[electricmba]

I just spoke with RIV, and they have rejected my letter from the Dealer stating that it is "insufficient" for determining the recall status.

I'll reserve my comments about what an absolute crock of shit this is, but they've stated that I need a letter from BMW directly OR very specifically, I need one of the following things from the dealer:

1 - A "Vehicle History Report"

2 - A "Vehicle Warranty Inquiry"

Either must have the dealer stamp, dealer stationary and signature/contact info for Service Manager at the dealer.

I've gone back to the gentleman at the dealership I got the letter from, but I'm not optimistic as he stated BMW strictly forbids giving out these outputs from their system.

Not happy today.

[trickydisco]

Sorry to hear.

I JUST faxed them my recall letter from the dealership in
Georgia.
I'll report back what happens...
If they reject, I suppose we either drive to a BMW dealership
in Buffalo, or
goto any Canadian BMW dealership and pay the $500?

[electricmba]

I think you need to call and get an appt with the Canadian dealer so they can do their "inspection", and pay the $500.

Make sure you call the Registrar of Imported vehicles 48 hours after your fax to check the status. I didn't know mine was rejected until I called them today.

The number is 1-888-848-8240, and if you want to skip the 5 minute announcement on various import topics, hit "1" for English, then hit "2" to speak to a representative.

[trickydisco]

oh man...

killer is that THERE AREN'T ANY RECALLS.

Thanks for the number, i'll call in 48 hours to get the bad news.

[electricmba]

I could literally write a 10 page diatribe about my thoughts on this Recall letter for RIV - but I won't. Suffice to say, if I had the time and energy, I would get a consumer activist group involved to get it repealed, because it is a total joke. RIV can find out the status of a recall with a single phone call or inquiry in a database.

[Slke46]

So you guys imported your cars from the states? How was the process, and how did you finance the car? PM me if needed...

[electricmba]

Yep.

Just to save me some typing, there's tonnes of info on this in this thread I already started:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92774

For the steps, I highly recommend getting this document for $9.99 here:
http://www.ucanimport.com/

[trickydisco]

update: riv judged my recall letter unacceptable.

Looks like i'll contact Town+Country BMW and head down with some
astroglide.

[electricmba]

I just had my friend who is "in the business" at another dealer call in some favors at some local BMW dealers to see if I could get a letter on the sly.

This is becoming a big issue - the dealers are indicating that they can't provide the information required, and that they hate doing the $500 inspection because the paperwork takes forever, and the money goes to BMW Canada. They also said that some folks are waiting anywhere from 5 to 10 days to get the recall letters back from BMW Canada AFTER paying the $500.

Looks like we're taking this one up the tailpipe whether we like it or not. I'll let you guys know how the inspection goes once mine is completed.

[trickydisco]

Originally Posted by electricmba

some folks are waiting anywhere from 5 to 10 days to get the recall letters back from BMW Canada AFTER paying the $500.

rather than the letter from BMW Canada, would it not suffice to obtain

1 - A "Vehicle History Report" or

2 - A "Vehicle Warranty Inquiry"

with the dealer stamp/stationary/signature of service mgr from the
dealership directly (thus no waiting)?

[electricmba]

Originally Posted by trickydisco

rather than the letter from BMW Canada, would it not suffice to obtain

1 - A "Vehicle History Report" or

2 - A "Vehicle Warranty Inquiry"

with the dealer stamp/stationary/signature of service mgr from the
dealership directly (thus no waiting)?

Sure it would - but BMW Canada has forbidden Dealers to do it, hence the $500 inspection.

I know it is complete nonsense, I just want to get it done with and behind me.

[trickydisco]

sorry, I wasn't clear.

I intend to pay the $500, and request the

1 - A "Vehicle History Report" or

2 - A "Vehicle Warranty Inquiry"

either IN ADDITION to, or IN LIEU of the
BMW Canada Letter so that I don't have to wait
for the mail.

Do you think that can be done? ... I'll find out next wednesday
when I see the dealership.

[electricmba]

According to those I've spoken to, BMW Dealers can no longer give customers any reports, screen prints, or any data from the system. If you pull it off - please let me know.

[Rossland]

Originally Posted by electricmba

I just had my friend who is "in the business" at another dealer call in some favors at some local BMW dealers to see if I could get a letter on the sly.

This is becoming a big issue - the dealers are indicating that they can't provide the information required, and that they hate doing the $500 inspection because the paperwork takes forever, and the money goes to BMW Canada. They also said that some folks are waiting anywhere from 5 to 10 days to get the recall letters back from BMW Canada AFTER paying the $500.

Looks like we're taking this one up the tailpipe whether we like it or not. I'll let you guys know how the inspection goes once mine is completed.

Sorry to hear about your problem with RIV. Mine was approved because I had both a letter from the US dealer (on their letterhed) stating that there were no recalls, and a vehicle history inquiry, which is a computer printout also provided by the dealer. This was no problem because I bought the car used from a US BMW dealer. (Towne in Buffalo)

The crazy thing about these recall letters is that Transport Canada already has this information on their web page www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/recalls/recintro_e.htm

I have already written to Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport with a cc to my MP. Everyone should do the same. I'll bet the manufacturers are busy lobbying hard to create additional obsticles for those of us who want to import our own cars. I wonder how many used BMW's are being imported by Canadian dealers?

[electricmba]

Originally Posted by Rossland

I have already written to Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport with a cc to my MP. Everyone should do the same. I'll bet the manufacturers are busy lobbying hard to create additional obsticles for those of us who want to import our own cars. I wonder how many used BMW's are being imported by Canadian dealers?

+1

[Slke46]

Originally Posted by electricmba

Yep.

Just to save me some typing, there's tonnes of info on this in this thread I already started:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92774

For the steps, I highly recommend getting this document for $9.99 here:
http://www.ucanimport.com/

Nice... and congrats to all who have gone through the process. But one question, how did you finance the car? Through the bank? I was told that the money has to come out of your pocket and the loan will be issued once the car is titled in your name.

[electricmba]

I'm leasing - it is relatively easy to pull off if you follow what I outlined in this post:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...1&postcount=26

[electricmba]

Thanks - I'm really considering mine completed at this stage, once this stupid $500 letter is done, the car is mine, and after the Canadian Tire inspection it will be properly licensed and warrantied here in Canada.

The process is just a little slow at the moment due to the volume of cars people are bringing up. When I was at the Lexington bridge, the guy told me they are getting 450 cars a day brought across from the US.

[Rossland]

Originally Posted by Slke46

Nice... and congrats to all who have gone through the process. But one question, how did you finance the car? Through the bank? I was told that the money has to come out of your pocket and the loan will be issued once the car is titled in your name.

I didn't have to finance mine, but I do know that the banks love financing BMW's because they hold their value so well. Talk to your bank manager about the bridge financing

[Slke46]

Thanks for the info guys... I'm might start looking at getting rid of my lease and grab a nice 335 if it works out.

[ThinkPink!]

Once you have the car here, just go to the dealership and pay the 500$ extortion fee.

I tried getting around it, but BMW CA won't even look at your car if you haven't paid the 500$.

Believe me, warranty will be useful when you'll need to replace your fuel pump.

[electricmba]

Just came from the dealer - paid the fee. For clarity - it's $570.00, not $500.00 (the government needs to get their piece of it).

The SM was actually really nice at Budds, but I'm still mad I had to pay it. The SM also said he thought BMW was going to raise that fee very soon.