Over 370 BMWs bound for New Jersey port damaged in shipping
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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)
Ken 8:01PM (1/14/2008)
$100 says they will just 'slip' the fixed ones into the dealers and customers will never know.
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SPF 8:08PM (1/14/2008)
$100 says you're right.
SYN 8:22PM (1/14/2008)
My 100 dollars isn't talking, i don't get it, is there some sort of button somewhere on the bill.
(please tell me i don't have to point out this is a joke)
Reality Check 10:15PM (1/14/2008)
U r so right. Mazda did the right thing and crushed all of their cars when the same thing happend. Every auto company repairs damaged cars and sells them without you ever knowing. It is wrong but you have no rights untill they are at a dealership and maybe your state laws step in "maybe". I have seen major damage that is never shown to the customer and then when the paint peels they say they have no idea how transport damage happend. Sometimes the transport companies don't even tell them...... It is a mess.
WetheSheeple 11:35PM (1/14/2008)
"Ahhh, don't worry, that'll just buff right out"
Seriously, I worked at a Ford, Lincoln, Merc and BMW dealership back in the mid 90's. Law states any damage over $600 that is fixed by the dealer, must be disclosed to the consumer. It's a law.
Cornholio 12:10AM (1/15/2008)
"Law states any damage over $600 that is fixed by the dealer, must be disclosed to the consumer. It's a law."
Yeah, but if they're fixed before they get to the dealer, it's fair game. It's still crap, but it avoids running foul of the law. Hell, the dealer might not even know.
MemphisNET 7:38PM (1/14/2008)
Holy crap.... thats freaking tragic
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Dino Tojaga 9:13PM (1/14/2008)
Bmw's can't handle.
Alex 9:06AM (1/15/2008)
@ Dino Tojaga
HAHAHAHAHA!!
WillDaThrill 7:40PM (1/14/2008)
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.
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dpb! 7:42PM (1/14/2008)
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 7:44PM (1/14/2008)
"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 7:51PM (1/14/2008)
I wouldn't want to pay full price for a previously damaged vehicle. Hope they properly inform the consumer.
FThorn 7:54AM (1/15/2008)
"brand new cars are bodyshops"
???
Must be a small body shop
WillDaThrill 10:51AM (1/15/2008)
@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 7:41PM (1/14/2008)
Owned!
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HotRodzNKustoms 7:42PM (1/14/2008)
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"
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PandaBeat 7:43PM (1/14/2008)
Now they look better.
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Smeagle 8:24PM (1/14/2008)
Agreed. This incident nearly rectified the damage done by the ugly stick in the design process.
SYN 7:48PM (1/14/2008)
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.
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