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The carrier M/V Courage tipped at the port in Jersey City on Friday causing damage to over 370 BMWs. The ship was loaded with new 3-series and 1-series vehicles, including new M3s. Around 70 of the damaged cars are reported to be total losses with others sustaining major damage. Word is that the M3s bared the brunt of the brutality. Extensively damaged cars will be crushed while those with minor damage will undergo repair at a receiving facility in Elizabeth, NJ, after which they will proceed onto dealers. Bimmers destined for European delivery customers were also on board, although it's not clear how those buyers will be handled in the wake of the incident.
This is a particularly harsh hit to BMW in terms of the new M3 and even more so for the owners awaiting their new V8-powered uber-coupes. We'd expect this unfortunately event will lead to an extension of the waiting period many potential customers will have to endure. It also means many dealerships are out of luck for a demo car. With the M3's competition coming on strong from the likes of Lexus, Cadillac and Mercedes one can only imagine this sort of setback might steer away a few potential buyers.
Thanks for the tip Carl!
[Source M3Forum.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
MemphisNET @ Jan 14th 2008 7:38PM
Holy crap.... thats freaking tragic
Dino Tojaga @ Jan 14th 2008 9:13PM
Bmw's can't handle.
Alex @ Jan 15th 2008 9:06AM
@ Dino Tojaga
HAHAHAHAHA!!
WillDaThrill @ Jan 14th 2008 7:40PM
So will their be a reconditioned statement on the vehicle or are they just going to sell them like new? I pray for the sucker that tries to sell it as pristine condition.
dpb! @ Jan 14th 2008 7:42PM
I work in the auto claims business and I see brand new cars are bodyshops all the time being touched up from shipping damages and I know they are not telling the customer!
PandaBeat @ Jan 14th 2008 7:44PM
"Those cars not damaged beyond repair will be fixed at BMW’s Elizabeth Receiving facility and sold as new cars. Cars that are deemed beyond repair will be crushed."
http://thecarfanatic.com/?p=2886
Temple @ Jan 14th 2008 7:51PM
I wouldn't want to pay full price for a previously damaged vehicle. Hope they properly inform the consumer.
FThorn @ Jan 15th 2008 7:54AM
"brand new cars are bodyshops"
???
Must be a small body shop
WillDaThrill @ Jan 15th 2008 10:51AM
@PandaBeat,
I'm pretty sure I know how to read. People in the car business can also tell signs of reconditioning. People in the know, know that reconditioning a damaged car kills car value. Assuming they fix them to like new condition, I still want to know what I'm buying in case it may have anything to do with future problems. Or perhaps you would like one of the Mazdas that were reclaimed from the bottom of the Pacific. Some of those had no body damage; maybe I should drain out all the water, put some new upholstery in it and sell it to you as new.
Andrew L @ Jan 14th 2008 7:41PM
Owned!
HotRodzNKustoms @ Jan 14th 2008 7:42PM
Haha that sucks big time.
I'm sure this will be a good story years from now if the current M3 is ever sought after. "Many M3's died in their journy to this great land"
PandaBeat @ Jan 14th 2008 7:43PM
Now they look better.
Smeagle @ Jan 14th 2008 8:24PM
Agreed. This incident nearly rectified the damage done by the ugly stick in the design process.
SYN @ Jan 14th 2008 7:48PM
Crushed, that seems so harsh. Rip the drivetrain out of the beyond-repair cars and donate them to High schools, tech schools. Get something out of them.
Ron Martin @ Jan 14th 2008 7:57PM
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHY!!!!!!!!!! My heart just sank.
FThorn @ Jan 15th 2008 7:55AM
You'll learn that life is all about loss.
paul34 @ Jan 14th 2008 7:58PM
Tragedy! Noooo M3 =(
Luis @ Jan 14th 2008 7:59PM
Sabotage?
bamboo @ Jan 14th 2008 8:00PM
Please tell me they will at least part the cars out instead of crushing them whole. What a huge waste if they don't.
Even a "totaled" car will have tons of good parts, from seats to engine parts.
quandmeme @ Jan 14th 2008 8:38PM
Reason? Reason? You're up against insurance practice/law, here. Don't let reason interfere! BMW has these insured, shipping damage is bound to happen. If the insurer pays for the loss then BMW is considered whole and has no rights in the cars. The insurer can't make donations cause BMW won't allow it sell/donate-for-tax-purposes goods with its trademark on them. The hassle of doing some good with it are too great. Crusher is the cleanest legally/accounting-wise.