[laughter95]

I thought it would be a good idea to leave some positive feedback for a place that is so heavily scorned by the e90posters.

I have the following problems with my 2007 E90 335i with CPO:

1) Bluetooth "connected" issue - car thinks I'm on a call when I'm not
2) Right paddle shifter has a slight wobble
3) Left speakers fail intermittently
4) Dead pixels on radio screen in hot weather
5) High pitched whistle when turning at low speeds

On Thursday I called a couple BMW dealerships in the area to get my car serviced. Fairfax is closest to me but since hearing such negative things about it, I decided to call Sterling, then Alexandria. I couldn't reach anyone at Sterling, and Alexandria just told me that nothing would be covered under warranty.

I decided to email Michael Kim, SA at Fairfax. A couple months ago I stopped by and he helped me out by giving me a few license plate screws. I got his email from the dealer's website and sent him a message. The next morning I received a response from him asking for when I could bring the car in and that he would have a loaner available for me.

When I brought the car into the shop, I was greeted promptly. He told me he would try to get all the problems fixed under CPO. I was informed that the last issue wouldn't be covered, and that I could be liable for a $150 diagnostic fee if it was a major repair, or pay the cost of repair if I elected to do so. He also told me that if it was a minor issue like fluids, they would just top it off free of charge. I decided to get this issue investigated at a later point.

I'm expecting to have the car back by Wednesday. I'll post an update to let you know if I had to pay anything in addition to the standard $50 CPO deductible.

ABBREVIATED: Consider Michael Kim as your next SA at Fairfax BMW, seems to be a trustworthy guy who's willing to help you out. They're also relaxed about mods and warranty. Another service person told me that if I chipped the car, my warranty would be fine as long as the mod wasn't the cause of a subsequent failure.

~~~~~~

UPDATE:

Return email, post diagnostics and repair:

"We have looked at your vehicle based of your concerns.
It took me a extra day to figure out behalf of BMW warranty department.
Your Bluetooth malfunctioning time to time has to do with phone carrier and model of your phone per BMW.
You will need new radio and programming. $900.00
Shift Paddles $565.00

These items are not covered under your Certify Pre-Own warranty.
Please advise me further to proceed work on your car."

Needless to say, I will not be proceeding with the repairs, and can fully accept a slight wobble in my paddle shifter and dead pixels when it's hot. Guess I'll have to live with the intermittent annoyance of the phone/bluetooth issue.

____

Update again... my speakers were not fixed, they couldn't replicate. Plus it wouldn't be covered under CPO. All in all, nothing was covered under CPO. I ended up just giving them my car for four days, took a loaner, and then got back my car in the same condition. Accidentally filled the gas tank fully when I returned the loaner (was anticipating on taking it for a 400 mile drive for work, but the SA requested I bring it back to help him out) and was reimbursed the $30 extra I spent.

Still thumbs up.

[Royal Flush]

First positive review I've heard regarding them. I'm glad everything worked out for you.

Originally Posted by laughter95

They're also relaxed about mods and warranty. Another service person told me that if I chipped the car, my warranty would be fine as long as the mod wasn't the cause of a subsequent failure.

What mods did you go in there with? An SA saying that doesn't mean they're 100% relaxed about mods and warranty, it just means he knows of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

[kmarei]

I've been dealing with them for about 3 years
Never had any issues
Also bought 2 cars from James Deurbek
Very nice guy
Owns a 335is and a 1M

[Cptn Mo 703]

Originally Posted by kmarei

Also bought 2 cars from James Deurbek
Very nice guy
Owns a 335is and a 1M

im guessing this is his!!

[laughter95]

Originally Posted by Royal Flush

First positive review I've heard regarding them. I'm glad everything worked out for you.



What mods did you go in there with? An SA saying that doesn't mean they're 100% relaxed about mods and warranty, it just means he knows of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

I've only done the angel eyes swap on my car, nothing else. The subject came up with I asked about servicing the car myself and if it would affect the warranty.

Anyway, the experience has definitely been a lot more positive than my experience at BMW Passport-- Julian Kim was my SA there. Did a PPI through him. Shit attitude, ended up scraping the underside of my bumper and charged me $250 for the PPI, which didn't include a compression test. Michael Kim, on the other hand, told me that they charge the same but the inspection includes a compression test. Also recommended that you could get it done for $150 if you go through used car sales... Not sure about this process.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by Cptn Mo 703

im guessing this is his!!

How did you guess

Actually I want to call him
He told me he does 3 hour go cart sessions at west Virginia
He said normally it costs $30 for 20 minutes
His sessions are $100 for 3 hours
I assumed a lot of people on this forum and m3post would be interested

[Cptn Mo 703]

lol i figured who ever owned that car worked at Fairfax...

But if its $100 for 3 hours at the Summit carts sign me up!! Those go carts are sick.

[Foxcolt]

Originally Posted by laughter95

5) High pitched whistle when turning at low speeds

Hey, can you let me know what happens with this one? I've noticed the same thing intermittently on my car and I'm curious as to what it could be. Planning on bringing it in for service in the next week or so anyways for oil etc and it'd be nice to be able to give my SA a more precise explanation.

Thanks!

[laughter95]

Originally Posted by Foxcolt

Hey, can you let me know what happens with this one? I've noticed the same thing intermittently on my car and I'm curious as to what it could be. Planning on bringing it in for service in the next week or so anyways for oil etc and it'd be nice to be able to give my SA a more precise explanation.

Thanks!

Sorry but I said in my original post, I decided against having BMW look at the problem. I didn't want to incur a potential $150 expense. The way it works is this:

A. They determine it's a fluid problem, Michael Kim will just tell his technicians to top it off and you incur no charges.

B. It's a more serious repair and you elect to have them fix the problem and pay for BMW's rate for parts and labor. (Obviously, this option could cost more or less than $150. But anywhere around this price point, I would much rather just drive with an occasional squeak that I can hear over my speakers.)

C. It's a more serious repair and you decide you don't want them to repair. They bill you for $150 diagnostic fee.

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by kmarei

I've been dealing with them for about 3 years
Never had any issues
Also bought 2 cars from James Deurbek
Very nice guy
Owns a 335is and a 1M

James is nice as long as you throw money at him. As soon as you stop, he pretends he doesn't know you.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by alex2364

James is nice as long as you throw money at him. As soon as you stop, he pretends he doesn't know you.

You mean to tip him?
I've never given him any money

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by kmarei

You mean to tip him?
I've never given him any money

You bought a car from him. So he made money from you.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by alex2364

You bought a car from him. So he made money from you.

but to be fair
i had bought my wifes X3 in January of this year
i spoke to him a lot of times after that
and he did not know i was going to order a 2012 M3
and he was always nice
and he kept sending me invites for the go cart sessions and events

[MDyDinanM]

here's a recent thread I posted about my positive experience at FFX

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=570097