WindyChuffer
Registered user
He probably doesn't know yet that BMW monitors the forums and ebay, yep they do employ a team to do just that.
So is that statement based on fact or supposition?
He probably doesn't know yet that BMW monitors the forums and ebay, yep they do employ a team to do just that.
So is that statement based on fact or supposition?
A well known retailer does exactly that, if a customer comment is tweeted or facebooked etc you get a call

Why would they call Windychuffer![]()
So is that statement based on fact or supposition?


I was informed by a friend who happens to work for a dealer and part of his job is dealing with warranties and claims. BMW is particularly strict on the ebay stuff. Any part that have been recalled, written off, replaced under warranty etc has to be destroyed. Back when the S1000RR had engine problems a whole engine was replaced by the dealer. Nothing wrong with the engine but it had to be destroyed. What a shame. Sometimes with a warranty claim BMW can ask the dealer to send the part back for investigation. If the dealer is found to be in conflict with their agreement with the parent company they can be fined, the person fired or in worst case the franchise taken away. Hence they also keep an eye on BMW specific forums. This is more on the car side than the motorcycles bearing in mind that the accident repair part of a dealer can bring in a few million quid a year even for a small dealership and you cannot run a dealership without it and a service centre. So I was asked not to post to much detail of work done by a certain dealer. It will not take much investigation by the parent company to find out who the dealer is. So if you are in good friendship with your local and they do something for you that is not strictly by the book keep your gob shut and call it excellent customer service. In the past employees have had been caught by BMW selling scrapped parts on ebay and you'll be at the short end. Similarly with the favours done for you, you'll end out of pocket for that.
Any comments you want to make keep it to yourself until the matter is resolved.
Now, what is WindyChuffer called then?![]()
So is that statement based on fact or supposition?
I dont doubt that BMW staff will casually look. And if they get wind of an issue then yes they will be on it for brand damage limitation. But folks employed to surf the forums? Nah.
Not the best thought through approach.
From experience, it's best not to rant - as good as it might make you feel, it actually gets you nowhere.
For the maximum impact, keep calm quiet and sensible.
Keep it simple, and all based on facts, dates times.
List the faults clearly.
Don't say "the gearbox is rubbish" - be specific...
Say, "I cannot select Neutral, and the gearbox makes a grinding noise when I select first gear"
Don't say "the design of the driveshaft is laughable"
Say:- "when I engage maximum preload for off roading, I encounter significant driveshaft vibration, that on inspection is the driveshaft getting damaged. Nowhere in the manual does this state that this would occur"
Be specific on what you have done to alleviate this ( or rather, what opportunities you have given your dealer to fix it.) you can only complain if you have given them a chance to fix it.
It is very powerful to say something like " my local dealer has tried to rectify this problem 4 times. The first on xxx date, when they changed the fluid, the second on yyy date, when they changed the clutch, the third on zzz date when they changed the engine , and the fourth on xyz date when they gave me another 2013 model. etc etc,."
Only when you have listed out all the problems in a cold hard factual manner, and reminded BMW that they have had ample time to fix these issues can you go on to say things like.
"Given the repeated failed attempts to remedy these faults, and the recognised re-design of the 2014 model, it would seem that these faults are inherent of the 2013 design. I deem these faults to be unacceptable, and invite an offer from BMW to rectify them"
When a letter to BMW is written in cold hard simple language, they cannot run from the facts. But you have to do the legwork, and take it to the dealer for them to fix first.
Exactly right. Times/dates/names/specifics. There is no argument against facts. Strange that the op has not posted an update to his letter of 4 weeks ago. Is there a possibility that he hasn't had a reply?

I dont doubt that BMW staff will casually look. And if they get wind of an issue then yes they will be on it for brand damge limitation. But folks employed to surf the forums? Nah.