Launch Count Tally - Warranty Void?

[TrustButVerify]

Bought a '17 X5M last week, and had the M Genius appointment. The Genius specialist, who was also a former service tech, said that if a CPO candidate vehicle has had more than 7 launches, they cannot CPO it. Likewise, if more than 7 launches are performed during the CPO warranty window, the CPO warranty is voided.

Any truth to this?

[YvesD]

Doesnt sound right to me.
Nowhere in the owners handbook and limited technical info they give you does it place a limit on launches.

Clear legal principle here that the vendor, BMW, cannot rely on something they havent brought to your attention at time of purchase.

👍

[Logical]

Ok first of all what is M Genius appt? Must be joking right? Secondly...does the rods run through side of the block after the 8th launch? Seriously that is a very odd statement from a dealer. And I wonder what they use to check launch attempts? Is that tool available to non M Genius's? Lol

[TrustButVerify]

Originally Posted by Logical

Ok first of all what is M Genius appt? Must be joking right? Secondly...does the rods run through side of the block after the 8th launch? Seriously that is a very odd statement from a dealer. And I wonder what they use to check launch attempts? Is that tool available to non M Genius's? Lol

It's a service provided to new and CPO buyers tailored to M cars.

https://www.bmwusa.com/owners/genius.html

[Logical]

Hahahha this is outstanding! First they take (in my opinion) the most distinguished brand in motorsports (M) and turn it into a trim package. Now they create another revenue source by offering 24 hr tech support. For a car. Here's free support to potential owners. Pedal on the right makes it go. Pedal on the left stops it. For everything else read the manual. That's half the fun!!

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by TrustButVerify

It's a service provided to new and CPO buyers tailored to M cars.

https://www.bmwusa.com/owners/genius.html

Modeled after the Apple "Genius Bar" concept, no doubt. Here's a concept: have all of your customer-facing staff be deeply knowledgeable in the product. Of course, that would take some training and length of experience, and they've adopted the attitude that they're going to minimize employee costs and maximize the pinky-ring budget for the top brass.

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by TrustButVerify

Bought a '17 X5M last week, and had the M Genius appointment. The Genius specialist, who was also a former service tech, said that if a CPO candidate vehicle has had more than 7 launches, they cannot CPO it. Likewise, if more than 7 launches are performed during the CPO warranty window, the CPO warranty is voided.

Any truth to this?

Sounds like typical stealership BS. What about the doors - is there a CPO cutoff threshold for how many times the doors have been opened and closed? Could I save the driver's position settings (seat/mirrors/steering wheel) too many times and run afoul of these arbitrary and petty rules?

Ridiculous. These people truly have no souls. Avoid them at all costs.

[TrustButVerify]

Originally Posted by pennsiveguy

Modeled after the Apple "Genius Bar" concept, no doubt. Here's a concept: have all of your customer-facing staff be deeply knowledgeable in the product. Of course, that would take some training and length of experience, and they've adopted the attitude that they're going to minimize employee costs and maximize the pinky-ring budget for the top brass.

No doubt. I believe most are former service techs that "graduate" to the customer-facing Genius Specialist position. The guy knew an insane amount of technical information on the fly, gave local track recommendations, and owns, tunes, and tracks his own M4.

[TrustButVerify]

Originally Posted by pennsiveguy

Sounds like typical stealership BS. What about the doors - is there a CPO cutoff threshold for how many times the doors have been opened and closed? Could I save the driver's position settings (seat/mirrors/steering wheel) too many times and run afoul of these arbitrary and petty rules?

Ridiculous. These people truly have no souls. Avoid them at all costs.

I agree. The guy said every piece of data is logged. They can tell the pitch, roll, speed, RPM, gear, and M setting the car was in when it threw a code or blew out a part.

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by YvesD

Doesnt sound right to me.
Nowhere in the owners handbook and limited technical info they give you does it place a limit on launches.

Clear legal principle here that the vendor, BMW, cannot rely on something they havent brought to your attention at time of purchase.

👍

Right - if it wasn't in the contract, it's not binding. They can't pull stuff out of their downpipes to influence the terms in their favor.

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by TrustButVerify

I agree. The guy said every piece of data is logged. They can tell the pitch, roll, speed, RPM, gear, and M setting the car was in when it threw a code or blew out a part.

Sounds like he's technically very knowledgeable but may have had to "drink the Kool-Aid" as far as sales practices and how to navigate customer relations. And quite likely has been fed a steady diet of BS as part of his "Genius" training...which is quite ironic although I doubt BMW would appreciate the irony.

[Logical]

Originally Posted by TrustButVerify

I agree. The guy said every piece of data is logged. They can tell the pitch, roll, speed, RPM, gear, and M setting the car was in when it threw a code or blew out a part.

The gyroscope sensor data has been available for generations. They actually code some sensor output into the GUIs in the settings menu. The older E70s had a GUI for traction being applied to each wheel. It was removed in the F85/86. I'm sure we have members who perform coding who can elaborate. Don't get we wrong I credit BMW for catering to US enthusiasts and building these SAVs and sharing M5 drivetrain. They are incredible all year machines. But the M Genius thing is absolutely ridiculous. They have strayed too far from the brand. If they make an M truck I'm done

[TrustButVerify]

Originally Posted by pennsiveguy

Sounds like he's technically very knowledgeable but may have had to "drink the Kool-Aid" as far as sales practices and how to navigate customer relations. And quite likely has been fed a steady diet of BS as part of his "Genius" training...which is quite ironic although I doubt BMW would appreciate the irony.

His title was "BMW Genius Specialist, ///Motorsport Certified". It's a group at the dealership outside of the sales department completely and only engages post sale. He offered a good contact for track insurance, but never tried to sell anything.

By the way, the appointment was free. Sure, I could have sat in the car for a few hours with an X5 manual (there is no X5M manual) and poke around, but this took an hour to walkthrough every single option and setting in the car.

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by TrustButVerify

His title was "BMW Genius Specialist, ///Motorsport Certified". It's a group at the dealership outside of the sales department completely and only engages post sale. He offered a good contact for track insurance, but never tried to sell anything.

By the way, the appointment was free. Sure, I could have sat in the car for a few hours with an X5 manual (there is no X5M manual) and poke around, but this took an hour to walkthrough every single option and setting in the car.

That's valuable. Information without constantly feeling someone's hand in your back pocket is always welcome.

[f30er]

Dang, I didn't get any BMW Genius appointments when I bought mine a couple months ago...then again, I'm not planning to track mine

[SupersixM]

What this tells me is hey I want you to buy this expensive car, dont drive it, but if you must, dont enjoy it, but if you must, dont enjoy it too much, because when you bring it back, we dont wanna do much to CPO it. And repeat again.

And this is fact. Unless leasing ..There is no worth to make a car or keep a car in showroom condition to gain more on a trade in or sale. Its RARE it will go your way. You will lose out.