BMW SA and Lyndhurst Auto do not care about their customers

20vee

Member
Hi Team Members,

It is with great disappointment that I send out this e-mail as I have lost faith in the BMW brand as I do not believe that the service that I have received from BMW Lyndhurst Auto and BMW SA is what one expects from a reputable manufacturer like BMW. I am now paying for a vehicle that I do not have, let alone use.

On the 15th of June 2012 I purchased, ZWB523GP, a premium select 2010 BMW 320d ///M Dynamic edition (Space Grey) from Bmw Lyndhurst Auto, the sales person was Nayree Lane and the Used car sales manager was Grant Lange, dealer principal Ewan Wilson.

The purchase price was R293000 and the mileage 48400km, financed via BMW Finance.

The vehicle has an intermittent problem with the engine light coming and instantly cutting the power of the vehicle. This has proven the vehicle to be defective and unsafe as I was almost knocked from the rear by a truck while entering the N1 when the vehicle engine light came on and the vehicle lost power.

The above problem first began 2 hours and 200km’s after I purchased and collected the vehicle from Lyndhurst Auto on the 15th of June 2012. I immediately contacted Nayree the sales person and she advised from sales manager Grant that the vehicle battery must be low and the vehicle would return to normal. This was not the case as the problem persisted.

The vehicle has been to BMW 5 times till date for the same problem, various methods where tried and items replaced to repair with no success.

On the 12th of September 2012 I returned a loan BMW after my BMW had been repaired unsuccessfully for the 4th time. Chris Germishuizen, the after sales manager demanded that I had to pay R3800 to have the cracked windscreen replaced or else I would not be allowed to take my vehicle. I advised Chris that I was not given a chance to inspect the vehicle when I collected the loan vehicle as it was raining and one cannot see defects on a vehicle that is parked in the pouring rain. The next morning I did notice the chip that had begun to spread to a crack and I immediately notified Marc Jeanmonod of this. Chris and myself had a meeting with Grant where Grant advised that due to my vehicle being faulty he would pay half however I would still have to pay half for the damage to the loan vehicle windscreen to have my vehicle released. I paid this amount and left with my vehicle.

The engine light came on and cut the vehicle power again on Thursday 13 September 2012, the day after I received my vehicle from repair again from Lyndhurst auto. I immediately drove back to Lyndhurst Auto and showed Grant (Used car sales manager) the engine light that was on. The replacement offered by Grant was that the vehicle will be traded in at the trade in value and I would have to accept a trade in amount of R245000. I did not accept as I have paid R293000 for my vehicle and do not wish to make a loss on this defective and unsafe vehicle that I did not utilize as I have had to stress about the reliability and risk of the vehicle from the day of purchase. The mileage was accumulated between the dealer and trying to use the vehicle. I requested that I be refunded for this defective and unsafe vehicle. Grant advised that the refund process is a lengthy process. I requested that we begin the refund process. Mileage 55300km

I logged the case 8000529220 with BMW SA, Kenny Banda that morning and have advised him of the above and my intention of having my purchase refunded. Kenny advised that I am within my 6 month CPA right to have the vehicle replaced.

Grant accepted that I leave the vehicle with him and my brother picked me up from Lyndhurst Auto as Grant advised that he did not have a courtesy vehicle for me to use.

The vehicle has been at BMW since, a week later I am still without a vehicle and have not been refunded or advised when I will receive my refund.

I have now been advised by Grant and Edwin representing the dealer and Darren Nathan from BMW SA that the diesel from the vehicle has been sent in for testing. If it is the fuel that is contaminated, I do not accept this excuse as clearly indicated when looking at the repair history that this vehicle has a problem with the fuelling system prior to me purchasing this vehicle.(Attached) This was not disclosed to me when I purchased the vehicle and asked Nayree before purchasing the vehicle if the vehicle had any repair history , I was told that the vehicle had not had any repair work done and is a premium select pre owned vehicle.

BMW customer care, Kenny Banda and Kase Pillay keep referring me to the dealer however the dealer seems to be of no assistance to me in this refund process.

I feel I have exhausted all options through the dealer and BMW SA.

Yours Sincerely,

V. Subramoney
 

Mr Occo

New member
Eish doody man.

First off welcome.

Your only measure here is to go via the CPA process directly. It's apauling to hear such bad service. I'm sure some of the members here can give you some good advice.

Hope you get sorted.
 
K

Kobus328i

Guest
This is the type of thing that is making me sick to my core. Because of one dealership and an obvious incompetent BMW SA Customer care person, you as the consumer are always getting the short end of the stick. There is no more such a thing as customer care and after sales service in South Africa, especially from large brand names / manufacturers.

I suggest spreading this on all available social media like Facebook, Hello Peter as well as publishing houses that publish magazines like CAR, Top Car etc. making the general public aware of this.

Please do not loose faith in the brand, but look at the individual dealer and that it is BMW SA which is just as competent as my shit.

I'm very sorry that you had to experience such poor service and bad luck.

P.S. - W.r.t. to the cracked windscreen. I would have shown them the middle finger. How can they proof that the windscreen was not cracked before the car was given to you. As soon as they offered to pay half, they admitted to that fact that they themselves did not know, and now want to use you.
 

graan13

Active member
Terrible experience and one would think the dealer would be doing flick flacks to help resolve the problems or replace the car or refund. They are just too scared to report back to the shareholders that they have an amount into the books and then the same amount going back out to keep a person happy! WTH...
Also, is it not ironic that when you take a car to a dealer to have a service or what eva, they clearly state that any damage or theft on their property is not their responsibility, why then should their property in your hands be your responsibility - just a thought :fencelook:
But I agree with a previous comment - would tell them to fly kites wrt the windscreen - no proof, no pay!
 

Mamba

Member
I really feel for you and hope you made headway, the sad thing is that one buy a vehicle to USE, not to let the vehicle spend endless days at a BMW dealer who does not care, will they pay your instalments while you are without car, I think not... :thumbdo:


http://www.facebook.com/BMWSA



...
 

UpNcOmiNg!

Events Organiser
What a bunch of cocks!
CPA buddy.
And take it as far as you possibly can with BMW. Make the cAse known internationally if you have to. Do whatever it takes to rectify this situation! Don't roll over at any point
 
D

Dippies

Guest
Buddy i feel for you.


The consumer protection act has a mandatory cooling off period with all deals and you could have demanded your money back, or a other vehicle.

If they fail to do so take them to court
 

murali

Member
Dippies said:
Buddy i feel for you.


The consumer protection act has a mandatory cooling off period with all deals and you could have demanded your money back, or a other vehicle.

If they fail to do so take them to court

I agree, when i had problems with my mini i used the CPA to my benefit.

I had a courtesy car instantly and my car was fixed within 2days and i have had no problems with it since then.

Speak directly to the DP, dont waste your time with these other clowns

Goodluck!!
 

rick540

///Member
And it rears it's head again

Sometimes I wonder why BMW dealers dont just take down all the roundal signs and replace them with 18 foot signs of a hand with the middle finger pointing upwards.

At least then the badge will match the service
 

Peter@AEW

BMWFanatics Advertiser
Official Advertiser
"BMW customer care, Kenny Banda and Kase Pillay keep referring me to the dealer however the dealer seems to be of no assistance to me in this refund process."

Now there is a contradiction in terms if ever there was one.
 

Radar747

New member
Thank you for naming and shaming! Sorry to hear of your troubles!

please post this on other media forums too! disgusting service! and email the dealers a copy of these posts!
 

zaleonardz

Well-known member
I am dumbfouned and shocked by this email.

This is absolutely terrible, and I cannot believe what I am reading.

Two things, if the vehicle started off the battery, it has enough amp's in it, meaning that your cutout is not battery related, unless there is something wrong with the charging system.

With regards to the dirty diesel, this is absolutely crap, BMW is guilty in this case of a botched diagnostics, and BMW motorplan would have their hides for replacing parts that should have never been replaced.

If I was you, I would, under the supervision of your attorney or a representative, , go and collect diesel out of car yourself, and send it to an independant lab, as this is going to be the scape goat.

There are very view things that sets off an engine warning light, this is either a wiring issue, or a fault on the DDE.

What parts out of interest did they replace.

Sorry for your troubles bud, contact the RMI, the onbudsman and the CPA, lets see how quickly they can get a court order to rectify the "long wait"

The other thing that you can do, is lodge a claim with your insurance company as well for the dirty diesel, be it the case or not, they may want to investigate, and the more corporate pressure you have on BMW, the quicker they are intited to act.

If they find that it is not your fault, you can institute a legal claim against BMW for the financial loss as well, should cost you like 1k for an attorney letter

Shocking... simply shocking, shame on you BMW..
 

ChrisBrand

Staff - Legal
Staff member
///M_Diesel said:
This is 1 reason... BMW is loosing customers to Merc... :yuck:

Just on this note i had a thread a few onths ago on Merc's good customer service

BUT

it has now been 6 months (April 2012) that my dad has sent his car back for the 5th time. He has spent between R15 000 - R20 000 on the car to be fixed. After the check engine light still came on they told him they had a meeting with their experts from Germany and they think now that its the Diesel. They have sent it in for analysis as well. Looks like its a common excuse if you can't fix the car.
 

mo_s

Member
This is rely bad..sorry man..but coming from the infamous lyndhurst I'm not surprised..I stopped going there due to the service advisors having the attitude that this is what they did, if you don't like it too bad..that Germany story they use is bull in my opinion..the only person who has an opinion is their workshop foreman most of the time..what he says goes most of the time..get a lawyer and put up a fight.....just from seeing my car have soo many small niggles my dad wants to buy a merc next year and stay far away from BM..it is rely a pity
 

herr bmw

///Member
shocking,feel for you bud.

cpa

when i bought my car they showed everything on paper and double crossed it with the pc at the dealer,they didnt hide anything where i bought my car.

already that is a problem with the salesperson,had a similar incident at a vw garage and they had the salespersons backside,for lying in the buying proccces
 

frikkieh

///Member
This is not the first time. It is not the first time where a car gave issues, but BMW just can't get it right.

I said never another BM, but I just love their cars :joy:

Here is a link to the consumer law !!!
http://www.paralegaladvice.org.za/docs/chap12.html
"As with the NCA, the Consumer Protection Act encourages consumers to first try to resolve their disputes with the company or service provider concerned. If they are not successful, they can lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission on 0860 266 786 or fax: 0861 515 229"

They should be able to give you some pointers.
 

Gizmo

Banned
Once again...E90:facepalm:
I actually think the BMW bonnet and boot badge of the E90 should be changed to a :facepalm:
 

rick540

///Member
ChrisBrand said:
///M_Diesel said:
This is 1 reason... BMW is loosing customers to Merc... :yuck:

Just on this note i had a thread a few onths ago on Merc's good customer service

BUT

it has now been 6 months (April 2012) that my dad has sent his car back for the 5th time. He has spent between R15 000 - R20 000 on the car to be fixed. After the check engine light still came on they told him they had a meeting with their experts from Germany and they think now that its the Diesel. They have sent it in for analysis as well. Looks like its a common excuse if you can't fix the car.

Also since I posted on mercs good service, they have stuffed me around several times.

It's a disease in SA, it's a frikkin disease
 
Top