Dear Readers:
In an effort to make it even more costly to import a BMW from the US, BMW has issued an edict to its dealers NOT to print off an Internal Dealer Printout, which until now was a suitable and acceptable alternative to a Recall Clearance Letter.
Here is how the Recall Clearance Process will work when you contact BMW or the US Dealer:
Submitted by UCanImport Subscriber:
All North American BMW dealers have been notified that they can not release printouts of vehicle history reports to owners. Even the computer systems used by the dealers in the USA and Canada have been modified to flash a large warning in RED to this effect when a dealer pulls up a internal dealer history report for printing. RIV told me I could go this route instead of a recall letter, but BMW must have caught on.
BMW for whatever reason has instigated a new policy effective Nov. 26, 2007. Not only do they now require a $500 two-hour Canadian dealer VIN inspection before issuing a recall clearance letter, but as of the 26th, they require $350 for a letter of admissibility, before they will do a recall letter, and as of the 26th, a BMW dealer is the only one that can do the daytime runnung headlights (otherwise no recall letter). This adds about $1100 to the cost of importing compared to the Toyota that I brought in a few months ago. If you want to contact BMW Canada, they will confirm all of this.
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There you go folks, Free Trade has just become a little bit more expensive and time-consuming!
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7 comments:
Submitted by UCanImport Subscriber:
Please note that the US dealer i'm currently buying the car from, the
service manager refuses to sign a letter saying 'vehicle has no recalls' due to concern about BMW directive for Warranty inquiry reports. I believe many other US dealers are also refusing the letter, even thou it does not
contravene the BMW directive, which essentially stated not to provide the 'Vehicle history/warranty inquiry' report because it is 'illegal' according to BMW NA.
Also you might want to confirm for those who are able to get past RIV with a letter whether BMW canada might then turnaround and refuse warranty service until that same $500 warranty inspection is completed.
In 2002 I moved to Canada and brought my 325Ci from the USA to BC: A BMW dealer in Vancouver charged me one hour of labor to bring my car to "Canadian Spec" (turned DRL on, switched off my auto-window up on the driver's side with door open, switch off my auto-window close on the rear seats and forgot to bring the MPG to L/KM). BMW USA gave me the recall letter for free in less than a week with afax on my hands on the same day of the request. And get this: the dealer washed and cleaned inside of the car as a welcome gesture.
Talk about a change in policy....
Submitted by a UCanImport Subscriber:
I just bought a new 2007 BMW motorbike in the US. BMW Canada sent out a directive that the US dealer could not give me a internal print out of the safety recall. When I phoned BMW Canada Not only did I have to pay the $500.00 consolation prize to their Toronto dealer, they wanted me to take it for inspection. I asked what are they inspecting.
They said Vin# and check to see if the bike was safe. What a crock. They would not take the word of the Us dealer on correct Vin #. I said it was also checked by US customs, Canadian Customs and Canadian Tire. As for safety issue there was no recalls on it, and it is a new bike. I live an 8 hr drive from Toronto (Sault Ste Marie).
After much talking they decided I did not have to bring in down. They are all heart. Anyway, they should have lowered their prices in the
first place. We Canadians are getting ripped off. I saved $6000.00 before expenses. I will never deal with BMW Canada again.
Submitted by a UCanImport reader:
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In the arrangement that BMW Canada has concocted with RIV:BMW Group Canada will only issue an official recall clearance letter once the
required DRL retrofit work has been completed and documented by an authorized Canadian BMW/MINI Retailer, and this recall clearance letter must be presented to the RIV
in order to properly register the vehicle.
In trying to book an appointment to arrange for this inspection, wait times in Calgary are in the 2 month timeframe, exceeding the 45 day stipulation for approval indicated in the letter. Calls to RIV and BMW Canada have proved fruitless in trying to move this forward. It is simply the penalty that BMW is placing on consumers who choose to buy the cars in the US.
RIV and Transport Canada are turning a blind eye to this practice which now gouges the Canadian Consumer over $1100 in fees to BMW Canada to admit and approve cars built for North America into Canada. BMW's responses simply whitewash the matter by stating: The high sophistication of BMW and MINI vehicle components involves a large
amount of interaction and inter-dependency between the fitted control units of the
vehicle. This highlights the importance of carrying out a proper U.S. to Canadian
conversion of the vehicle to ensure c ompliance of the systems but also to ensure
proper functioning and interaction of all control units. In order to ensure that the
factory recommended procedure is followed properly and without deviation, BMW
Group Canada requires that all retrofits must be carried out exclusively at authorized Canadian BMW/MINI Retailers.
Until the rules has been altered without notice by Transport Canada on Nov 27, this practice was not in effect. BMW has strong-armed Transport Canada into this arrangement at the detriment of Canadians. I am appalled.
I write this "Anonymously" at present as I just encountered this website and have yet to submit an identity which I will shortly.
My conversation with real BMW dealer in Canada: BMW needs to replace the instrument cluster because the attempt to turn on the DRL will possibly damage the electrical system. This work will cost $2600... and it must be done by BMW dealership in Canada to ensure it is done properly.
My conversation with real BMW dealer in US: He turned on the DRL from the driver's seat... without an instrument cluster change.
So, here is the actual cost to get the BMW here, e
- Letter of Admissibility: $350
- Instrument Cluster change: $2600
- Recall Clearance Letter: $500
Does anyone know about the possibility of the BMW 3 series "frying" itself?
My other question would be why is it that a US car with the DRL turned on would need a programming to turn it on again in Canada? As I recall some transmission shops were charged with fraud a few years ago for doing unnecessary work on unsuspecting consumers...
If this turns out to be a fraud, then I would be extremely disappointed in BMW who has represented themselves as upstanding, ethical company. I would also be concerned with the RIV's lack of ability to represent the best public interest: competitive pricing on same car with same safety features, and allowing fraud to become a part of the importation process.
If I was to persue this, I would then find out what kind of relationship RIV has with those manufacturers who seem to be controlling them without full disclosure on the technical reason for these barriers to the free trade.
Disappointing and certainly worth my attention when we go to the polls...
Reminds me of the popular song "God keep our land, Glorious and Free, Oh Canada we stand on guard for thee" means a lot different now.
Bought a 335i prior to Nov 26 RIV changes. Took to Calgary dealership for warranty work and got the same "frying the electrical" story and was quoted between 4000 - 6500 for modifications. Took back to import shop that turned the running lights on. Had BMW certified software. Took car back to the US warranty work no problem also said they would be happy to do warranty work on our Canadian 2006 330i. We used to promote BMW to everyone, now we tell everyone run away as fast and as far as you can. BMW Canada - never again!!!
Bought a 335i prior to Nov 26 RIV changes. Took to Calgary dealership for warranty work and got the same "frying the electrical" story and was quoted between 4000 - 6500 for modifications. Took back to import shop that turned the running lights on. Had BMW certified software. Took car back to the US warranty work no problem also said they would be happy to do warranty work on our Canadian 2006 330i. We used to promote BMW to everyone, now we tell everyone run away as fast and as far as you can. BMW Canada - never again!!!
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