New bike, new problems! BMW R1200GS

[Pete]

Hi folks!

So the BMW R1200GS that I bought to end my Blackbird maintenance woes has brought it's own trouble

Bought the GS today (not Adventure), full BMW service history, only 22,500 miles. On the test ride last week I noticed that the rubber boot at the front of the final drive (connecting drive shaft to gear box, not to the rear wheel) had what looked like glue on it. I asked the seller (a dealer, not BMW) and he didn't know what it was but said he'd check with his mechanic.

Anyway, long story short when I bought it today I asked again about the glue on the rubber boot. He said he'd asked his mechanic to have a look who'd said it looks fine and they both said there was "absolutely, 100% definitely no chance of any splits, cracks our problems with water ingress". So you can imagine my disappointment when I got home and found a small hole (about 3-4mm big) on top of the boot, and cracks running down the length of the boot. First picture below shows the glue covering previously detected cracks. The second image is my attempt at showing the hole on top

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae248/peteblakemore/ScreenShot2014-09-30at231859.png

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae248/peteblakemore/ScreenShot2014-09-30at231845.png

Needless to say I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow. I'll give benefit of doubt, his mechanic may not have properly looked, and he was just passing the message on, tempting as it is to point blame...

How tricky is the job of changing the boot in question? I can't see the dealership footing the bill if I'm honest. I can only imagine what BMW would charge to do the work. I hope the dealer will do the work, but if he says "nope, we ain't doing it!" I can't do much can I but do the work myself...or get BMW to do it. Any ideas on cost?! I'll have to call them in the morning anyway to get hold of a boot (which'll probably need to be ordered in no doubt).

I'll change the final drive oil and grease the drive shaft splines while I'm down there. The only tutorial I've found on doing that recommends Honda Moly 90. Does anyone who's done this before know if the stuff Halfords sells is any good? This is the Halfords stuff http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine ... rease-500g

Thanks folks.

[Joeman]

"Sales of Goods Act" is your friend... if they dont repair it, you are entitled to a full refund.

Be firm but polite and they will fix it for free...

EDIT: read this - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8253915.stm

EDIT2: and this - http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi- ... 3-1011.txt

[Pete]

Excellent! My new best friend.

I like this bit best ""It must be as described. It must be of satisfactory quality, sufficiently durable, free from any defects,""

Will report back tomorrow. I want to remain positive, he might offer to change it without a problem. But good to know where I stand legally if not.

[Joeman]

Excellent! My new best friend.

I like this bit best ""It must be as described. It must be of satisfactory quality, sufficiently durable, free from any defects,""

Will report back tomorrow. I want to remain positive, he might offer to change it without a problem. But good to know where I stand legally if not.

 

yeah, dont go in there spurting off about the law - thats a sure fire way to get thier backs up..

Firm yet polite is the key.. they'll already know where they stand legally, but might to wiggle out of doing the work...

good luck!!

[Pete]

Compared to last night, my mood has settled somewhat.

I have to say, it's been a day of pleasant surprises so far! Called BMW just to get a quote on cost before I tool up to do it myself (BMW bikes use torx bolts, not allen keys, and I'd need to buy the new rubber boot, moly grease, lower rated torque wrench than the one I have, etc, etc, etc) and was given a quote of £85.70 to change the rubber boot, including everything (parts, labour, VAT), even includes the final drive oil. To be fair I think I'd have probably paid a similar amount to get tools and materials so I'm quite pleased with that figure.

Shortly after I had a call from the bike dealer about buying a warranty. I told him my issue with the rubber boot and hats off and fair play to the guy he was very accommodating - as part of the part ex deal on my Blackbird I'd included 2 titanium exhausts. He's said to keep those and try and get the cost back on ebay for them to cover the cost of the boot. I didn't even have to ask, so I'm actually blown away by the gesture. It's not often you get that kind of service these days, someone who actually cares about the customer and everyone getting a fair deal all round. OK I still have to go to BMW and get the work sorted but essentially he thinks it's fine, I don't, but he's made a very fair gesture of good will which I appreciate.

So that's a complete U-turn from how I was feeling last night. Happy to eat my words though. And I don't mind mentioning the dealer is Via Moto in Sheffield and the fella's name is Gary. No problems recommending them after my experience (in the end )

[Guest]

Pete.. avoid the extortionate prices at BMW dealerships.

fortunately in your area you have a couple of options.

In Salford - http://tinyurl.com/m9t8hy4

If you can stand a 30 mile ride.. Roy Gardner at RGM in Croston 01772 60378 comes highly recommended. he's a 'one man band' without the huge overheads.

hope that helps.

[Six30]

I'd of took it back to dealer and got him to do it free of charge..... What he's suggested is an easy route out of it for him .

[Joeman]

I'd of took it back to dealer and got him to do it free of charge..... What he's suggested is an easy route out of it for him .

 

exactly!

[Pete]

Thanks team, appreciate the comments. Shorty I'll check Roy out, I'm happy to save money (!) if the service is the same.

If the dealer were closer I would indeed have just taken it back to them and gotten them to do it, but it's over an hour and a half away and there'd be no guarantee it'd be done that day or that I'd be given a courtesy bike. Easier all round if I just sort it myself and keep part of the deal back (exhausts). Understand what you lads are saying though of course, it should be ready to roll and all issues squared away before purchase, but it's not sadly. But I'm happy with the outcome given the circumstances.