I brought my 2006 X5 4.4 BMW with 51, 030 miles to Vista BMW in Pompano Beach on Sat. August 28, 2010 because the vehicle was tilting to the left side. The front drivers side of the vehicle was lower than the passenger side. The vehicle is equipped with an automatic suspension leveling system and seemed to be working intermittently.

On Monday August 30, 2010 the service advisor called to inform me the vehicle needed new front tension struts, ball joints, and front lower control arm bushings on both the driver and passenger sides and the written repair estimate was $2, 457.34. Further this repair would have been covered under the initial warranty to 50, 000 miles but since the car had 51, 030 miles on it would be under the CPO warranty which does not cover normal wear and tear repairs. I expressed by disbelief that this was due to normal wear and tear since I purchased the vehicle in April 2009 with 40, 000 miles as a Certified Pre Owned. The service advisor offered to speak to the Director of Service at Vista on my behalf to inquire if they would adjust the estimate. Shortly thereafter he called me back to say they would not make any adjustments and I informed him that I would be picking up the vehicle to have the repairs done elsewhere.

I picked up the car on Tuesday morning from Vista BMW and brought the car to another dealer. After running the diagnostic tests, it was confirmed that the left front air shock and height level sensor needed to be replaced due to a small tear in the air shock. The tension struts, ball joints, and front lower control arm bushings were in good condition and did NOT need to be replaced. Total cost to fix the problem was $1, 642.08.

Vista BMW in Pompano Beach is either inept, unscrupulous or both. Had I paid $2, 457.34 to replace the tension struts, ball joints, and front lower control arm bushings the car still would have been tilted to the left due to the tear in the air shock.

I have owned BMW’s for 15 years, 2006 X5, 2003 X5, 1997 840ci, 1995 525. This experience has confirmed that the quality of BMW’s and BMW’s service has greatly diminished and I will not be purchasing another.