In March 2015 I bought an approved used 2011 530D GT. It has, since then, needed a new window regulator, headlight control module and is booked in for a new headlamp (full of water..). All 4 alloy wheels have been replaced due to corrosion around the center caps. Now, for the third time in 2 months, it is sitting on my drive at a drunk angle...
The rear offside suspension has 'sat down'. The first time it did this, I called the dealership. They were not surprised to hear it was a 5 GT, and told me to start it up and bring it in. When the engine ran, the air pump brought the suspension back up and off I went. 'No fault found Sir - £72 for diagnostics please'.... When I asked what to do if it re-occurred, they told me to use BMW assist. It did, so I did, 2 weeks later. Same suspension point. Different dealer, who once again found no fault and wanted £72 (and I understand that, not a dealers responsibility to work for free). After 3 weeks, BMW UK covered the cost when I made it clear I did not consider myself liable.
So, Boxing Day, my wife carefully asks me if I want to look at my car....??
Yep, offside rear has sat down again. This time I do not use BMW assist for recovery, I wait 4 days for their customer service people to be in. 'Please send someone to look at the car, as it sits now, so they can see this fault (again..) before the engine and air pump are started again'.
I am now lost. They will recover the car, but they cannot force a technician to come and view it. Diagnostics are not covered under warranty. I have tried to be 'fair and reasonable', I waited 4 days over xmas with no car, I followed BMW's own advice to use Assist. But if this is an intermittent fault, how can I show it to them if turning on the engine gets rid of it for a few weeks??
Your thoughts, and any advice, would be much appreciated. Thanks for the column and your video reviews, much appreciated.
RG