£400 for gearbox seal

[parabiker]

The bike was 3 1/2 years old when I bought it. It will be four years old this month.

Yes it appears to have stood for 4-5 months until I bought it, it had it's 18k sevice on it's 3 year anniversary, then only did 2-300 miles in the following 6 months when I bought it from a dealer (probably SOR but I can't be sure)

The front cover had slight blistering/corrosion when I bought it. One winter living outsiside and being used in the wet has accelerated the corrosion dramatically. Likewise with the fuel cap.

I polished the exhaust pipes up (sad I know) but I now know that was a complete wast of time. Chrome pipes look much better.

I have put a brand new battery on it, using heated grips on full power on a 40 minute journey drain the battery and it will only just turn over. So no the battery isn't four years old. I now have to remember to turn the grips off 10-15 minutes before my journey ends. Whilst on this subject, is it only my grips that seem to have melted/worn away?

The screen, well least said I suppose.

The frame bungs, I just can't believe BMW sell these as extras. Maybe that is just me though.

The rocker end float, I haven't touched them, BMW have done that work, so not much more I can say, I will pass your comments on.

Re use of oil, what can I say, we are in the year 2010, 1960 Lister/Peter engines dont use oil like these things, and I know it's not just mine. 1/4 litre per 1000 miles at least?

Sorry forgot to ask what the pannier capacity was when I bought the bike, I just assumed they would carry a half decent load. 5kg for the top box? Perhaps I am just expecting too much. mmmm

The bike is a grin to ride, comfortable, easy to handle, gives good protection (with the GSA screen) has great road presence, economical, etc but it really lets itself down on build quality. I haven't mentioned half the issues raised by other members on this forum.

Should a 3/4 year old bike with 18k be suffering from these issues? I don't think it should, but hey maybe I am expecting too much from BMW.

Oh and you are right, I can't spell, niether can you, but I do my best.

Win friends and influence people? Well, if one has to resort to forum diologue to gain friends with a view to influencing people, then you must have been severely bullied at school!

Triumph, no thanks booked a test ride on a Ducati M'strada.

Thanks for the replies, but I get the impression some of you even have BMW embroided on your Y fronts!

Oh, and am I qualified to say what I say? Well yes I am. Certificates and everything!

Simon.

 

[NAB]

Prick !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[parabiker]

Prick !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Red Rock]

Para,
I've had most of the build quality issues you've mentioned - so I can understand the frustration at getting a £400 quid bill to fix an oil leak that you simply can't afford to ignore.

Try taking it in to a dealer to look at it as a goodwill claim. You might be lucky. Fortunately I was and got the job done F.O.C, I just paid for the seals and gbox oil, - around £60 all in. I was out of warranty by about 18 months and had self serviced the bike with no service stamps, so it's worth asking and it's in the dealer's interest to get BMW to stump up, so don't be shy. - These seals just shouldn't be failing, and I think BMW know so.

Quote:
Oil seals leak and cost a fortrune to replace
Shit happens. Never had a problem with mine (and many others like me).

... That's useful! Here's hoping your's don't fail sometime soon!

 

[parabiker]

Para,
I've had most of the build quality issues you've mentioned - so I can understand the frustration at getting a £400 quid bill to fix an oil leak that you simply can't afford to ignore.

Try taking it in to a dealer to look at it as a goodwill claim. You might be lucky. Fortunately I was and got the job done F.O.C, I just paid for the seals and gbox oil, - around £60 all in. I was out of warranty by about 18 months and had self serviced the bike with no service stamps, so it's worth asking and it's in the dealer's interest to get BMW to stump up, so don't be shy. - These seals just shouldn't be failing, and I think BMW know so.

Cheers Red Rock. Oh and I couldn't agree more re

 

[Micky]

The bike was 3 1/2 years old when I bought it. It will be four years old this month.

Yes it appears to have stood for 4-5 months until I bought it, it had it's 18k sevice on it's 3 year anniversary, then only did 2-300 miles in the following 6 months when I bought it from a dealer (probably SOR but I can't be sure)

The front cover had slight blistering/corrosion when I bought it. One winter living outsiside and being used in the wet has accelerated the corrosion dramatically. Likewise with the fuel cap.

I polished the exhaust pipes up (sad I know) but I now know that was a complete wast of time. Chrome pipes look much better.

I have put a brand new battery on it, using heated grips on full power on a 40 minute journey drain the battery and it will only just turn over. So no the battery isn't four years old. I now have to remember to turn the grips off 10-15 minutes before my journey ends. Whilst on this subject, is it only my grips that seem to have melted/worn away?

The screen, well least said I suppose.

The frame bungs, I just can't believe BMW sell these as extras. Maybe that is just me though.

The rocker end float, I haven't touched them, BMW have done that work, so not much more I can say, I will pass your comments on.

Re use of oil, what can I say, we are in the year 2010, 1960 Lister/Peter engines dont use oil like these things, and I know it's not just mine. 1/4 litre per 1000 miles at least?

Sorry forgot to ask what the pannier capacity was when I bought the bike, I just assumed they would carry a half decent load. 5kg for the top box? Perhaps I am just expecting too much. mmmm

The bike is a grin to ride, comfortable, easy to handle, gives good protection (with the GSA screen) has great road presence, economical, etc but it really lets itself down on build quality. I haven't mentioned half the issues raised by other members on this forum.

Should a 3/4 year old bike with 18k be suffering from these issues? I don't think it should, but hey maybe I am expecting too much from BMW.

Oh and you are right, I can't spell, niether can you, but I do my best.

Win friends and influence people? Well, if one has to resort to forum diologue to gain friends with a view to influencing people, then you must have been severely bullied at school!

Triumph, no thanks booked a test ride on a Ducati M'strada.

Thanks for the replies, but I get the impression some of you even have BMW embroided on your Y fronts!

Oh, and am I qualified to say what I say? Well yes I am. Certificates and everything!

Simon.

Well Simon I think you held your own there

But FFS not a feckin Ducati ... frying pan in to the fire and all dat

 

[parabiker]

Story so far. Pidcocks did the work last week and changed all three seals whilst in bits.

Bill for £300 which included final drive oil change and days bike hire.


BMW said they wouldn't contribute. I said wrong answer.

BMWthen said they would pay for the seals which cost £20. I said piss off, go away and think about it again, still wrong answer.

BMW came back and said they would also pay half the labour (£130). I said, thats more like it.

I think that is fair and reasonable, and the repair is warranted including labour for 2 years worldwide.

Simon

 

[GSmonkey]

are you selling it then??

 

[parabiker]

are you selling it then??

Everything of mine is for sale for the right price.

Feel free to make an offer.

 

[Pukmeister]

Glad you got a satisfactory result from BMW, they actually do go a bit further to resolve problems than you might think when compared to other marques (which is why you pay more for the brand).

I had my 2004 bike (bought used) for 5 years and had all the classic faults except for Servo ABS problems, including corroded fasteners. BMW fixed them all simply through asking politely at my local dealers whom I have a good rapport with.

 

[Chris Terry]

Great expectations

If this is your first bike I can understand why you feel as you do. You obviously had big expectations when you bought the BMW, and rightly so. Unfortunately you have had a few minor negatives which leaves you feeling resentful against the bike, dealer & manufacturer. It now appears that you have a bike that should do the job and bring you more enjoyable riding than you expected. These things happen, just ride the bike and put it down to experience and the " rich tapestry of life " .
I hope things go well from now

 

[Steptoe]

An experienced BMW mechcanic would drop the gearbox in half an hour.
-.

How much work do you want.

It can take half hour just removing the rear subframe cover if the bolts are semi seized.
And don't mention crashbar removal. Oh, and the electrical extras that need to be removed before you can split the bike.

 

[GSmonkey]

Feel free to make an offer.

Nah, you're OK, sounds as though you bought a right lemon

How much work do you want.

It can take half hour just removing the rear subframe cover if the bolts are semi seized.
And don't mention crashbar removal. Oh, and the electrical extras that need to be removed before you can split the bike.

.......I can just hear you inhaling through your teeth

 

[parabiker]

BMW have credited my account at Piddcocks £150 now so that comes to more than half the labour costs. The total bill bill in the end was £296 that included an oil change in the final drive as well. Considering all the brake fluids were drained and replaced as well as the gear box I think that is really good value.

This is my first bike, so in respionse to the previous reply, it did some what taint the fun to some degree.

Its all sorted now, but it just shows don't accept the first answer and know your rights when it comes to such matters.

Now then, can anyone point me in the right direction to a thread re repainting it, what paint and how succesful it is. I am thinking the red GS needs to be a white GS!

Thanks for all the replies re the gearbox hopefully someone else will benefit.

Simon

 

[deaninkl]

Para, If I had the problems you've had I'd be pissed to. There are so many threads here with many complaints so you can be sure BMW do know of these faults. The fact is though that the GS sells in huge numbers, and many of us have relatively few problems.

Mines an 06, sold new in 07, I've done 45,000 km and the only problems I've had is a new batteries (2 if you count the one changed because it would start at pick up time on day one...), and a dodgy front light connector.

I don't use any oil, and no corrasion problems...touch wood..

Good luck

 

[xjrjason]

I've got an '08 GSA

I had the oil seal changed under warranty, as I had a slipping clutch.



Any idea when the 'new' oil seal modification was made by BMW?