dealer problem with 525i ED, need opinion

Hi,

I'm about to pick up my 525i on the 28th of September. I went to my local dealer in LA and was about to hand them the check when they said that there was a problem with my order. I ordered a 525i with Sport Package (SP), Cold weather, Xenons and DVD nav. I specifically asked for leatherette seats and this was documented clearly on the order request.

Today, the local dealer said that I need to pay an extra $1300 saying that the SP requires an automatic upgrade to leather seats. The vehicle has been built and the specs they received indicated that leather seats were placed in the vehicle. The dealer said that because it is leather, there is an extra $1300 charge and the original price they quoted me was not correct.

I argued my case that it is deceptive practice for BMW to advertise that the SP option only costs $2000/1820 (wholesale) and tack on that extra $1300 for the leather upgrade. The dealer indicated that it is a required upgrade even though they could not produce any documentation in the brochures or their own product info. They went as far as saying that it is impossible to configure a SP package without the leather upgrade. They also said that the sport seats are always made of leather, hence the compulsory leather upgrade. I said, that if that's the case, then they should advertise and correct the price for the SP as $3300 instead of $2000.

I was very suspicious about what happened and decided to call BMW north america's 800 number. They said that the sport seats comes as "leatherette" and can be upgraded to leather. Only then, will the charge of $1300 be required. I suspect that when the order was processed, they inadvertently ordered leather instead of leatherette and are now trying to correct the error by making me pay for the unwanted upgrade. I'd hate to think that they would purposely alter the order to get you to pay extra for the options.

My feeling is that the dealer has been quite dishonest and not forthcoming. I would rather that they admit their mistake and we can make a compromise instead of trying to pull this bait and switch or lie straight in my face.

Unfortunately, the trip is in two weeks and I'm in a bind. My brother and I bought the vehicle as a surprise for our father. He doesn' know he's going to Europe for a trip as well as pick up a car. It just sucks that this has happened. I just think that it's disconcerting that it seems that they're trying to pull a fast one at my expense.

I would like to know what YOU would do when faced with this scenario.

Thanks.

Reply » dealer problem with 525i ED, need opinion

Quote:

You didn't look to far to confirm what the dealer told you.

Go to bmwusa.com and try to build a 525i. Select the Sport Package. A warning message comes up on the right side of the screen that says:

Quote:

Sport Package requires leather interior. Please select a leather interior from the Exterior/Interior page or deselect the Sport Package to continue.

Your dealer is right that you need to get leather to get Sport Package-- BMW does not make the Sport Seats in leatherette.

Did the P&S you signed have a price on it? If so, stand firm and make them eat it. Their sales person should have told you this, and he should have had this basic product knowledge when he sold you the car. Worst case, the order would have been rejected by BMWNA if they tried to put it in with Leatherette and SP, so they could have broken the bad news to you at that time.

To mention it now and then expect you to just pay it is wrong.

Reply » dealer problem with 525i ED, need opinion

Hi Sarafil,

The purchase order I signed with BMW did not include a purchase price but it came attached with a printed price quote sheet which listed the price.

I ordered the unit in July 2005 and at that time, the sport package as outlined in the brochure did not indicate that the leather upgrade was required. The dealer knew well in advance that the option included leatherette and acknowledge it as such in the program pre-reservation request that was faxed to New Jersey. The agreed option codes were listed which did not include the leather upgrade. This was not rejected by BMW NA as the car has been built and it was only today that I was informed of the "mistake."

I did not notice the rider to the SP at BMWUSA until you pointed it out to me. But I'm wondering if this is something that was sorely overlooked by BMW by not indicating it in their published brochure as of 5-11-05. In fact two other dealers I contacted at that time had similar quotes and did not indicate that the leather upgrade was compulsory as their quotes did not reflect the extra charge. Unless this is a new change to BMW's pricing policy or all three dealers got it all wrong at that time.

Oh well, let's see what happens. I'm not happy to say the least. If I only knew that this was how they were going to slide an extra $1300 on top of an advertised $2000 option, I would've not added it.

Thanks for your input.

Reply » dealer problem with 525i ED, need opinion

Sadly, many BMW client advisors aren't very good at their jobs as they tend to do as little as is necessary to keep their job. One of the things that they are supposed to do is to read the BMW Dealer Order guide. I'm not sure if the 2006 Order Guides were available in July but the Order Guide for the 2005 525 indicates very clearly that the sport seats are only available as a part of the sport package (Option ZSP) and that "ZSP must be ordered with Leather upholstery". I'm willing to bet you that the Order Guide for the 2006 models say exactly the same thing.

I'm quite sure that if your client advisor had bothered to read the Order Guide there wouldn't be a problem today. However, dumb problems do happen and I wouldn't be surprised if dealer management will take the cost of solving this problem out of the client advisor's paycheck.

Many people feel that the leather is worth the money. I'm one of them. You may not get your money back until you sell the car but when the time comes you will be glad it had the leather.

I have always felt that compromises are the best solution to many problems. My suggestion would be to offer to pay them $700-800 for the leather and see what happens.

Good Luck (and please let us know the outcome)

Reply » dealer problem with 525i ED, need opinion

well a compromise has been reached with us paying half of the invoice cost 660 and the dealer, BMW and the agent shouldering the rest. well thanks for your input.

Reply » dealer problem with 525i ED, need opinion

Thanks for letting us know the outcome. I think that you will be very glad that you ended up with leather, especially when it only cost you $660.

My $0.02. YMMV

Page 1 of 2