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Log book Error

Hi,

I am from the UK and have an issue with the log book. I have a 320 Sport (E46). However on the log book it is registered as a 320 SE. I wish to get the log book changed to reflect this.

I have tried to contact the BMW customer services and my local dealer (leicester) and on their systems it is a 320 SE. However when they printed a list of options added to the car, the "sports features" were on the list. BMW will not provide me with a letter to say the car is a sports model. The only thing they have provided me with is a letter which states the car as an SE model, however they do list all the options added to the car (which include the sports options).

I am sure DVLA will not be happy with that, as BMW think the car is a SE model. The chap I spoke to at BMW customer services did say it looked strange the car was registered as an SE. Alas there was nothing he could do.

Is there anything I can do to get BMW to send me a letter stating the car is in fact a sports model, or am I stuffed? The reason I want the letter is so I can write to DVLA to get the log book changed.

The only reason I ask, is because of insurance purposes. They class my car as a SE version (as per log book), which has been MODIFIED to a sports version. The insurance premium is then roughly twice as much as the premium of a sports model. This includes BMW insurance!! (Although I had the car insured with them for a year, this year when it came to renewal, they said they made a mistake and the car would be classed as a modified SE model)

Has anybody here ever had their log book changed? If so what did you have to do? I dont think writing them a letter stating its a sports verison will work. Thus why I require a letter from BMW stating it is.

Or does anybody know of an insurance company that will be more sympathetic to my current problem?

Thanks for your time.

Reply to
XPUser
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XPUser wrote on Tue, 16 Aug 2005 11:43:13 +0100:

AFAIK, the SE is a UK only term for a car with options added. I have a '93 E36 320i SE, the badge on the car is just 320i but the V5 shows SE, as does BMW themselves. IIRC it's stands for something like "Special Edition", indicating a model that was provided with options. If you had a Sport with additional options, it will be an SE. If you had most of the Sports package (eg. one item missing), it's an SE.

I doubt it - it does sound like you have an SE model for the reason I've given above (however, I'm still very much a newcomer to BMWs so one of the regulars can probably give you a clearer defintion of SE).

When I looked at insurance for my E36 it was raised from a group 13 to group

14 because of the SE - this is due to it having alloy wheels, the larger OBC, and other upgrades that weren't on the base model. However, it was nothing like twice the premium - are you sure you were quoted twice? For instance, I just tried Tesco.com for insurance on a 2000 E46 320i petrol manual (as you never gave details of your car model I picked something I thought would be close), and there was no difference between the premiums for the standard or SE (there was no option to indicate the car had been modified, and no Sport option). Checking Parkers (
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) the Sport model is the same group as the SE for petrol, and is higher than the SE on diesels by 1 group. Petrol 2 door coupe: SE = Group 15 Sport = Group 15

Petrol 4 door sedan: SE = Group 15 Sport = Group 15

Diesel 2 door coupe: SE = Group 14 Sport = Group 15 SE Sport = Group 15

Diesel 4 door sedan: SE = Group 13 Sport = Group 14

I'm surprised looking at this list that you've had problems with the insurance companies, unless you've picked the "yes, my car is modified" option when getting a quote - in which case, don't choose that! Just get it insured as an SE model, because that is what it is.

Dan

Reply to
Spack

Thanks for your reply Dan.

I did select the "yes my car is modified" option (hence the premium doubled), as things like the larger alloys (18 inch), sports suspension, body kit, sports seat are not standard on the SE model (or are they?). I have had the full set of options avilable for a sports model (inc the steering wheel and the ///M symbol on the gearstick).

Your suggestion of getting it insured as an SE model, does make sense. The letter that I recieved from BMW stating it is an SE model, with the sports options added, means according to BMW it is an SE model. As you know the insurance companies in the UK will do anything to get out of paying, I dont want them to turn around to me (if I ever had an accident), and say wait a minute your car is an SE but it has been modified, hence your insurance is invalid.

Can anyone else confirm what Dan has said, about getting it insured as a SE model, and saying it is not modifed.

All help is appreciated.

Reply to
XPUser

It sounds like your car is an SE with several options added to it. The good news is, if it left the factory with those options fitted then your car is not modified. As far as I'm aware any factory fitted options are not counted as modifications, it's only if you bolt on huge bodykits, turbos, aftermarket wheels etc. that you have to declare modifications.

Reply to
zerouali

I guess I don't get the problem. Take the Equipment List (window sticker or VIN printout from the dealership) to your insurance agent and have him price your policy.

On my side of the Pond, I don't think we have the SE designation, but it sounds like you have the Special Edition with the Sports Package. All of the stuff on yoru car came from the factory or was added by the dealership. It will be listed on the equipment list and this means it is stock not modified.

Reply to
J Strickland

This is my understanding as well. Being from the Colonies, my mileage may vary ...

Reply to
J Strickland

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