BMW Corrosion problem refused under warranty

The matt silvered finish on the fasteners is crap & I agree for the premium paid it's not too much to expect better, there must be a more durable finish than burnt oil or silver dust. At the prices asked I don't think stainless should be out of the question.
 
I know that many guys hate to clean bikes but as the finish used on modern bikes is water based due to euro regs and such crap they do have to have TLC and if he had just sprayed some wd40 or the like he may have got a result. I have had a few bms but always give them a spray of the stuff.:thumb2

Quite true to be honest!!
All motorvehicle manufacturers now have to adhere to strict euro guidelines on ELV (end of vehicle life) all to do with the recycling and reuse of scrapped and old vehicles! therefore any vehicle manufactured in the last couple of years and onwards can not include any heavy metal contaminates such as lead cadium chromium etc! unfortuantely these heavy elements were used in the past and provided excellent anti-corosion levels. Now as per most things normally associated with euro specs the new alternatives do not achieve in many instantances better manufacturing techniques, the same level of protection for fastenings that we used to have! but do help with an increase in paperwork and higer costs!! :rob
 
How long ago did you first notice the corrosion? Has it just appeared or did you notice it some time ago but didn't take it up with the dealer immediately?

Only really noticed it a couple of weeks ago. Cleaning over the last 3 months has been power washing after rides so not got close up.
 
Unless you know the law, and you clearly dont, f.

No. I'm not a lawyer but I am in the motor industry. Just because bolts go rusty doesn't mean they aren't durable and won't do their job. The fact that BuMW don't spend shedloads on top end bolts and calipers is pure economics and all manufacturers do it. Have you looked under the bonnet of the latest Mercedes benz or equivalent car? You'll find the exact same issues.

Doesn't mean it's right but it's the way it is I guess. My point is sometimes you have to do things to your machine to look after it.

For reference, my 52k 56 plate ADV gets used all year round and is insurprisingly good fettle considering she lives outside and gets washed occasionally. Changed the bolts for stainless, given the calipers a good rebuild and clean and good as new!

Right, BHT want's stainless fittings on the yacht so better get back to it:thumb
 
No. I'm not a lawyer but I am in the motor industry. Just because bolts go rusty doesn't mean they aren't durable and won't do their job. The fact that BuMW don't spend shedloads on top end bolts and calipers is pure economics and all manufacturers do it. Have you looked under the bonnet of the latest Mercedes benz or equivalent car? You'll find the exact same issues.

Doesn't mean it's right but it's the way it is I guess. My point is sometimes you have to do things to your machine to look after it.

For reference, my 52k 56 plate ADV gets used all year round and is insurprisingly good fettle considering she lives outside and gets washed occasionally. Changed the bolts for stainless, given the calipers a good rebuild and clean and good as new!

Right, BHT want's stainless fittings on the yacht so better get back to it:thumb


Well, i am also in the industry and the biggest killer of customer satisfaction and return is durability.

And that is not even longevity but simply things being replaced and repaired under warranty.

i have 2 pals in sub director positions within 5% plus manufacturers> both agree that they are now feeling the effects of pissing on customers for too long>

Whilst you can look at corrosion as an eventuality there have to be protestations from the end user if the appearance and image are affected. It can be argued that corrosion may occure under the bonnet of a car it is not as aesthetic as the caliper on a bike.

A few years ago a delegation from Japan came to Scotland came to try and work out the corrosion problem. They laughed when they were told we put salt on the roads!

Anyway, I have given the details of the legal man to the aggreived rider> i hope he exercises his rights to litigate!
 
I woundnt let them get away with that,i would keep pushing them till they sort it out.i used a gsxr 750 k4 for two full winters commuting.hardly washed it and no corrosion at all.did need a good clean tho,could you try a different dealer,maybe go higher.certainly not good enough.imo
 
Contacted BMW Customer Services and explained my problems. Said they would contact dealer (Astles) and see if there was anything they could do.

Fine I thought.

Response from BMW after talking to Astles was " Sorry, we've spoken to Astles and they confirm the bike hasn't been looked after as well as it should, so we can't help I'm afraid."

Well thanks BMW, and my sincere thanks go to Astles for telling BMW that I don't look after my bike.
I shall be certain to pop down to Astles and order a new bike off them forthwith - AFTER I'VE BURNED IN HELL !!!!!!

For a few quids worth of bolts they've lost all future servicing, parts, accessories, clothing, and bike sales. That makes sense to me. Well done Astles!
 
Dont give up.
Pester BMW customer services until then bend, and they will.
If all else fails you can insist on meeting their regoinal manager and look the bugger in the eye.
And if that fails then get the letter off........

Corrosion of that scale on such an expensive piece of kit in just not acceptable.

As for the dealer.................:rolleyes:
 
Winter riding

For the last 20+ years the only thing that has stopped me riding as much in the winter as I'd like is the salt on the roads. It's easy to say wash the bike off after a salty ride but where do you do it? If it's around freezing I end up turning the drive into an ice rink which could hang around for days or even weeks!

I've tried buying a slightly ratty bike and ignoring it but I always end up 'prettying it up' and then the same old problem. I have done, and still do, the ACF50/WD40/Silkolene ProPrep thing, but what pisses me off, along with most of you here, is why the f**k should I have to. It can't be beyond the wit of man and the huge massed resources of the bike industry to come up with a 'winter proof' bike. Most cars these days look very presentable after the hardest winter without spending it coated with preservative.
 
For the last 20+ years the only thing that has stopped me riding as much in the winter as I'd like is the salt on the roads. It's easy to say wash the bike off after a salty ride but where do you do it? If it's around freezing I end up turning the drive into an ice rink which could hang around for days or even weeks!

<cough> Yeah... That is the #1 problem with winter washing, especially when the temp rarely gets above freezing for 2-3 months overnight, you're 120 metres high, the driveway is sloped (~30degs) upwards, the road out is at ~40degs upwards. You get home, forget all this and wash down the bike then the next morning wonder why the driveway is now all ice, you can't get the car out because you've created a ice rink. So, back into the garage, get the bucket of road salt out, which has grit flakes in it (taken from the salt bin at the top of the hill). Set to work with the spade and clear the ice.

Once spring arrives, you then get to clear up all the grit flakes too.

All because some tight-ass in BMW [1] can't provide a proper finish to deal with our shite salt/weather.


[1] Bavaria, which is nearly all at least 200 metres high. What do the Germans do in the winter... I know, they drive their BMW wagons?
 
Keep telling you guys why you noooo listen...KTM:rolleyes:


KTM's are no better than anything else when it comes to these issues. Plenty of instances on the net where people are having serious issues and KTM just don't want to know - especially on bikes used through the winter.

Superduke Brakes

another superduke brake report

They also have some pretty spectacular failures that you never hear of on BMW's. KTM Swinging arm failure

125305133-M.jpg
 
I'm off over to Spain on the 8-30 Portsmouth-Le Havre on Friday and when I get back I'm going looking for a Honda Pan 1300.

Other thing is that BM have shot themselves with both barrels as we were looking to change cars and get a 320d.

Well they can go f*ck themselves as we've decided to get a Lexus is220d instead.
 
I'm off over to Spain on the 8-30 Portsmouth-Le Havre on Friday and when I get back I'm going looking for a Honda Pan 1300.

.

The Pan will corrode if you dont wash regularly and strip the plastics off to clean underneath. Granted not as bad as a BMW though:)
 


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