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Years ago when i was a student I used to work as a valeter at BMW as a summer job- a customer car (nearly new) got badly damaged in the workshop. They had to agree a future value for the car that was well above book value for when he would be trading it in. Could be an option if you intend to replace it with a BMW in the future.

MACK wrote:

wegras wrote:Arguably they have diminished the value of your car even if it's repaired unless they are suggesting you don't disclose any damage on sale.

That information will live with the cars history at BMW, if anyone should check the vehicle's past it will show up but I doubt it will include the fact the Dealership caused the damage, ergo ,you caused it
( as does any BMW bodyshop repairs )

Normally I would agree, however considering how this happened I wouldn't be surprised if the dealer intended to "keep this off the record"

Even worse but can you imagine if that did happen, the ramifications for Dealership if found out which would be very easy for OP to achieve

wegras wrote:

MACK wrote:

wegras wrote:Arguably they have diminished the value of your car even if it's repaired unless they are suggesting you don't disclose any damage on sale.

That information will live with the cars history at BMW, if anyone should check the vehicle's past it will show up but I doubt it will include the fact the Dealership caused the damage, ergo ,you caused it
( as does any BMW bodyshop repairs )

Normally I would agree, however considering how this happened I wouldn't be surprised if the dealer intended to "keep this off the record"

Even worse but can you imagine if that did happen, the ramifications for Dealership if found out which would be very easy for OP to achieve

Precisely, you would hope they would behave properly in this regard, record the damage which does look quite substantial and either compensate the OP or offer to replace the vehicle. With the car being rear wheel drive I would definitely want 100% reassurance from a trusted independent inspection that there is no drivetrain involvement. However the dealer has clearly not been truthful about what really happened to the car so it doesn't fill you with confidence they will "do the right thing" in other regards.

MACK wrote:

wegras wrote:Arguably they have diminished the value of your car even if it's repaired unless they are suggesting you don't disclose any damage on sale.

That information will live with the cars history at BMW, if anyone should check the vehicle's past it will show up but I doubt it will include the fact the Dealership caused the damage, ergo ,you caused it
( as does any BMW bodyshop repairs )

Normally I would agree, however considering how this happened I wouldn't be surprised if the dealer intended to "keep this off the record"

Yep, which is what I said earlier that it would have been better for them to fix it and say nothing.

Maybe a free lifetime no quibble warranty could be asked for.

All good advice people I took some legal advice this morning which clarifies I can't demand a new car but I can ask for compensation if I prove the vehicle has lost value.
I returned to the dealer today to get a better loan vehicle and I did have a brief conversation with a sales lady who did say they could buy the car off me and I have lots of options.
Going down a guaranteed future value in say six months time would be of interest, either way when they repair it I'm going to twist their balls
I should add that I bought the car only 3 months ago from Cooper for £21,750 with 11k on the clock which is now showing 15k I wonder what I should ask for?

Pity you didn't have a dashcam installed.

I'd be wanting a deal on the table to replace the car with something similar.

Its a disgrace and although accidents can happen its more likely a blatent disregard for other peoples property whilst in their care, I would also be after the persons job and they are not fit to be test driving customers cars.

Tim.

Hi Tim
Hope your enjoying your M140 and never have the problem I have. Being a rare event it's hard to know the correct coarse of action in such an event. It's just a shame that the dealer has just assumed they can repair it and all will be well in the world!
It should be the dealer offering options rather than myself having to push the matter. I love BMW cars so don't want to be put off and go elsewhere.
Jon

Johnh1976 wrote:Hi Tim
Hope your enjoying your M140 and never have the problem I have. Being a rare event it's hard to know the correct coarse of action in such an event. It's just a shame that the dealer has just assumed they can repair it and all will be well in the world!
It should be the dealer offering options rather than myself having to push the matter. I love BMW cars so don't want to be put off and go elsewhere.
Jon

M140i is going great thanks and loving it so far

From their point of view of view the cars repairable and can be put back to how it was before, its down to how hard you want to push it further or happy to accept the repair. The dealer will always follow the path of least resistence and limit any cost to themselves.

I've had a few cars damaged in the past by dealers which makes my blood boil, the worst a Corsa VXR when they smacked the front bumper on pick up day and gave me the car with it cracked and sticking out from the wing and they thought that was acceptable, complete jokers alot of the time.

Tim.

Johnh1976 wrote:Hi Tim
Hope your enjoying your M140 and never have the problem I have. Being a rare event it's hard to know the correct coarse of action in such an event. It's just a shame that the dealer has just assumed they can repair it and all will be well in the world!
It should be the dealer offering options rather than myself having to push the matter. I love BMW cars so don't want to be put off and go elsewhere.
Jon

I would ask to see the car on a ramp so you can see what's damaged.Looking at the wheel it looks bad,when up in the air it might just be a bent arm which has taken most of the shock in the collision .
Seeing what has been damaged you might feel more comfortable with the repair.

I would be thinking along the lines of - I dont want the car back - I want my money back.
Only discuss with the DP - or you could talk to BMW ???? I'm sure they wouldn't like the incident!

I think you are making a mistake by not demanding a meeting with the dealer principal. He/she is the only person who can truly agree a satisfactory outcome. The rest are filters to him and look to cost reduction and keeping it off his desk.

I also would not threaten with social media or other exposure that some have said unless they fail to,satisfy. I'm friends of a few dealers and know they putt the barriers up if they are threatened. Amicable resolution should get what you need.

cj10jeeper wrote:I think you are making a mistake by not demanding a meeting with the dealer principal. He/she is the only person who can truly agree a satisfactory outcome. The rest are filters to him and look to cost reduction and keeping it off his desk.

I also would not threaten with social media or other exposure that some have said unless they fail to,satisfy. I'm friends of a few dealers and know they putt the barriers up if they are threatened. Amicable resolution should get what you need.

I couldn't agree more!
The others will only be covering their backsides - the DP probably doesn't even know about it - my satisfactory solution would be for them to buy back the car, then buy another one from them !

The visible damage is only one aspect of the treatment the car has undergone.

Bmw is the next step if there is no offer from the DP - after that it's the press etc, trading standards etc.

ronk wrote:

cj10jeeper wrote:I think you are making a mistake by not demanding a meeting with the dealer principal. He/she is the only person who can truly agree a satisfactory outcome. The rest are filters to him and look to cost reduction and keeping it off his desk.

I also would not threaten with social media or other exposure that some have said unless they fail to,satisfy. I'm friends of a few dealers and know they putt the barriers up if they are threatened. Amicable resolution should get what you need.

I couldn't agree more!
The others will only be covering their backsides - the DP probably doesn't even know about it - my satisfactory solution would be for them to buy back the car, then buy another one from them !

The visible damage is only one aspect of the treatment the car has undergone.

Bmw is the next step if there is no offer from the DP - after that it's the press etc, trading standards etc.

Best advice on here

Yes I agree,
I'm going to let them repair it and then ask to see the principal as I have taken legal advice and need to discuss my options with him regarding what compensation will work best for me.
Bottom line is a crashed car is worth less market value and we need to negotiate what that value is!
Of coarse I will let everybody know the outcome