BEWARE - ALL POTENTIAL BMW BUYERS

[Straddle]

This temorary "problem" seems to have some non BMW owners really worried. 

2 to 3 months would be a temporary problem, not 9 months and I think that once sales of new BMW bikes take a knock, then BMW will rectify the problem. The feeling that I get like one dog previously said is that once you bought a BMW, your their captive, like I am at the moment, and trust me that is not a nice feeling.

[Coala]

and start toy-toying in front of their dealers with slogans like "Away with the GS - Long live the KTM"

And you seriously think KTM parts are just a phone call away.  Though i feel for you, you can run into this problem with most manufacturers at one stage or another.  Best advise: build relationships with your dealerships : then the guys will go out of their way to assist, and where they cannot, you know they tell you the truth and you trust them to stand up for you as customer.

[Straddle]

and start toy-toying in front of their dealers with slogans like "Away with the GS - Long live the KTM"

And you seriously think KTM parts are just a phone call away.  Though i feel for you, you can run into this problem with most manufacturers at one stage or another.  Best advise: build relationships with your dealerships : then the guys will go out of their way to assist, and where they cannot, you know they tell you the truth and you trust them to stand up for you as customer.

Never said KTM parts is a phone call away. My 990 R is my second KTM. I went through a lot of parts on my bikes already. Never had to wait longer than a week. 90% of the shelf. 3 weeks if parts have to come from overseas. BMW 3 months, paid upfront and they cant or dont even bother to give feedback. They have my money so come one, this is like the scammers out there, they tell you they have something for sale, you pay and never get the item or any feedback.

[Straddle]

I just wanna add that I think the GS 800 is a awesome dualpurpose bike, so im not knocking the product but only the supplier.

[Straddle]

Just an update, spoke to Bethual BMW Customer support 5 minutes ago. It went like this -
Me - Hi Bethual ref no to my case
Bethual - Uhmm
Me - You promised feedback on Monday
Bethual - Uhmm.....................Sorry who are you again
Me - I have sent you a follow up email on Monday regarding this matter
Bethual - What is your email adress
Me - Supply email
Bethual - O yes i found it now
ME - Feedback please
Bethual - Sorry sir ill get back to you
Me - Thank you and have a nice day.

[badseed]

Building relationships with the dealer , what crap. They sell the product not because they want to be your mate , but to make a profit.  Their responsibility is to maintain the back up and parts supply. Like my scooter that I eventually forced them to take back because they have no idea when the parts would be here or how to fix the thing that it stays fixed more than 500km. I get jumpy when KTM take two weeks to get my parts from Austria. My C650GT BM scooter needed disc pads after 9000km and it took Donfords 6 weeks to scource what is a basic consumerble part (that should last more than 9000km).

[badseed]

Just to get this straight , I am not a blind KTM fan , I have owned a few new BM's over the years as well as numerous Hondas , Kawasakis , Yamaha's and a Vespa and the only bad experience so far has been with BMW. Even my office run around Vuka has been more reliable . I don't know about parts for the Vuka because I have never needed any.

[Straddle]

Received from BMW Customer support - My concern is that if a part is not invoiced in AG (Germany) it means they either dont have stock or available stock hasn't been allocated to this order. This answer below is the one I needed to hear when I paid 3 months ago.

Herewith the latest update on your parts,

 

Part Numbers

 

46638534974 - invoiced yesterday in AG, expected in 5 working days if there are no delays at customs

46638534980 - not yet invoiced as yet, I have followed up on this with AG

13717679333 - we have x 2 in stock, it should allocated to the dealer

 

Regards

 

BMW (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd

Mr. Bethuel Thembinkosi Shabalala
Customer Care Representative

[TeeJay]

Even the grammar leaves much to be desired 

[TheBear]

Even the grammar leaves much to be desired 

Well,  he can always decide whether he'd. like parts or give grammar lessons.

[TeeJay]

Even the grammar leaves much to be desired 

Well,  he can always decide whether he'd. like parts or give grammar lessons.

Why is it so difficult to expect both.....timeous parts and good English...from anyone....but especially from BMW.

[TheBear]

Even the grammar leaves much to be desired 

Well,  he can always decide whether he'd. like parts or give grammar lessons.

Why is it so difficult to expect both.....timeous parts and good English...from anyone....but especially from BMW.

Ja.  Troo.  Not two difficult I suppose.

[TeeJay]

Even the grammar leaves much to be desired 

Well,  he can always decide whether he'd. like parts or give grammar lessons.

Why is it so difficult to expect both.....timeous parts and good English...from anyone....but especially from BMW.

Ja.  Troo.  Not two three difficult I suppose.

Fixed 

[1ougat]

zye arr germans remembr.............

[teebag]

Also not had much luck waiting for parts from Atlantic...

Part one - still waiting 18months later, well not really found elsewhere.
Part two - still waiting 3months later, well not really, repaired expensive part myself.

They have still to let me know when said parts will be available 

[TheBear]

Also not had much luck waiting for parts from Atlantic...

Part one - still waiting 18months later, well not really found elsewhere.
Part two - still waiting 3months later, well not really, repaired expensive part myself.

They have still to let me know when said parts will be available 

Sjoe! Which parts are these?

[teebag]

Part1 = BMC air filter, which they do claim to supply, and can't blame Germany for that.
Part2 = Ignition switch, was told I had to replace it, opened it up and sorted it out myself

[Mzee]

How did this story end?

[Straddle]

How did this story end?

Did not end yet, I only got the reply back, no parts in my hand yet.

[Crankshaft]

Dit begin al hoe meer klink soos 'n supplier wat sy kliente skoef!!!