Just a few thoughts, Xenon's and other stuff

RiDDO · Post by **RiDDO** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 11:04 pm

Hello Folks

Well it's been a week of highs and lows, so here's an update for you all.

I spoke to the warranty administrator at Soper's in Lincoln on Tuesday (we had spoken previously about the car and the situation), I had emailed him a list of the problems, and Soper's refused to touch the car as from their perspective the jobs listed should have all been performed as part of the AUC, and none of them would be covered under warranty. He even emailed me putting the spoken conversation into words, which seriously impressed me.

Alas, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place, as the dealer who supplied the car, had already told me to get all the work done at my local dealers 'under warranty'.

Time to call a 'grown up', using the business analogy that pooh always roles downhill, I placed a call to Mr Dealer Principle (an individual perfectly placed to push said pooh ball down the proverbial hill!) at the well known wast London franchise that supplied the car, that was Tuesday afternoon about 4pm, a message was left asking him to call me. I called again at 4pm on Wednesday, as I hadn't received a response.

My 'rather ample ass' had barely warmed the chair at my desk this morning, when a small (but very brown) pooh ricochet made the phone ring . . . . . . . our admin lady answered, and duly put him through . . . . . . I pondered the daily production of pressure transducers (my gainful employment) for several seconds, re-focused my thoughts, then picked up the phone.

He's not a happy man, and agrees with me that my car certainly didn't receive the attention it should have during the AUC preparation. I gave him my list, several light hearted comments were exchanged regarding Radio 4's Today programme, and my crackly radio, and my car is being collected again sometime next week, date TBC, and all 9 'issues/problems' will be attended to, including replacing the Xenon headlight bulbs, and whatever is clunking in the front suspension!

HAPPY MAN, my new toy is at long last going to receive a full AUC, and be inspected by the Dealer Principle himself, who is also investigating what went wrong initially. Ooops!

I was offered a shiny courtesy car, which I declined, and asked for a 'shitty old estate car' to put my 3 dogs in! The reply I received, 'we probably don't have a shitty old estate car anywhere on the premises, but I can sort something suitable' was cause for lighthearted laughing.

I await the call/email confirming the collection.

Almost 5 weeks after I took delivery, I'm not going round in circles anymore, and something positive is going to get done.

It shouldn't have happened, but at least now the light has been switched back on at the end of the tunnel . . . . . . .

I'm waiting almost ecstatically to see my 'shitty old estate car!!'

Another short post!!! :blink:

RiDDO

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 11:32 pm

Glad it's finally getting sorted Ian.

I always find it far better to deal with the dealer principle. I once even went to the Sytner Franchise Director to get a proper service from Sytner Birmingham. And there was a nice formal verbal apology too.

Oh and have you received your grilles?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:38 pm

Glad you're getting somewhere, but the hassle is so unnecessary and stressful.

I did wonder to myself if someone hadn't pulled a fast one on you and swapped out a pair of dying bulbs they had for the serviceable pair in your car. These sort of things go on. I've just had a laptop returned from one of my team who resigned, and it is bereft of memory. It's been through a 'number of hands' en route, all of whom claim innocence - and may indeed be completely so - but put someone nicked it (including my ex-team member).

In my own dealings with Dealer Principals, they certainly 'get things done'......

RiDDO · Post by **RiDDO** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 12:23 pm

Hi X5Sport,

You're right, it should never have happened in the first place. Alas I'm not the first, and we know I won't be the last. The part in the middle when you have to keep you're cool, and interface with F**kwits, until the situation gets to a point where the aforementioned have boiled your piss, and you call the organ grinder, and then all of a sudden nothing's a problem, and everything's going to get sorted. Like I say you shouldn't have to get to that point but all too often these days it's the only way to get stuff done.

I certainly can't fault his attitude (Dealer Priniple) & actions thus far.

Gutted for you at the loss of a your memory!

Worryingly it leaves you in a situation where trust is lost in everyone who has handled it. Not good.

--RiDDO

RiDDO · Post by **RiDDO** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 7:34 pm

Hello Forum,

Well my X has been away a week, and, wait for it, wait for it, is due back tomorrow with nearly all jobs rectified:

1. New bushes in front suspension, don't know which but done (both side too!)
2. Replaced diversity unit! Has cured the crackly radio.
3. Replaced drivers side door mirror glass, it now gets warm too!
4. New footwell light cover on offside, (was missing).
5. Replaced upper tailgate support struts.
6. Replaced electronic thingy under phone cradle, replaced phone cradle, and new wiring loom from cradle to Bluetooth unit. apparently this had had them pulling their hair out!
7. Headlights. Apparently the bulbs (Xenon's) are within tolerance and emitting enough light (lumens?). Thus they are not deemed to be faulty, and are "fit for purpose, & not within scope for replacement!". If I want new bulbs from BMW they quoted me £302 (cost price apparently) and graciously offered to fit them for free! I declined.
I think initially I will fit a replacement set of bulbs and see how I get on, if they're still pants, maybe a ballast and bulb upgrade............

I have had the dubious pleasure of a 62 plate X3 for the last week, that has no Xenon's, and even worse dipped and main beam range! Sadly it's the most modern, and worst BMW I have ever parked my lardy arse in. Is it me or have BMW lowered their build standards, and quality? To be honest it feels cheap, the steering wheel flexes in my hands!. The modern Nav system and iDrive are quite cool, and the display clarity is very very good, but an X3 is very unlikely to appear on my shopping list. Do you folks who have newer (E70's) think build quality is better or worse on your steeds than the 'hewn from granite' feel of the older E53? It would be interesting to hear your thoughts?

I will be happy & relieved to have my Kalahari Beige toy back on my drive this time tomorrow night..........Christmas come early? Oh yes.

--RiDDO

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:59 pm

£302 for two bulbs!!

. Must be old stock as new HID bulbs haven't been that price for a couple of years!! £30 - £60 each for Philips or Osram D2S lamps these days. Cheaper ones are available.

That's quite a repair list too.

The newer BMWs only use the outer headlight for both beams as the inner one is for show......well it is on mine.....and to hold the Angel eye lamp. The inboard projector is a fake and there for BMW looks. At least the E53 one is a proper main beam reflector.

I think the higher specced (aka expensively) tricked out X3's are better, and not much smaller than the E53, but the X5 is better in my view. The top of the line diesel 3.0D X3 is very quick too.

Richard

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:12 pm

Pre Christmas treat for the E53 there with that list done.

That's shocking price for the bulbs though.

RiDDO · Post by **RiDDO** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:39 pm

Bit the bullet this afternoon, 2 x Osram Silverstars ordered £65 each, good reviews. Due Monday, my first mod...........

kkodal78 · Post by **kkodal78** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 11:08 pm

[quote="RiDDO"]
Bit the bullet this afternoon, 2 x Osram Silverstars ordered £65 each, good reviews. Due Monday, my first mod...........
[/quote]
Thats a lot of money for halogen bulbs.I am hoping that was a typo. I hope that you meant an hid kit or something for £65.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:03 am

OSRAM Xenarc Silverstar (HID) D2S. HID now have the 'Silverstar' badge too it seems

kkodal78 · Post by **kkodal78** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 12:25 pm

Ohh that makes sense now.

petert · Post by **petert** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:20 pm

Re build quality: I went from a late 2004 E53 to an early 2010 E70 and I'd say the quality and fit of the panels and interior in the newer car are noticably better. Hard to tell with the underpinnings: I sense less clunks and knocks but 5 to 6 years younger could account for that.
E70 has 60000km on it now and still feels very good.
Peter T

kkodal78 · Post by **kkodal78** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:38 pm

[quote="petert"]
Re build quality: I went from a late 2004 E53 to an early 2010 E70 and I'd say the quality and fit of the panels and interior in the newer car are noticably better. Hard to tell with the underpinnings: I sense less clunks and knocks but 5 to 6 years younger could account for that.
E70 has 60000km on it now and still feels very good.
Peter T
[/quote]
I am confused..

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 12:32 am

[quote="kkodal78"]
[quote="petert"]
Re build quality: I went from a late 2004 E53 to an early 2010 E70 and I'd say the quality and fit of the panels and interior in the newer car are noticably better. Hard to tell with the underpinnings: I sense less clunks and knocks but 5 to 6 years younger could account for that.
E70 has 60000km on it now and still feels very good.
Peter T
[/quote]
I am confused..
[/quote]

Lol. Wrong thread, wrong section, well just wrong.

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 1:15 am

Peter, you been on the juice tonight?

)

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