Hamann...disgusted...help - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

clauswagner · 10th February 2003, 04:26

I still can’t believe how Hamann is treating their customers. As some of you might know I purchased the Z485 performance kit from Hamann, promising 85 additional HP for the Z8/M5. I had it installed last summer. The hardware looked solid and made a great sound. Unfortunantely, my gain was only 30RWHP and I had the check engine light come on. After endless phone calls, emails and time and money spent on the dyno, Hamann finally admitted that their kit wasn’t optimized for US spec cars. It is now February and I haven’t heard a word from Hamann about fixing the problem. All communication was initiated from my side and Hamann would most likely still deny any problems with their kit if it wasn’t for me having done research for them and nagging them about the problem. To my further disgust I recently discovered that Hamann’s ECU remapping is done by Superchip. Of course Superchip offers their remapping at $ 700 where Hamann charges $ 2500. In any case Hamann is selling a software upgrade that is totally useless for US spec cars. They do false advertisement for power gains on their website, sales staff and through Wheel power (who hasn’t been very helpful either). I asked for a $ 2500 refund, since that is what they charge for their software, not considering my additional expenses for calls, shipping the Ecu back and forth and dyno runs. I am really surprised how a company with such an attitude can stay in business. Any suggestions and help are welcome.

Thanks
Claus

Gustav · 10th February 2003, 04:33

God... Why can't there be some ethics among some tuners?

The best thing is to tell the whole story here.

BTW I have a 100 MB video of the Nowack N500 Z8 in MPEG format. Can anyone help me to resize it? They aslo state interesting power gains...

Aviator · 10th February 2003, 06:19

Call the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint, and then call Hamann and tell them that if they don't refund your money, plus foot the bill to unisnstall the softwear, you will not remove the complaint. Once this is complete, continue with the complaint.

FAST 5 · 10th February 2003, 06:32

It appears as though Dinan pulls similar stunts, when it comes to being honest.

CM5GO · 10th February 2003, 06:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Aviator
Call the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint, and then call Hamann and tell them that if they don't refund your money, plus foot the bill to unisnstall the softwear, you will not remove the complaint. Once this is complete, continue with the complaint.

Doesn't mean much to an American company. Doesn't mean anything to a European company. Sorry, but I speak from experience.

NO-MERCY · 10th February 2003, 07:21

Unfortunately when it come to "Truth in Advertising" most tuners fall far short. At least you got something ...

I gave Hennessey 20k two years ago and still have yet to see a dime.

I feel badly for you bro but ... you still have one bad AZZ Z8!!

jmott · 10th February 2003, 08:01

You guys need to realize that the insane prices you guys see for M5/BMW parts is not due to any increase in quality or increae complexity of your cars.

The $200 parts that mustang or japenese import owners pay for their cold air intakes or mufflers get them exactly the same quality you guys are getting for your aftermarket parts.

HP ratings? Good rule of thumb is to divide the claimed gains by 2 or 3, and that gets you the real gains.

seems to apply well to hamman and Dinan

You guys are being taken for a ride.

Making power is a simple formula. Most of the simple bolt ons you guys are getting could be CUSTOM made by people wherever you live for less than guys like dinan and hamman charge. Its insanity.

supercharger kits for $25k??

All they are doing is sourcing an apropriately sized supercharger (2 to 3k) and applying any fuleing or tuning needs ($500-$1k) and intercooling if they are being extra trick ($2k or so)

Where does the rest of that money go?!?!?

agh

whatever
I doubt anyone will listen =)

Ashok Arora · 10th February 2003, 11:36

Do you remember the nightmare CharlesW had with Nowack?

Sadly, most tuners give less than consistent results. The best ones seem to be Alpina and ACS.

Claus let's have the story in full here. Who have you spoken to at Hamann? I really think this needs to be referred to someone high up in the company. Perhaps a few emails from your fellow S62 engine drivers (Z8/M5) to Hamann about your case might help?!?

Good luck.

AVOXO · 10th February 2003, 16:21

BUMMMMER! THANKS FER THE INFO

TriflowM5+M3 · 10th February 2003, 17:18

Claus,

We all feel your frustration with Hamman. If I paid "x" number of dollars and only got 40% of what I was promised, i would be Pissed!

I have always been wary of sending my car, or having international tuners do work on my car. Just a thing I have...for If they dont produce what they promise, its almost impossible to deal with them from another country.

Tim W · 10th February 2003, 17:18

Hey Claus:

Isn't your car a German car?

If so thier argument is BS