Yet another R1250GS triple black engine corrosion thread - not covered on approved warranty because it was there when sold

[Red]

I bought my 21 plate TE Triple Black at the end of Sep with about 12K miles on it, and have done about 1K since then garaged it. It was only after reading on here that I was aware of the paint bubbling issue which can occur with these. So I had a look and sure enough there's some bubbling on mine.

I sent these pictures and a query to the dealership. They've replied that because the corrosion was present on the bike when it was sold (i.e. they admit that it was like that when they sold it to me) that it is outside the scope of the approved warranty and so BMW will not cover it.

To be honest, I'd never have even noticed if not because of reading about it online, and it doesn't hugely detract from the bike, it's in a few small spots mostly out of sight. But it seems a bit of a shame that they sold a bike and didn't inspect for this (or did and ignored it). Would it have put me off buying it? Possibly not.

 

[Oldrat]

I’d not be happy with that.

 

[Thejoybringer]

I bought my 21 plate TE Triple Black at the end of Sep with about 12K miles on it, and have done about 1K since then garaged it. It was only after reading on here that I was aware of the paint bubbling issue which can occur with these. So I had a look and sure enough there's some bubbling on mine.

I sent these pictures and a query to the dealership. They've replied that because the corrosion was present on the bike when it was sold (i.e. they admit that it was like that when they sold it to me) that it is outside the scope of the approved warranty and so BMW will not cover it.

To be honest, I'd never have even noticed if not because of reading about it online, and it doesn't hugely detract from the bike, it's in a few small spots mostly out of sight. But it seems a bit of a shame that they sold a bike and didn't inspect for this (or did and ignored it). Would it have put me off buying it? Possibly not.

Nope, I don’t consider that is an acceptable response from the Bmw dealer. Especially since they have accepted it was present when they sold it to you! I would speak directly with the dealer principle and have that difficult conversation re their standards. Then if nothing comes of that, I would be straight on the phone to Bmw Motorrad customer services direct and vent your spleen at them and ask for an explanation. Good luck and preserve, you will get it resolved to your liking.

 

[siddo]

I bought my 21 plate TE Triple Black at the end of Sep with about 12K miles on it, and have done about 1K since then garaged it. It was only after reading on here that I was aware of the paint bubbling issue which can occur with these. So I had a look and sure enough there's some bubbling on mine.

I sent these pictures and a query to the dealership. They've replied that because the corrosion was present on the bike when it was sold (i.e. they admit that it was like that when they sold it to me) that it is outside the scope of the approved warranty and so BMW will not cover it.

To be honest, I'd never have even noticed if not because of reading about it online, and it doesn't hugely detract from the bike, it's in a few small spots mostly out of sight. But it seems a bit of a shame that they sold a bike and didn't inspect for this (or did and ignored it). Would it have put me off buying it? Possibly not.

Caveat emptor.

 

[Red]

Caveat emptor.

Nope, it wasn't a private sale. Bikes bought from dealers in the UK fall under Consumer Rights.

 

[Red]

Nope, I don’t consider that is an acceptable response from the Bmw dealer. Especially since they have accepted it was present when they sold it to you! I would speak directly with the dealer principle and have that difficult conversation re their standards. Then if nothing comes of that, I would be straight on the phone to Bmw Motorrad customer services direct and vent your spleen at them and ask for an explanation. Good luck and preserve, you will get it resolved to your liking.

Thanks, so you think this is definitely worth pursuing? I'm very happy to push back with them.

 

[jefformston]

Nope, it wasn't a private sale. Bikes bought from dealers in the UK fall under Consumer Rights.

Four year old second hand bike outside of manufactures warranty, then surely ‘buyer beware’. Dealer no doubt priced it accordingly!

Or does BMW assured cover slight corrosion?

 

[siddo]

Nope, it wasn't a private sale. Bikes bought from dealers in the UK fall under Consumer Rights.

Then take it up under that then.

 

[the woodster]

Nope, it wasn't a private sale. Bikes bought from dealers in the UK fall under Consumer Rights.

By all means try to resolve it with BMW. Can I assume they did not inform you of the corrosion? Have they admitted that they knew about the corrosion? You are past the legal time limit to reject the bike however, you can 'demand' it be repaired or replaced within 6 months of purchase. Personally, in my comms with the mothership, I would serve a formal letter under the CRA as well. It focuses minds. There are loads of templates online. I think the main issue will be whether or not 5 years is a reasonable amount of time for the bike not to have attracted corrosion. This consideration is applied to used goods under the act. I would definitely not accept the response you received but bear in mind that unless you are willing to go to law, they can just keep refusing to assist you. Call me old fashioned but I would not be using this dealer in the future, either. They will deny it but can you imagine a dealer taking a trade in without a proper inspection? Wouldn't it be useful if you could contact the previous owner and establish if this was the case? They may be on this forum.

 

[the woodster]

Four year old second hand bike outside of manufactures warranty, then surely ‘buyer beware’. Dealer no doubt priced it accordingly!

Or does BMW assured cover slight corrosion?

Any warranty is in addition to your statutory rights. In my experience, the BMW warranty either new or second hand can exclude corrosion but it means nothing in reality.

 

[Red]

Four year old second hand bike outside of manufactures warranty, then surely ‘buyer beware’. Dealer no doubt priced it accordingly!

Or does BMW assured cover slight corrosion?

Not sure it's a warranty thing as it was pre-existing.

 

[Red]

By all means try to resolve it with BMW. Can I assume they did not inform you of the corrosion? Have they admitted that they knew about the corrosion? You are past the legal time limit to reject the bike however, you can 'demand' it be repaired or replaced within 6 months of purchase. Personally, in my comms with the mothership, I would serve a formal letter under the CRA as well. It focuses minds. There are loads of templates online. I think the main issue will be whether or not 5 years is a reasonable amount of time for the bike not to have attracted corrosion. This consideration is applied to used goods under the act. I would definitely not accept the response you received but bear in mind that unless you are willing to go to law, they can just keep refusing to assist you. Call me old fashioned but I would not be using this dealer in the future, either. They will deny it but can you imagine a dealer taking a trade in without a proper inspection? Wouldn't it be useful if you could contact the previous owner and establish if this was the case? They may be on this forum.

Thanks, they haven't admitted knowledge of it but they've admitted it was there at point of sale to me. And no they didn't inform me of it.

It was bought end of Sep, so yes I'm still only five months since purchase.

You'd suggest serving the formal letter under CRA to BMW or to the dealer? I'm tempted to go straight to BMW.

 

[Slipperyeel]

Isn't this an old story? Or was that story only about the 1200? But I remember reading lots of posts admiring the self destructing water based nanometer thick paint on these?

 

[Red]

Isn't this an old story? Or was that story only about the 1200? But I remember reading lots of posts admiring the self destructing water based nanometer thick paint on these?

It looks to be a very fairly common (albeit superficial) issue on the 1200 LC and the 1250.

Ah well!

 

[Slipperyeel]

It looks to be a fairly common (albeit superficial) issue on the 1200 LC and the 1250.

Ah well!

A real pain, especially if you like looking after your bikes (which I do!).

At least on the 1250 there is a frame you could, feasibly, get powder coated later - though that is not a 5min job and ideally you want the right powder coating.

But yes. Really disappointing. Can't see the dealer doing much with the history in mind

 

[Red]

A real pain, especially if you like looking after your bikes (which I do!).

At least on the 1250 there is a frame you could, feasibly, get powder coated later - though that is not a 5min job and ideally you want the right powder coating.

But yes. Really disappointing. Can't see the dealer doing much with the history in mind

I suspect you're right to be honest, but I might push back on it with the dealer/BMW and see where I get to. It's 99% on the underside of the cylinders and out of sight. The frame and the rest of the bike is absolutely spot on.

Even if the engine was replaced, the idea of a dealership doing that work rather than the factory doesn't fill me with glee either

 

[TaskMule]

I'd be surprised if they do a complete cylinder and piston replacement on a used bike like this simply for this paint issue. Especially after 12k miles in 2nd owners hands. It can be so easily corrected with proper stripping and repainting. But if you want to see it sit in the shop for who knows how long and spend the time fighting for compensation, go nuts.

 

[Red]

I'd be surprised if they do a complete cylinder and piston replacement on a used bike like this simply for this paint issue. Especially after 12k miles in 2nd owners hands. It can be so easily corrected with proper stripping and repainting. But if you want to see it sit in the shop for who knows how long and spend the time fighting for compensation, go nuts.

Yep that's kind of my thoughts too! But thought I'd see what the GS hive mind's views were and whether I was under-reacting.

 

[Thejoybringer]

Thanks, they haven't admitted knowledge of it but they've admitted it was there at point of sale to me. And no they didn't inform me of it.

It was bought end of Sep, so yes I'm still only five months since purchase.

You'd suggest serving the formal letter under CRA to BMW or to the dealer? I'm tempted to go straight to BMW.

In my honest, humble opinion. I think they should at least brought your attention to the issue before you did the deal. This is after all a main Bmw dealer and not some back street garage trading in used motorcycle’s.
If it were me, I most certainly would push back and try to come to some agreeable conclusion.

 

[TaskMule]

Yep that's kind of my thoughts too! But thought I'd see what the GS hive mind's views were and whether I was under-reacting.

Peel off loose paint, careful sanding and prep. Proper alu primer and paint system and never look back