Warranty worries - should I have them?

[sharkojoints]

I bought an approved used July 2010 R1200GS in June from my local main dealer. The bike had 3.5k miles on at the time. It now has 6.5k miles on the clock.

I'm now having some issues with the clutch, as per the last post on this thread:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=282251

I took it into the supplying dealer, who are not willing to test it under the conditions under which it slips. More worryingly, they have also suggested that the clutch is a 'wear and tear' item which would not be covered by the warranty.

They are now checking with BMW what would be covered and what action they should take.

Obviously I'm very worried. I didn't buy an AU bike for this kind of experience. Any thoughts?

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

The clutch is a wear & tear item in the same way as the brakes and tyres are. In fairness to the dealer there is no way they are going to be able to replicate this fault under the conditions/speed at which it occurs but that's not to say that the clutch assembly will not be replaced under the extended warranty. That is down to the warranty company who may authorise the clutch to be replaced if a fault is found after you have authorised and agreed to pay for the removal if it is not!

Is the dealer you are using the same one you bought the bike from?

 

[sharkojoints]

The clutch is a wear & tear item in the same way as the brakes and tyres are. In fairness to the dealer there is no way they are going to be able to replicate this fault under the conditions/speed at which it occurs but that's not to say that the clutch assembly will not be replaced under the extended warranty. That is down to the warranty company who may authorise the clutch to be replaced if a fault is found after you have authorised and agreed to pay for the removal if it is not!

Is the dealer you are using the same one you bought the bike from?

It is the same dealer.

There is no 'warranty company' - BMW warranty their own AU bikes.

Surely there is no way a clutch at 6k miles can be a 'wear and tear' item? If that's the case, I might as well have bought private sale.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

The fact that it has been back to the supplying dealer is good

Clutches can go at any time dependant on how the bike is being ridden and you have no idea how it was used by the previous owner

Have you checked the Terms & Conditions of your warranty booklet re the clutch component?

 

[Pukmeister]

Good luck with it, I still get the odd bit of slip sometimes when accelerating hard in 5/6 gear, I personally believe these dry clutches are only just man enough for the job, probably why the latest design is changing to a wet multi-plate item.

 

[fizzer]

if they wont fix it for you,just buy a new plate from steptoe or motorworks and do the job your self or get a local fitter to do it,it could be done in a day.

 

[Mad_Accountant]

Even if it's not covered (seal failure would be) you can always try a goodwill claim.

 

[Rasher]

Even if it's not covered (seal failure would be) you can always try a goodwill claim.

One thing BMW do seem to well is goodwill gestures to those that have problems that really should not have happened at such early mileages.

Sceptics like me think it is because they know the things go wrong far too often and a bit of goodwill keeps the punters coming back instead of heading back to the land of the rising sun for their next bike.

Or it could be they just like throwing half their profit away to owners who have experienced an extremely unusual, and unlucky, failure.

Either way BMW are probably the best people to buy a lemon from

 

[Sgt Bilco]

The clutches are pretty sturdy and at you mileage, it's more likely to be mechanical fault and not a worn clutch. I replaced my clutch at 70k because I thought I ought to!! In fact, the plates were OK and would have done for another 20k or so

Gearbox seals are the most likely thing.

 

[sharkojoints]

One thing BMW do seem to well is goodwill gestures to those that have problems that really should not have happened at such early mileages.

Sceptics like me think it is because they know the things go wrong far too often and a bit of goodwill keeps the punters coming back instead of heading back to the land of the rising sun for their next bike.

Or it could be they just like throwing half their profit away to owners who have experienced an extremely unusual, and unlucky, failure.

Either way BMW are probably the best people to buy a lemon from

Looks like you're right - BMW have agreed to do the job under goodwill. Much relieved!

Thanks for all thoughts & advice.