Destroyed LC. New GSA instead?

[Poshtosser]

I bought a new GS in July this year. After repeated issues with the left hand switch cluster which kept freezing at random (no indicators, beam control, cruise control etc) I took the bike to the dealer for the third time to get it sorted once and for all. When I went the second time I also askled them to check out the engine noise which I thought was a bit too ragged but the technicician thought it was OK and changed a fuse under the seat which they believed was the cause of the switch cluster problem. It clearly wasn't so I took it back again and they agreed to change the whole switch cluster. On this occasion however a different technician said he didn't like the noise of the engine and would check it out. That was two and a half weeks ago. They have been very professional in keeping me updated but each time they have called the prognosis has got progressively worse as they couldn't find the problem and were waiting for the Fatherland to tell them what to do. Finally they have said that they are going to replace the entire engine which is a real bummer as I will have to go through the whole running in thing again and I'm not sure of the knock on consequences of having a different engine to the original when it comes to resale. (two 500 mile services in the first 4 months and has the bike done 0 miles or 4,000? When is the next service due? etc). I should add that throughout this I am riding one of the dealer's LCs and todate have done 1,500 mile on it.
The problem is that despite these "niggles" I really like the bike. I am also drawn to the new GSA. The manager has so far been both apologetic and helpful and is exploring with BMW the possibility of doing a deal whereby they make a contribution to the cost of a new GSA in compensation and take my bike back.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the rights and wrongs of my position and what my expectations should be?
Thanks

 

[doyle]

If it was me,I would be demanding a full refund and go and buy something else.

Possibly not very helpful to you,but no matter how helpful the dealer has been ,it is outrageous to spend that kind of money and to be let down,and yes i would think a new engine/switchgear would affect the resale in the future.It would certainly put me off.

 

[nick.ct]

There should be huge discounts on 'new / pre registered' bikes with winter round the corner from various dealers. If you like the GSA, try and do a deal with an in stock one with as many Farkles as you can get. No harm in trying for zero cost to change, BMW good will and all that. If you wait for a new engine, you'll be waiting ages and still have to run it in.
Go for it and good luck

 

[bisbee]

You are in a very strong position If you want a GSA and have a good relationship with the dealer then go for it

 

[autogs]

There should be huge discounts on 'new / pre registered' bikes with winter round the corner from various dealers. If you like the GSA, try and do a deal with an in stock one with as many Farkles as you can get. No harm in trying for zero cost to change, BMW good will and all that. If you wait for a new engine, you'll be waiting ages and still have to run it in.
Go for it and good luck

he said the new gsa so i think he ment the toilet gsa

 

[Poshtosser]

he said the new gsa so i think he ment the toilet gsa

Yes indeed. It is the new 2014 GSA I'm after. What with winter coming I won't miss much riding over the next four months.
The outcome I think would be fair and reasonable would be if BMW said: "Very sorry sir for all the inconvenience. If you agree to buy a new GSA in Feb/March we will offset 100% of your original purchase price of the GS against it."
Does that sound fair/reasonable/likely?

 

[cookie]

Does that sound fair/reasonable/likely?

yes/yes/hmmmm

 

[er-minio]

Finally they have said that they are going to replace the entire engine which is a real bummer as I will have to go through the whole running in thing again and I'm not sure of the knock on consequences of having a different engine to the original when it comes to resale. (two 500 mile services in the first 4 months and has the bike done 0 miles or 4,000? When is the next service due? etc).

Ask for a replacement LC. You bought it in July... new engine already?
Their problem.

Does that sound fair/reasonable/likely?

It will never happen.

 

[dave hendy]

yes/yes/hmmmm

I doubt you would get the full price of your GS off a GSA but you might get it minus the vat, I would try for that otherwise? Hope you get a deal that suits you never good when we have all these problems especially as the bike is so good!

Keep us informed with your progress

 

[Wapping]

Michael,

You are a broker, get them to give you a new bike, me ol' chum.

If they give you a new engine (no real harm in that, to be honest) and you want it run in, I'll do the 600 miles for you over a weekend, providing it doesn't start snowing. The only dull bit will be the daylight starting to go. Drop the bike off at Miller's on a Friday and I'll bring it back on Monday, all done.

Failing that, do what you had in mind with that Cagiva Elephant (or whatever it was) Problem solved.

 

[Poshtosser]

I doubt you would get the full price of your GS off a GSA but you might get it minus the vat, I would try for that otherwise? Hope you get a deal that suits you never good when we have all these problems especially as the bike is so good!

Keep us informed with your progress

Thanks and I will do.
I have to say I would be far from happy to settle ex VAT as this would be tantamount to losing 20% of the value of the bike in 5 months!

 

[Mr K]

The new switchgear fitted by a competent dealer shouldn't be apparent to anyone.
The new engine number correctly recorded in the V5 should not be a negative point either.

Sounds like you have a good relationship with your dealer. I wouldn't go "demanding" anything - That just puts up barriers and closes doors.

Continue your dialogue with your dealer. I would have thought it reasonable to get your full purchase price off an LC GSA, but it's up to you, if you're happy with any deal offered, take it.

 

[Poshtosser]

The new switchgear fitted by a competent dealer shouldn't be apparent to anyone.
The new engine number correctly recorded in the V5 should not be a negative point either.

Sounds like you have a good relationship with your dealer. I wouldn't go "demanding" anything - That just puts up barriers and closes doors.

Continue your dialogue with your dealer. I would have thought it reasonable to get your full purchase price off an LC GSA, but it's up to you, if you're happy with any deal offered, take it.

Thank you and I agree with your stance. I haven't demanded anything and Bahnstormers have so far been totally professional in their handling of the matter. I was just seeking comfort I suppose from other opinions as to what is reasonable as it is obviously a subjective judgement and I don't want to behave in an unreasonable manner myself.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The new engine number correctly recorded in the V5 should not be a negative point either.

Replacement engines on 1100/1150's used to come without an engine number, so could be an issue - if a buyer looks for it and it ain't there

Not sure if this id the same on 1200's or WC's.......................but it would be a question I would be asking, before agreeing

 

[DING-DONG]

I was given a replacement 2014 TE (not arrived yet and i spec'd it loaded) and they gave me £1280 in the end for my inconvenience. I could have had a GSA but because there price and date for retail has not been confirmed yet, BMW also offered a full refund on the invoice price i paid for my 2013 bike, and said a £500 deposit would would secure me a GSA, needless to say i went for the GS as a GSA would be just to big for me.

 

[johnfoxllb]

I would ask for a full refund and go buy a Honda.

 

[dave hendy]

I would ask for a full refund and go buy a Honda.

Why? It may have better build quality but it's no where near as good a bike

 

[Skid06]

my bike has got the same rough engine. it really does sound and vibrate like a bag of spanners around 2k-4k when cruising or rolling the throttle off i thought they all did it

 

[Wapping]

Why? It may have better build quality but it's no where near as good a bike

He didn't suggest which Honda the OP should buy. It's therefore tricky to judge whether it might have better build quality or not and impossible to predict that it's no where (sic) near as good.

Sometimes you really must stop all these BMW 1200 GS (genus, toilet) thoughts rattling around in your head at the expense of anything else.

 

[Engineer]

my bike has got the same rough engine. it really does sound and vibrate like a bag of spanners around 2k-4k when cruising or rolling the throttle off i thought they all did it

Engine noise is subjective - one persons bag of spanners is another's smooth - just read ride reports in magazines to see the same bike described totally differently. The LC like all boxers have their own characteristic engine noises, in some ways the LC 'clatters' more than the old bike, in others it is quieter and smoother.

Once you get the idea in your head that the engine noise isn't right then one starts imagine all sorts of things that aren't correct. I suspect that your bike is completely normal.