[pick]

Stepped out of a 2016 Mustang GT and into a brand new 2018 440i GC, and the experience has been a little underwhelming; really miss the V8 and a touch screen (BMW’s CarPlay integration is terrible). Still, four doors makes a rear facing car seat possible in an otherwise good looking car.

The battery had to be replaced during the first week of ownership. Then today it had some electrical malfunction; everything dead except the interior blower and alarm are “stuck” on. I was going to discount the battery to shut the alarm up, however when I accessed the battery compartment I could see it sparking so I closed the trunk and called BMW roadside assist; they damaged the front bumper loading it onto the tow truck and lost the tow hook cover 😡.

What kind of a problem would cause this? Too early to lemon law it (I’m in CA)?

[sspade]

The battery problem was most likely caused by the car sitting on a dealer lot for over a year before sale.

I wouldn't think it's related to anything deeper.

Sweet car, Im sure you'll enjoy it once its sorted out.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by sspade

The battery problem was most likely by the car sitting on a dealer lot for over a year before sale.

I wouldn't think it's related to anything deeper.

Sweet car, Im sure you'll enjoy it once its sorted out.

I don't think it was sitting on the lot for over a year might be left over inventory that he scored a deal on or a CPO. Should be covered under warranty. Still, not a good experience. BMWs V8 will give you that sound and limitless torque you're used to in the Mustang but expect to pay a premium for it.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I don't think it was sitting on the lot for over a year might be left over inventory that he scored a deal on or a CPO. Should be covered under warranty. Still, not a good experience. BMWs V8 will give you that sound and limitless torque you're used to in the Mustang but expect to pay a premium for it.

He said brand new. Thats not CPO.

A brand new 2018 sold in 2019 was likely manufactured many many months ago. I think that could be the culprit.

No doubt, it will be covered on a brand new car purchase.

Tough to compare a Mustang and a 4er GC.

Total opposite ends of spectrum.

[jimbobiggens]

Some things never change. When I worked at Royal Hickey Lincoln-Mercury in the late '70s one of the first things I had to do every morning was to get the battery charger and make my rounds, trying to start every car on the lot. It was not uncommon to have to charge the battery on a brand new car.

[435MSport6Speed]

What's the plan for repairing the front?

[J306TD]

Originally Posted by 435MSport6Speed

What's the plan for repairing the front?

Glad I'm not the only one thinking that.

Totally shocked by the sheer lack of care!!

[sspade]

Its like OP didnt even go outside to help...

Why would back rollers need to be used if he was home to put car in neutral?

Wait a sec... tow truck driver didnt have a jump box to get the car enough juice to select Neutral... doubt it!

Sometimes you have to care a bit yourself. My car would have been loaded differently because I would have made sure of it.

Also - my bumper plug wouldn't be lost... because I would have made sure it wasnt.

I feel like lessons were learned during this experience!

[chiefneil]

Problems probably started with a dead battery, then a tech replaced the battery but didn’t connect the new one properly. Then a not-too-smart tow truck driver added insult to injury.

Honestly, from where I’m sitting it looks like your problems are with your dealer and the tow truck company, not BMW.

The v8 Mustang is a fantastic value; BMW is not equivalent at all. If you’re unhappy with BMW maybe consider a v8 Charger or one of its brothers.

[pick]

This is a brand new 2018 model year, manufactured at the end of 2017, sat on the lot for 12 months, purchased at the end of December 2018 with delivery miles.

Lessons definitely learnt!

1. Don’t buy a car that’s been rotting on the lot, no matter how good the deal
2. “BMW road side assist” == “sub-contracted cowboys, hold my beer”
3. Great point sspade about getting tow truck guy to juice the battery (honestly didn’t occur to me during the haze of white hot wtf/anger)

Dealer told me to open a case with BMW NA for the tow truck damage; “we’re just a franchise, we’ll only do the warranty repairs”. Fair enough, I guess.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by spick

This is a brand new 2018 model year, manufactured at the end of 2017, sat on the lot for 12 months, purchased at the end of December 2018 with delivery miles.

Lessons definitely learnt!

1. Don't buy a car that's been rotting on the lot, no matter how good the deal
2. "BMW road side assist" == "sub-contracted cowboys, hold my beer"
3. Great point sspade about getting tow truck guy to juice the battery (honestly didn't occur to me during the haze of white hot wtf/anger)

Dealer told me to open a case with BMW NA for the tow truck damage; "we're just a franchise, we'll only do the warranty repairs". Fair enough, I guess.

I brought a car that was sitting on the lot haven't had issues. If it's just a battery that will be covered.

[chiefneil]

Nothing wrong with buying a car that’s been sitting on the lot if you can get a great deal on it. Just either immediately take it for a decent drive or hook it up to a float charger overnight. A float charger is a good idea regardless as you’ll need one if you ever change the battery or leave the car sitting for an extended time.

[luckstr]

Originally Posted by spick

Stepped out of a 2016 Mustang GT and into a brand new 2018 440i GC, and the experience has been a little underwhelming; really miss the V8 and a touch screen (BMW’s CarPlay integration is terrible). Still, four doors makes a rear facing car seat possible in an otherwise good looking car.

The battery had to be replaced during the first week of ownership. Then today it had some electrical malfunction; everything dead except the interior blower and alarm are “stuck” on. I was going to discount the battery to shut the alarm up, however when I accessed the battery compartment I could see it sparking so I closed the trunk and called BMW roadside assist; they damaged the front bumper loading it onto the tow truck and lost the tow hook cover 😡.

What kind of a problem would cause this? Too early to lemon law it (I’m in CA)?

Right with you. I didn't want to spend all that money on a new Corvette, so I ended up spending MORE on this BMW (65k) and boy am I sorry that I did. I should have listened to myself when I said"once you drive a Corvette, you'll never want to drive anything else". Of course one cannot compare Corvette to BMW, they are different type cars, but when I spend that much money on a car I expect it to be a quality car. I have only 13,000 miles on my 2017 440i convertible and the tires are gone, the glass is cheap quality, the paint job is not great and the electronics in the car are inconsistent.

[Larry77]

Lesson #4 should be never buy a brand new BMW, they depreciate significantly as soon as you drive them off the lot. Either lease or let the first owner take the massive hit and buy CPO...

[Stopsign32v]

Originally Posted by luckstr

Right with you. I didn't want to spend all that money on a new Corvette, so I ended up spending MORE on this BMW (65k) and boy am I sorry that I did. I should have listened to myself when I said"once you drive a Corvette, you'll never want to drive anything else". Of course one cannot compare Corvette to BMW, they are different type cars, but when I spend that much money on a car I expect it to be a quality car. I have only 13,000 miles on my 2017 440i convertible and the tires are gone, the glass is cheap quality, the paint job is not great and the electronics in the car are inconsistent.

Eh

Been in many Corvettes from regular ones to Z06s from stock to twin turbo. One thing that they all have in common is they all feel like a POS Chebby.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by Stopsign32v

Eh

Been in many Corvettes from regular ones to Z06s from stock to twin turbo. One thing that they all have in common is they all feel like a POS Chebby.

What part of the feel are you referring to?

Which corvettes are twin turbo?

[BMR_CK]

Sucks you have had this experience. Some thoughts:

1) The tow company carries liability insurance. That picture and the subsequent damage gets the car repaired off of their policy. Yes, take it where you like and get a rental from the tow company. Be difficult.
2) My guess is once these issue are corrected things will calm down on the car and in your head!
3) Doubtful on a lemon law claim. I just had BMW buy back a car due to my lemon claim, but the issues need to meet some pretty defined criteria before you will get their attention. You file through the BBB in CA.

It’s a good car, and you’ll get through this and enjoy owning it.

[Letines]

Anyone else have a problem with the screen name of the OP ?

[julienjj]

Batteries go dead all the time on new cars, they don't get driven around much and all the new electronics are hungry for powers even when the car is off (such as the alarm and teleservice)

You shouldn't see sparking from the battery unless you are connecting or disconnecting it... so probably the connectors was a bit loose after the replacement or is defective

It's probably just a fluke so don't sweat it. Let them know about the sparking so they investigate a bit...

[pick]

It’s a contraction of my first and last names, as in S Pick, first time I’ve heard that might be offensive, sucks to be me this weekend.

[Stopsign32v]

Originally Posted by Letines

Anyone else have a problem with the screen name of the OP ?

If it bothers you don't read it.

[Stopsign32v]

Originally Posted by spick

It’s a contraction of my first and last names, as in S Pick, first time I’ve heard that might be offensive, sucks to be me this weekend.

I'm offended that your last name is Pick. Picks were used by 18th century coal miners that came out of the mines black from head to toe, appearing as if they were wearing "black face". Please change your last name so I'm not triggered. Anyone else?