How useless are BMW Dealers?
Discussion
First one contacted. I'd love a new M135i...... waits, and waits and waits. Then after ringing dealership to be told "sorry he no longer works here".
Second dealership. Same question. Same experience. This time the Salesman when he did contact me wanted me to sign up with two hours to decide, no details of car, or finance. Then said he was leaving that evening and won't be working there.
I did get hold of the Dealership Principal on the second one and gave him a recount of my experience. He couldnt give a fig.
I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion I know why the motor trade is in the mess its in.
Second dealership. Same question. Same experience. This time the Salesman when he did contact me wanted me to sign up with two hours to decide, no details of car, or finance. Then said he was leaving that evening and won't be working there.
I did get hold of the Dealership Principal on the second one and gave him a recount of my experience. He couldnt give a fig.
I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion I know why the motor trade is in the mess its in.
It has taken me 3 or 4 times to get a sales person to take me seriously when trying to buy a new BMW, last time I managed was when I bought my m2 comp and they still screwed that up, the latest was when I was trying to swap my Passat for an x5, no sales person can be bothered to call you back. Utterly useless.
Court_S said:
It does seem to vary big time....
My local dealer is good on the warranty / servicing side of things but I'm not a fan of their sales guys.
Best buying experience I had was my M140i via TRL at Berry. All figures were open, no BS having to chat to sales managers etc.
I had a good experience of our local dealer when getting a new M4CP via PCP before Christmas & yet when I'm after a business lease, it seems entirely different at the same dealer....it's 7 days working days since I sent the relevant form in (having test driven the required model with them) & yet no reply - I'm starting to think I might have to go elsewhere & the local dealer will lose my business which is a shame My local dealer is good on the warranty / servicing side of things but I'm not a fan of their sales guys.
Best buying experience I had was my M140i via TRL at Berry. All figures were open, no BS having to chat to sales managers etc.
I wonder if the fleet guy was motivated at the end of the last quarter by possible bonus if I could have got my application sorted before....When we were looking for a new car we were quite refreshed by BMW's low pressure sales approach although we didn't go forward with a purchase so if that style had continued I can see how it would be annoying.
Contrast that with the most pushy salesperson I've ever met at Mini (yes, I know that's BMW). When we clearly said we were out for a first look, just having a casual look around she would not leave us alone, got our phone number (other half is too polite) and phoned us *that afternoon* asking what we wanted to do.
Contrast that with the most pushy salesperson I've ever met at Mini (yes, I know that's BMW). When we clearly said we were out for a first look, just having a casual look around she would not leave us alone, got our phone number (other half is too polite) and phoned us *that afternoon* asking what we wanted to do.
MrC986 said:
I had a good experience of our local dealer when getting a new M4CP via PCP before Christmas & yet when I'm after a business lease, it seems entirely different at the same dealer....it's 7 days working days since I sent the relevant form in (having test driven the required model with them) & yet no reply - I'm starting to think I might have to go elsewhere & the local dealer will lose my business which is a shame I wonder if the fleet guy was motivated at the end of the last quarter by possible bonus if I could have got my application sorted before....
Aren't they supposed to have dedicated guys for that? Sytner Sutton used to have a lady working for them who only dealt with business stuff who was pretty good when I dealt with her a few years ago. I wonder if the fleet guy was motivated at the end of the last quarter by possible bonus if I could have got my application sorted before....Is the M4 replacing the Porsche or the X1? Or is it in addition?
The car industry is a Ponzi Scheme. Setting ever higher sales targets and just selling more and more metal has an impact on residuals, fueled by cheap PCP's.
Car's are now disposable. Was at Autosport yesterday when a VAG technician said it was not unusual to see five year old cars beyond economic repair for owners(£6k gearbox was mentioned). When I last asked it was the 11 year old Passat's that were biting the bullet, so clearly quality or spare parts/labour pricing is impacting the market.
BMW Dealers do seem to have the second worst sales people (After Audi). A good market downturn should sort out the wheat from the chaff hopefully. Tried to buy an RS4 Avant. Gave up. Just that awful.
Just used Carwow. Easy. Big discount and no hassle. Gave up with BMW and bought a Volvo. Still have an M5 and a G29 Z4 so I'm still in the fold.
Car's are now disposable. Was at Autosport yesterday when a VAG technician said it was not unusual to see five year old cars beyond economic repair for owners(£6k gearbox was mentioned). When I last asked it was the 11 year old Passat's that were biting the bullet, so clearly quality or spare parts/labour pricing is impacting the market.
BMW Dealers do seem to have the second worst sales people (After Audi). A good market downturn should sort out the wheat from the chaff hopefully. Tried to buy an RS4 Avant. Gave up. Just that awful.
Just used Carwow. Easy. Big discount and no hassle. Gave up with BMW and bought a Volvo. Still have an M5 and a G29 Z4 so I'm still in the fold.
washingitagain said:
When we were looking for a new car we were quite refreshed by BMW's low pressure sales approach although we didn't go forward with a purchase so if that style had continued I can see how it would be annoying.
Contrast that with the most pushy salesperson I've ever met at Mini (yes, I know that's BMW). When we clearly said we were out for a first look, just having a casual look around she would not leave us alone, got our phone number (other half is too polite) and phoned us *that afternoon* asking what we wanted to do.
So, car dealer condemned for not calling 'customers', yet, when they do,its still wrong? Contrast that with the most pushy salesperson I've ever met at Mini (yes, I know that's BMW). When we clearly said we were out for a first look, just having a casual look around she would not leave us alone, got our phone number (other half is too polite) and phoned us *that afternoon* asking what we wanted to do.
Mexman said:
washingitagain said:
When we were looking for a new car we were quite refreshed by BMW's low pressure sales approach although we didn't go forward with a purchase so if that style had continued I can see how it would be annoying.
Contrast that with the most pushy salesperson I've ever met at Mini (yes, I know that's BMW). When we clearly said we were out for a first look, just having a casual look around she would not leave us alone, got our phone number (other half is too polite) and phoned us *that afternoon* asking what we wanted to do.
So, car dealer condemned for not calling 'customers', yet, when they do,its still wrong? Contrast that with the most pushy salesperson I've ever met at Mini (yes, I know that's BMW). When we clearly said we were out for a first look, just having a casual look around she would not leave us alone, got our phone number (other half is too polite) and phoned us *that afternoon* asking what we wanted to do.
ro250 said:
Mexman said:
washingitagain said:
When we were looking for a new car we were quite refreshed by BMW's low pressure sales approach although we didn't go forward with a purchase so if that style had continued I can see how it would be annoying.
Contrast that with the most pushy salesperson I've ever met at Mini (yes, I know that's BMW). When we clearly said we were out for a first look, just having a casual look around she would not leave us alone, got our phone number (other half is too polite) and phoned us *that afternoon* asking what we wanted to do.
So, car dealer condemned for not calling 'customers', yet, when they do,its still wrong? Contrast that with the most pushy salesperson I've ever met at Mini (yes, I know that's BMW). When we clearly said we were out for a first look, just having a casual look around she would not leave us alone, got our phone number (other half is too polite) and phoned us *that afternoon* asking what we wanted to do.
BMW dealers vary wildly in sales and servicing depending on with whom you deal in my experience. I've had both good and bad in terms of sales and servicing. I sort of expect poorer service from the servicing dept as I'm not handing over as much money, but was surprised at the s
tty treatment I got from Halliwell Jones when trying to buy a 335d last year; though that may have been because I said it was a cash purchase?
tty treatment I got from Halliwell Jones when trying to buy a 335d last year; though that may have been because I said it was a cash purchase?I have found dealers good to bad ... some great for sales and rubbish for service but generally they are better than my experiences with Mercedes or other makes.
I've found Vines in Guildford great for service ... sadly of late awful for sales though ! Service have always been excellent and I have faith in their problem solving ability + they are reasonable in how they deal with you. They are my 'go to' for servicing as I have confidence in them.
Sales at Coopers Thames Ditton rubbish ... sales at Cooper Cobham, excellent. Just shows as managers and staff move about the quality can change hugely. Service at Cooper Thames Ditton .... Hmmm, not impressed, would go there for a straightforward service only.
Cooper Reading ok and to be fair when I rejected a car they were great. Their finance dept in Sunderland held onto the money until the last second though which left a bad taste and I had to 'threaten' them to get it.
Dick Lovett Hungerford - probably the best sales experience I have ever had .... and at 54 there has been a few, so good on them and I would go back even though it is 90 miles from me to buy ... not to service obviously.
TRL - never bought but always decent prices and advice. I will buy a car from him eventually but not meant to be so far lol.
I've found Vines in Guildford great for service ... sadly of late awful for sales though ! Service have always been excellent and I have faith in their problem solving ability + they are reasonable in how they deal with you. They are my 'go to' for servicing as I have confidence in them.
Sales at Coopers Thames Ditton rubbish ... sales at Cooper Cobham, excellent. Just shows as managers and staff move about the quality can change hugely. Service at Cooper Thames Ditton .... Hmmm, not impressed, would go there for a straightforward service only.
Cooper Reading ok and to be fair when I rejected a car they were great. Their finance dept in Sunderland held onto the money until the last second though which left a bad taste and I had to 'threaten' them to get it.
Dick Lovett Hungerford - probably the best sales experience I have ever had .... and at 54 there has been a few, so good on them and I would go back even though it is 90 miles from me to buy ... not to service obviously.
TRL - never bought but always decent prices and advice. I will buy a car from him eventually but not meant to be so far lol.
ro250 said:
Driver101 said:
Why change usernames in the middle of a discussion?
Changed it a few hours ago, only just fed through. Does that matter?It would be helpful if the website changed the username on old posts too.
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