I got tired of BMW USA saying sorry your 2015 C650 GT isn't on the recall list so , have a nice day. I hope your tensioner doesn't fail & waste your engine . Well the next step is to email the CSO of BMW in Germany -
[email protected]
He will send your complaint to BMW USA in NJ if live in USA. If you're Europe you might get his ear. I wasn't happy about how bad BMW treats it's customers after the sale is done & there's a KNOWN problem with the tensioner. Yes, it cost $400 in parts & $400 in labor. BMW should fix it since they know they messed up.
I recommend emailing Dr. Markus Schramm directly & plead your case on how BMW doesn't care about its customers when there's a well documented problem. A recall happens when the issue has occurred repeatedly & people complain.
You have to be bold & let BMW know you're not happy with how badly they have handled this serious parts problem
The USA BMW contact who gave the green light & paid for the upgrade under warranty sent me this message: "Regardless of the recall BMW will provide out of warranty goodwill assistance to cover the cost of the upgrade to the hydraulic tensioner." Goodwill assistance, Hmm, I guess I should feel grateful BMW is doing the right action & fixing the problem .
His contact info:
Mark Pechko
Executive Customer Care, Motorrad
Customer Relations and Services
BMW of North America, LLC
P.O. Box 1227 - Westwood, NJ 07675-1227
email :
[email protected]
Wow, this should be done to all pre 2016 C650's . I was lucky & my local dealer did the work under warranty . I'm sure BMW corp. paid my dealer.
I recommend going to the top with a email to Dr. Markus Schramm first & them see how they respond. If live the USA & aren't happy with a non response then email Mark Pechko & ask what he can do.
Here's a copy of the email I sent:
I would like file a complaint about how BMW Motorrad is handling
Recall 14V-264 Cam Chain Tensioner for the C650GT scooter. I understand the C650GT is no longer in production but there’s still a large number of owners for this BMW product. The recall is for problems with a MECHANICAL tensioner. This tensioner installed in the 2012 model all the way up to the 2015 model have the SAME tensioner installed when built at the Berlin factory. NHSTA issued a full recall to BMW to have the tensioner problem fixed by replacing the mechanical one with a Hydraulic one. BMW Motorrad headquarters created the Recall 14V-264 to help dealers be able to do the work under warranty & no cost to owners
When the 2016 model was released it was updated in a number of ways. When BMW released for sale it was updated with a new more reliable tensioner, a
Hydraulic version. Thankfully newer bike owners can ride with confidence knowing they have a dependable tensioner. But I encountered a problem with BMW customer in the USA when I emailed them & asked about how I could get my 2015 C650GT updated with the newer Hydraulic version. I was told my VIN # wasn’t on the recall list created by BMW headquarters in Germany. I was a bit shocked & then confused why wasn’t the 2015 model included? All the 2012 – 2014 models had no problems getting the updated tensioner. So I have to ask, why won’t BMW fix my 2015 if it has the EXACT same tensioner as 2012 -2014 models?
The answer I got from customer service was: We don’t have any options if you VIN isn’t in our system for the recall. We can’t help you. But you do have the option go to a dealer & have them do the work for you.
Well, the cost would $900 out of my bank account. That’s a bit money in my opinion.
I feel like BMW took my $ at time of purchase & then totally forgot about an obligation to fix a problem they know is a serious issue. BMW is very aware of the problem but won’t help their customers. When the tensioner fails then the engine is destroyed, gone, wasted. The C650GT is then ruined.
Based on how BMW has responded to my plea for help with a known problem makes me rethink if I would want to buy any type of BMW motorcycle in the future. How can I trust BMW if they knowingly won’t help me replace a defective part. This situation creates a lack of trust & confidence in your company
You have the option & ability to fix the problem if you choose to help me. It’s up to you if you want to do what’s right & allow the tensioner to be updated at my local dealer - under warranty. This is an opportunity to help restore faith in BMW Motorrad & how it values it customers by working with owners to fix a problem.
Thank you for your time & understanding
Good luck I hope you can get some help getting the tensioner updated & have BMW pay for it
Thx - Mike