BMW Warrranty Information

[RallyeGS]

Spent some time this morning looking through my paperwork and rider's handbook to see where the warranty details were. My bike goes in for some corrosion work next week and I want my ducks in a row in case I need to go into bat! Anyone know where the warranty detail, coverage and exclusions are laid out? Cheers

 

[RichardD]

Take a look at this...

https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/content/dam/bmwmotorradnsc/marketGB/bmw-motorrad_co_uk/legal/warranty.pdf.asset.1536068924116.pdf

This is probably the important bit...

Corrosion is not covered by warranty when it is believed to be the result
of neglect, lack of cleaning, use of unsuitable cleaning products or normal
wear and tear. Guidelines for care of your motorcycle are included in the
rider’s manual. There is a range of BMW cleaning and care products
recommended for maintaining the condition of your motorcycle available
from your BMW Retailer.

 

[RallyeGS]

Thanks Richard. I particularly like the 'normal wear and tear' line! Lets see what next week brings.

 

[RallyeGS]

Not terrible, but still unsightly

 

[RichardD]

How old/mileage?

I’ve noticed some corrosion on mine in the same place - close to the rubber bit on the final drive. Mine’s June 2019, about 17k miles and (I think) been looked after pretty well.

I’m planning a trip to the dealer soon...

 

[RallyeGS]

Dec 18 and 10000 miles this morning! Its showing on the FD housing, swing arm and the right hand cylinder had where it meets the engine block.

 

[Matty589]

It’s happening at paint seams. I believe they paint it then machine, leaving a gap that allows moisture to get under the paint and cause bubbling. It’s not corrosion on a bare metal surface but poor paint prep/application. I had a GSA that did the same thing after 5,000 miles, that was kept scrupulously clean and not ridden in winter. However there are a fair bit of white marks all over the painted surfaces - is this also part of the same issue? If it’s just water marks I would make sure they’re all gone and the painted bits are perfect. Otherwise the dealer will take one look and say you’ve used an aggressive cleaner and bin your claim.

 

[casbar]

Dec 18 and 10000 miles this morning! Its showing on the FD housing, swing arm and the right hand cylinder had where it meets the engine block.

A mates RT is in for corrosion around where the cylinders meet the block on both sides and some on the FD. The bike is a 1250 late 2018 with around 20k miles. So hopefully yours will be ok.

 

[RallyeGS]

It’s happening at paint seams. I believe they paint it then machine, leaving a gap that allows moisture to get under the paint and cause bubbling. It’s not corrosion on a bare metal surface but poor paint prep/application. I had a GSA that did the same thing after 5,000 miles, that was kept scrupulously clean and not ridden in winter. However there are a fair bit of white marks all over the painted surfaces - is this also part of the same issue? If it’s just water marks I would make sure they’re all gone and the painted bits are perfect. Otherwise the dealer will take one look and say you’ve used an aggressive cleaner and bin your claim.

Sound advice Matt - thanks. I only use a mild, BMW branded cleaner, so I should be ok in that respect.

 

[RallyeGS]

A mates RT is in for corrosion around where the cylinders meet the block on both sides and some on the FD. The bike is a 1250 late 2018 with around 20k miles. So hopefully yours will be ok.

Fingers crossed!

 

[Teeonethousand]

I had some corrosion issues with the swing arm and took it back .....it was under a used warranty. The service person mentioned several times at every interaction that corrosion is not covered under used warranty. They made a goodwill offer to fix it for some payment but it was still way over what the eventual powdercoat cost me. I have now got some bubbles here and there on the final drive..at edges as mentioned above. I will smooth them down and paint them myself.

I love my GSA but I have to say I would think very hard about buying another BMW....so disappointed with the quality of the paints.

 

[RallyeGS]

Mine is still under the original warranty, so hopefully they will sympathetic! I will be miffed if I have to arm wrestle.

 

[casbar]

I had some corrosion issues with the swing arm and took it back .....it was under a used warranty. The service person mentioned several times at every interaction that corrosion is not covered under used warranty. They made a goodwill offer to fix it for some payment but it was still way over what the eventual powdercoat cost me. I have now got some bubbles here and there on the final drive..at edges as mentioned above. I will smooth them down and paint them myself.

I love my GSA but I have to say I would think very hard about buying another BMW....so disappointed with the quality of the paints.

In 2014 I bought a Harley CVO Roadking at close to £30k. You want to know about paint finishing, you should have seen that bike. Paint used to peel off in sheets off the rear sprocket. In two years, 5 recalls and 6 warranty claims. The bike was even delivered with a knackered kill switch, for 8 weeks you had to either switch the engine off by stalling it in 1st or pushing the side stand down (keyless). Great bike though Quality wise, my two RTs are streets ahead. And trying to get anything done by a Harley dealership was like getting blood out of a stone.

 

[trebor]

Dec 18 and 10000 miles this morning! Its showing on the FD housing, swing arm and the right hand cylinder had where it meets the engine block.

Mine is March 2018, with 17500 miles they changed the rear hub last October, it wasn't as bad as yours, the drive shaft cover was replaced about 11 months earlier, again, it wasn't as bad as yours.

My bike had a two year manufacturers warranty (though I did have extended warranty), normally I don't think they'd cover corrosion once out of manufacturers warranty, but there was no argument, BMW just wanted pictures and confirmation that the bike had been serviced as per recommendations.
I should think you'll be fine as yours will be on 3 year manufacturers warranty, won't it?

 

[RallyeGS]

I'm hoping thats the result I end up with. Not sure what they will do about the corrosion on the engine though? Yes, its just over 2 years into the 3 year warranty.

 

[RallyeGS]

These were at the 18 month point.

 

[stever1]

Easiest way to deal with shoddy quality is not to buy it in the first place. I got rid of my one year old GS and went to Honda when it was apparent that the latest Gs was even poorer quality than the previous one. Had 5 boxers in 10 years and each one was worse quality than the previous one. Its a shame as I liked them and my dealer but it was getting silly when you buy a bike in March and it lets you down in May.

 

[RallyeGS]

I am kinda in that place too.

 

[malcopopolo]

What is the japanese equivalent to a GS? Crosstourer? not in the same league?

I am on my 2nd LC - had lots of issues including corrosion - current one seems ok. The only reason I come back to BMW is the fit and handling.

Certainly will not be buying a 1250. It will be a jap bike next.

 

[JerseyNeil]

It seems to be a bit of a lottery. My 2017 GS Rally is perfect after 17,500 miles. Not a hint of corrosion anywhere.

I have just ordered a new GSA so I hope I will win the lottery twice.