Do I have grounds to complain to BMW?
Discussion
I'll make this as brief as possible, bought my '10 m3 auc from a dealer in April. I was told it was serviced as part of the prep with the oil changed. (verbal…nothing in writing)
Yesterday the service light came on, done 3.6k. Rang them and they said they didn't change the oil as it wasn't due at the time within 6 months/3k miles which is they're regulation. Sales guy washing his hands saying he just checked if it had been "serviced" which it had (mostly visual checks from what I can see) Service dept also just saying they didn't do it as it wasn't due.
My point is I don't care if it was due or not as I was told it was done. Do I have a leg to stand on? How would I proceed on a complaint? Not the worst situation in the world as the cars great but it's a day out and the extra expense of the service (which they wont help out with the cost of….already tried)
Yesterday the service light came on, done 3.6k. Rang them and they said they didn't change the oil as it wasn't due at the time within 6 months/3k miles which is they're regulation. Sales guy washing his hands saying he just checked if it had been "serviced" which it had (mostly visual checks from what I can see) Service dept also just saying they didn't do it as it wasn't due.
My point is I don't care if it was due or not as I was told it was done. Do I have a leg to stand on? How would I proceed on a complaint? Not the worst situation in the world as the cars great but it's a day out and the extra expense of the service (which they wont help out with the cost of….already tried)
I think the best you can hope for here is a discount on the service. If it wasn't in writing it is difficult to prove otherwise. Unfortunately for you it's something you should have checked and then complained about before collecting if it had been agreed.
Good luck anyway if it's only an oil service the cost is quite low.
Good luck anyway if it's only an oil service the cost is quite low.
irish boy said:
Just had a call. Whatever's due is £850 
They're looking into discount.
They're looking into discount.
this is really annoying because one of the reasons I go AUC is you normally don't have to do much too them for a while as they should be well serviced up...I bet you are not happy and understandably so. I had to service mine within a few months of purchase (AUC). As its condition based you can't really complain about that. However being told one thing and finding out another is a different story. I doubt BMW HQ would help but persist with the dealer and you might get a discount. £850 sounds very steep unless its an M (Edit: just realised its in the M section)? Monster service on my 35i is £650 at a dealer (which I never pay anyhow because I love to haggle/argue).
Similar happened to me. Told me on the phone before even looking at the car no services due and FBSH. 2 weeks on and service required, rang them to abuse and denied they said no service due. Apparently the price reflected a service coming up. A lot of emails back and forth but as nothing in writing there was nothing I could do plus I didn't want to reject the car as was exactly what I wanted. Note to self, don't trust car salesmen!!
Edited by NORTS on Thursday 25th September 18:26
Yeah on 2 separate occasions I was told the oil was changed.
I've written a strong letter to the sales manager and pasted in the dp.
I wonder how something like this would go in small claims to claim back the service cost, case being that a £33k car shouldn't need £850 spent in 3k miles, and also it's mieading to have a service done and the book stamped considering the oil was not changed. 99% of the public when asked would associate a 'service' as oil and filter chance, therefore it's a bit mis leading?
I've written a strong letter to the sales manager and pasted in the dp.
I wonder how something like this would go in small claims to claim back the service cost, case being that a £33k car shouldn't need £850 spent in 3k miles, and also it's mieading to have a service done and the book stamped considering the oil was not changed. 99% of the public when asked would associate a 'service' as oil and filter chance, therefore it's a bit mis leading?
Edited by irish boy on Thursday 25th September 15:51
I 'almost' took Coopers to the small claims court. I issued the claim and they suddenly decided to stop ignoring my letters and issue a refund, which had been dragging on for months. Sorry I can't be of much further help because my issue was not similar to yours in any way, but in my experience the dealer principle is the only one willing to resolve matters, forget the lesser managers they will happily pass you off and lie to your face, they are only interested in the next sucker.
A good place to get free advice om consumer matters is the CAG - consumeractiongroup if you Google it.
A good place to get free advice om consumer matters is the CAG - consumeractiongroup if you Google it.
irish boy said:
I wonder how something like this would go in small claims to claim back the service cost, case being that a £33k car shouldn't need £850 spent in 3k miles, and also it's mieading to have a service done and the book stamped considering the oil was not changed. 99% of the public when asked would associate a 'service' as oil and filter chance, therefore it's a bit mis leading?
Disagree with these comments, it is condition based and different items are needed at different times. See link below Edited by irish boy on Thursday 25th September 15:51
https://www.bmw-service.co.uk/service_indicators##...
Also the service book is pretty detailed on what has actually been carried out.
irish boy said:
Result. The manager responded to the email saying they would do an oil service foc.
Thanks for the advice folks.
That's great, accept that but it sounds like your car is due its 3rd oil device which also means you need your plugs, diff oil and maybe gearbox oil changed if it's a manual. Also maybe the air filter. So you need that done too or you won't have a full sh. That little lot will cost £400 to £500 on top.Thanks for the advice folks.
rb5er said:
MitchT said:
rb5er said:
Surely an oil service is around £70? 6 or so litres of oil and a filter.
On a BMW M model ... at a main dealer? 
Its literally 5 mins work, a few litres of oil and an oil filter.
daz05 said:
irish boy said:
Result. The manager responded to the email saying they would do an oil service foc.
Thanks for the advice folks.
That's great, accept that but it sounds like your car is due its 3rd oil device which also means you need your plugs, diff oil and maybe gearbox oil changed if it's a manual. Also maybe the air filter. So you need that done too or you won't have a full sh. That little lot will cost £400 to £500 on top.Thanks for the advice folks.
rb5er said:
MitchT said:
rb5er said:
Surely an oil service is around £70? 6 or so litres of oil and a filter.
On a BMW M model ... at a main dealer? Its literally 5 mins work, a few litres of oil and an oil filter.
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