I proudly drove the vehicle off the showroom floor on September 21, 1999 with 000011 miles. It was the smoothest, quietest vehicle I've ever owned. The car appeared solid, quiet, and held the corners superbly, at least for the first few days.

September 24, 1999, I returned the vehicle to the Service Center where the vehicle was purchased. Engine ticking/lifter noise was the issue. It was all down hill from there. I was instructed by the Lead Service Technician to pour some automatic transmission fluid in with the oil to quite the lifter noise and drive on for another 15,000 miles or so. Obviously, I didn't take his advice and checked the vehicle in for service. The vehicle was lost due to replacement of all the lifters until October 12, 1999.

The Nightmare had begun. The vehicle went back in for repairs on October 18, 1999 at which time the new BM-TroubleU exceeded more than 19 days of lost driving time due to in-shop repairs. This continued until through July 2000 where it has now been in-shop for an approximate total of 34 business days.

Examples: The engine was shaking/quivering at idle regardless if the engine was hot or cold. Then the radio began to buzz on AM frequency. They ordered and replace the amplifier and satisfied me for another week, at which time I discovered the factory sunroof, would not open when the button was pressed. I was now asking for a new, but identical vehicle. The dealership replaced the sunroof switch and sent me on my way with the engine still quivering.

I wish I could say I was happy with the vehicle quality, customer service of the dealership, and response I received from BMW of America, but I can honestly say "they" are all about the $ and (CSI) Customer Service Index ratings, no matter how low they have to stoop. CSI rating is how the dealership purchase it's vehicles from BMW-NA. The higher the rating, the cheaper they get the vehicle for; hence the higher the profit margin for them if you pay top dollar for the vehicle.

I am truly disillusioned with BM-TroubleU. Even thought I have received numerous letters from BMW of America stating “We are committed to satisfying the expectations that accompany one of the world’s most coveted automobiles,” and “ We-together with our nationwide network of BMW centers-are committed to doing everything possible to ensure your total satisfaction.” To date, in my opinion it is simply a false, bold face lie.

Example: When the vehicle wouldn’t start a few Sunday’s ago, the 24 hour BMW Service Center told me there were no open dealerships in the city of Atlanta and they would not even dispatch a technician to verify a bad battery or attempt to jump start the vehicle. Responsibility stopped at towing the BM-TroubleU into the shop for repair, when the service center was open.

I do believe they will work the engineering bugs out over time, even though I now have a written statement that BMW has NO FIX for the sunroof issue. I did not purchase this vehicle with the understanding of it needing constant repairs until the warranty expires.

UPDATE: Rumor has it - As of March 2001 BMW-NA claims they have developed a software patch to fix this problem. I have nothing in writing and have not seen a recall notice.

Where should one place fault? Well, one could begin with BMW Engineering, but more than likely it's a production rollout issue; too fast to be fully tested. Next one needs to consider the dealership that refused to replace the vehicle with an identical model. They told me I should have BMW of America repurchase the vehicle so they can sell me another vehicle; hence gaining credit/profit and CSI for yet another sale. BMW of America states: "Damages are the result of my own conduct" So there you have it. I am the cause of all these problems even though the vehicle has had absolutely no modifications and has only been worked on by the same dealership that sold me the vehicle. So once again, I'm the guilty party!

UPDATE: I've just spent the weekend (Uuuuggg)going through all the tape-recorded conversations I had with the Dealership, Service Managers and BMW-NA. All I have to say is...document and record everything! If the dealership refuses to accept the vehicle in for service, save the claim check, date it, and quote what was stated. By law they have to accept the vehicle for service or provide a written waiver that they have no fix. Type or hand write one out yourself on the spot if necessary. Don't let them fool you when they say "however; that’s a convenience matter, it has nothing to do with safety or the operation of the vehicle" the Lemon Law won't apply....don't you believe them.

UPDATE 20Aug01: My lawyer contacted the lawyer representing BMW and mentioned settlement since my 2001 Model 328I Sedan has been sitting on Global Imports Parking lot since February 2001 with 9,000 miles on it - when it was towed in because it wouldn't start.

For a second time, I once again offered to let BMW provide me with another vehicle, but not identical. BMW refused!

For a second time, I offered again to let them repurchase my vehicle, to include all taxes, tags, and title fees. BMW refused!

I finally suggest/offered to let Global Imports place my car on their used car lot and sell it as a used vehicle - providing me with the money and paying me the difference between what the vehicle sold for and what I paid for it. BMW & Global refused!

I even drove to another BMW dealership gave them info about the vehicle, mileage, color, body style, options, etc. Asked them to purchase the vehicle out right. I was told after they looked up the VIN # in their computer system. "Sir, we don't want to purchase this vehicle, we don't want to take this vehicle in on trade. We have a full disclosure policy and we don't want this vehicle. Due to the computer history on this vehicle, your BMW is a liability as well as a depreciating asset!" "Good luck, and have a nice day."

After the above attempts, my lawyer began to talk cash settlement. BMW of America lawyers cut the proposed offer by half and put in writing that they would not provide an extended service plan to cover further issues on this vehicle. Obviously I have refused this offer. If BMW of America doesn't feel confident enough in their product to provide an extended warranty with all the problems this vehicle has had & could have in the future, why should I even consider keeping this vehicle?

It has been 2 years of waiting to drive this vehicle with all the safety issues fixed, still no resolution to date. It may take 3-5 years, but I'm going to be patient and wait it out. As you can see what negotiations I've attempted, BMW & Global really leaves me no alternative.

A website with the BMW Engineers stating "All in-line 6 cylinders have a vibration" or "I don't know, I guess they're testing on your vehicle" (sound clips) may be right around the corner.

I'm now researching the Better Business Files to see where this company stands. It's difficult to find their name listed with any complaints. Apparently when they get a few bad reports, they sell/change the name of the company to protect their "Reputation". Presently re-named to Sonic Auto.

Additional BMW issues: See Kiplinger.com "Unloading your lemon" article by Ed Henry September 2001 (Press the Tools tab and type in Lemon)

UPDATE 03Sep02: The 21st of this month marks my 3-year anniversary of owning this clunker. It still sits on the parking lot of Global Imports with only 9,000 miles on it, but now they have moved it out of the sun! My lawyer, a BMW Mechanic and myself scheduled a test drive appointment in July 02 with the lawyer representing BMW, the new BMW of American Field Service Engineer and a couple of other “Experts”. When asked why the vehicle was moved, the story we received was the vehicle had been sitting in the shaded garage all the time. We pointed out the faded chrome trim to the “Experts” and they kind of scoffed an excuse under their breath. The real humor occurred when they were asked to start the car. Once again the battery was dead and a debate began as to who owned the vehicle. It seems I own the vehicle (even though I have officially rejected it by returning it to the dealer) however, the battery wasn’t any longer under warranty (replaced once on 20 Feb 01) but I could pay $250.00 for it on the spot (Parts Dept. Price to all $123.45). Anyway, when the 328i was finally jump-started it rattled like an old Ford Truck in front of everyone. Again the “Experts” scoffed under their breath that the car had been sitting on the lot for over a year and it was bound to rattle. My response was simply: “Who’s fault was that when the vehicle is not safe or reliable to drive!" The Defendant’s team tried their best to convince us we would not be able to take the vehicle for a test drive and run diagnostics on the car without their team viewing the results. First it the vehicle had no legal license tag. (Tag was stolen while it sat at the dealership) When they saw we were going to take the car for testing regardless, the next excuse was that it had a dead battery. After those reasons didn't stop my team, then it was “This battery was their battery and we weren’t authorized to use their battery on a test drive.” We could purchase a new one of course for only $250.00, but we pointed out the parts dept. price was only $123.45 since I had checked ahead of time. We told them to keep their new battery! Finally the last excuse was the car had “Old gas in the tank and it would reflect poorly during the test.” Yada, yada, yada, childish squabbling for almost an hour until they drained the gas tank replaced a gallon with fresh gas, jump-started the car again after putting the old battery back in the car but leaving it running this time. Only then after a few hours of waiting was the vehicle released, but now they insisted on going with us on the test drive. Our lawyer and mechanic explained this was all to have been pre-arranged by their lawyer. If they had any problems or complaints they should take that up with her. Once we got close to threatening a court injunction (Their law firm insists it's my car, but they won't release "my" car for a test drive). After threatening to file for a court order to test the vehicle, the car was finally released to us (too close to re-discovery, all their employees familiar with the situation/case have either quit or relocated) Upon our return after having enough electronic data to sink a small ship, the defendant’s party wanted to take the car for a test drive. This time it was my time to play games. I explained I couldn’t let you do that. When they said why not, I told them that the vehicle didn't have a license tag and that the dead battery was my battery! I continued that the full tank of new gas was my new gas, and that the brakes...according to BMW "Experts" might be questionable!

UPDATE 15Jan03: Documented results are back from both my expert and from the oil testing labs; regarding a sample of the engine oil that was taken during the July Global/Sonic inspection. Both documents reflect re-verified specific problems. The lab tests reflect not only break-in wear, but also reflect a possible problem in internal mechanical parts. Unfortunately even with more documented evidence BMW North America/Global Imports/Sonic Auto. still has not owned up to their responsibility of righting this wrong. To date, the BM-TroubleU 328i still remains unresearched, uncorrected, and uninvestigated, sitting on their car lot.
UPDATE 09Jan04: BMW North America/Global Imports/Sonic Automotive still has not owned up to their responsibility. The vehicle remains covered in dust with no further attempt by BMW North America/Global Imports/Sonic to repair, repurchase, or resolve. Lawyer will now request a court date.
Amount Paid (US$): 37,545.00
Condition: New
Model Year: 2000
Model and Options: 328i