I purchased my 2007 BMW X5 used in August 2012. When I test drove the vehicle, the electrical system seemed to shut off after a loud whine and an ominous thump. The a/c, radio and interior lights all shut off for a few seconds,then resumed. I reported this to the dealer upon my return from the test drive, and he called me a few days later to say that there was a minor problem with the a/c but that it had been repaired in-house and asked if I was still interested in the vehicle. Because I loved the car, I went in for another test drive a few days later on a similarly hot day. I drove the car for approximately 20 minutes on neighborhood streets and a highway with no problems and decided to purchase the car, but also bought an extended warranty. Less than a month later, I experienced the same problem and took the car back to the BMW dealer and explained what had happened. Of course, the problem could not be recreated for the service tech and they said they could find nothing wrong with the electrical system or the a/c. I did not experience the problem again until summer 2013, and again the dealer said they could find nothing wrong with the car. I took it to a private mechanic who could not find a problem either. As it stands, I drive the car with trepidation on hot days and accept that it may shut off and perhaps leave me stranded. I also have a problem with the car reporting that a diesel service is due, but I don't have a diesel engine. This likewise seems like an electrical problem, but again, the BMW dealer says they can find no problem, but would like to charge me $200 for a diagnostic service. This sounds completely ridiculous to me since it is clearly a manufacturing defect - how could it possibly be my fault that the car thinks it has a diesel engine? I bought this car despite teh high mileage after 15 years of driving Hondas with no problems because of BMW's reputation for quality and on my brother's recommendation one year after he bought a new 5-series. While I still love my car, I am sorely disappointed in the service department at JMK BMW in Springfield, NJ. Based on the other complaints I've read, I have to assume that they are representative of BMW dealerships nationwide.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I purchased my 2007 BMW X5 used in August 2012. When I test drove the vehicle, the electrical system seemed to shut off after a loud whine and an ominous thump. The a/c, radio and interior lights all shut off for a few seconds,then resumed. I reported this to the dealer upon my return from the test drive, and he called me a few days later to say that there was a minor problem with the a/c but that it had been repaired in-house and asked if I was still interested in the vehicle. Because I loved the car, I went in for another test drive a few days later on a similarly hot day. I drove the car for approximately 20 minutes on neighborhood streets and a highway with no problems and decided to purchase the car, but also bought an extended warranty. Less than a month later, I experienced the same problem and took the car back to the BMW dealer and explained what had happened. Of course, the problem could not be recreated for the service tech and they said they could find nothing wrong with the electrical system or the a/c. I did not experience the problem again until summer 2013, and again the dealer said they could find nothing wrong with the car. I took it to a private mechanic who could not find a problem either. As it stands, I drive the car with trepidation on hot days and accept that it may shut off and perhaps leave me stranded. I also have a problem with the car reporting that a diesel service is due, but I don't have a diesel engine. This likewise seems like an electrical problem, but again, the BMW dealer says they can find no problem, but would like to charge me $200 for a diagnostic service. This sounds completely ridiculous to me since it is clearly a manufacturing defect - how could it possibly be my fault that the car thinks it has a diesel engine? I bought this car despite teh high mileage after 15 years of driving Hondas with no problems because of BMW's reputation for quality and on my brother's recommendation one year after he bought a new 5-series. While I still love my car, I am sorely disappointed in the service department at JMK BMW in Springfield, NJ. Based on the other complaints I've read, I have to assume that they are representative of BMW dealerships nationwide.
- Tomara F., South Plainfield, NJ, US