Inspection Complete.
My Z8 was inspected today at my local dealer/service center. Bill Stuart, arranged this and coordinated it with me, my service center manager, my service advisor and two field service representatives (one senior, one in training). My Z8 has 39,108 miles and I am the original owner.
The inspection process took about 2 1/2 hours. As has been posted previously, the senior advisor had a check list provided by BMW. The field service rep. was professional, courteous and helpful in explaining what he was looking for. He went through the process step by step and answered all of the questions related to my car completely. This service rep. told me my Z8 was the 7th Z8 he personally inspected and only one car he has seen has had "damage". After inspection, he gave my car and it's frame a clean bill of health.
Although I was not allowed to have a copy of the inspection documents, I did receive a copy of the pre and post alignment documents from my service manager for my records.
An overview (as near as I can recall the details) of the inspection are as follows:
1] Placed Z8 on the 4 wheel alignment machine (Hunter).
2] Noted all 4 tire pressures, wrote them down, then evened the tire pressure as needed.
3] Noted all 4 tire types (i.e., OEM runflats, SO3s, PS2s, etc.)
4] Noted all 4 wheel types and if OEM, manufacture date (i.e., OEM, Alpina, other)
Manufacture date of wheel can be found stamped on inside of wheel - side facing brake rotor).
5] Noted any modifications to suspension components, Noted brand of modifications and install date. Noted if "approved" modifications or not (i.e., Dinan is approved, K&W Shocks are not).
6] Inspect undercarriage for signs of damage, scrapes, dents, or signs of abuse (such as bottoming out on a pothole or other road hazard).
7] Check Alignment. Noted within or out of specifications. IF Dinan modified, Noted if IN or OUT of Dinan Specs with regard to Camber, Caster, Toe, for both front and back. Noted, thrust angle and with in or out of BMW spec. KEY POINT HERE: IF FRAME DAMAGED - THERE SHOULD BE NOTICIBLE AND POSSIBLY UNCORRECTABLE ISSUES FOUND HERE. IF out of spec, alignement performed at BMWs expense to see if the car can be brought to within BMW or Dinan Specifications. Copy given to Field service Rep. with before and after settings (and a copy to me too.)
8] Rear shock towers and welds inspected from underneath. Looked for cracks in welds around rear shock attachement points. Can be visualized from underneath without removing rear wheels. Documented with photos visual appearance.
9] Removed front wheels and inside front wheel well covers. Inspected front chassis from underneath of shock towers. Looked for cracks, deformations or bends in chassis and welds spots and shock towers. Documented with photos visual appearance.
10] Documented VIN, Build date, etc from manufacture plate on left drive door sill.
11] Documented / photo odometer reading.
12] Documented / photo hood, front fender clearance / gaps.
13] Drove Z8 around the block and documented steering wheel shimmy or other abnormalities IF any (after being aligned) such as drifting to one direction or another, etc.
14] Full copy of all Service records on my Z8 given to by Service Center to Field Service Rep.
15] Open discussion with Field Service Rep about all findings.
I can tell you I was skeptical about this process but after going through it, I am glad I did. The Field Service Rep was open and informative about the process and even stated, "Here is what I am doing, I am not trying to hide anything". My service manager tried to hold the Field Service reps feet to the fire regard the "performance kit" with regard to a release date and more data on what it entails, etc. but the Rep just did not have or was unwilling to give out that information at this time ( he said late summer it should be available ). He did say he thought that the kit was something that should be able to be installed by a dealer and did not require special mechanics like Oxnard to do the work.
It appears to me this inspection process is the only way BMW could remotely identify the extent of the problem (assuming they did not know about the issue during production). Once they determine that, then they will move on to how this "performance kit" will be handled (i.e., how much and who pays for it and who will get it). The field service rep. did not come right out an say it but inferred that if a car has visible signs of damage from hitting something, then that is not BMWs fault, and should be referred to the appropriate insurance -- nothing new here but consistency with what others have said.
Now..... I am just waiting for the official response from Bill Stuart and the performance upgrade.
BMWZ8.US
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Porsche GT3 (996)
Originally Posted by melny
....
One of the worst experiences
