Advice dealing with dealership

[eeyuu]

I brought the x5 into the dealership on rear seat warmer repair. Once the x5 was return to me, I checked the seat warmer. It is working now.

However, upon further inspection once I left the dealership the rear seat lower bench looks and feels different. The cushion under the leather feels more squishy and less firm.

I've spoken to the dealership and they say everything looks fine to them..

Any advice on what to do? Thanks in advance for any input.

[gvarr03]

Do not take your car to a dealership. Find a local BMW mechanic imo

[eeyuu]

Originally Posted by gvarr03

Do not take your car to a dealership. Find a local BMW mechanic imo

Totally understand for certain work, but the repair was under warranty..

[turboawd]

If they actually changed the heating element, then they would have pulled the seat cover off the foam. Perhaps they didn't put the hog rings back on properly that hold the cover to the foam. Got a pic?

[eeyuu]

Originally Posted by turboawd

If they actually changed the heating element, then they would have pulled the seat cover off the foam. Perhaps they didn't put the hog rings back on properly that hold the cover to the foam. Got a pic?

Yes, they replaced the heating element. I can't specifically tell if the leather itself is different or not, but the foam is definitely softer to me..

These pics might not help, not sure how to show issue with pictures..

[LocksmithNick]

Dude wtf happened to that seat?? Mine doesn’t look like that at all...

[turboawd]

Yeah that doesn't look good. Does the leather feel tight to the foam? Can you pinch the leather at the seams and see if it pulls away from the foam at all? It should be tight.

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

What’s your mileage?

[eeyuu]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Yeah that doesn't look good. Does the leather feel tight to the foam? Can you pinch the leather at the seams and see if it pulls away from the foam at all? It should be tight.

The leather does not feel super tight to the foam..

this the only before interior pic i have before the work was done..

[eeyuu]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDrivingManiac

What’s your mileage?

I just hit 40k so everything still under warranty.

[gvarr03]

Originally Posted by eeyuu

I just hit 40k so everything still under warranty.

Sorry to hear about that...I'd still not take my car to the dealership even under warranty.

[jch1511]

I have far better experience dealing with dealers in Seattle than any Indys in 25 years of driving BMW/Mercedes/Rover. Warranty or no warranty.

Always important to build a rapport with service manager, shop Forman, and a good SA.

In fact, Indys charge about the same as dealer and they insist on marking up cheap aftermarket parts. If I want to bring my own parts, they will jack up labor rates by 30%!

Also, no loaners or waiting area. My time and convenience is worth much more.

My dealers are always willing to work with me and allow me to bring my own original parts for maintenance or repairs. Dealer have a lot more coupons for discount than in the past.

If something were to go wrong, dealers have a lot more resources to deal with than any Indy.

Just my experience and I am a somewhat DIYer as well.

[Violator]

Originally Posted by eeyuu

Yes, they replaced the heating element. I can't specifically tell if the leather itself is different or not, but the foam is definitely softer to me..

These pics might not help, not sure how to show issue with pictures..

Attachment 2212417

Attachment 2212418

That looks terrible and unacceptable.
If you’re not happy with the work (which no one should be with that), elevate it up the chain until you get resolution.
If they state that’s how the seat is supposed to look, challenge them to show you a new X5 on their lot that looks like that. Ain’t happening.

Stay the course, elevate and don’t settle.

Good luck

[eeyuu]

Thank you all for the advice!

jch1511 I agree with your points on the dealership. I had a good SA but he left/got fired pretty recently. I will setup an appt with the Forman.

Violator I was going to accept it, but now I will move it up to an issue with the Forman. I feel like they are going to use the excuse of wear and tear..

[The Libertine]

Not acceptable at all. Definitely elevate at the dealership. I would be sure to request that your concerns/issue with the seat is memorialized in writing. Be polite, but be persistent. Good luck, and keep us updated.

[BobBeau]

Is there another dealer you can bring it to? Looks like this dealer's trim guy isn't worth a dam

[201]

That is real bad..I had far less wrinkles on my rear seats and my dealer replaced it under warranty the seat covers aren't cheap when I looked up the part# from my invoice cover alone was 1900$. Ask to sit with an SA in other F15's at dealer guarantee none of them would look as bad as that

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

Originally Posted by eeyuu

I just hit 40k so everything still under warranty.

I’m at 70K km and my rear seat looks like new. I can take the pics so you can share them with your dealer - I got black leather as well.

[eeyuu]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDrivingManiac

I’m at 70K km and my rear seat looks like new. I can take the pics so you can share them with your dealer - I got black leather as well.

Sure, if you don't mind! It would not hurt to show them..

[eeyuu]

Originally Posted by 201

That is real bad..I had far less wrinkles on my rear seats and my dealer replaced it under warranty the seat covers aren't cheap when I looked up the part# from my invoice cover alone was 1900$. Ask to sit with an SA in other F15's at dealer guarantee none of them would look as bad as that

@201 what did you say, to get the dealer to replace your rear seats?

[LocksmithNick]

Originally Posted by eeyuu

The leather does not feel super tight to the foam..

this the only before interior pic i have before the work was done..

This looks terrible, even before they touched it. I’ve got 70k and mine looks nothing like this.

[turboawd]

Even the before pic doesn't look good. Did the leather ever get wet?