[GFK007]

As I mentioned in a previous post, my M235i was backed into, and I need a new rear bumper.

There are apparently no m235i bumpers in the country.

I was told today that I should not expect to have a bumper for another 3 weeks, when I've already been without the car for ten days.

I am livid. My dealership won't give loaners for body damage, so I am without a car.

Truthfully, I am inclined to make an issue out of this with BMW NA, as I genuinely can't fathom why I shouldn't be entitled to a loaner, and or pay my July payment.

Is this crazy? I literally can't believe they won't have a bumper for a relatively high volume car for another 3 weeks!!

[BMWZ4]

Can't speak to the U.S. but generally in Canada loaners are handed out when there's warranty work being done. Conversely, my car was in pretty much an entire day for some Dinan work so no loaner but they did hook me up with a rental for the day, at my cost.

I get what you're saying though about the bumper taking 3 weeks therefore they should supply the loaner but I don't think the parts delay qualifies.

My 2 cents. Sorry for your troubles.

[bozman9]

Wow. The worst part of this is not the lack of bumper (it's a supply chain issue likely tied to inventory switches as they prep for 2017 240's). Not great news, but there should be an easy solution - the loaner.

Your dealer refusing to give you a loaner doesn't seem right, but it depends on if the damage is cosmetic or structural. Bumpers are part of the safety architecture of the car and can help displace force in a rear-end collision. Therefore, if the car is NOT SAFE for you to drive, I would say they must offer you a loaner. (i.e. it's not just paint scratched). Or - isn't it covered by your insurance company and do they not provide loaners either? You may have to get an appraiser involved to determine extent of damage.

Whose insurance is paying for the repairs?

Bozman

[M24Oi]

Originally Posted by bozman9

it's a supply chain issue likely tied to inventory switches as they prep for 2017 240's

That doesn't make sense: it's not as if m235i's would cease to exist -- either the 235 bumper can also be used on a 240 at which point they maintain same stock levels, or it can't and they have to stock a separate item for the 240s.

Not even going to finish a point on slight increase in number required as the age of the car increases until they start disappearing from the roads..

[Elvisfan]

I have never heard of a dealer or a body shop having free loaners for body work. That's what insurance is for. Either yours or the person who hit you. Also,was the car undrivable? If not why tear it down before the parts are available? Welcome to "just in time" inventory. They just don't stock very many parts anymore.

[Rayscott]

Check with your insurance company. You may get one from them since it was not your fault. I was picking up a Porsche 911 for a detail and some idiot backed into it at a convenience store. The owner of the 911 got a loaner from his insurance Co.

[Kiwi]

How's it BMW's problem to loan you a car. Your car insurance is for this but in saying this my BMW dealer has loaned me cars in the past.

If the car is drivable then drive it and drop it in when the parts arrive. Or remove the bumper
and drive your car. Where is the law to say you have to have a bumper to be allowed to drive.

[GFK007]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

How's it BMW's problem to loan you a car. Your car insurance is for this but in saying this my BMW dealer has loaned me cars in the past.

If the car is drivable then drive it and drop it in when the parts arrive. Or remove the bumper
and drive your car. Where is the law to say you have to have a bumper to be allowed to drive.

I find it totally ridiculous to have to drive a 50k car without a bumper for any period of time.

It's BMW's problem that they won't have a part for 3 weeks, after I ordered it a week ago. I don't think that is unreasonable.

I know and like the woman who backed into me, and she's asked that I not go through insurance.

[aerostar]

Well it's not BMW's fault that you're not utilizing insurance.

You're doing the woman a favor by inconveniencing yourself to the point of not having a car for 3 weeks?

What a good samaritan.

[GFK007]

Originally Posted by aerostar

Well it's not BMW's fault that you're not utilizing insurance.

You're doing the woman a favor by inconveniencing yourself to the point of not having a car for 3 weeks?

What a good samaritan.

Yes. If I have to go through insurance to get a loaner, than so be it.

I still can't get over the fact that no one here seems to think it's crazy that a bumper on a high volume car will take 4 weeks to get.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by GFK007

I find it totally ridiculous to have to drive a 50k car without a bumper for any period of time.

It's BMW's problem that they won't have a part for 3 weeks, after I ordered it a week ago. I don't think that is unreasonable.

I know and like the woman who backed into me, and she's asked that I not go through insurance.

To echo what others have said:
- This is not warranty work; this is accident damage. Insurance is on the hook; not BMW.
- You didn't pay $50k for insurance coverage; you paid it for your car.
- BMW is not the only car company on Earth to have supply chain issues -- particularly during the model-year switchover. You don't pay $50k for this peace of mind. The 911 anecdote above is the perfect example of this: the owner of that car paid twice as much as you, and he had to wait, too -- and his loaner was covered by insurance. Imagine what the owner of, say, an R8 or a GTR or a Tesla has to do -- wait, no. Don't. Because it's the same as you, but probably longer.

I mean, jeez: first-world problems ... OP: Stop blaming BMW, close this thread, and deal with this the way everyone else with insurance coverage would. You do have insurance coverage for this, don't you?

[raleedy]

Why should the rest of us subsidize your favor to your friend? If she totaled your car, would you expect us all to replace it, because it is a $50,000 car?

[GFK007]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

To echo what others have said:
- This is not warranty work; this is accident damage. Insurance is on the hook; not BMW.
- You didn't pay $50k for insurance coverage; you paid it for your car.
- BMW is not the only car company on Earth to have supply chain issues -- particularly during the model-year switchover. You don't pay $50k for this peace of mind. The 911 anecdote above is the perfect example of this: the owner of that car paid twice as much as you, and he had to wait, too -- and his loaner was covered by insurance. Imagine what the owner of, say, an R8 or a GTR or a Tesla has to do -- wait, no. Don't. Because it's the same as you, but probably longer.

I mean, jeez: first-world problems ... OP: Stop blaming BMW, close this thread, and deal with this the way everyone else with insurance coverage would.

Viffermike: you made your point. I get it.

I'm still pissed off about these so called "supply chain issues," and I don't think that's crazy.

[GFK007]

Originally Posted by raleedy

Why should the rest of us subsidize your favor to your friend? If she totaled your car, would you expect us all to replace it, because it is a $50,000 car?

I have no idea what you are talking about.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by GFK007

...............................

Is this crazy? I literally can't believe they won't have a bumper for a relatively high volume car for another 3 weeks!!

Yah, totally sucks having to wait to get your car fixed. Back in 2003, my new Z4 was rear ended by a lady in a 3-series at a stop light pile driving me into a Brinks truck stopped in front of me - apparently she wanted a closer look at a new Z4 and hit the gas instead of the brake.
Front & back had to be replaced
Had to wait 2 1/2 months for parts and repairs. It was my summer fun vehicle and it happened in May so effectively taking out half the summer.
Had to settle for a rental Corolla from her insurance company.
The worst part was that I got nothing to compensate for the diminished residual value, so I took at least a $5K hit when I traded her in eventually for my 2008 1er ragtop.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by GFK007

Viffermike: you made your point. I get it.

I'm still pissed off about these so called "supply chain issues," and I don't think that's crazy.

That is an excessive wait period for a front fascia. The way this works is that the fascia supplier to BMW allocates a certain portion of the day rate for the plant, and also includes capacity to keep BMW Parts at its target inventory for replacement parts. A couple of things may have happened. With the current fascia tooling a constant, 2 Series production may have increased more than the original plan, eating up all the ongoing production, or the need for replacement parts may exceed the forecast (are we all driving a bit too enthusiastically?). Either way, a current status with a 4 week wait is likely outside of the original plan. Increased tooling is not likely, although fascia tools are not hugely expensive compared to sheet metal stamping tools. You are likely caught in an unplanned shortage.

As to the loaner, your choice to avoid insurance. Neither BMW nor the dealer owes a loaner for crash repair... that is for warranty and/or service work.

Good luck with the repair!

[geep81]

Originally Posted by GFK007

I still can't get over the fact that no one here seems to think it's crazy that a bumper on a high volume car will take 4 weeks to get.

A 2 series isn't what I'd call high volume. They sell 10-12k a month. That's not a lot of cars, compared to just about any Toyota/Honda/Ford.

[GFK007]

Originally Posted by geep81

A 2 series isn't what I'd call high volume. They sell 10-12k a month. That's not a lot of cars, compared to just about any Toyota/Honda/Ford.

Fair. Bottom line - I just want my car fixed and I want it back. That's it.

[bozman9]

KNowing now this is accident related - Yeah, as others have said: The issue is with insurance. I'm sure if you went that route, you would be able to get a loaner through them. Otherwise, you are stuck waiting w/ no loaner vs waiting with.

sucks that your car got damaged, period.

Bozman

[Elvisfan]

Your friend who hit you and doesn't want to go through insurance. Perhaps she should be paying for the rental car. Give her the choice. Pay or go through insurance. Unless she is your special friend. Then it's a whole different issue.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

Unless she is your special friend. Then it's a whole different issue.

Now this is most definitely NOT a first-world problem, hehe.

[bozman9]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Now this is most definitely NOT a first-world problem, hehe.

Haha, well, this could be become QUITE the interesting storyline...