engine and drivetrain Vent About Bmw Mobile Traditions

[gliding_serpent2]

I love my tii, I should start with that.  I love driving it and time permitted, I like to wrench on it. 

 

I have been in a big acquisition phase this past year with the engine and suspension rebuild.  I am at the "tweaking" phase now and planned to take it to the track for lapping days this summer.  I figured my instructor would appreciate seatbelts that wound properly, as would my life insurance. 

 

I thought about getting a rebuild, but for a little more I figured a new set would be best.  I needed them fast (2 weeks), so for a change I decided to order from my local BMW.  To date I have dealt with bavauto, IE, and blunt.  But hey, lets support my local BMW and see what happens.  After explaining to parts that a 2002tii was in fact a real BMW and not the year of the car (he was initially adamant that I was wrong), and parts do exist for it, I found that both were in stock in Germany to the tune of 300 units each.  1-2 weeks they told me.  I fully expected to not have them in time but was hopeful their prediction was correct. 

 

After 3 weeks and my first missed opportunity for a track weekend went buy, I called them.  One arrived (passenger side).  The other had not.  I said I had a two day driving course with bmw the weekend of Aug 24th (2 weeks away), so could they check on the order to see what happened as I would need it for the driving weekend .  I wanted to know if it would be here in time, or if it was on indefinite back-order or something unexpected.  They said they would look into it, and then said it would be 2-4 weeks for the belt, but would likely arrive in a week or two as most Germany orders do not take longer.  

 

My course is this weekend so I call them on Tuesday to see if the belt arrived.  The guy is snippy and says "how long did I tell you it would take last time?  because that will not change.  It usually takes three weeks and that will not change."  I tell him I ordered 5 weeks ago, both were in stock in Germany, one had arrived two weeks ago, and I had asked to have the second one verified at that time (as it was odd to get one and not the other when both were in stock and ordered at the same time), where upon I was told it would arrive in 2-4 weeks, but likely 1-2 weeks.  I said that I needed to know because I had paid 550$ for a drivers course with BMW this weekend with the car, and I needed the belt.  And if they did not think I would get the belt by the end of this week, I would order immediately from another vendor and cancel the drivers side belt with BMW.  "this was a special order  and you prepaid so you can;t cancel the order."    My reply was that I absolutely need the belt so get back to me asap because I will order a second belt from someone who has one in stock if need be, and keep their one as a spare.

 

Realizing that the writing was on the wall, I email Wallothnesch in Germany that morning because they have it in stock.  I say I need it by the 23rd, and gave them my address and phone number, asking if they felt it was possible.  They call me 20 minutes later and say they can have it out the door in 45 minutes, and on my door two days later (Thursday.  I ordered Tuesday am).  I pay and we are done.  Of note, they got me a new radiator in 3 days in the past, and the order was not a rush order. 

 

Later that day I call BMW (they did not call back) and they tell me the belt is still in germany "moving from warehouse to warehouse in a loop."  They let me cancel my order for that belt.  I tell them that I ordered the drivers side bet from Germany and it will be at my door in 2 days.  The guy was stunned.  

 

BMW will likely never get my business again after I pick up the one belt that did arrive.  Not the parts guy's fault (they denied only ordering one belt) I suppose, but their system for parts is obviously slow and poorly organized.  Last time I ordered from them, the part was in their hands for a month before I finally called and found out it had arrived, and that they had just failed to contact me. 

 

I would like to think myself as a reasonable guy with reasonable expectations, but the parts guy at our local BMW has a reputation for being a jerk, or at least that is my experience every interaction I have had with him.  I have had too many good experiences with US vendors like IE, blunt, and bavauto and W+N to bother buying from BMW again. 

 

vent over. 

Edited August 22, 2013 by gliding_serpent

[Rocan]

I've never had a positive experience at my local BMW stealership. Prices are outrageous. I don't even bother... I go straight to Blunt, IE, and the many other guys that we praise. Better to give them the business than BMW directly. 

[John_in_VA]

While your tale is a woeful one, the joker at your local dealer that doesn't know what a 2002 is has no control over movement of a part from Germany to the USA. Consider us lucky that new parts for these cars are still available - Ford abandons their products after 10 years.

It's disappointing, but being friendly with your local parts people will get you further than bawling them out. If you're done trying to work with them, use one of the dealers close to you with an online presence, or go with BluntTech, Maximillian, or La Jolla Independent for dealer parts.

Best wishes on the completion of your project!

[radio9phs]

The parts guys at my local BMW dealership are in fact very helpful.  I have ordered many parts from them, most with similar pricing to IE, Blunt, etc, and have arrived quickly (within a week if in stock in a USA warehouse) and within 2-3 weeks if coming from Germany.  No shipping charged.  A few parts, like a replacement starter, and  a guibo were priced many times what the other sellers charge.  It is my preference, if the pricing is similar, to get my parts from my local dealer.  I also have purchased three new cars from this dealer, so they usually treat me well.  Maybe in part the small town effect.

[bnam]

WuN's shipping is awesome.  Some of the parts I ordered from them were faster and cheaper than US sources. 

[gliding_serpent2]

While your tale is a woeful one, the joker at your local dealer that doesn't know what a 2002 is has no control over movement of a part from Germany to the USA. Consider us lucky that new parts for these cars are still available - Ford abandons their products after 10 years.

It's disappointing, but being friendly with your local parts people will get you further than bawling them out. If you're done trying to work with them, use one of the dealers close to you with an online presence, or go with BluntTech, Maximillian, or La Jolla Independent for dealer parts.

Best wishes on the completion of your project!

I agree he has no control over the shipping, thus my issue with mobile traditions. That being said, locally, there is one excellent guy in parts, and on jerk.

[Emyers]

I guess I am fortunate in that the dealership in Huntsville, Al. is great reference parts for my 2002.  They have what they call the "Oldtimers Club" coupled with my BMWCCA discount, the cost for parts rivals most of the usual subjects.  There are a few items that are priced outside of all reason, then I go to the usual suspects.

Earl

74 02Lux

02 M Roadster

72 Volvo 1800ES

[nbcbird]

BMW Mobile Traditions changed their name to BMW Classic well over a year ago.  I have had no problems ordering parts from Germany--it looks like your disconnect started with your local dealer.  Correspondence is conducted thru email and it would appear that your dealer didn't want to take the time to make any inquiries.  

[jgerock]

Sorry to hear your issues with the local dealership.   My local one is really good  - but you have to get the right person in the parts department.  Some are knowledgeable, some are not.  I ordered and received some transmission parts along with a new windshield.  No issues - free shipping is the best part.

 

I have not visited them in a while, BLUNT is my primary supplier.

[BLUNT]

This has been affecting things for 2 months. Hopefully sorted out soon as its been a headache for us and you can only explain away so many delays

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-20/bmw-owners-waiting-for-repairs-on-supply-chain-breakdown.html

[AceAndrew]

This has been affecting things for 2 months. Hopefully sorted out soon as its been a headache for us and you can only explain away so many delays

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-20/bmw-owners-waiting-for-repairs-on-supply-chain-breakdown.html

 

 

Yes, it has been very frustrating here as well.  ETA's have always been a little hit and miss, but that's just been part of the business with OEM parts for our 40 year old cars.

[autobon7]

What a blow to BMW......I know that things like that cannot happen overnight and had to make a switch from IBM to SAP but going on 4 years from the start of the project is not acceptable. BMW will suffer and will likely feel the consequences for much longer than the 4 years it took to get to this stage. Sad

[osbourne]

I think most of you guys are too young to have experienced Hoffman's parts supplying "experience".........now THAT was an experience! Very miniscule inventory for the dealers to order from. Aside from minor tune-up and maintenance items, pretty much everything had to be ordered from Germany. The day BMW dumped Hoffman, as their US distributor, was a joyful day for BMW owners and dealerships alike.

When my 2002A (and my Tii) were new, the local BMW dealer we bought the cars from was nothing short of wonderful. Never a hint of a problem. Very friendly, helpful personnel from top to bottom. It was a very relaxing atmosphere and always a treat to visit. Unfortunately BMW kept insisting that our local dealer move to a new location and put up a huge (read: very expensive) storefront. Finally BMW threatened them with loss of franchise one too many times and the owner told them to take their franchise and pound salt with it. I think that was in the late 80s or early 90s. Rahall eventually put up that spectacular storefront BMW wanted.

Now, when I need something for my 02, I contact Blunt and have found Steve to be excellent. Always the right part and always at my door in good time. I see no reason, at all, to be bothered with BMW, anymore.........but then, I bought my last new BMW in 1972 (a Tii) and their new stuff leaves me cold (as do virtually all modern cars).

[lilmo]

I remember when I first approached the parts counter at my local BMW dealership, the gent working the counter said, "You have a tii? Really?". Five minutes later six guys with BMW shirts were "on break" walking around my car in the parking lot.  And I was kicking myself for not washing it before I stopped in. 

 

That said, I have spent much more $$$ with BLUNT than with the dealer, and I go to bluedevils for seatbelts.  

[willys]

Sorry to hear about your troubles with the dealer.  I live closer to Bav Auto than the nearest dealer so they are my source for parts and have always been able to get anything I need for my tii.  It is fun to walk through their parts aisles to see how much they carry in stock.