GSA '08 FD failure ........ Old news I know, and oh great another thread of disaster.

[xjrjason]

Not mine, but a friends.

The bike is out of warranty by six months.

Went in for it's second service, 12k miles or 12 months, and got the bad news. The final drive bearings are shot, 2mm+ of play. The comment was 'the bike is out of warranty, so therefore you need to spend £1000 -ish to get it sorted.'

The bike has only covered 9k miles.

Any advice?
Any thing other than paying up, that can be done?



I'm going to get mine checked Tuesday night by South London BMW, my local dealer, on my way home.

I have taken out an extended waranty, but begrudge having to do so.

 

[Number 6]

The bike has only covered 9k miles.

Any advice?
Any thing other than paying up, that can be done?

Servicing done by BMW? I'd be asking, nay demanding, that it was done under 'goodwill' This is a known issue on the R1200GS. Could you imagine the rear axle failing on a 2 1/2 year old BMW car that had covered just 9000 miles with full service history and being refused a warranty claim? Don't forget that any manufacturers warranty does not replace your friends rights under the sale of goods act.

(I'd also like to know which dealer refused the warranty aspect!)

 

[xjrjason]

It's Coopers of Sevenoaks.

Full BMW service history.

I wil update as I find out more, and where it goes/ends up.


Any advice much apreciated though.

 

[Big Nick]

I think your mate has a very strong 'goodwill' case with BMW as 9000 miles and just over 2 years old is nowhere near acceptable for the life of a final drive unit and with a full BMW service history there shouldn't be a problem.

Take it to another dealer or write direct to BMW Motorrad customer services would be my advice.

If I was in his position and the matter wasn't resolved to my satisfaction it would be the last money BMW ever had off me

 

[ianran]

I think your mate has a very strong 'goodwill' case with BMW as 9000 miles and just over 2 years old is nowhere near acceptable for the life of a final drive unit and with a full BMW service history there shouldn't be a problem.

Take it to another dealer or write direct to BMW Motorrad customer services would be my advice.

If I was in his position and the matter wasn't resolved to my satisfaction it would be the last money BMW ever had off me

A warranty can only extend your rights not detract from them. Under the Sales of Goods Act these items have to be fit for purposer, 9000 miles planely is not acceptable. So under these circumstances BMW should repair it if not go to the office of fair trading.

 

[littleredrooster]

Mine was fixed under goodwill out-of-warranty. '08 GS. No charge, free courtesy bike, as I would have expected. Free coffee and Wi-Fi at the dealers whilst I was waiting, too. Pick a good dealer and stick with them.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

A goodwill contribution is what your mate should request and he should be prepared to make a contribution towards the repair. Paying nothing leaves him open if the unit fails again as the warranty on the replacement unit remains with the person/persons who paid for the repair and if your mate pays nothing then that would be BMW. Even if he only pays £1 towards the repair he will get a full warranty on the replaced unit

I trust your mate was given the opportunity to extend his warranty?

 

[xjrjason]

Well if you can't beat them join them.

Service booked for the 8th Sept. Having the 12k miles one as I see no point in having an 'interim' service, only to go back for another in 8 weeks time.

Oh yes and you'll need a final drive rebuild sir. (and yes we'll send pictures of the corrosion, and we'll change the fog light switch for the second time as well sir)

I took out extended warranty, as I was arguing that my clutch was slipping around the two year mark. They changed the clutch in the end.


It's not a good thing when they recognise you in the service/parts department.


The bike is brilliant to ride, just why oh why can't they get the build quality up to standard.

 

[xjrjason]

PS you have no idea as to how many packets of biscuits I've bought this lot as a thank you.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

It's not a good thing when they recognise you in the service/parts department.

Having worked in a front of house role in a very busy service dept I would disagree

 

[Pukmeister]

FWIW my GSA I bought 'approved used' with 9800 miles showing had to have a new FD due to about 2mm play in the bearing. Perhaps a bad batch ???

 

[xjrjason]

Having worked in a front of house role in a very busy service dept I would disagree

You are right, it was a bit of a tongue in cheek comment.

I must admit to liking the fact I'm recognised, and not for the wrong reasons.

 

[xjrjason]

FWIW my GSA I bought 'approved used' with 9800 miles showing had to have a new FD due to about 2mm play in the bearing. Perhaps a bad batch ???

I'm hoping it is something like this. Sorted and then no problems there after. How many miles have you covered now, since your purchase?

 

[Pukmeister]

Only about 1000 miles due to being a lightweight.

Actually its because I have to use a company car for work to carry tools & spares and don't get much time to ride anymore.

 

[theop]

FWIW my GSA I bought 'approved used' with 9800 miles showing had to have a new FD due to about 2mm play in the bearing. Perhaps a bad batch ???

hahaha

bad batch my a55. Unless you mean its been a bad batch of bikes since 2004. In the grand scheme of GS history, 6 years is only a batch.

Older bikes have recurring/known issues, but they are not the joke the GS 1200 has become. They make 1980s Ducati look reliable.

Round the world bikes, my a55. More like round the world with 3 vanfulls of parts and mechanics.

PS: Have I mentioned how delighted I am to have sold my 1200? I miss it in my daydreams, but never when I read this depressing section of problems....

Note to myself: I need to get out more..

 

[BBB61]

hahaha

bad batch my a55. Unless you mean its been a bad batch of bikes since 2004. In the grand scheme of GS history, 6 years is only a batch.

Older bikes have recurring/known issues, but they are not the joke the GS 1200 has become. They make 1980s Ducati look reliable.

Round the world bikes, my a55. More like round the world with 3 vanfulls of parts and mechanics.

PS: Have I mentioned how delighted I am to have sold my 1200? I miss it in my daydreams, but never when I read this depressing section of problems....

Note to myself: I need to get out more..

Have you ever stopped to consider how tedious you have become with your constant regurgitation of the same old stuff time after time after time? By all means, if you actually have some hard evidence please enlighten us, but at the moment all we have is your subjective opinion, with the facts being conspicuous by their absence

 

[original_concept]

hahaha

bad batch my a55. Unless you mean its been a bad batch of bikes since 2004. In the grand scheme of GS history, 6 years is only a batch.

Older bikes have recurring/known issues, but they are not the joke the GS 1200 has become. They make 1980s Ducati look reliable.

Round the world bikes, my a55. More like round the world with 3 vanfulls of parts and mechanics.

PS: Have I mentioned how delighted I am to have sold my 1200? I miss it in my daydreams, but never when I read this depressing section of problems....

Note to myself: I need to get out more..

Agreed, they're a right old pile of sh1te these GSs. I dunno how I've managed to clock over 50K in under 2 years with just a FPC letting go.
Oh, and a rear bearing at 12Kish.

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

Have you ever stopped to consider how tedious you have become with your constant regurgitation of the same old stuff time after time after time? By all means, if you actually have some hard evidence please enlighten us, but at the moment all we have is your subjective opinion, with the facts being conspicuous by their absence

aren't all forums subjective?

That being the whole point of their existence?

I'm very interested in hearing everyone's opinions and I can make my own mind up whether I scroll past someone's comment or not... it also helps me decide whether to get that 1200 i keep thinking about getting (still...)....

this is a forum, not a forum!

 

[Beemerman59]

Agreed, they're a right old pile of sh1te these GSs. I dunno how I've managed to clock over 50K in under 2 years with just a FPC letting go.
Oh, and a rear bearing at 12Kish.

Mine's 2.5 years old and coming up 18K miles. So far it's only the crown wheel bearing thats failed, and thats been dealer fixed without needing a replacement FD. Other than that it's been a great ride and I love it!

Many years ago I joined a K1100RS forum (a bike I still have) and when reading the posts you would think it's the most unreliable bike ever built. To anyone who has ever owned one however, thats complete opposite of reality as they are bulletproof. Its a fact of life that you only ever hear of the problems on internet forums and since the 1200GS has been sold in such large numbers it always sounds bad. Lets be clear about it, my wheel bearing should not have failed at less than 18K miles/2 years but it was an easy (and not too expensive fix) and the only thing so far to go wrong. My mates on their Jap bikes all have their own tales of woe including a massive recall of the new VFR1200 due to engine failures leaving them bikeless for weeks. Yes, the quality ain't what it was, but then owning a Beemer is not such an expensive proposition as it used to be when compared to many other marques when you take everything into account.

 

[BBB61]

aren't all forums subjective?

That being the whole point of their existence?

You will always get subjective opinions, but Theop claims to have an "insider" in the BMW factory who is providning him with the "facts". He no longer owns a GS but still comes in and posts on virtually every thread where quality issues are raised. Most people would have moved on by now

I'm very interested in hearing everyone's opinions and I can make my own mind up whether I scroll past someone's comment or not... it also helps me decide whether to get that 1200 i keep thinking about getting (still...)....

this is a forum, not a forum!

There is quoting opinions and then there is constantly repeating the same old stuff. If Theop really does have this "deep throat" within BMW then why doesn't he enlighten us all and get the details of the FD failure rate on the 1200's. That would be really useful.