[exidisjon]

Well today i brought my car in because of the steering locking up sometimes and slipping and making some odd noise.

So i got a 328 loaner and brought it home.

I got a call at around 6pm today and they say they found the problem with something in the steering column and needs to fix it and the part takes 5~7 days to come from germany. Next thing they said was "We can give you your car back if you want". I replied by saying im not in town since i was at a jobsite in boston today and the loaner was at my house in NJ. They said WE NEED TO GET OUR LOANER BACK..

I was like WTF.... I told him im not getting back till monday so he said he wants it back on monday. BVut i might not even be back on monday....

Now my question is that he wants me to come back on monday drop off the loaner and come back when the part gets tehre and get another loaner for another day.

I CANT TAKE ALL THESE DAYS OFF WORK. Or make 3 excuses from my job to get one dam thing fixed.


What are my choices?

Do i need to return the rental until my parts get here? I really cant afford to go to the dealer again and going back after the parts get here.

It really isnt my fault that the cars steering is all jacked up... I really dont know waht to do..

Can someone tell me what i should or can do regaurding the loaner...

Do i NEED TO return the loaner or can i keep the loaner until the parts come and all gets fixed?

Sorry for bad grammar and long story.. Thanks

[Seminole]

Just say that since the steering is locking up and could create a safety hazard you do not feel safe driving your car until it is fixed, therefor you are keeping the loaner. Then hang up.

[JL330i_UT]

Originally Posted by Seminole

Just say that since the steering is locking up and could create a safety hazard you do not feel safe driving your car until it is fixed, therefor you are keeping the loaner. Then hang up.

Good idea! Try to make them think that a law suit could be on their hands, if something happens with your steering and you could get hurt....

And that pretty fuked up of them

[John 070]

I always try to look at what's just, and as everyone knows, I usually side with the owner not the dealership. In this case, I do think they are entitled to get the loaner back when the part is not readily available. However, if you are in Boston, they can't expect you to fly back just for that. Tell them they are welcome to go to your house and pick up the car, or your wife can give it to them, etc. If it's not possible, well, then, it's not at all your fault. But long story short, yes, they should have the loaner back while waiting for the part.

imho the loaner is a courtesy while your car is being worked on. If it's sitting 7 days waiting for a part, the above isn't the case and they need the loaner to give to others whose cars are being worked on.....again, reasonable is key.

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by John 070

I always try to look at what's just, and as everyone knows, I usually side with the owner not the dealership. In this case, I do think they are entitled to get the loaner back when the part is not readily available. However, if you are in Boston, they can't expect you to fly back just for that. Tell them they are welcome to go to your house and pick up the car, or your wife can give it to them, etc. If it's not possible, well, then, it's not at all your fault. But long story short, yes, they should have the loaner back while waiting for the part.

imho the loaner is a courtesy while your car is being worked on. If it's sitting 7 days waiting for a part, the above isn't the case and they need the loaner to give to others whose cars are being worked on.....again, reasonable is key.

I can understand that reasoning, but I think this case is slightly different. Say it was for a broken CD player, or a burnt out overhead lamp, or maybe the driver sunvisor needs to be replaced, all those don't affect the driveability of the car. Something as serious as the steering column needing parts is an exception IMO. What if the column actually freezes up completely while he is mid turn and goes off the road into a tree or hits somebody; is the dealership prepared to be liable for the damages since they told him the car was fine to drive until the parts come? That is something I wouldn't be willing to risk if I was the dealer OR the owner.

[rooster3.0]

Sounds like some BS Paul Miller would pull. Call BMW NA and let them handle it. Some dealerships don't know how to act. A loaner car isn't just a courtesy, it's a selling point they use too.

[AV9]

wow wtf, i dont think i've heard of a stealership asking for the loaner back, especially when ur own car isn't fixed...

how low...

[DustinDallas]

Ridiculous. If they MUST have the loaner back, demand they rent you a car.

[Shoey5]

Originally Posted by John 070

imho the loaner is a courtesy while your car is being worked on. If it's sitting 7 days waiting for a part, the above isn't the case and they need the loaner to give to others whose cars are being worked on.....again, reasonable is key.

That's true but with that said, I used to take my car to this one dealer (where I purchased my car) for servicing. I'd leave the car there and ask for a ride home, they used to tell me they only go so far and dropped me off at the Subway (as far as they would take me). The next time I needed service, I went to another dealer, they were twice as far but they took me all the way home and came back to get me.

Something to always keep in mind......reasonable is key but above and beyond is everything.

[exidisjon]

This was actually from JMK BMW in NJ.

They are very reputable with good service but not sure why they keep demanding to want the loaner back.


Maybe cuz the car only had 800 miles on it?...

Oh well im not returning the loaner until i get my car fixed.

[bsamoul]

Threaten them with all 1's on the survey, or call the BBB on them. That should shut them up.

[Spydeputy]

+1 !

[Prissy]

thumbsdownforJMK

[am_ver]

WTF. How can the dealership demand the loaner when your car is not fixed. They gave you the loaner to drive until they fixed your car. Your car is not fixed - the fact that they don't have the parts is not your problem.

[exidisjon]

Thanks guys for the input i called today cause i was just a bit bothered by the fact they kinda wanted it today. But after i asked if i should bring it in today they told me they found the part local and will be fixed by tuesday...

[MoxJr]

I always like having loaner cars.... get to abuse them the way I wouldn't drive my own car. lol