Difference between buying from AD and parallel importer

[Theyiqin]

warranty???

[Patwong]

I read with interest the high number of motorist buying vehicle from PI.

And they have placed much faith on a very high price commodity that have no proper technicial support from local workshop.

 

As ypu all know, vehicle these days has sophisticated electronic gadget. And if these electronic stuff failed, some required certain diagnostic tool and skill to solve the issue. Something that even AD might not to able to resolve in a fast and efficient manner.

 

I worked in a established AD in the 90's and seen many small and big malfuncation issues within vehicles.

 

PI's car is cheaper than AD. Buyer might think that they can use that saving to resolve the problem but i am not sure whether money can solve the problem if there is no competent workshop.

 

My message is not a wet blanket to buyer's of PI's car.

Just a word of caution and know what are your risks down the road.

Example : http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/bmw-cars-unreliable-or-authorized-service-center-grossly-incompetent

[Wt_know]

based on this link ... better buy from PI because AD technical support is as fcked as PI ... lol

so why pay more? muahahahaha

 

My car is less than 3 years and the mileage is around 30,000 km.

 

My servicing was done at Performance Motor Limited (PML) Service Centre located along Alexandra Road. Had informed the Senior Customer Service Advisor that one of the features, Auto Start/Stop is not working during my recent servicing. PML checked and found that the steering column switch module was faulty.

 

They ordered the part and it was replaced 3 weeks later. However, the Auto Start/Stop is still not working and it got worst on the next day morning, various warning lights and messages appeared (Picture as attached).

PML checked and replaced the Wheel sensor on that same day. The car was with PML for the next few weeks due to repairing of car door dents that was caused by them.

I collected the car 1 month later and to my surprised, the Auto Start/Stop is still not working. I went to the service centre again and they mentioned that the oxygen sensor and battery were faulty. PML mentioned that the car battery is only 24 months from the date of registration. PML charged around $700 for the battery.

 

I have raised below questions to the Customer Service Manager :-

 

1. Did PML Senior Customer Advisor verify and confirm that the Auto Start/Stop is working before asking customer to collect the car ? (They have mentioned that the issue had been resolved, in 3 different occasions.)

 

2. Repair Order and Service Tax Invoice did not mention that the battery comes with 2 years warranty.

The Customer Service Manager replied: "With regard to the Auto Start/Stop issue, I would like to assure you that the scope of works carried out during your previous visits were accordance with BMW guidelines and specifications. All necessary parts had been replaced. In fact, there were various factors attributed to the function of Auto Start/Stop, especially when vehicle voltage is low which will cut off the Auto Start/Stop mode. We tested your car and ensured everything is in order before it was returned to you during your previous visits."

 

Is BMW car so unreliable that many parts became faulty after the servicing ?

 

Frustrated BMW Owner
A.S.S. Contributor

 

My message is not a wet blanket to buyer's of PI's car.

Just a word of caution and know what are your risks down the road.

Example : http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/bmw-cars-unreliable-or-authorized-service-center-grossly-incompetent

 

Edited August 21, 2015 by Wt_know

[Patwong]

lol

[Luckcent]

Buy BMW means Buy More Worries.

[inlinesix]

I thought Bang More Women.

 

Oops!!!!!!!!!

[Forte3737]

That means you cannot afford one yet. Sour grapes?

Buy BMW means Buy More Worries.

 

[alphard96]

Yup, certain cars have to go with the PI.

 

A very good example is the JDM CTR, way better than the UK CTR carried by Kah Motors because Japanese always reserve the best for their own market.

 

 

Agree.

 

Choice/specs from AD can be limited.

 

Please note that PI Japanese cars usually

- only have Japanese manual

- sometimes only Japanese language on speedometer cluster (newer JDM cars toggle English)

- max 180km/hr top speed

- max 110km/hr cruise control

- tinted rear glass (which may need to be replaced by PI in order to pass LTA requirements)

- spare tyre kit only (instead of spare tyre - whether full size or smaller size)

 

For example, Alphards

1) first model many yrs ago - Borneo motors never even bring in/not available.

2) 2nd model - No vellfire from BM

3) latest model - no pre crash and radar cruise control available for BM specs

[Vinceng]

Rule of thumb is to buy from reputable and established Parallel Importer... and enjoy the savings upfront. A reputable & established PI will inform you if there is a recall for your car.

 

At the end of the day, when you trade-in your car, the used car dealer won't bother to check whether your Toyota Wish is bought from Borneo Motors or a PI.

 

They will just ask for your car no. plate and IC no., log into one motoring, look at the OMV and offer you pittance close to the OMV (or paper value).

[Vinceng]

 

 

My message is not a wet blanket to buyer's of PI's car.

Just a word of caution and know what are your risks down the road.

 

Example : http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/bmw-cars-unreliable-or-authorized-service-center-grossly-incompetent

 

Any car, irregardless of make and model, will have problems if there's too much electronics on board.

 

The local hot and humid climate does not help either.

Edited August 23, 2015 by Vinceng

[SG79]

Rule of thumb is to buy from reputable and established Parallel Importer... and enjoy the savings upfront. A reputable & established PI will inform you if there is a recall for your car.

 

At the end of the day, when you trade-in your car, the used car dealer won't bother to check whether your Toyota Wish is bought from Borneo Motors or a PI.

 

They will just ask for your car no. plate and IC no., log into one motoring, look at the OMV and offer you pittance close to the OMV (or paper value).

 

Any good suggestion where can have good information which PI are more reputable, established and honor what they said

[Wt_know]

you will only know after you give them $10k ... LOL

seriously, there is no source ... you have to do an extensive research to find 1/10 PI ...

ie: every 10 PI you go to ... may be ... just may be ... you can find 1 good one

 

Any good suggestion where can have good information which PI are more reputable, established and honor what they said

 

Edited September 15, 2015 by Wt_know

[scrappydoo]

Just to share my experience of buying a car from a PI. Just some background. I bought my first car from Kah Motors. Then I got my current car via a PI. If I can turn back time, I will definitely buy my car from an AD. And this is why.

 

We need to understand that when you buy a car from a PI, you are actually dealing with many different parties during the ownership of the car, though at the purchasing stage, you ONLY deal with the PI. If everything is smooth sailing during and after the purchase, then you are fine. However, the car is made up of so many different parts and will go through different stages after you get hold of the car.

 

In my case, I did encounter quite a few problems. So far, nothing major but irritating nonetheless. Some might say I am nitpicking, but I truly feel frustrated.

 

About a week after I got the car, I noticed that there were some scratches on the window of the front passenger seat. I am very sure if I did not scratch the window. So I called the SE and spoke to her about this. She was polite enough but basically said that there is nothing she can do about it. I can only blame myself for not checking thoroughly when I was collecting the car. So in any case, I remember that she told me some like to buy cars from PI because the SEs from PIs give better and more personalised service.

 

As the PI said that their profit margin is very thin, they did NOT include in any solar film. Thus I have to source for my own. This was made known to me upfront and isn’t a problem per se. Nevertheless I had to source for my own solar film. And there was some problems during the installation stage and I had to make a total of 3 trips back to the solar film shop in total.

 

I do understand that some will like this arrangement as you get to choose something you like and probably save some money as well. But there is a second part to this which I will explain later.

 

The next little problem I noticed was that there is some rattling sound coming from the HU. It is a pioneer unit. Can’t remember the model now but it’s the one where the monitor can be detached. Called the SE again and was told to go to their installer to resolve the issue. The Chinese guy at the installer was ‘super helpful’, face darker than charcoal. In essence, he told me that due to the way the HU is designed, the rattling sound is inevitable cos it is not factory installed. So he did try to put some insulation tape, but the problem till today is not resolved.

 

Next, I also noticed that there was some intermittent noise coming from the driver A pillar. Try as I might, I just couldn’t find the source of the problem. So I went to the authorised workshop to seek help during the 1k servicing. At the point when I was purchasing the car, the SE told me that they have tied up with 2 workshops, one in Leng Kee (very near my workplace), one in Jurong (not too far from my home).  This time round, the Chinese guy at the workshop was truly helpful. He tried his best, but just couldn’t solve the problem. In any case, we agreed that the sound come from the A pillar. I asked if it could be replaced. He said yes, but at my own cost.

 

Then another rattling sound. This time coming from the left rear passenger window. Since it was in between my servicings, I made an appointment to go to the workshop in Leng Kee which is more convenient for me. Lo and behold, when I reached there on my appointment date, the guy (another ‘very friendly’ one) told me that they do not do repairs, but only servicing. Then came this whole long story that they used to do repairs, but the ‘main contractor’ (i.e. the one in Jurong) did not pay for the work they have done, thus they have stopped doing repairs ‘for them’. For any repairs works, I have to go to the workshop in Jurong. This followed by a few phone calls. Unsurprisingly, the workshop in Jurong said that this was totally untrue and what not. In any case, I was told that for any repair works, I had to go to the workshop in Jurong.

 

So I waited till it was my 20k servicing when I left the car at the workshop. When I came back to collect, they said that they tried to adjust the window area as best as they could but still couldn’t make it such that it was totally silent. I asked if there is anything that could have been broken and thus need replacing. They say they don’t have the parts to try and in any case, this is not covered (I actually am very curious what is being covered). So again, not resolved and I took the car and left.

 

Then one day later, I remembered that I forgot to check if they rotated the tyres. At the 10k servicing, they told me that it was NOT necessary to rotate the tyres and that it will be done during the 20k servicing. So I checked with them and they say, they did NOT rotate. I never had such a problem with Kah Motors. However, I do need to share that I bought a 6 servicing package from this workshop, so maybe tyre rotation is NOT included in the package or maybe they did NOT do it to save cost. Notwithstanding this, shouldn’t they have asked me? (note : Kah Motors charges me for everything they do for me back then.)

 

I could have gotten some of the facts wrong, e.g. maybe the warranty by AD also doesn’t cover rattling sound from windows, A pillar etc. I will happy for anyone to correct me on those.

 

All these happened after I got my car. Couple this with risk of the PI and authorised workshop defaulting or going bust (huge sums of money involved), one really has to think whether it’s worth it going to a PI. For me, never ever again.

 

What I am trying to say is, if you have gotten your car from an  AD, you would only have one party to deal with. If you got a Honda, you only have to deal with Kah Motors for any issues that you face. The car will come with almost everything you need installed, solar film, factory fitted HU etc. Expensive they may be, your car is in good hands when you send in your car for servicing. You don’t have to worry who to find to solve specific problems for your car as long as it’s under warranty. And typically ADs have more workshops around for your convenience.

 

Just sharing. I could have left out certain things and might add on later when I remember them.

Edited March 29, 2017 by scrappydoo

[compassman]

Hi, Greetings

 

I owned a 2007 Toyota Wish (Parallel Import- PI), 3rd owner. I went to Borneo motors today for repair on headlamp and drive shaft oil leak. Borneo motor mentioned that they are unable to provide me service support as it's a PI car. Is this a normal? If yes, is there any recommended workshop in singapore or JB that specialized in Toyota Wish repair and parts replacement?  

[Madmax67]

Hi, Greetings

 

I owned a 2007 Toyota Wish (Parallel Import- PI), 3rd owner. I went to Borneo motors today for repair on headlamp and drive shaft oil leak. Borneo motor mentioned that they are unable to provide me service support as it's a PI car. Is this a normal? If yes, is there any recommended workshop in singapore or JB that specialized in Toyota Wish repair and parts replacement?  

 

Yep.  No support for PI cars from AD.  It is normal.  Does not make sense for AD to support cars sold by PI.

 

There are a few Wish threads in the Japanese Talk forums.  Maybe you can start your search from there.

[Tkseah]

Hi, Greetings

 

I owned a 2007 Toyota Wish (Parallel Import- PI), 3rd owner. I went to Borneo motors today for repair on headlamp and drive shaft oil leak. Borneo motor mentioned that they are unable to provide me service support as it's a PI car. Is this a normal? If yes, is there any recommended workshop in singapore or JB that specialized in Toyota Wish repair and parts replacement?  

 

AD's main business is to sell cars.. I doubt they would want to provide service/repairs for PI cars since this only encourages people to buy from PI instead of AD..  

[Vratenza]

Reason one buys a toyota is because it is a dime a dozen on the road (even PI ones) and thus it is bread and butter for all decent workshop.

 

Don't need any specialist workshop for a toyota wish repair. 

 

[ER-3682]

Hi, Greetings

 

I owned a 2007 Toyota Wish (Parallel Import- PI), 3rd owner. I went to Borneo motors today for repair on headlamp and drive shaft oil leak. Borneo motor mentioned that they are unable to provide me service support as it's a PI car. Is this a normal? If yes, is there any recommended workshop in singapore or JB that specialized in Toyota Wish repair and parts replacement?  

It is crazy to bring a 10 Years Old Toyota Wish to Borneo Motor to repair... Even Lexus also won't bring there to repair after Warranty is over.can Try Hanip motor...