German News Magazine: Brakes (preview)

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50 cases from ADAC

The ADAC (German automobile club) has filed 50 cases of their survey to BMW yesterday. They want to talk with BMW about these cases this week. And next week Wednesday there is a media conference in Munich.
 
It's good to read that BMW are talking honestly with everyone and seeking a solution to whatever problems they find.
This can only help to show everyone that BMW is a company that cares about it's customers.
Thanks for posting these reports which show this,nemezis,it's good to see something positive.
As you know about the new models,have you any more information on them,for instance,braking systems and other safety innovations?
 
Le singe said:
It's good to read that BMW are talking honestly with everyone and seeking a solution to whatever problems they find.
This can only help to show everyone that BMW is a company that cares about it's customers.
Click to expand...

Are you joking?

They are *not* fixing the brakes, didn't you get that?

nemezis
 
Motorcycle policeman in fear of death

Because of the threat the police in Austria may replace motorcycles with the Integrated Brakes from BMW:

Motorcycle policeman in fear of death

"The machine is lethal", according to a police officer. He said the braking distance extended substantially.
 
Le singe said:
It's good to read that BMW are talking honestly with everyone and seeking a solution to whatever problems they find.
This can only help to show everyone that BMW is a company that cares about it's customers.
Click to expand...

le singe, you have just GOT to be a BMW dealer or something conected with BMW sales. Or, you cannot get your head out of your arse to see the truth!
BMW have a history, since the mid '80s, of bad design and build problems AND habitual denial of any problems.
I suffered the drive shaft failure debacle on my R100GS. Only 10 TEN years after they had ceased production did they send a letter to request owners to get the shaft checked. If that's customer care you can keep it!
 
Howard,I've got to admit that I would be very reluctant to change from my GS1100 after reading of all the faults,some of which look like whole batch failures,reported on this forum with the later models. I agree with you that my general perception of BMW has decreased dramatically after many fault-free years of riding airheads.
I do not understand how BMW can believe that the corrosion issues and mechanical failures can be deemed acceptable with the present levels of general engineering know-how.
It's also interesting how many people,in spite of being told of the problems,still buy the product then wait to see if they're going to be a victim of the poor standards themselves.
Perhaps BMW are beginning to believe that it's possible to cut every corner and still people will buy the product,or ,because as has been said before,more people complain than praise?
My postings in reply to nemezis have been a p1ss-take, everyone is entitled to air their opinions and complain if they are dis-satisfied,but this chap is unreal!
Perhaps I shouldn't bite, I'll just try harder to ignore him!
 
Howard Millichap said:
BMW have a history, since the mid '80s, of bad design and build problems AND habitual denial of any problems.
Click to expand...

And BMW are the only manufacturer to behave in such a way Howard?

Bob
 
Hey Nemezis

All this stuff about brakes is very interseting, but given your position within the motorcycle 'industry' please could you provide this forum with your inside information on the new BMW models.

Many thanks
Andres
 
We have a motorbike magazine in Germany called "MOTORRAD NEWS". In the current issue the whole page 6 is written by a lawyer about the BMW case.

The lawyer is writing that the worst case scenario in Germany for BMW bosses woud be: Indictment for killing which was not premeditated.
 
There's lots of talk about BWM being sympathetic but read on....

My R1150RT servo failed completely (i.e. residual brakes only) a few weeks ago (not in motion at the time, but easily could have been barrelling downhill towards a hairpin bend..... ) I was in Wales, and no mobile signal so I rode very very precariously home on the residuals.

Took it to Williams Manchester (where I bought it new, three and a half years ago) for diagnosis (although I had guessed the problem). They charged £88 to tell me the module was dead. They then give me an estimate (note, not a quote) for £1,292 to fix it.

I discussed the fact that this wasn't just a 'failure' like a big end, it was a genuine safety problem. Different circumstances could have had a very bad outcome. Surely this just wasn't acceptable on any bike, never mind a BWM with the quality reputation the brand portrays. Surely they could meet me part way on repair costs? Reply:- 'Out of warranty'...... they did some sort of electronic enquiry with BMW UK which said the same thing.

WOW, this was a shock (quite why I thought my dealer would have some level of commitment after the warranty expired escapes me now, but a lot of the things you read give you a warm glow that you'll be looked after). Dream on!

OK I thought, I'll fix it myself...... After three weeks of phoning and E mailing every BM breaker I could find in the UK, I finally tracked a servo ABS unit down to a microlight builder who'd bought a fire damaged 1150RT for the engine, and was flogging off the peripheral bits. Note, the breakers (e.g. Motorworks, Sherlocks etc. ) say they charge approx £300 for the module WHEN THEY HAVE ONE. The Sherlocks man said there has been increasing demand for them just lately, and it could be many weeks before they get one.

I fitted and bled the unit last weekend and yes I'm back on the road. Have I fitted another time bomb ?

Am I a lone unlucky individual or are there more servo failures out there than we think? The evidence from the breakers suggests that there is plenty of demand for these units, indicating a certain failure rate.

By the way, I am a genuine real disatisfied UK BM rider, in no way related to DrABS or whatever his name is !

Regards,

Graham.
 
Graham - Not a nice experience.

It sounds to me more like a problem with your dealer rather than (necessarily) BM. Did you approach BM direct at all? I would be outraged to be charged £88 for a simple diagnosis or for a dealer not to make a real effort to obtain a contribution to costs.

I certainly wouldn't expect that of my dealer (NOG) though I hope never to have to put it to the test. ;)

Paul
 
I would have been tempted to park said motorcycle close to said BWM dealers with a home-made billboard chained to it listing the fault and the answer you were given. As long as you aren't parked in an illegal manner, and aren't slandering them, what can they do?

I'd suspect they might become more receptive to helping you.

I have no experience of servo problems, but wonder if there is any filtration fitted to the hydraulic circuit on the servo unit. All the hydraulic pump units I have ever worked on have included filtration to collect build debris and wear particles. Surely the pump unit and valves of the bikes servo system with its fine tolerances requires protection from in-service dirt/debris?

I suspect no filtration is present as a full fluid flush and change is necessary under the service schedule. It makes me wonder about the standards of 'Hydraulic Hygiene' employed at dealers.
 
Just had the same problem myself took mine to Motorrad Central they couldn't have been more helpful bent over backwards to help me and i was a new customer. Mines a 10/02 adv 29500 miles , they put in a warrenty claim bmw coughed up the full amount really imprerssed this is my first beemer can't fault the service i've had :)
 
Hi Nemezis

I've just read an article in the press over here that BMW are developing a 3 cylinder engine of around 800cc ready for when GP's move to this engine size.

Do you know anything about it?

Andres
 
Nemezis doesn't report positive things, you'll have to re-word your question to something like:
I reckon the 3-cylinder engine will overheat in GPs causing seizures leading to rider fatalities,don't you agree,Nemezis?
Bound to get a response.:(
 
Le singe said:
Nemezis doesn't report positive things, you'll have to re-word your question to something like:
I reckon the 3-cylinder engine will overheat in GPs causing seizures leading to rider fatalities,don't you agree,Nemezis?
Bound to get a response.:(
Click to expand...

:hapybnce:

Is Le singe correct Nemezis - this is the first I've heard regarding problems with cooling?

Andres
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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