Should a dealer warranty a starter replaced 2 weeks ago?

[bikeveloce]

I need your advice with a little conundrum I'm facing: I purchased a 2011 X5 in a private party transaction last week. The week before I purchased it, the previous owner took it in to Cain BMW in North Canton, OH, where he purchased it. He had a starting problem and they recommended replacing the starter. Unfortunately, the dealership was out of BMW starters, so the owner could either wait a couple weeks for them or order the part, or Cain could install an aftermarket unit. It was decided to go ahead an install the aftermarket unit. Now that I have the car, periodically the starter fails to engage the flywheel before spinning. It spools up with no resistance, then forces the spinning pinion into the flywheel, making a loud crunch sound. I don't want to do any more damage, so the car is now parked.

I have the invoice from Cain BMW here, from 2 weeks ago, showing in bold letters at the bottom that all parts and labor are warrantied for 12 mo or 12,000 miles. I called Cain, and they said that they aren't going to help me. He gave me multiple reasons, changing his story along the way:

• Our warranty doesn't transfer to different owners.
• It's an aftermarket starter, so there is no warranty.
• The aftermarket warranty doesn't transfer to other owners. It's their policy.

I asked him to provide a copy of the aftermarket supplier's warranty, and he said he didn't have it. I asked him who the aftermarket supplier was, and he didn't know. Well, there we have it. He was just making up the above excuses. How can he give me definitive terms of the aftermarket warranty if he doesn't even know which supplier it was?

What do you guys think I should do? Is this normal for dealerships to refuse to guarantee their work? This seems pretty shady for a dealership. Shouldn't they represent their customer's best interest and be a benchmark for customer service? This behavior would certainly dissuade me from using a dealership for service in the future.

[Qsilver7]

I don't know for sure...but there is someone that could give you a definitive answer...and go to bat for you if they think you're correct.

I recommend calling the toll free customer service number below and ask to speak to a representative...then tell them the same thing you wrote above...especially that you're holding the receipt in your hand for the work that was performed by Cain BMW. Good luck.

We always appreciate your comments

CONTACT US

Our address

BMW of North America, LLC

300 Chestnut Ridge Road

Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677-7731

Customer Relations

1-800-831-1117

[bikeveloce]

Thanks! Calling now!

[bikeveloce]

Called the above number. BMW said they can't do anything because it was an aftermarket part

[Qsilver7]

Well...you tried. Sorry it didn't turn out in your favor.

[jclausen]

I would have had the original owner take the car back

[peter2772000]

I'd burn 'em on social media 'till they cried "surrender". Facebook etc