Not a good day at the dealer

[GregW / Oregon]

Took my car in this morning for it's 1,200 mile service, dreams of redline dancing in my head. I also asked to get the alarm coded. Later in the morning my SA called to say my replacement inside door panel (original was wavy) had come in and they would do that, also.

Well, the door panel turned out to be missing a braket related to the Enhanced Premium Sound, or something, and the one on the original panel was glued on. They had to put my original door panel back on.

Then I go to pick the car up at 5:00, after 9 hours there, and they said they had run into a problem with the alarm programming. The different modules have to be recoded, and the computer was telling them to replace all of them. They spent 3 hours on it and had not solved it.

So, I'm driving a base 335i auto tonight (don't like it at all, but it's got power). I was so disappointed, I forgot to ask if they got the basic service done!

[zieglerc]

Lame, sorry to hear that... can't remember the last time I had an absolutely painless and positive service experience. Sometimes it's just the little things, like discovering that your seat is all out of whack and the memory's been erased -- but this just flat-out sucks.

At least you get a loaner. I strongly suggest that you take out your aggression on those twin turbos lurking in the 335's bonnet. It's no M3, but that engine definitely holds its own.

[WCH]

That's a bummer. Hopefully they have the oil filters in stock and you will be good to go.

Your story about alarm recoding is making me glad that I negotiated it into the purchase.

[Davinhci]

Bummer, I just don't understand why it would take that long for the Alarm Coding. They installed my alarm (I know I could have done it myself but I'm lazy and didn't want to mess it up) and coded in an hour and half. The steps are pretty easy i wonder if they were giving you some bs.

[skierman64]

I was going to purchase the alarm and install it myself. Now I'm having second thoughts, Greg, please keep us informed on the outcome of the alarm situation.

[cowmoo32]

That sucks, but at least you got yours in for service.

[GregW / Oregon]

I was going to purchase the alarm and install it myself. Now I'm having second thoughts, Greg, please keep us informed on the outcome of the alarm situation.
I don't think it has anything to do with my installation. There's not much to screw up, just two devices that plug into to existing connectors.

I will let everyone know what the issue turns out to be.

[fmquadri]

When you say "wavy" was it the leather? Sorry about the problems - glad to hear they put you in a 335 instead of a 328 or less!

Some of the dealerships around here will only give you a ride or stick you in a Dodge Neon Rental

[GregW / Oregon]

When you say "wavy" was it the leather? Sorry about the problems - glad to hear they put you in a 335 instead of a 328 or less!

Some of the dealerships around here will only give you a ride or stick you in a Dodge Neon Rental
Yes, the Fox Red had ripples in it on the passenger side only. You can see it in this photo:

http://greg-w.smugmug.com/photos/266568180_fSb6q-O.jpg

[zieglerc]

Yes, the Fox Red had ripples in it on the passenger side only. You can see it in this photo:

That's really cool that your dealer replaced it for you; mine would've laughed at me. Of course, I can't even get them to activate Assist, but that's a whole other story...

[GregW / Oregon]

That's really cool that your dealer replaced it for you; mine would've laughed at me. Of course, I can't even get them to activate Assist, but that's a whole other story...
Yeah, they got the service manager to look at it, and they were nice about it, though I could tell they would have preferred not to deal with it. I don't notice it now, but on a brand new car it stood out.

[GregW / Oregon]

Finally gaot the car back after 1 3/4 days. Everything seems okay so far, but I've only driven it a couple miles.

Well, here's what the service invoice says about the alarm installation:

"1998 Tech 5029 - Performed DWA alarm retrofit. Due to alarm retrofit, tech needed to update software in vehicle (including CAS). Upon completion of software update, the TEL/ULF and the AMP had failed to respond correctly. Tried to perform complete vehicle encoding and found that clip instructed to replace the TEL/ULF and the AMP. Disconnected CIP/SSS and performed battery reset of vehicle. Upon completion of battery reset, reentered progman and indvidually special measured AMP and TEL/ULF. Both modules updated successfully. Performed the entire vehicle encoding. Vehicle encoding successful."

Charge was $110.50. My regular SA had gone to California for an M3 dealer driving event; I will be discussing that with him when he returns.

[Big Windy]

Bummer...not cheap. Sounds like a bad runaround. But did the 1200 mile service get done okay?

[Davinhci]

$110.50? That's BS if you ask me. It's almost like they charging you for the install as well.

[GregW / Oregon]

$110.50? That's BS if you ask me. It's almost like they charging you for the install as well.
Agree. My regular SA will take care of it, I'm sure, when he returns. I've already emailed him.

[GregW / Oregon]

Bummer...not cheap. Sounds like a bad runaround. But did the 1200 mile service get done okay?
Yep, service done:

A. 1200 mile service, 98 Misc. repair (N/C)
B. Service transmission/final drive unit 98 Misc. repair; (2) 83-22-0-309-031 LT2 1=1ltr, (2) 83-22-1-470-080 SAF-XJ diff oil (N/C)
C. Standard scope (N/C)
D. Run in check (N/C)
E. CBS- Engine oil; (1) 11-42-7-837-997 Set oil filter element: 114010; (8) 07-51-0-009-420 Oil: 83251010 (N/C)

Now if it would wuit raining so I could reall try it out!

[ideliver]

Now if it would wuit raining so I could reall try it out!

It rains in Oregon???;) I hadn't heard...Enjoy the car and post some post-1200 mile impressions

[WCH]

Good that you can get your CA to take care of this. I was initially quoted 2 hours at $125/hr for recoding. Eventually got this knocked down when included in the final deal on the car.

[Davinhci]

Good that you can get your CA to take care of this. I was initially quoted 2 hours at $125/hr for recoding. Eventually got this knocked down when included in the final deal on the car.

good, that is crazy

[skierman64]

"1998 Tech 5029 - Performed DWA alarm retrofit. Due to alarm retrofit, tech needed to update software in vehicle (including CAS). Upon completion of software update, the TEL/ULF and the AMP had failed to respond correctly. Tried to perform complete vehicle encoding and found that clip instructed to replace the TEL/ULF and the AMP. Disconnected CIP/SSS and performed battery reset of vehicle. Upon completion of battery reset, reentered progman and indvidually special measured AMP and TEL/ULF. Both modules updated successfully. Performed the entire vehicle encoding. Vehicle encoding successful."

Greg, was the cause of the system not responding correctly ever determined? I want to install it myself, but am wondering if this is a common problem for DIYers?

Did you get your money back?

[GregW / Oregon]

Greg, was the cause of the system not responding correctly ever determined? I want to install it myself, but am wondering if this is a common problem for DIYers?

Did you get your money back?
This is what my SA said, "Apparently when the tech went to code the alarm the vehicle requested a complete software update, which I didn't expect on a recent production vehicle. After the vehicle update was done, it requested an additional update for the phone module."

I still don't understand what caused this issue, but it shouldn't have anything to do with the self-install. The connections are two simple plug-ins, so tough to screw up. It does point oout a potential advantage of have the dealer do it, though.

[fullrev]

Finally gaot the car back after 1 3/4 days. Everything seems okay so far, but I've only driven it a couple miles.

Well, here's what the service invoice says about the alarm installation:

"1998 Tech 5029 - Performed DWA alarm retrofit. Due to alarm retrofit, tech needed to update software in vehicle (including CAS). Upon completion of software update, the TEL/ULF and the AMP had failed to respond correctly. Tried to perform complete vehicle encoding and found that clip instructed to replace the TEL/ULF and the AMP. Disconnected CIP/SSS and performed battery reset of vehicle. Upon completion of battery reset, reentered progman and indvidually special measured AMP and TEL/ULF. Both modules updated successfully. Performed the entire vehicle encoding. Vehicle encoding successful."

Charge was $110.50. My regular SA had gone to California for an M3 dealer driving event; I will be discussing that with him when he returns.

sometimes the telematics unit takes a crap and crashes while programing. the amp and the tel are on the same bus. when he said he did a battery reset.. he basically "rebooted" the modules in the car. then the tel and amp took the programing. pretty common prob.

[GregW / Oregon]

sometimes the telematics unit takes a crap and crashes while programing. the amp and the tel are on the same bus. when he said he did a battery reset.. he basically "rebooted" the modules in the car. then the tel and amp took the programing. pretty common prob.
Thanks for the input. Seems systems get touchier as they get more interconnected and complex. Everything is working fine now, so no worries.