Question about Bilstein Manufacturing Quality.
04-02-2009, 08:04 AM
#1
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My Ride: 2004 E60 530i, 2012 E70 X5 35i
Model Year: 2004
Hi All, I recently had a problem with the Bilstein Pss10 coilovers for my car. My mechanic found that one of the shocks started leaking because there were metals shavings inside the shock and the seal broke.
There were no indications any outside markings / activity put those metal pieces in there. The rep/warranty department said it could be the manufacturing assembly that did this in error.
My question is, I had to pretty much put out the costs of shipping it to them. $89 dollars, it was overnight shipping. I need it fixed fast because my car is at the shop with a temporary shock from a forum member. I then needed to shell out some more money to have them ship it overnight. They were only allocated to ship it 2 day priority. so that's $38 dollars.
And after that, I had to incur costs on getting my mechanic to take out the shock, put a replacement, then take out the old shock and put the fixed one back.
Do you think I can get reimbursement from the manufacturer for this costs? I would probably have to provide a receipt for installation and labor.
There were no indications any outside markings / activity put those metal pieces in there. The rep/warranty department said it could be the manufacturing assembly that did this in error.
My question is, I had to pretty much put out the costs of shipping it to them. $89 dollars, it was overnight shipping. I need it fixed fast because my car is at the shop with a temporary shock from a forum member. I then needed to shell out some more money to have them ship it overnight. They were only allocated to ship it 2 day priority. so that's $38 dollars.
And after that, I had to incur costs on getting my mechanic to take out the shock, put a replacement, then take out the old shock and put the fixed one back.
Do you think I can get reimbursement from the manufacturer for this costs? I would probably have to provide a receipt for installation and labor.
04-02-2009, 08:57 AM
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My Ride: 05 545i 6MT
http://www.bilstein.com/warranty.php#details
I don't think Bilsltein will pay for any freight expense other than from them to you.
Bilstein's liability for a defective shock absorber is limited to replacement of shock with a new or reconditioned Bilstein shock absorber. Rubber mounting hardware and labor charges are not covered by the warranty.
Sorry to hear your problem man but you might contact Bilstein and see if they could reimburse you as good faith.
I don't think Bilsltein will pay for any freight expense other than from them to you.
Bilstein's liability for a defective shock absorber is limited to replacement of shock with a new or reconditioned Bilstein shock absorber. Rubber mounting hardware and labor charges are not covered by the warranty.
Sorry to hear your problem man but you might contact Bilstein and see if they could reimburse you as good faith.
04-02-2009, 09:17 AM
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My Ride: MY06 530i Silver Grey (A08)
Try sending them a letter or email, and make sure you keep a copy. Or, if you bought the parts from a reputable dealer like Turner Motorsport, talk to them, they may be able to work their connections to get it taken care of. The hardest part of getting results is getting in contact with someone that actually has the authority to do something.
04-03-2009, 10:55 AM
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My Ride: 2004 E60 530i, 2012 E70 X5 35i
Model Year: 2004
Update: I got the shock back yesterday. They refinished the whole shock.
And I got an email today, after I spoke to them a bit yesterday, They are covering my shipping costs to Bilstein and the installation costs of the shock. Bilstein is awesome!!
I'll keep you updated once I actually get the payment.
And I got an email today, after I spoke to them a bit yesterday, They are covering my shipping costs to Bilstein and the installation costs of the shock. Bilstein is awesome!!
I'll keep you updated once I actually get the payment.
04-03-2009, 11:25 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
I love a story with a happy ending!! 
Congrats on the outcome! 
Congrats on the outcome!
04-23-2009, 06:34 AM
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My Ride: 2004 E60 530i, 2012 E70 X5 35i
Model Year: 2004
Hey guys, just an update, I got the check last week from them. For the install and the shipping costs I put out.