What should BMW do?

[RoyvL]

Long story...

02 LT purchased 20 months ago with 5800 miles on it. Now at 24k miles.

Two weeks ago the ABS lights start flashing just before the 24k service and the unit is pronounced DOA at the service. I am waiting for the part.
This morning my clutch starts to slip - most probably the slave has taken out the clutch. The bike is standing at the dealer - they cannot work on it before 8 May.

When the ABS unit went I contacted BMW and they offered to cover some of the cost - but it is still over $2000. They refused to do more, saying that the previous owner had not had all the annual services done and that was why the unit had failed.

I asked at the 18k service for the slave drain hole to be drilled but the tech said BMW would not allow this procedure. Consequence is that I now have to replace the clutch. Waiting for the quote.

I know this is only a mechanical device but two major system failures at 24k is hard to swallow.

I have contacted the head of BMW SA and he has responded to an e-mail but with no offer of any help just a 'sorry about that'

On the way out of the dealership there were 2 GT's on the floor saying 'take me take me!'

I love the LT but man this bike has been expensive.

[Dean_BMW]

I can't think of bike that has a higher cost of ownership than the BMW K1200LT. They are indeed expensive, and in more ways than not, they are poorly engineered. I meet people when I am out riding, and I tell them not to buy one unless they have a high disposable income or capable of doing most of the maintenance themselves. I further explain that the reason I put up with the high maintenance is because I like the way it rides, and that is the ONLY reason I keep it. There's not a good dealer within decent driving distance of my home either. Another negative!

[Dean_BMW]

BTW, I bought a 6 year aftermarket warranty for mine, just because I knew the chances were high that I would have a high price maintenance event in the first 6 years.

The warranty I bought even covers brake pads, but I just bought brake pads and put them on myself because the hassle to get it to the dealer wasn't worth a free set of brake pads.

[c00k1e]

I feel for you man.
I have had the abs, clutch and rear end go - all in one year
BUT.......
you have to admit - it is the BEST long distence ride you are ever likely to find.
My advise - keep it - at least till the warrentee on all that work you are paying for has expired

[RoyvL]

Unfortunately a lack of time and space/tools prevents me from doing major work. I don't mind the cost too much. But these types of failures at this mileage is unacceptable on any vehicle.

Also, if an annual service was not done and this damaged the unit, why did it take almost 20k miles before failing?
If BMW had allowed the techs to drill the drain hole I would have saved a consideral amount of time and money.

[Dean_BMW]

I wish I could offer you some good news. When I had warranty issues with my bike, the reception I got from the dealer was poor because I had bought my bike used, and he basically told me he didn't want me in his dealership because I should have bought a bike from him.

While I can certainly understand your frustration, the bike is well outside of the 36 month warranty. I am surprised they even helped you with the brake issue.

BTW, I don't mean to trash all BMW dealers. There is some great dealers out there. Unfortunately, I think they are the minority. Your own dealer may be doing all he can do for you, but I really do not understand the refusal to drill the hole in the slave cylinder for you. If it was a safety/liability issue I could understand it, but I don't think that would be a reasonable argument here.

[Lumpy]

Royvl, what annual service(s) is the dealer referring to on the ABS unit which caused it to fail??

[RoyvL]

Royvl, what annual service(s) is the dealer referring to on the ABS unit which caused it to fail??

In the service manual there is a requirement to flush the brake fluid at least once per year. They claim that failing to do this allows the seals in the ABS unit to fail due to moisture absorbtion in the brake fluid.
What I am having difficulty understanding is why, if this is what happened, it took 20k miles to take effect.

[Caper11]

In the service manual there is a requirement to flush the brake fluid at least once per year. They claim that failing to do this allows the seals in the ABS unit to fail due to moisture absorbtion in the brake fluid.
What I am having difficulty understanding is why, if this is what happened, it took 20k miles to take effect.

I have a 2000LT which had the ABS lites flshing alternately. Brought it to the dealer who did a test and told me that the modulator had to be replaced which cot over $2000.00 just for the part. I instructed the tech to flush the system including the modulator and reset the computor. Brakes been working fine ever since. Cost me 3 hrs labour at $60.00/hr :bmw:

[rkdrmr1]

I just bought a 02LT with 2,600 miles on it. I've owned it a month and it now has 4,800 miles on it. Great riding bike but ever since I came across this site I am terrified of this thing. Is German engineering really that bad? I work for a tier 1 automotive stamping plant and our biggest customer is BMW. One of the reasons for my purchase of this bike was that I work very closely with the engineers at the BMW plant and they seem to be top notch. I'm debating if I should sell at the end of the season?

[Dean_BMW]

Great riding bike but ever since I came across this site I am terrified of this thing. Is German engineering really that bad?

It's not as bad of a bike as you would think by reading the posts here. Like any enthusiast site, your going to hear all of the bad stuff, just because people do not go looking for a forum to tell the world how happy they are with their new bike. Yes, it has some weak spots, and yes, it's a little hard to maintain because BMW didn't spend one second trying to make it easy to maintain. It has some good points too... the best damn brakes I have ever seen on ANY bike... one of the things I really like about the bike. And it handles like a dream compared to other bikes I have owned.

First, make sure you do the maintenance. If your handy, and you like to mess with the bike, there is a few things you can do to improve your chances of having a major repair and to lower your costs. After that, just ride it!

[ez_rdr55]

Dean,

My stealer basically told me to take it back to the Texas dealership for any warranty work. Then they (St. Louis) went out of business. I've decided that BMW doesn't want my business.

[larrykay]

Get the GT....It is one hell of a ride, smooth and agile...

[BecketMa]

BMW won't allow them to drill the drain hole.

Unless the dealership you went to is owned by BMW, there isn't any way for BMW to either allow or disallow non warranty work.

Blaming the ABS failure on the prior owner, looks like another excuse.

It might be prudent to have a couple of seals replaced while they are there drilling the drain hole, replacing the salve cylinder, and clutch.

The next take your breath away bill is for new shocks.

Bob

[FrankDu]

I had a 1999LTC which I sold because of all the same problems. I have been trashed on this site for saying that the bike's mechanical failures are unacceptable (see my pass posts). If it was a BMW car people would be fighting mad.

Just because its a BMW motorcycle we are suppose to accept these problems. My sister-in-law has owned BMW's cars her entire life she refuses to drive anything else. Another dedicated idiot to the marque regardless of what goes wrong with the car. I recall her 530i head gasket problem with no support from BMW years ago.

Since the K1200GT has come out some of the LT riders have transitioned over to the GT, some because of the weight of the bike, the low speed steering issue, and of course the mechanical problems.

But for some reason the LT population accepts the short comings its kinda like accepting the shortcomings of a family member they justify the problems in their own mind.

Get rid of the dam thing! Its mechanical record is not that great. I have a Harley 2001 Screamin Eagle Road Glide now it runs fine with no major problems and the resale value is higher. Its not as refined as the LTC but its never in the shop for mechanical problems either. Checkout a Honda Goldwing or a GT if you must own a BMW.

Good Luck

Frank

[ez_rdr55]

Well said! All bikes have their issues, but the difference is in the way they are addressed by the dealers and the manufactures. BMW sucks because they refuse to fix their $hit, because to do so would be to admit that they f'd up. Luckily with the help of this forum I can fix the big black bitch, but I am really tired of fixing someone elses mistakes.

[Lumpy]

The "mechanical record" of the HD (in general) is not that great either. Many late model HD's have had oil pump problems that leave you on the side of the road.

[dronning]

All bikes have their weakpoints the famous GW frame cracking, HD cam bearing on the EVO's, LT clutch....

I'd part it out or trade it to the dealer and buy a newer one with some warranty left.

Point is you need to determine what you want. Too many of us keep sinking money into a bike when there are better options out there.

There were 2 '05 LTs just on eBay one had a reserve under $12,000 and another sold for just over $12K, both in very nice shape.

Prices on all used bikes are down but the LT prices are dropping faster than most bikes due to the speculation on the new model even though it's not due for another year.

Dave