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

My first S/H LC had corrosion that I didn't notice at the time of purchase, I notified SBW later of the issue - sent photo's, and it was agreed to replace the engine if I paid 50 per cent of the labour.

I was happy to do this, particularly as it was an earlier, light flywheel bike.

Maybe a compromise agreement?
 
As part of the BMW Approved Warranty is the dealer required to do a pre inspection before the policy comes into force to identify any problems? If so could you get access to this to see what it contained. Other than that what about asking for the appraisal of the bike when they took it on, was corrosion identified then. These might help sort your issues out with the dealer as IIRC corrosion isn't covered on the Approved extended warranty.
 
It is a cosmetic issue only, most second hand vehicles will have some cosmetic issues, so I can see why BMW would not want to warranty this.
If you had bought a brand new bike that developed corrosion in normal use after say 6 months then you would have a clear claim, but this bike is 5 years old.
 
It’s worth trying to get it repaired but just be aware it doesn’t always go well.
I discovered corrosion on my 18 month GS 1250 TB. Bike was a 21 plate, bought new.
Repair approved but engine to be stripped and rebuilt with new cases. Not a new engine as some have had. I’d got a trip coming up and a few other things so it was agreed to do the work when I was on holiday at about the 2yr old point.
When I got it back it didn’t run correctly. I knew straight away something was wrong. Several trips to the dealer and it was eventually it was corrected. Dealer never officially admitted what was found but service advisor said timing had been reset and I should find it better now and sort of winked at me. ( yep something was wrong but I can’t admit it)
Bike was night and day better after that.
However, I’d ridden it for about 1000 miles with it not running correctly by that point. 1000 miles with potentially the timing incorrect. As I was never told exactly what was found I didn’t know if any damage was done.
I lost faith in the bike and chopped it in.
Reason I’m saying all this is I absolutely loved that bike, prior to all this I’d decided that I was going to keep it long term, get extended warranty when the time came, it was a keeper. I was gutted.
Looking back I almost wish I’d just got the paint sorted some how myself and hadn’t tried to get it fixed at by BMW.
 
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Red said:
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.
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The dealer is probably best as it's a used machine. You shouldn't have to accept corrosion on the machine but neither would I be dying in a ditch over it in the circumstances you describe. It's got to be worth a try. Mention the contrast between the superb condition of the rest of the bike and the corroding bits, e.g. a paint defect. The fact that they have admitted it being present upon sale to you is a very positive point in your favour. Was this verbally or in writing? Trying to obtain the pre-sale inspection document, as someone else suggested, is a good idea. You can only ask and asking for relevant information from them lets them know you aren't a fool.

I'm sure you are doing this already but remaining calm, polite and reasonable is the key. I have never heard of shouting, abuse and threatening to burn down the dealer getting anyone anywhere. :p
 
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Hartley said:
It’s worth trying to get it repaired but just be aware it doesn’t always go well.
snip
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This!
Replacing cylinders and pistons on an otherwise perfect running oem engine is basically like saying please fuck my shit up. :)
 
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Thejoybringer said:
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.
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You expect the sales person to fully inspect the bike and not the buyer?
 
the woodster said:
The dealer is probably best as it's a used machine. You shouldn't have to accept corrosion on the machine but neither would I be dying in a ditch over it in the circumstances you describe. It's got to be worth a try. Mention the contrast between the superb condition of the rest of the bike and the corroding bits, e.g. a paint defect. The fact that they have admitted it being present upon sale to you is a very positive point in your favour. Was this verbally or in writing? Trying to obtain the pre-sale inspection document, as someone else suggested, is a good idea. You can only ask and asking for relevant information from them lets them know you aren't a fool.

I'm sure you are doing this already but remaining calm, polite and reasonable is the key. I have never heard of shouting, abuse and threatening to burn down the dealer getting anyone anywhere. :p
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Dealers use price as the variable to reflect condition. They don’t take bikes on px and then go over them to fix any flaw before selling them. I can just see the outrage here ,when a dealer knocks down the px value as he has to replace the engine, frame, wheels or whatever (all items mentioned on this site as having suffered corrosion) before he can sell it on.
 
Thanks folks, I'll have a little push back with the dealer. As some of you have said, I'm a bit wary of wanting a full replacement (seems very unlikely anyway) as it runs absolutely spot on. I'm wondering if there could be a compromise around getting it re-painted professionally. Maybe not but worth an ask. And if not, it's maybe something I'll get done one day.
 
the moral of the story is "always inspect the bike before buying" and if that means lying on the ground or using a mirror for the underneath, so be it. personally I had two repaints on the engine fins, but i did have the bike from new. as someone suggested earlier, get on and do it yourself, during winter and have the bike with you for summer rather than as a low priority with the dealer.
 
jefformston said:
You expect the sales person to fully inspect the bike and not the buyer?
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No, I dont expect the sales person to fully inspect the bike before the buyer…but, I would hope when it goes through the workshop then perhaps and only perhaps I would expect the mechanic to make a note of any defects and pass them over to sales for their input.🤔
 
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If it was an approved used bike and the dealer has said it was present at the time of sale but didn't inform you and if they aren't prepared to sort it, I would be inclined to contact Motarrad Customer Services

If need be, make a complaint. HQ don't like customers having to go above the dealer. If its an issue that needs rectifying they expect dealers to do the best they can to resolve the issue

Motorrads used approved

UK Motorrad RF

faq.bmw-motorrad.co.uk faq.bmw-motorrad.co.uk

Clearly staes 'certified vehicle quality checks'

Surely the dealer should have sorted the corrosion or just listed it as a used bike, not an aporoved one

Unless the price reflected the issue and you were told of it
 
HGS said:
If it was an approved used bike and the dealer has said it was present at the time of sale but didn't inform you and if they aren't prepared to sort it, I would be inclined to contact Motarrad Customer Services

If need be, make a complaint. HQ don't like customers having to go above the dealer. If its an issue that needs rectifying they expect dealers to do the best they can to resolve the issue

Motorrads used approved

UK Motorrad RF

faq.bmw-motorrad.co.uk faq.bmw-motorrad.co.uk

Clearly staes 'certified vehicle quality checks'

Surely the dealer should have sorted the corrosion or just listed it as a used bike, not an aporoved one

Unless the price reflected the issue and you were told of it
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Thanks, will give it a thought, I'll certainly go back to the dealer.

On the last point, no it wasn't mentioned to me and it was priced at normal market value.
 
From my position on the fence. From someone who spent many years in the dealer network.

You bought a second hand bike. The exterior condition is sold as seen. Its wear and tear. Environmental damage or lack of care by the previous owner. The bike was five years old. It's lived. It's got history. Can you really expect a warranty to cover paint forever ??

Second hand bikes in showrooms all over the world are in all sorts of condition. And as long as they're mechanically safe, then aesthetics don't come into it.

If you bought it blind, then the onus is on you. If you inspected it and didn't look properly, again... It's on you.

However... If you were mis-sold the bike , for example the salesmen or advert said it was "Mint condition". or "Free of corrosion" then you would have a case. And reason to be angry.

It's worth pointing out that It's hard enough getting BMW to pay out for paint defects on bikes under their original manufacturers warranty. Let alone five years on.
 
BMW Statement on approved used motorcycle :

BMW MOTORRAD PREMIUM SELECTION APPROVED USED MOTORCYCLES​

Every BMW Motorrad Approved Used motorcycle listed as part of the ‘BMW Motorrad Premium Selection’ undergoes a rigorous technical quality check.

They clearly are not "rigorous checks" if they continue to sell second hand bikes with such corrosion.


 
jefformston said:
Dealers use price as the variable to reflect condition. They don’t take bikes on px and then go over them to fix any flaw before selling them. I can just see the outrage here ,when a dealer knocks down the px value as he has to replace the engine, frame, wheels or whatever (all items mentioned on this site as having suffered corrosion) before he can sell it on.
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I can't follow your reasoning: Isn't that exactly what would happen? The dealer would reduce the amount of a trade in value on the basis of condition? Or am I missing something? I've never seen a used bike in a BMW dealer with damage and a sign saying, 'Sold as seen'.
 
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