Can BMW use aftermarket parts?

[irfaanlall]

Howsit guys

I recently purchsed a F26 X4 M Sport from BMW Bloemfontein. The car is a 2016 model with 99k kms (no motorplan) but still advertised as bmw approved used car. During the purchase BMW informed me that one of the front shocks is leaking so they are going to replace both front shocks (also new front tyres, brake discs and pads) as per their inspection. Once the car was delivered to me in Pietermarizburg i felt the ride of car a bit stiff in the front but just assumed the shocks are brand new so thats normal.

I sent the car to BMW PMB for an issue with the aircon and then the tech called me and said whilst he was test driving the car he feels the ride is very hard and that something might be wrong with the suspension. I told him what BMW Bloem told me and he said he will have a look. After inspecting the car he reported back to me that yes the front shocks are new but were replaced with aftermarket shocks which are Bilstein shocks not BMW shocks which is why the ride is much harder in the front.

Is this allowed by BMW to use aftermarket parts on an approved used car and also without my knowledge? Do i have any chances of getting them to replace like for like as the car feels off because of the different shocks?

What would my way foward be? I have requested a report from BMW PMB.

 

[momo1]

As this is an M car and suspension parts are more important than regular cars, Ask them to replace the front 2 shocks with original ones, if not the least they can do is replace the rears with Bilsteins as well.
only good thing is Bilstein and Sachs are both solid reputable brands, if they used any other brand i would throw a fit.

 

[PsyCLown]

As this is an M car and suspension parts are more important than regular cars, Ask them to replace the front 2 shocks with original ones, if not the least they can do is replace the rears with Bilsteins as well.
only good thing is Bilstein and Sachs are both solid reputable brands, if they used any other brand i would throw a fit.

He say it is an M-sport not an M car.
Although regardless I agree with you - worth a try getting them to replace the front with originals or put Bilstein in the rear to match the front.

 

[Mytfine]

Bilstein is an oem for BMW, however they make different shocks for the same model, some are stiffer than others. On the bottom of the shock is a silver sticker it will give you the part number.

Check what variant it is and you can check if there is a softer solution.

 

[TurboLlew]

So firstly you didn't buy an approved used car. It was just a used car at a dealer. That Bloem dealer was involved in some shadiness in another deal thread. BMW's own site below (SA site) states that there is at least 1 year of motorplan/servicing.

These dealers will often misrepresent their second tier stock as "Approved Used" or "Premium Selection". They likely had to do the shocks anyway or else it wouldn't pass roadworthy. Since it is not an approved used car or under plan/warranty they can use whatever they want provided it is roadworthy. As you have now discovered, just because a company makes a part for BMW and the same company makes it's own branded part that fits the car, it doesn't mean they are going to be the same quality or spec.

Fourways/Cedar and Sandton have also had previously written-off non-approved cars advertised with "Premium Selection" plates on them on autotrader (though they rectified this when informed at least). Easy to wave away as 'photographer mistakes'.

If this car was misrepresented as part of their "approved used" programme which is a very specific thing, then you can, together with the report, raise it with BMW if they don't replace the shocks with OEM or (as suggested above) replace the rears to match. It is probably going to be in their interests to do this rather than be investigated by BMW (again - cos they were investigated by BMW HQ in the story I mentioned above as well).

For reference: This is from the UK site mentioning genuine parts:

What are the benefits of purchasing a BMW Approved Used Car?​

Discover the benefits of purchasing an Approved Used BMW.

These include:

• 12 month unlimited mileage BMW Warranty
• 12 month BMW Roadside Assistance
• 12 month MOT cover
• An independent, certified check to verify mileage and vehicle history
• Full vehicle preparation to pass stringent 360º inspection checks performed by qualified BMW Technicians. Any mechanical faults are rectified using only Genuine BMW Parts, most with a two-year Warranty for added peace of mind.

The SA site is not as prescriptive, but it is similar (I would be amazed if it was different globally).



But again, neither apply as your car was not an approved used car unfortunately.