Fuel Strip - Warranty Extended to 12 Years
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RonnieG
Registered user
FYI, unless you're talking about Sally Gunnell, it's gunwales. Carry on.....
Very tempted to put in a different response but at the risk of being barred I'll just say thanks for keeping me right.....
RonnieG
Registered user
Thanks a lot NYCBrit for scanning the BMW US letter in - I will refer to this approach by BMW North America when I call the local dealer and if neccessary ask them to refer to BMW UK about replacing my broken fuel strip under warranty. The letter does say BMW is extending the warranty and not just BMW North America.
Feels like I've got a pretty good case here now!
Feels like I've got a pretty good case here now!
lmg
Registered user
UK GS'ers, dont get your hopes up.
I reported my fuel strip failure after 1 week of ownership on my 2009 GSA to BMW UK, and after a good friend of mine in the USA sent me scans of the originals post letter confirming that BMW USA were extending the warranty on the part for 12 years. I sent an email to BMW UK and got no reply, so I posted scanned copies of the letter on BMW UKs twitter feed and got a reply in under 60mins (strange that).
Here is the first emailed response from BMW UK:
My response was to confirm that Rainbow BMW had diagnosed the issue and repaired the fault and got this response:
I have asked them to clarify what they mean by "age and purchase history".
I was also interested in that BMW UK dont think there is an issue with fuel strip - yet BMW USA do (and enough to offer extended warranty on the part).
I guess it sucks to be a BMW owner in the UK
I reported my fuel strip failure after 1 week of ownership on my 2009 GSA to BMW UK, and after a good friend of mine in the USA sent me scans of the originals post letter confirming that BMW USA were extending the warranty on the part for 12 years. I sent an email to BMW UK and got no reply, so I posted scanned copies of the letter on BMW UKs twitter feed and got a reply in under 60mins (strange that).
Here is the first emailed response from BMW UK:
My response was to confirm that Rainbow BMW had diagnosed the issue and repaired the fault and got this response:
I have asked them to clarify what they mean by "age and purchase history".
I was also interested in that BMW UK dont think there is an issue with fuel strip - yet BMW USA do (and enough to offer extended warranty on the part).
I guess it sucks to be a BMW owner in the UK
NYCBrit
Registered user
I have a vested interest in this too, as I had my fuel strip on my UK bike replaced in August at SBW. 
One can but try; I'm still going to enquire when my bike goes in for the recall inspection......
lmg
Registered user
One can but try; I'm still going to enquire when my bike goes in for the recall inspection......
Always worth trying, and since BMW UK don't think this is am issue I would request all preWC GS BMW owners in the UK contact BMW UK at the email address in the posts with a copy of the USA letter and lodge their concerns about gettinga poorer service than out USA brothers and sisters.
Sent from SYDland......
RonnieG
Registered user
Just called the 2 local BMW Motorad dealers to try and have my fuel strip covered under warranty at the same time as the flange recall but no joy!
The long and short of it was that BMW UK are apparently taking a different stance on the fuel strip warranty extension than in the US due to the alleged poorer quality / ethanol content of US fuels - Make of that what you will.
One dealer mentioned the only exception they has come across from BMW UK was for Bikes both purchased from and always maintained by BMW Motorad dealers and as I bought my bike privately from Jackass Dave on this forum and look after it myself I am scuppered on both these counts.
I also tried to get the price down if I got the fuel strip replaced at the same time as they carried out the flange recall but they said most of the work for the recall was separate and the cost for replacing the fuel strip would still be around the £200 mark.
I can easily live without the fuel guage but the yellow warning light on continuously is annoying but I'm not sure it's £200 every couple of years annoying!
Options, options........
The long and short of it was that BMW UK are apparently taking a different stance on the fuel strip warranty extension than in the US due to the alleged poorer quality / ethanol content of US fuels - Make of that what you will.
One dealer mentioned the only exception they has come across from BMW UK was for Bikes both purchased from and always maintained by BMW Motorad dealers and as I bought my bike privately from Jackass Dave on this forum and look after it myself I am scuppered on both these counts.
I also tried to get the price down if I got the fuel strip replaced at the same time as they carried out the flange recall but they said most of the work for the recall was separate and the cost for replacing the fuel strip would still be around the £200 mark.
I can easily live without the fuel guage but the yellow warning light on continuously is annoying but I'm not sure it's £200 every couple of years annoying!
Options, options........
lmg
Registered user
Mine was bought from a Honda dealer (as a part ex) but has always been BMW dealer serviced. The position BMW UK are taking on this is farcical. The fuel additives excuse is grasping at straws since a large number of UK riders appear to have this problem.
I would recommend everyone keeps on at BMW UK about this to get it logged on their system then perhaps someone will take them to the small claims court to educate them that defective products aren't linked to warranty periods.
Sent from SYDland......
Just about to have my first non-BMW service (from Brian Giles) on my 2011 GSA but haven't had any problems - so far - with the fuel strip so may be shooting myself in the 'warranty' foot but as BMW seem indifferent to the shoddy products that they ship maybe it will make no difference that I am now outside their ivory tower.
The fuel strip was replaced (by SLM) on my 09 GSA within the first year.
Richard
lmg
Registered user
Was the fuel strip changed to a float from 2010 onwards?
Believe so, mines got a float but this hadnt worked properly for longer than a couple of weeks ever since I bought the bike. its been to dealers three times and hs had a new mechanism fitted each time!! Just got it back again so will wait and see.
Incidently, my orange lights on all the time as I have alloy whels on a GSA and couldnt be bothered to move over the sensors from th wire wheels. Was annoying but it didnt come on for a while after the last service and I kind of missed it !!!
Incidently, my orange lights on all the time as I have alloy whels on a GSA and couldnt be bothered to move over the sensors from th wire wheels. Was annoying but it didnt come on for a while after the last service and I kind of missed it !!!
Bendy toy
Registered user
Some owners have had many fuel strips replaced others very few to none.
I suspect the issue is poor handling by the installers. The strip has a resistive conductor inside a plastic sleeve. Where that exits the mounting flange has to be a source for failure. Vibration over time won't do it much good and bad handling by the installer has to shorten it's life.
I suspect the issue is poor handling by the installers. The strip has a resistive conductor inside a plastic sleeve. Where that exits the mounting flange has to be a source for failure. Vibration over time won't do it much good and bad handling by the installer has to shorten it's life.
Bendy toy
Registered user
The bike can be programmed to recognise two sets of wheel sensors. BMW could easily do that while doing other service related stuff.
lmg
Registered user
an interesting update from BMW UK regarding the fuel strip sensor. I asked them to clarify the their decline of goodwill "due to age and purchase history", and this is what I got back
My response to their comms was as follows:
They are saying the bike is too old to qualify for goodwill - so if that is the case, then maintaining a full dealer service history is a pointless exercise as they dont value it. Likewise, if a bike is not purchased from a BMW dealer, then you are also up sh*t creek.
My response to their comms was as follows:
They are saying the bike is too old to qualify for goodwill - so if that is the case, then maintaining a full dealer service history is a pointless exercise as they dont value it. Likewise, if a bike is not purchased from a BMW dealer, then you are also up sh*t creek.
RonnieG
Registered user
Unfortunately I have also had a similar refusal from BMW UK to cover the replacement of my broken Fuel Strip........
For info this is the e-mail I sent BMW Customer Service ;
I own a BMW R1200 GSA registration number AG07 ___ which has recently developed the common fuel gauge issue of indicating no fuel and yellow warning light on the dash even when the fuel tank is full.
I also have just received from yourselves a recall letter requesting me to return my motorcycle to my local Motorad dealer with regard to a fuel flange check.
After a bit of research I discovered that this is a well known issue with these bikes and BMW of North America have now extended the warranty to 12 years for the fuel strip as it is such a well known issue. (Warranty Coverage Extension 16 002 14 (017) 12 Years)
I called my local Motorad dealer to arrange a time to carry out your fuel flange recall and I asked about my fuel strip issue and also if this would be covered under warranty as it is in the US? The Motorad dealer clearly knew and was well versed about the fuel strip issue but said the only reason that BMW North America have extended the warranty is because of poorer fuels sold in the US and that I would need to cover the whole cost as I live in the UK.
I find this response extremly dissappointing as a quick surf around various UK BMW Motorcycle forums and clubs clearly indicates that a high number of UK owners of these BMW Motorcycles are clearly suffering from the same Fuel Strip issues as our American colleagues so I really don't see why there is such a difference in BMW North America's approach to it's customers versus BMW UK's for the exact same issue?
Is there any way in this instance you could extend the goodwill to cover both my fuel flange check and fuel strip replacement under warranty on this occasion?
This is the reply I received from BMW UK Customer Service today;
Thank you for your email dated September 12, 2014. I am sorry to learn that you are experiencing an issue with the fuel gauge on your BMW R1200GS Adventure. I can appreciate the disappointment that this has caused, especially as you believe this should be covered under a warranty.
I can advise that your motorcycle has not had a valid warranty since 2011. Once a warranty has expired we are under no obligation to assist financially with a repair. I acknowledge that you have carried out some research regarding BMW America; however, I would be unable to comment on another country’s policies here at BMW UK. In the UK we do operate a goodwill policy; each case is assessed by the repairing BMW Centre with the motorcycles, age, mileage, service history and cost of Insured Warranty taken into consideration. I can only therefore, recommend that you discuss this further at your appointment.
Once again, I am sorry that you have had reason to write to us under these circumstances.
Yours sincerely
BMW UK
Stacey Owen
Customer Service Executive
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA
Tel: +44 (0)370 5050160
Fax: +44 (0)370 5050205
Mailto: [email protected]
URL: www.bmw.co.uk
Oh well think that's probably it - The BMW 'Avoid the issue merry go round' - BMW Motorad dealers tell you that BMW UK need to authorise the extension to repair under warranty and BMW UK tell you to discuss the issue with the Motorad dealer.
BMW UK obviously do not want to enter any discussions either surrounding why BMW UK's position is so different on the well known unfit for purpose Fuel Strips compared to BMW North America's.
Oh well I reckon I will be living without a fuel guage a bit longer as I am not up for spending over £200 to fix it now now and over £200 again if it broke again in a couple of years in a worst case scenario as it seems to have happened with some people.
Dissappointing.........
For info this is the e-mail I sent BMW Customer Service ;
I own a BMW R1200 GSA registration number AG07 ___ which has recently developed the common fuel gauge issue of indicating no fuel and yellow warning light on the dash even when the fuel tank is full.
I also have just received from yourselves a recall letter requesting me to return my motorcycle to my local Motorad dealer with regard to a fuel flange check.
After a bit of research I discovered that this is a well known issue with these bikes and BMW of North America have now extended the warranty to 12 years for the fuel strip as it is such a well known issue. (Warranty Coverage Extension 16 002 14 (017) 12 Years)
I called my local Motorad dealer to arrange a time to carry out your fuel flange recall and I asked about my fuel strip issue and also if this would be covered under warranty as it is in the US? The Motorad dealer clearly knew and was well versed about the fuel strip issue but said the only reason that BMW North America have extended the warranty is because of poorer fuels sold in the US and that I would need to cover the whole cost as I live in the UK.
I find this response extremly dissappointing as a quick surf around various UK BMW Motorcycle forums and clubs clearly indicates that a high number of UK owners of these BMW Motorcycles are clearly suffering from the same Fuel Strip issues as our American colleagues so I really don't see why there is such a difference in BMW North America's approach to it's customers versus BMW UK's for the exact same issue?
Is there any way in this instance you could extend the goodwill to cover both my fuel flange check and fuel strip replacement under warranty on this occasion?
This is the reply I received from BMW UK Customer Service today;
Thank you for your email dated September 12, 2014. I am sorry to learn that you are experiencing an issue with the fuel gauge on your BMW R1200GS Adventure. I can appreciate the disappointment that this has caused, especially as you believe this should be covered under a warranty.
I can advise that your motorcycle has not had a valid warranty since 2011. Once a warranty has expired we are under no obligation to assist financially with a repair. I acknowledge that you have carried out some research regarding BMW America; however, I would be unable to comment on another country’s policies here at BMW UK. In the UK we do operate a goodwill policy; each case is assessed by the repairing BMW Centre with the motorcycles, age, mileage, service history and cost of Insured Warranty taken into consideration. I can only therefore, recommend that you discuss this further at your appointment.
Once again, I am sorry that you have had reason to write to us under these circumstances.
Yours sincerely
BMW UK
Stacey Owen
Customer Service Executive
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA
Tel: +44 (0)370 5050160
Fax: +44 (0)370 5050205
Mailto: [email protected]
URL: www.bmw.co.uk
Oh well think that's probably it - The BMW 'Avoid the issue merry go round' - BMW Motorad dealers tell you that BMW UK need to authorise the extension to repair under warranty and BMW UK tell you to discuss the issue with the Motorad dealer.
BMW UK obviously do not want to enter any discussions either surrounding why BMW UK's position is so different on the well known unfit for purpose Fuel Strips compared to BMW North America's.
Oh well I reckon I will be living without a fuel guage a bit longer as I am not up for spending over £200 to fix it now now and over £200 again if it broke again in a couple of years in a worst case scenario as it seems to have happened with some people.
Dissappointing.........
Had the fuel pump housing inspection this afternoon - all perfectly fine, but they put on the housing reinforcements as a matter of course. I also had a complimentary 'health' inspection too, again all of which was fine. The technician then took the bike out for a quick test ride, and returned saying the fuel gauge was zero'd and the warning triangle was on.
I then informed him that it had been like that for a while, so he called over the service manager. After a few minutes of pleasant discussion, the service manager said they'd send an official dealer request to BMW UK to replace the fuel strip as an act of goodwill......so we'll see what happens....
bikemad
Registered user
After a few minutes of pleasant discussion, the service manager said they'd send an official dealer request to BMW UK to replace the fuel strip as an act of goodwill......so we'll see what happens....
Good luck with that it'd be cool to get a freebie
still got to get mine inspected I know housing is good though have already looked 
