WARNING
WARNING: My Nightmarish Experience with BMW New Zealand
I am a business owner and property developer. I want to share my appalling experience to warn potential BMW buyers about their design flaws and unethical business tactics.
1. The "Soy-Based Wiring" Trap
BMW uses soy-based insulation on their wiring to save costs. This material attracts rodents, who eat the wires. Despite their 5-year warranty, BMW refuses to cover this, claiming it's "environmental damage"—even though it's a known design flaw worldwide.
2. Dishonest Repair & Hidden Costs
My car failed, and the dealership’s quoting process was a scam:
• They quoted $650 to fix it, but once I authorized the work, they immediately demanded another $2500
• When I refused the extra charge, they claimed the car was "fixed" in just 2 hours (despite previously saying parts would take 2 weeks).
• The car broke down again with a "Drivetrain Error" within 24 hours. They never fixed it; they just cleared the fault codes to get me out the door.
3. Aggressive & Illegal Repossession
While I was at a shopping center, BMW staff used police connections to forcibly take back my loaner car while I was away.
• They opened the vehicle without my consent and drove off with my personal belongings still inside.
• They bypassed standard NZ legal procedures (Repossession Warning Notices) and treated me like a criminal in a civil commercial dispute.
Conclusion:
BMW’s "prestige" brand is a facade. They use their size to bully customers and refuse to stand by their products. I have now taken this matter to the MVDT (Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal).
Think twice before buying a BMW. Their warranty is a piece of paper, and their ethics are non-existent.