BMW 1M test hell - owner responds
2011-09-06 09:43
JOYRIDE: A screenshot shows the user icasio's BMW 1M being abused through a busy suburb prior to taking delivery of the vehicle.
California, USA - Remember the BMW 1M that was taken for a joyride? Well, its owner's seen the video and is understandably livid, even considering legal action against the dealer.
We reported earlier in August 2011 that a BMW 1M was sold at a Pacific Glendale dealership in the US and that two technicians took it for a, well, rather spirited test drive at speed through residential suburbs and made some sloppy gearshifts.
The owner, a member of 1addicts.com which broke the story, was informed by the dealership manager what had occured and was mortified when he saw what had happened to his supposedly new car.
The owner's blog, under the user name icasio, states that he bought the vehicle or the equivalent of R71 000 above the sticker price despite having been driven poorly by their techs prior to the sale.
"Bought the car on the 26th (August). Dealership knew they were selling me a car that had been driven improperly by their techs but of course never mentioned this to me," said icasio.
"They denied me the chance to test-drive it citing that it was a highly sought-after car and they weren't allowing anyone to take it out in an effort to keep low miles on the vehicle (understandable, but I guess this message was never relayed to their techs)"
The owner stated that when he saw the clip he was angry and demanded to be refunded the R71k he paid over the sticker price.
POOR REFUND
"Then I see the clip and realize that it wasn't just some standard PDI that was taped but that it was a joyride that was taped. In my car! My stomach dropped," icasio added. "I'm feeling it's fair to ask for the $10k over sticker that I paid to be refunded. The dealership basically laughed and said we'll give you $2k back. At this point I'm bringing in a lawyer."
In essence a dealership took an owner's car for a joyride, potentially damaged it, and yet stand to a tidy profit of R14 260, over the original price, if the owner agrees to the refund. Granted it could've been far worse but you would think the brand damage alone would've prompted the dealership to take better care of the 1M owner.
What would you do if this was your vehicle? Would you take the reduction or seek legal action? Tell us below...
