The unrepairable BMW

[Cowperson]

I found this story interesting . . . . . the throw-away automobile.

The technology is another step in a much broader auto industry trend that is making collision repairs ever more costly, a kinder way of saying manufacturers are building throw-away cars. It means that more cars are totaled when they have relatively modest damage, particularly if they are more than five years old.

Although BMWs can certainly be repaired, it requires a degree of sophistication and cost that may be unprecedented.

BMW will certify auto body technicians only if they are employees of BMW dealerships, using BMW-approved parts, tools, adhesives and rivets. Though independent shops can buy equipment and get training, they are not allowed to say they perform certified repairs, BMW's official seal of approval.

"It is a game," said Don Feeley, owner of three independent body shops in Riverside. "Absolutely, they are shutting auto body shops out of their business."

http://www.latimes.com/classified/automoti...-home-headlines

Cowperson

[nfotiu]

Great, my wife just bought one of those new 5 series wagons. Oh well, as long as insurance is paying for it. Interestingly, our insurance actually went down about $100 when switching to that car.

I was at a shop the other day that specializes in repairing convertible tops the other day, and we got to talking about the new Audi S4 tops. He says he can't even work on them, as they have to be hooked up to a computer to troubleshoot the convertible top!

[Incinerator]

If you own any car that's 2005 or newer and not a domestic you can pretty much be assured that repairs will be costly. The corner neighbourhood shop can no longer perform a lot of repairs on these new cars. And if you drive a Hybrid, forget it, you're gonna get raped for anything mechanical related in the car.

[Tron_fdc]

At the risk of sounding anti-German, I can say that they (the dirty germans) do shinguard like this all the time. I work with these guys and they're notorious for making something that can only be fixed with their tools, and their "expertise". If anyone has ever worked on German cars they know what I'm talking about (having to buy 30 different screwdrivers to take off a body panel).

They call it "German Engineering"

[Incinerator]

Originally posted by Tron_fdc@Oct 20 2005, 03:56 PM
At the risk of sounding anti-German, I can say that they (the dirty germans) do shinguard like this all the time. I work with these guys and they're notorious for making something that can only be fixed with their tools, and their "expertise". If anyone has ever worked on German cars they know what I'm talking about (having to buy 30 different screwdrivers to take off a body panel).

They call it "German Engineering"

I know exactly what you're talking about, $120 for an oil change is not what I want to pay to drive a $40,000 BMW when a $40,000 Honda only cost 1/4 to maintain and comes without all those expensive electrical problems to boot.

[nfotiu]

On the other hand all repairs, maintenence, oil changes are free for 4 years. And they detail your car when they change the oil.

[Incinerator]

Originally posted by nfotiu@Oct 20 2005, 07:58 PM
On the other hand all repairs, maintenence, oil changes are free for 4 years. And they detail your car when they change the oil.

a lot of dealers offer that now, free oil change for 3-5 years or whatever, and you can always negotiate to have them thrown in. Personally I like detailing the car myself, and if it needs a lot of work there are a few reputable detailers around town, I wouldn't trust the kids at the dealership to mess with it, a few of my friends worked as lot attendants and car washers for luxury car dealerships in high school and the horror stories still scares me today.

[Draug]

Who is the best detailer you would recommend? Someone who is miticulous, and very careful.

I like to do it myself, because I believe nobody else can do it as good as I can. But, I just dont have the time right now, and wont for a number of months. I really need to get the interior cleaned, and the carpets cleaned. If I found the right guy, I may even get the exterior polished and then waxed. Again, I normally do it myself, but just dont have the time at the moment.