[sarpal123]

I was fortunate to have one of the very first 50e's off the line (April '23) almost from the beginning I've experienced a "Driver Assistance Restricted" error (the camera in the dash). I've also had the SOS failed error, the "Parking Assistance Restricted" and another error that I didn't capture as I was driving at the time (!).

The car has been back to the dealer more than half a dozen times, in fact they've had it longer than me and I've spent more miles driving to and from them than I have enjoying the car.

The last conversation was with the head of the service department where he mentioned buyback - my questions (amongst many) are - what is buyback, should I consider it, is all this really a big problem (the car was £91k+) where do I go from here?

Any help and thoughts gratefully received...

[TurtleBoy]

The rules may be a little different in Wales but what they will do is take the vehicle back and give you your money back minus a charge for mileage. If you are consistently having issues you may want to consider it if you don't feel comfortable keeping it.

[rmorin1249]

I've done 2 buybacks and both went well. Got a brand new car both times for less than $1000. I'd highly recommend it if you only have to pay for the miles driven.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by sarpal123

The last conversation was with the head of the service department where he mentioned buyback - my questions (amongst many) are - what is buyback, should I consider it, is all this really a big problem (the car was £91k+) where do I go from here?

Any help and thoughts gratefully received...

Buybacks are usually a positive experience for the owner, you get to either get a new one or just take the money and run. Get their offer in writing and read it. Be sure to take into account any loan interest you may have been paying because at the end of the day, you were inconvenienced and should not be paying a penalty for it.

[Rob_G77]

Originally Posted by sarpal123

I was fortunate to have one of the very first 50e's off the line (April '23) almost from the beginning I've experienced a "Driver Assistance Restricted" error (the camera in the dash). I've also had the SOS failed error, the "Parking Assistance Restricted" and another error that I didn't capture as I was driving at the time (!).

The car has been back to the dealer more than half a dozen times, in fact they've had it longer than me and I've spent more miles driving to and from them than I have enjoying the car.

The last conversation was with the head of the service department where he mentioned buyback - my questions (amongst many) are - what is buyback, should I consider it, is all this really a big problem (the car was £91k+) where do I go from here?

Any help and thoughts gratefully received...

My experience so far:

I have an M850, and have been experiencing random collision
avoidance alerts with the car suddenly swerving left when that happens. It's always alerting from the right side and this has been happening since I bought the car new a year ago. At first I thought it was maybe just a random glitch, but recently started happening more frequently (almost once a day) since March. I'm looking at a 3rd service visit now after the last visit saw the car in the shop almost 3 weeks.

The dealership has verified the problem exists and replaced the rear right radar sensor behind the rear bumper. They also (sneakily) turned off the alerting in the IDrive settings which I caught and turned back on. Now they need to verify the issue AGAIN so I'll be without my car again for who knows how long. They want to replace the right front radar sensor next.

If I was you, take the buyback and move on. There's been other BMW customers who have had intermittent sensor issues causing all kinds of grief and my concern is that there's possibly wiring or connector issues which would be extremely difficult to track down and repair.

Sudden left swerve at 11 seconds causing me to slightly loose control and overcorrecting to the right. It literally jerks the steering wheel out of my hand as I'm driving with cruise control on.

Rob

[sarpal123]

Originally Posted by Rob_G77

My experience so far:

I have an M850, and have been experiencing random collision
avoidance alerts with the car suddenly swerving left when that happens. It's always alerting from the right side and this has been happening since I bought the car new a year ago. At first I thought it was maybe just a random glitch, but recently started happening more frequently (almost once a day) since March. I'm looking at a 3rd service visit now after the last visit saw the car in the shop almost 3 weeks.

The dealership has verified the problem exists and replaced the rear right radar sensor behind the rear bumper. They also (sneakily) turned off the alerting in the IDrive settings which I caught and turned back on. Now they need to verify the issue AGAIN so I'll be without my car again for who knows how long. They want to replace the right front radar sensor next.

If I was you, take the buyback and move on. There's been other BMW customers who have had intermittent sensor issues causing all kinds of grief and my concern is that there's possibly wiring or connector issues which would be extremely difficult to track down and repair.

Rob

Many thanks for the comprehensive info!!

[cobramite]

Take the buyback for sure as others have suggested here.
Keep the next vehicle a little more basic meaning less of the whiz bang, self driving, self parking junk, etc.
I would also suggest staying with a pure ICE vehicle, M60i or X5M as it seems the PHEVs are experiencing more than their share of problems. Google that one if you have any doubts.

[tooloud10]

If you’re uncomfortable with anything and the dealer voluntarily offers a buyback, you should definitely take the buyback offer.

[swainbmw]

Originally Posted by Rob_G77

My experience so far:

I have an M850, and have been experiencing random collision
avoidance alerts with the car suddenly swerving left when that happens. It's always alerting from the right side and this has been happening since I bought the car new a year ago. At first I thought it was maybe just a random glitch, but recently started happening more frequently (almost once a day) since March. I'm looking at a 3rd service visit now after the last visit saw the car in the shop almost 3 weeks.

The dealership has verified the problem exists and replaced the rear right radar sensor behind the rear bumper. They also (sneakily) turned off the alerting in the IDrive settings which I caught and turned back on. Now they need to verify the issue AGAIN so I'll be without my car again for who knows how long. They want to replace the right front radar sensor next.

If I was you, take the buyback and move on. There's been other BMW customers who have had intermittent sensor issues causing all kinds of grief and my concern is that there's possibly wiring or connector issues which would be extremely difficult to track down and repair.

Sudden left swerve at 11 seconds causing me to slightly loose control and overcorrecting to the right. It literally jerks the steering wheel out of my hand as I'm driving with cruise control on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2lcv2OsuUg

Rob

I live in West Virginia we have a Lot of back roads. I turn all of this electronic stuff off. It’s constantly making noise trying to over correct and occasionally will steer you towards another car. If you’re not a good driver, it might be good but for me it’s a pain fighting with it.

[Rob_G77]

Originally Posted by tooloud10

If you’re uncomfortable with anything and the dealer voluntarily offers a buyback, you should definitely take the buyback offer.

As long as they reimburse the owner all their payments plus interest too.



Rob

[ScaldedDog]

Originally Posted by swainbmw

I live in West Virginia we have a Lot of back roads. I turn all of this electronic stuff off. It’s constantly making noise trying to over correct and occasionally will steer you towards another car. If you’re not a good driver, it might be good but for me it’s a pain fighting with it.

It's funny you say that. I grew up - and learned to drive - in WV, and share your disdain for all the self-driving crap. Whether or not I'm a good driver gets redecided every time I get behind the wheel, but I do much prefer managing my place on the road and in traffic to managing the car managing my place. The best one can hope for is for the car to drive like a teenager, and that's just not good enough.

Mark

[X3MESQ]

Originally Posted by swainbmw

I live in West Virginia we have a Lot of back roads. I turn all of this electronic stuff off. It’s constantly making noise trying to over correct and occasionally will steer you towards another car. If you’re not a good driver, it might be good but for me it’s a pain fighting with it.

Originally Posted by ScaldedDog

It's funny you say that. I grew up - and learned to drive - in WV, and share your disdain for all the self-driving crap. Whether or not I'm a good driver gets redecided every time I get behind the wheel, but I do much prefer managing my place on the road and in traffic to managing the car managing my place. The best one can hope for is for the car to drive like a teenager, and that's just not good enough.

Mark

+1

[rundeyvoo]

I'd definitely consider the buyback route. Get it in writing.

[sarpal123]

Originally Posted by Rob_G77

As long as they reimburse the owner all their payments plus interest too.

Rob

Fortunately (or not) it was a cash purchase; no loan involved. I'm assuming (expecting) that it will be a simple transaction *should* it go this far. I may be a sucker but I really like the car - there's very little that irks me, so I'd happily swap it out for a like for like (new) replacement.

[BMPHIL]

Originally Posted by sarpal123

Fortunately (or not) it was a cash purchase; no loan involved. I'm assuming (expecting) that it will be a simple transaction *should* it go this far. I may be a sucker but I really like the car - there's very little that irks me, so I'd happily swap it out for a like for like (new) replacement.

Agree why would you swap it for something less, you obviously wanted what is on your car so would want the same again and hopefully all will work this time.
Ask them what they are offering but DON'T take first offer, good luck and let us know how you go on.

[sarpal123]

Update: a week ago the car went back to the dealer to have the screen replaced (!) and then back again today to have a software update. It transpired that the update was up to v8.5. No errors for the last week; we'll see what the next few weeks (and updated software) results are...

[jri_21]

My wife’s previous vehicle (2019 X5), had persistent software issues that BMW wasn’t able to solve.
They offered a buyback or get me the exact same vehicle (which was what she wanted).
New X5 never gave us a problem & she loved it until lease end.
Happy with her X6 now.
You should be fine either way with BMW.
BTW…My dealer didn’t charge me any differential for mileage.
Good luck!

[jri_21]

Originally Posted by sarpal123

Update: a week ago the car went back to the dealer to have the screen replaced (!) and then back again today to have a software update. It transpired that the update was up to v8.5. No errors for the last week; we'll see what the next few weeks (and updated software) results are...

If you REALLY like the car, mention to your dealer (as I did) that you would like them to get you the same car (same specs, if your very happy with yours) and they should be more than OK with that.
Every so often, even when the manufacturing standards are extremely tight (as with BMW), a car will have issues that cannot be solved.
I’ve been buying BMW’s for the past 14 years (9 of them), plus a 1997 3.0L Z3 (then went to Mercedes x 9 years… &#129314 and never had a problem with any, other than the X5 and the replacement one we ordered, never had a problem.
It’s worth the try.
Good luck!

[Cruise'n]

Originally Posted by cobramite

Take the buyback for sure as others have suggested here.
Keep the next vehicle a little more basic meaning less of the whiz bang, self driving, self parking junk, etc.
I would also suggest staying with a pure ICE vehicle, M60i or X5M as it seems the PHEVs are experiencing more than their share of problems. Google that one if you have any doubts.

Agree and my thoughts too.
Take the buy back you don't want a lemon.
M60i all the way
Also BMW want the car back to study faults and sort the issues out.

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by Cruise'n

Agree and my thoughts too.
Take the buy back you don't want a lemon.
M60i all the way
Also BMW want the car back to study faults and sort the issues out.

[sarpal123]

UPDATE

BMW finally decided to replace my 50e - like for like with all costs covered .
Recompense for the hassle over the last 4 months - the offer of the performance carbon fibre kit; front & rear winglets, spoiler and rear diffuser.
This sounds like a fair deal... anyone know what this lot would cost - fitted?

Thanks

[bimmerwhale]

Originally Posted by sarpal123

UPDATE

BMW finally decided to replace my 50e - like for like with all costs covered .
Recompense for the hassle over the last 4 months - the offer of the performance carbon fibre kit; front & rear winglets, spoiler and rear diffuser.
This sounds like a fair deal... anyone know what this lot would cost - fitted?

Thanks

Glad it worked out.Now that's a great dealership.