BMW South Africa
Reviews and Complaints
BMW: Worst car brand in SA
Basically, this has been an ongoing case between myself and BMW SA. My BMW was bought last year and has been giving me technical issues since +/- 2000km after the purchase of the car. The car underwent change of Motorplan under BMW inspection (Qulaity Check).
The car started giving problems 2000km after my ownership. The car became and still is a road safety hazard and misfires mid-journey forcing me to pull off up to 15 times in a 1 hour distance. I have been taking my car into BMW dealers for months now and have even opened a case with BMW SA for appropriate assistance. Once they realised they cannot find the fault on the car (which is still under BMW Motorplan) they start making excuses. They blamed corruption at their dealerships and eventually when I was adamant that I will not rest, they suspended my Motorplan through sabotage.
I have pictures, videos and recordings of all correspondence and other evidence to back my story, as well as many other clients who are facing unfair treatment from BMW and BMW SA. Many customers have had such unfair treatment from BMW SA and many will stand up and speak against this blatant scamming. I have exhausted every avenue within BMW, going to the point of contacting the MD of BMW SA (Tim Abbott), who does not respond to any of my emails and just goes on with life. A BMW agent (Nieren; BMW SA) admits that it is a GAMBLE and BAD LUCK to purchase any BMW, even from their dealers who are corrupt, unethical and have been robbing South African consumers for a very long time.
I want to educate South Africans to see that paying large amounts of hard-earned money for "expensive" cars from BMW is purely a risk and danger.
Here is the details of BMW and their pathetic Service Promise:
•From about 56000 km, I have been experiencing Drivetrain error messages, where the car misfires and limps in the middle of the road, mid-journey. This is the major problem, apart from the electrical faults, gearbox whines and rattles and many other issues with the car.
•From Aug. 2017 till date, the car has gone into three different BMW dealers over 4 separate times. Problem still persists and no solution or progress.
•Once I made it clear that I cannot keep cancelling classes, practical sessions and work hours, running up and down, trying to solve the very same problem which BMW cannot resolve, a meeting was set for me with Nieren at BMW Midrand offices.
•He made us drive all the way from Potchefstroom on the 26th of February 2018, under the false pretence that he would find a solution to the problem.
•Instead, he interrupts me 15 minutes into the meeting, saying that he had suspended the motorplan on the car and BMW will no longer assist me.
•He then shows me a picture of a damaged catalytic converter (cat), claiming it came off my car (and admits that he has no way to prove to me that it is from my car, but I should trust them). He first hints towards the fact that I had apparently “modified” it. Seeing that I have no knowledge of the function and purpose of the part and that I totally deny any such action, he is left with the only option to blame the previous owner for the apparent “modification”. He showed very strong emotions towards the fact that the BMW dealers had claimed so many parts for my car and had costed BMW motorplan so much money, with no sight of solving the issue.
•He (Nieren) then claims that the BMW Quality Check which I paid for prior to purchasing the car was of no use, as Quality Check is “only a visual thing”. I have solid proof showing that BMW Quality Check in South Africa does not only entail a visual check for accidents prior to change of motorplan and ownership, but many other mechanical, electrical, undercarriage etc checks. BMW SA blatantly deny my facts, knowing, as Nieren stated, that there is too many complications with their decision.
•He says that none of the dealers ever removed the exhaust and/or cat, so it has nothing to do with them. I have provided proof of where BMW Daly removed the whole exhaust and cat, inspected it, found that it was in perfect order and then reinstalled it. He denies this even though Daly BMW charged BMW Motorplan for this.
•If BMW did not check the exhaust at the time of the Quality Check, I cannot be held liable for this. He claims that it is my “bad luck” and that no one must ever buy a used BMW as BMW dealers are corrupt and work with other used car sales to sell faulty and modified cars. This car had gone many, many times to BMW dealers and never was there ever an indication that the car was apparently “modified”. If BMW’s systems and check cannot uphold their promise, then I cannot be held responsible for this.
•BMW Quality Check is supposed to ensure that cars are mechanically, electrically and physically sound, so that Motorplan can be transferred to new owners. If I was informed of an “apparent modification”, I would have never purchased the car. I have the previous owner’s cellphone number, and he can be contacted as a witness, that the car was NEVER altered or modified.
•He then proceeds to state that because of this “modified” cat (which can’t be proven to have come from my car), both rear brake lights failed, the 12V socket on the front had problems, the PDC showed errors, the gearbox rattles and whines were caused, the 2001 service message appeared (lets note that this car is a 2014 model, but displayed a 2001 service message weeks after returning from Sovereign BMW) and all other faults are because of a “modified” cat. Apparently a cat can damage everything on a car.
•This cat was found by a technician (Gareth) who worked last on the car at Sovereign BMW. He is the same person who told me that he tunes and modifies “these cars” and makes”290 kilowatts” on “these cars”. He told me to come to him after hours to modify my car. I declined his request politely, saying that my car is under motorplan and I am not into those type of things. He was very upset at my response. He said that he makes sure that “these cars” also have motorplans and he ensures that things are claimed and covered by BMW. He is the same person, who we must now trust to be honest and ethical, when he says that it is the cat that came from my car.
•The previous time the car went into Sovereign BMW, the car was returned to me where I experienced white smoke from the exhausts and horrible fuel consumption. I complained of this and BMW SA have the recorded calls of my complaints when the car returned from Sovereign BMW the first time. This serves as proof, of at which point something happened to the cat, as confirmed by a mechanical and industrial engineer at my campus.
•Daly BMW have claimed without doubt that prior to the car going to Sovereign BMW, the cat was in perfect condition as they had stripped the whole exhaust. They have verified this several times. Nieren claims Daly BMW are guilty and must give me a new car.
•Every time I took my car in, I had to pay for fuel which they used for “testing” the car. I have a slip proving that my car was used for their personal food errands and each time received my car dirty from Sovereign BMW. BMW on every instance denied anything ever being faulty on the car, even though I offered to present my photographic evidence.
•I have lodged many complaints against Sovereign BMW from the first time my car went in to them. They stole one of my engine bay covers, which they later had to replace. They treated me with racism (Neville and “Bibi”-the racists) and very rudely (by Bianca). All this serves as motive for this ploy of theirs.
•This all seems as a nasty plot, by Sovereign BMW and Nieren (who insists Sovereign BMW are in no way wrong and are perfect). The fact that they cannot fix the issue with the car, they look for any excuse and fabricate claims of “modification” in order for them to dust their hands of their responsibility. They first cannot fix their own cars, and once I start complaining, they prove me a point by suspending my motorplan. This seems to be a dictatorship organization.
•They now claim to have no link to all of this. Nieren came to the meeting with one page and absolutely no history of the complaints and facts of this case and suspended my motorplan without any solid proof (besides some random picture, he claims came from Rosslyn). He refused to see all the evidence I had brought with for him and came to the meeting with one purpose: To suspend the motorplan on an assumption he made.
•BMW must explain how did this “modification” come about, as this car has only gone to BMW dealers from day one. BMW must prove at exactly what stage was the modification done. Their picture of the cat shows clearly that it has a fresh wound, and that if this car had drove with the damaged cat, it could have never been for more than 1000km at most, or at all.
•Sovereign BMW made me drive my car without topping up the coolant, and apparently this was nothing and caused no damage as compared to some random “modified” cat. I had to later top it up with tap water, as instructed by a BMW SA agent.
I have loads of proof in the form of pictures, videos and voice recordings of this whole case. I have proof indicating that many, many people are suffering at the hands of BMW and their fools in the motorplan division , who think they are untouchable and left to bully South African consumers for years now. I had even emailed the MD of BMW (Mr. Abbott), who did not even reply to my emails. The suspension of my motorplan took place after my email to him. When I commented on one of BMW SA’s posts, Merissa Chetty from BMW Customer Service called me to tell me to take legal action against them and indirectly tell me that I am not allowed to comment, communicate or post anything to them or against them. She is the exact same consultant who failed to assist me in the beginning of this case. This is the type of service BMW clients have to live with.
I will happily provide all my evidence on request to build a complete picture of what horror I have faced with this company. (Not all my formats uploaded here, but I have everything saved and many copies.)
Anyone who has faced any similar problems with BMW and their unethical motorplan: please feel free to email me (absaloojee@***.com), as this cannot be ignored for some innocent South African to suffer at their hands again. I will not rest until BMW can answer my questions, NEVER! BMW must man up and admit to their crap and start rectifying it.
- Rudeness of the customer services staff
- Service
- How my car was serviced
Preferred solution: Consider the circumstances surrounding this case and the lack of evidence as to who, how and when was the part damaged
No car, No refund of my deposit, No communication
Bad Service
This is the email I sent last Thursday, then forwarded on Friday and again this morning to the BMW Customer Service (customer.service@***.co.za). I did not receive any response until I called 0860060**** around 13:30 this afternoon and spoke to Tebogo he asked from which email address was the email from.
I asked if emails were actioned based on where they were from? his response: "Ma'am I am trying to assist you". After finding my email, whose contents he didn't seem to understand, he explained what sounded like BMW terms, I mentioned that he wasn't addressing what was in the email and I asked him to respond in writing, and he said he didn't understand why I was taking my frustrations on him. I told him that in my eyes he was BMW, he said "well I am not BMW I am Tebogo." WOW!
BMW must be valuing its clients for them to just take a Tebogo who doesn't represent them and place them at their call centre. But why would this surprise me, Clearly I am not a valued client, I can park my Beemer for 4 days and get on a taxi...that's how valuable I am. Good morning, I bought my car last year, I collected it on 26 January 2016 from South East Auto. It was a demo car and everything looked fine.
In April 2016, I was told that all four rims were buckled and I had to repair them at my own cost because I had done over 10 000km. I suspected that on receipt of the car the rims were buckled, because there was no way that I could have buckle all of them in 3 months but I had no proof. South East Auto arranged for the 2 left hand side rims to be repaired and gave me loan rims for the duration of the repairs. I then collected the rims on the 16th May 2016 and paid R2 850.00.
To date, the left rims are still fine, which raises more suspicion on the nature of the rims on receipt of the car. It is convenient for me to take my car to Auto Glen for a service and when they advised that the right rims were buckled I asked them to arrange for repairs. I was told BMW doesn’t encourage the repair of rims and could therefore not give me a number. South East auto has since closed down, I couldn’t go back to them to ask that they arrange for the repairs.
A year later my left rims are still intact. I took my car for service to Auto Alpina Springs last week. I asked them to check the noise that’s coming from the front right hand side, I was told it came as a result of the buckled right rims. I was told they could get a quotation for me, and they would need to have the car for about 4days.
I asked about loan rims and was told, they can’t assist there. I have received a quotation, which is almost double what I paid last year, but I cannot have my rims repaired as I will not have a car for about 4 days.
I am upset and confused by the inconsistency received at BMW dealerships when I expected a standard service from BMW dealerships. Regards, Lorraine
- Inconsistencies at bmw dealerships
- Rudeness of the customer services staff
I bought bmw 116i 2013 now the car is a mess every
Poor customer care.
SMG Century City is the worst
I took my 640d to SMG because it made a terrible knocking sound. Parts were ordered from Germany.
It took 12 days. After that it was discovered that the problem were incorrectly diagnosed. I must now wait another 15 days for new part to be ordered. No one is prepared to take a phone call, from the dealer principal to the work shop manager.
You hold on for 20 minutes without reply. The technician Gavin that took over the job advice that the car is safe to drive, despite the problem with the steering column. This is pathetic service. Stay away from SMG.
No courtesy vehicle are available. These people are useless in the extreme!!!
- Smg century city
SMG Durban - Selling damaged vehicles?
So I purchased a vehicle on 21 October 2016, and within 5kms of the delivery the car had a terrible shudder. Since it was a Friday the salesman told me to bring the vehicle back on Monday as it was late on a Friday.
on Monday when I went in to collect the vehicle I was told it was the vehicles balancing, and they will not do it as it was at my cost. - Yet it was sold like this. The following month, 19 November I discover the vehicle bumper was resprayed, I brought this up with the dealer and they denied any knowledge of this and tried to blame the marks on the bumper on me. However parts have been changed indicating repairs have been carried out.
3 months later we still fighting the dealer as this was not disclosed to us at the time of sale. The vehicle has been giving me endless issues and still no joy...
- Dealer principle who cannot be bothered
- Passing the buck
- Service
Preferred solution: Full refund
Bmw South Africa Customer Care Review
2007 Bmw 118i Car Review from Durban, Kwazulu-Natal
I bought a 2007 bmw 1 series it only had 78000 on the clock.It was still under Motorplan . I thought hey it's a bmw it will be worth it but was I wrong .
I had the car serviced by an approved bmw dealership (SMG UMHLANGA) . As soon as the car reached 100 000 km everything started failing . Please tell me are the bmw's only meant to reach 100 000 and how do Urll approve your dealerships . A warning light came on the car I sent it to SMG UMHLANGA the bill came to R 19 000 .
About 2 days later the car starts taking oil I open the bonnet and I see the whole engine is messed with oil .
Is this the service u get when giving it to an approved BMW dealership (pic attached) . I am so pissed I just want to get rid this bmw .
SAGREN PILLAY
Refused to take responsibility
- Way i was treated
Preferred solution: Deliver product or service ordered
Mini Cooper Review
BMW Cedar Isle terrible service.
I have been out of South Africa for almost 2 years now. Just before my return I asked BMW Pretoria to service the vehicle as it had been stationary for a while.
My sister took it for a "formula one" service on a Saturday morning. They did a terrible job and didn't stamp the service book or wash the vehicle, in fact my sister called me to complain and said the service light was still on in the car. I emailed the service manager in BMW Pretoria and complained, he was apologetic and arranged for the car to be picked up and serviced. I thought that was great until I returned to SA and found that the car had a oil leak.
I didn't understand how this was missed by the Pretoria branch. Never the less I contacted BMW Cedar Isle to check the oil leak. They kept the car from Friday morning to Monday afternoon. I went to collect the vehicle on Monday when I was informed that they had found a damaged "O ring" so I had to wait for them to repair it.
They completed the service and parked the vehicle outside without informing me and as things would go we had a hail storm that afternoon. BMW left the vehicle in the hail and neglected park it in the numerous spaces they have available. Which most likely implies that they are servicing too many vehicles and do not have the space or capacity to do so.
The dealership has refused to pay for the hail damage even though the vehicle was with them at the time of damage. I am very disappointed in the level of service I received and I do not think i would purchase another BMW.
- Very dissappointing
- Very disappointing with car service
Preferred solution: Full refund
Poor Customer care and Oil leaks
- Very dissappointing
Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution
Thank You for Your Reply! We are processing your message.
Your comment is successfully posted.
Totally agree with you Cedar Isle is terrible!!!