GS12 sick - prelim info.

[Stig]

Written to Mr BMW

Since my last post...

A week last Wednesday my ABS warning light started flashing!!

Discovered that ABS function had stopped..
Servo and normal braking function etc seemed all ok so rode bike to Birmingham that day..

Talked to nearest dealer at earlist opportunity and was advised that the bike should be checked out but they couldn't fit me in for a week!!.. After futher discussion they advised that it should be ok to ride but would have no ABS function..

Tried turning ABS off and on using Button to see if it would "clear the fault" .. no joy!!

Come Saturday the brakes "pulsed" continually when applied..
and occasionally ABS would cut in under normal braking.. wot a fekin nightmare that is!!!..

Brakes then no brakes.. so grab hand full of lever.. then ABS stops functioning brakes cut in again and the rear wheel goes airborn!!!... the 12GS can do very good stoppies!!!

Anyway.. as Balderstons couldn't "fit me in".. I rode it up to Astles.. who immediately checked it out..

Bottom line..

ABS function and module fekked so bike is still in GY.. I had to come home on an 1100RT not "quite" the same as my GS

So .. on Sunday morning I wrote to mr BMW expressing my dissatisfaction!!.. two pages worth!!!

6500 miles on clock.. serviced two weeks prior!!

Five major component failures in as many months!!!

Rear wheel
Counter balance bearings
Alternator
Oil seal
ABS and braking functions and front sensor replaced
Management module gone tits-up

Hoped to get bike back mid-week to be told today that it just might be Saturday.. but only might be!!!

Had planned to travel to Torquay this weekend with younger brother to see older brother!!.. Astles have said I can use the RT... But it just aint the same!!!!

So have written to Mr BMW again today!!!

Its becoming a standard joke amonst family and friends... as to wether i'm gonna be going home in a tow truck each time I take the GS out!!

Soooo... I'm rather p^ssed off!!!

 

[Stig]

Bewildered!!!!!!!!!!

Well ... It's Thursday 5th May... and my 12GS has been at the Dealers since 23rd April (12 full days - 100 miles away) with an ABS fault that they - as of last night - are still unable to recitfy!!!

Mr BMW called a couple of days ago - after i sent two emails off to them... I told them i wanted my money back or replace the bike.. As expected... No joy there!!.. in fact his manner revved me right off the clock!!!

The Dealers are trying their best to sort the issue and I have no complaints about their efforts... However, this is now getting beyond a joke!!!

I've still got their 1150RT.. and had to travel to Torquay on it last weekend...(1000 miles in all) ... it aint nothing like the GS... and I have no desire wot-so-ever to use it to tomorrow for this weekends Llangollen GS trip!!!!

They've got a roving "technician" coming today... to have a look at it..!???!

Time is running out!!!!..

 

[Dutchman]

So, Stig.....when are you going to reject the bike because it's not fit for it's purpose/not of merchantable quality.....?

Cheers

Dutch

 

[Stig]

Hi Dutch....

Seen ur posts... Not too sure of my rights/protocol at mo..

Will be researching/investigating today...

I gather i'll have to approach the Dealer as opposed to Mr BMW customer services!?? ....

Also noted comment from other poster... re if "others" would get same service as your good self...!!

However, it has been difficult to decide when enough is enough... but I'm reaching that point rapidly... about now!!

 

[Dutchman]

Hi

You're right....any legally based grievance will be with your supplying dealer rather than BMW UK.....

The advice I had first time around was that the longer you allow the dealer to (attempt) repair the bike and the more miles you do in between times, the more implied acceptance of the goods exists on your part.

Only you can tell how much crap you are prepared to put up with....

.....as for your other comments.....why would I get better service than anyone else......?

It's simply a case of knowing your rights & enforcing them, quickly & without accepting any bullshit from the dealer network or BMW UK.

If in doubt, sue them.......

Good luck!

Cheers

Dutch

 

[Stig]

Hi

.....as for your other comments.....why would I get better service than anyone else......?

I just thought it was an interesting remark... at that time...

I'm assuming that you have a long standing relationship with the Dealer... whereas this is my first BMW purchase and so have no history or relationship with mine...

That said.. on the face of it - it shouldn't make any difference - but like the other "poster" remarked... it will be enlightening to see what happens when/if I decide to take issue with them!!..

However.. if all things were to be equal... it would have to be the same person at the same dealer in order to answer the question posed by "other poster"

Cheers

John T

 

[Davel]

The dealer has had my bike now for 5 days - not even the opportunity of a loan bike as they claim BMW don't do that.

E-mailed BMW but they don't seem all that bothered enough to reply.

I guess that since they can sell every bike they make and service dept at the dealer is busy anyway, a collected bike isn't the priority.

Thought buying a BMW was buying reliability.....

 

[Stig]

Sent this via recorded and email yesterday!!

Sent to dealer... copied to Mr BMW.. After being told yesterday that they are no wiser as to putting ABS fault right!!!!

F.A.O Managing Director

Notice of rescission

This letter is a formal notification to rescind the contract between *removed* (the seller) and John Taylor (the purchaser) in respect of a BMW R1200GS motorcycle - registration plate FY** *** (VIN-******) purchased on 24th September 2004

The rescission is on the grounds of misrepresentation by the seller in the contract of sale.

The motorcycle (FY** *** (VIN-*******) has not met the standards either explicit or implied by the seller and/or BMW Motorad as advertised insofar as the roadworthiness and fit for purpose of the said motorcycle.

Specifically: There have been at least four major component failures leading to the said motorcycle being recovered to an authorised BMW Dealer – namely *removed* and/or *removed* – for repair. The said motorcycle has –to date – been un-roadworthy for in excess of 8 week of the 33 weeks since purchase – of which at least 6 of those 8 weeks it has been at an authorised dealers workshop undergoing repairs.

In rescinding this contract I am willing to accept a new replacement BMW R1200GS which is either of the same specification or better.


Yours faithfully




===============

Currently using a loaned K1200LT (truck!!)

 

[paul hughes]

sent it back

had loads of problems too gearbox alternator etc returned it to my suppyling dealer and bought another adventure, worked straight out of the box no problems and never a dull moment!
12000 miles since july and havent missed a beat

they just have NOT got quality contol on the 1200 together yet .

 

[Pukmeister]

Read this Stig, good luck mate:

http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/facts/salegoodsact.htm

 

[Stig]

Calling in the Heavies!!!!

It'll be 4 weeks this Saturday since I last saw my bike!!

Had yet another call from Dealer yesterday.. advising that they still CANNOT fathem the problem with the ABS!!!

Advised that roaming engineer was unable to rememdy...Bracknall? unable to help either... so Dealer is now awaiting advice/suggestions from Germany!!

In the mean time they've loaned me a 12G that they got in last Wed.. but It aint got my comms or sat-nav fitted

Felt a tad small n light for a while.. after a week on the K1200LT ... in fact it felt fekin orible for the first two hrs!!!

Had it just over a week and its feels "normal" again now!!

BTW.. TIRES:

Mine has Tourances fitted... this has Trailmax.. did 6500m on Tourances and bout 650 so far on the Trailmax... The major immediate difference is that (IMHO) the Trailmax are FAR MORE stable at high speed.. However they don't seem to be wearing as well.. The bike has only done jus over 3k and they're well on their way now!!

 

[Stig]

Last resort!!

Germany advised Dealer to fit a complete new Loom!!

Will hear tomorrow if there's one available in the UK (not holdin breath on that one!!).. or if they gotta fly one in from Germany...

Bet its another fortnight (at least) b4 I see bike again!!.. and that's if fitting a new loom cures the problem!!

 

[Mouse]

Curious - if you're rejected the bike, why are they still trying to fix it? And will you accept the repaired bike if they do? I'm no lawyer but it might be that if you do accept, that would prejudice your chances of rejecting the bike in the future if it goes wrong again.

 

[Stig]

Because

Curious - if you're rejected the bike, why are they still trying to fix it? And will you accept the repaired bike if they do? I'm no lawyer but it might be that if you do accept, that would prejudice your chances of rejecting the bike in the future if it goes wrong again.

They wrote back Quote....

"I have reviewed the BMW warranty claim history and I can certainly understand your disappointment and frustration having suffered a number of problems with your motorcycle. I do not believe however that these issues justify rejecting the motorcycle" ... blah blah...

 

[The Nutter]

No Honda regulator problems? Ever? You were lucky.

O.K. I confess. The reg/rectifier went on my Blackbird. But at least it lasted 3 years and 18,000 miles.

 

[obewan]

Stig

Ok so BMtroubleyou, say it is merchandisable (or should that be merchandisible...anyway) quality.

You didn't expect them to just fold did you.


I would sugest that you agree, and put into writing with the dealer what they are doing and a date, say Monday, by when if the bike is not returned and working AOK that it is agreed that this particular bike is unmerchandisable.

Of course this agreement should also state a reasonable period within which any further failures will render the bike unmerchandisable, say the next 3 months/3000 miles.

 

[Stig]

Nope!!

Not for a moment did I expect them to!!!

And yes... I have replied along similar lines to your suggestion..

Awaiting a response!!

 

[Gipsy]

A very sorry tale, and you have my complete sympathy. I couldn't see any mention of you contacting the trading standards office ( or whatever they are called now ) also I am curious to know what the insurance arrangements are as regards the loan bike. Is there a massive excess that you a liable for? I'm sure you will have checked this out but if not might be worth a call.

 

[Stig]

I am curious to know what the insurance arrangements are as regards the loan bike. Is there a massive excess that you a liable for? I'm sure you will have checked this out but if not might be worth a call.

Same as demo rides... You pay 1st grand if ya spill!!

 

[JayGee]

O.K. I confess. The reg/rectifier went on my Blackbird. But at least it lasted 3 years and 18,000 miles.

Same here but it took out the alternator and cost me £650 to get repaired in France on holiday. Mind you Honda did pay for a new wiring loom at 40,000 miles and 4 years old but that was for another problem. You see Hondas aren't infallible either (but they are bloody good!)