SOME DEALERS ARE GOOD

[DSM2]

I've said this before but must repeat that I find I get great service from my BMW dealer in Hailsham, East Sussex.

Took the car in for service this morning. 62500 mile check and the computer says rear brake service needed, pads possibly discs.

1/2 hour after leaving the car I am called to say my front tyres are down to 3mm. Thanks, I know and will change myself (in the business, so easy for me). "No problem Sir".

Just called 3 hours after leaving car. All work done, just pads, discs fine. Computer says new microfilter in 6000 miles, change brake fluid in August (when car will be 4) and front pads estimated 14000 mile on.

This car is 3.5 years old, 60 odd K miles and has had oil changes, brake pads and little else. Only one warranty issue, sorted out and not a sniff of being sold something I didn't need.

My 911 goes for its first service in September this year, when it will have done maybe 12000 miles. I hope my Porsche dealer is as good as my BMW one!

[Fox-]

So your dealer did what you paid them to, probably at £100 an hour, and thats cause to dance around?

My, what low standards we expect..

[bras0782]

Fox- said:

So your dealer did what you paid them to, probably at £100 an hour, and thats cause to dance around?

My, what low standards we expect..

Exactly what I was thinking...it shows you how bad most of them are if you get excited when we finally get the service we (overly-) paid for.

[sadlerj]

Wait until you have something 'complex' like a minor oil leak....ohhh...mine had to go back in 5 times to two different dealers, (the first one, Snows in Portsmouth) were soooo rubbish I vowed never to go back again). In the end I had to take the head engineer and service manager out to the car and show them what the problem was. Absolutely useless. Also I had a leaky head light washer connection, and that took 3 visits (the same ones as the oil leak).

[DSM2]

Fox- said:

So your dealer did what you paid them to, probably at £100 an hour, and thats cause to dance around?

My, what low standards we expect..

Well, reading the constant moans on here, it seems that low standards are the norm. Maybe I was wrong and what I get is normal?

And when we get lousy standards of service from almost every sector we deal with in this crappy country, it is pleasant to see the alternative.

Edited by DSM2 on Thursday 8th January 15:22

[DSM2]

sadlerj said:

Wait until you have something 'complex' like a minor oil leak....ohhh...mine had to go back in 5 times to two different dealers, (the first one, Snows in Portsmouth) were soooo rubbish I vowed never to go back again). In the end I had to take the head engineer and service manager out to the car and show them what the problem was. Absolutely useless. Also I had a leaky head light washer connection, and that took 3 visits (the same ones as the oil leak).

Ah, no............seems I was right. I am in the minority getting good service.

And though hardly dancing around, I do feel have been looked after very well over the years with this particular dealer.

[Steve748]

I bought mine from Hailsham and was well looked after by Matt. Just hope Stratstone in Harrogate are as good at servicing it. People are quick to post when they feel they have been hard done by and when they post that they have had good service they get sgged off for what should be expected of a dealership!

[phelix]

sadlerj said:

Wait until you have something 'complex' like a minor oil leak....ohhh...mine had to go back in 5 times to two different dealers, (the first one, Snows in Portsmouth) were soooo rubbish I vowed never to go back again). In the end I had to take the head engineer and service manager out to the car and show them what the problem was. Absolutely useless. Also I had a leaky head light washer connection, and that took 3 visits (the same ones as the oil leak).

I leave near Portsmouth and drive an hour each way to get it serviced and have warranty work done at Baron's in Farnborough as I had such bad experiences with Snows. Baron's has been pretty good - not cheap but at least I get treated with respect and the work seems to get done correctly first time.

[sadlerj]

phelix said:

sadlerj said:

Wait until you have something 'complex' like a minor oil leak....ohhh...mine had to go back in 5 times to two different dealers, (the first one, Snows in Portsmouth) were soooo rubbish I vowed never to go back again). In the end I had to take the head engineer and service manager out to the car and show them what the problem was. Absolutely useless. Also I had a leaky head light washer connection, and that took 3 visits (the same ones as the oil leak).

I leave near Portsmouth and drive an hour each way to get it serviced and have warranty work done at Baron's in Farnborough as I had such bad experiences with Snows. Baron's has been pretty good - not cheap but at least I get treated with respect and the work seems to get done correctly first time.

Cheers for the tip, I am using Scothall at Chandlers Ford at the mo, they also seem rubbish, if they mess me around any more I'll be off to Farnborough. I am used to good service, having porkies and astons, and the Audi guys that sorted my wifes old car were OK, these beemer lot do seem poor.

[RVVUNM]

DSM2 said:

Fox- said:

So your dealer did what you paid them to, probably at £100 an hour, and thats cause to dance around?

My, what low standards we expect..

Well, reading the constant moans on here, it seems that low standards are the norm. Maybe I was wrong and what I get is normal?

And when we get lousy standards of service from almost every sector we deal with in this crappy country, it is pleasant to see the alternative.

Edited by DSM2 on Thursday 8th January 15:22

You just can't win can you!

[matt uk]

DSM2 said:

Fox- said:

So your dealer did what you paid them to, probably at £100 an hour, and thats cause to dance around?

My, what low standards we expect..

Well, reading the constant moans on here, it seems that low standards are the norm. Maybe I was wrong and what I get is normal?

And when we get lousy standards of service from almost every sector we deal with in this crappy country, it is pleasant to see the alternative.

Edited by DSM2 on Thursday 8th January 15:22

I think that at £126 + VAT (£145 to you, sir) most peoples expectations are pretty bloody high. And rightly so.