and thats that.
However we are all different. Good luck with your decision.

[dreamweaver]

**UPDATE**


Had a call on Friday, car is now repaired took 5 days to fix, some issue that the car would not accept the software updates and had to be done via Germany, anyhow was offered £100 compensation, bit of an insult really, stuck to my guns and asked them if this would 100% fix and would not have the same issue, they cant guarantee.

After some thinking I told them I would not be accepting the car back, they have offered a swap but I have to have another BMW product. So the search now continues and been given a hire car till decide and order, A Kia Ceed lovely motor
Looks like I will have to drop to a 1 series, does anybody have any idea on lead times. Plan to add no extras so is there UK stock or all orders from factory.

[Teefaf]

Bro you don't HAVE to drop to a one series. You've been desperately unlucky with your first F30 but there are a great many very satisfied owners out there. I think you've the right thing in rejecting your original car but I wouldn't hesitate in ordering another F30 if I was you.

Good luck, a really crappy situation to be in. Hope it gets resolved to your satisfaction.

[Spacebug]

Yeah I agree. Stick with the F30. Maybe insist on another car but to be honest the F30 will be as good if not better than anything else you get.

Manufacturers can never guarantee that your car will be trouble free.

Seems like you had some bad luck with your original car, but I'd give them another chance. Unless the lower outlay of the 1 series is a factor in your decision...?

[dreamweaver]

Thanks for the advice guys, having the wipers stop/fail on me twice now, the latter happened when on the motoway and I was feet away from taking myself out on another vehicel has given me no confidence on the F30, maybe my car is a one off but still stays with you, also my wife is 6months pregnant and cant risk this happening again.

Had a nose round a 1 series msport and to be honest inside is much the same just a tad smaller plus a tad cheaper per month, awaiting the call from the leasing company tomorrow, any idea on delivery times for the 1?.

Regards

[TMP]

if you are expecting a baby, you are going to get loads of advice from loads of people.

Mine is....get the biggest car you can

No idea what the boot space is on the new 1er, but the last model looked tiny.

[Spacebug]

Originally Posted by TMP

if you are expecting a baby, you are going to get loads of advice from loads of people.

Mine is....get the biggest car you can

No idea what the boot space is on the new 1er, but the last model looked tiny.

+1

A weekend trip in an E91 with nothing more than my wife, a newborn and the paraphernalia is a very full car indeed!

[no golf clubs]

I'd change the 3 for a 5, the smaller the kids the more room they take up. Tons of plastic crap and prams/ strollers/ potties/ baths....

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by Spacebug

+1

A weekend trip in an E91 with nothing more than my wife, a newborn and the paraphernalia is a very full car indeed!

+2

Looking at the boot of the 1 there didn't seem to be enough room for all the various bits you need for a baby. My youngest is now 6 months old and still needs a supply train of equipment. A trip out is a well planned event!

My advice would be to take the pram you've got and see if it will fit. If you can get a car for a few hours, take it home and try the car seat in. See what it's like for getting all the baby paraphernalia in and out of.

At the end of the day you need the car that you feel confident in and fits best for your needs. The 1 series is still a good car and if it works for you I don't think you'll regret it