Warranty Repairs - Dealer Service?

[Nano2nd]

Hi all, this is my first forray into the BMW dealer service network(first BMW)... I've got an issue with my Zed and the door locking system, anyway upshot is i can't lock the boot manually or active the alarm, so the car isn't secure.

I phoned my local Sytners to get it booked in, turns out i'm lucky and can get a slot tomorrow (as they've had a cancellation) otherwise its next tuesday... now i have to take the car there myself (from my work) and make arangements to get myself back and from Sytners, due to a 10 day notice/wait for collection and delivery service...
Okay, what about a curtosy car? sorry we can't do that they all get booked up 2-3 weeks in advance... right okay thanks!

TBH i thought buying a £50k car and the "service" that comes from having a BMW would be much better!

Are my expectations to high? as i was expecting a much better service... or is this the service we've come to expect from BMW?

[Mustard]

Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar = Ford, Vauxhall, Rover 10-15yrs ago

Sorry to disappoint, but you've bought only slightly better than the norm these days.

The days when buying a BMW etc and you were buying into something a 'little bit special' have long since gone, when they acquired 3 acre sites with 20 bay workshops, and staffed by about 80 people.

15yrs ago you got much better treatment with a 5yr old 318i than you do a new 5 series

All summed up by one word 'Volume'

[Nano2nd]

Mustard said:

Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar = Ford, Vauxhall, Rover 10-15yrs ago

Sorry to disappoint, but you've bought only slightly better than the norm these days.

The days when buying a BMW etc and you were buying into something a 'little bit special' have long since gone, when they acquired 3 acre sites with 20 bay workshops, and staffed by about 80 people.

15yrs ago you got much better treatment with a 5yr old 318i than you do a new 5 series

All summed up by one word 'Volume'

sorry i don't understand your post? so what your saying is the experience discribed above is the norm for BMW these days?

So what if my gearbox had failed? am i without a car for 3 weeks till they can allocate a curtosy car? and this is the norm?

[DSM2]

I would agree that the prestige makes have lost some of their quality, in both build and service over the years but it seems that the quality of service is dealer dependent.

We have two BMWs and don't have any complaints about our dealer (yet). Always willing to collect/return, fix while I wait, whatever suits me. To be fair the cars have been pretty reliable so not much need for service.

[Mustard]

Nano2nd said:

Mustard said:

Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar = Ford, Vauxhall, Rover 10-15yrs ago

Sorry to disappoint, but you've bought only slightly better than the norm these days.

The days when buying a BMW etc and you were buying into something a 'little bit special' have long since gone, when they acquired 3 acre sites with 20 bay workshops, and staffed by about 80 people.

15yrs ago you got much better treatment with a 5yr old 318i than you do a new 5 series

All summed up by one word 'Volume'

sorry i don't understand your post? so what your saying is the experience discribed above is the norm for BMW these days?

So what if my gearbox had failed? am i without a car for 3 weeks till they can allocate a curtosy car? and this is the norm?

If it was under warranty then BMW assist would sort out a car, out of warranty then yes you'll be waiting for one

Dont have any specific complaints about our local dealer, but I dont expect to be using them for any car over 5yrs/60k miles (ie Inspection II service time) when I have a local indy who both used to work at said main dealer (and well recommeneded) and enjoy the personal service we used to recieve when previously our last two 'main' cars were taken there throughout there life

Edited by Mustard on Wednesday 12th March 11:57

[Donut]

Mustard said:

Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar = Ford, Vauxhall, Rover 10-15yrs ago

Sorry to disappoint, but you've bought only slightly better than the norm these days.

The days when buying a BMW etc and you were buying into something a 'little bit special' have long since gone, when they acquired 3 acre sites with 20 bay workshops, and staffed by about 80 people.

15yrs ago you got much better treatment with a 5yr old 318i than you do a new 5 series

All summed up by one word 'Volume'

So your saying Sports Cars would provide me with a car tomorrow, if I booked in today?

[Nano2nd]

DSM2 said:

I would agree that the prestige makes have lost some of their quality, in both build and service over the years but it seems that the quality of service is dealer dependent.

We have two BMWs and don't have any complaints about our dealer (yet). Always willing to collect/return, fix while I wait, whatever suits me. To be fair the cars have been pretty reliable so not much need for service.

Hi so have these been short notice? as there saying at short notice they can't do anything for me regard col/deliver or a curtosy car....

I'm just trying to get an idea of what to expect, obviously if they ring me up tomorrow and say they can't fix it on the same day, do i have to get it back then wait for them to sort there st out? i'm a little concerned that due to not being able to lock the car and activate my imobiliser my insurance is affected, plus i need to use the car for business and don't want to be locked out or anything daft.

basically if they are fobbing me if i want to know so i can open a can of whoop a$$

[Donut]

Nano2nd said:

DSM2 said:

I would agree that the prestige makes have lost some of their quality, in both build and service over the years but it seems that the quality of service is dealer dependent.

We have two BMWs and don't have any complaints about our dealer (yet). Always willing to collect/return, fix while I wait, whatever suits me. To be fair the cars have been pretty reliable so not much need for service.

Hi so have these been short notice? as there saying at short notice they can't do anything for me regard col/deliver or a curtosy car....

I'm just trying to get an idea of what to expect, obviously if they ring me up tomorrow and say they can't fix it on the same day, do i have to get it back then wait for them to sort there st out? i'm a little concerned that due to not being able to lock the car and activate my imobiliser my insurance is affected, plus i need to use the car for business and don't want to be locked out or anything daft.

basically if they are fobbing me if i want to know so i can open a can of whoop a$$

They won't be fobbing, if they can't fix it on the day due to a part not being in stock then they will give you the choice, either they keep it or you re-book it in when it is convienient.

[Mustard]

Donut said:

Mustard said:

Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar = Ford, Vauxhall, Rover 10-15yrs ago

Sorry to disappoint, but you've bought only slightly better than the norm these days.

The days when buying a BMW etc and you were buying into something a 'little bit special' have long since gone, when they acquired 3 acre sites with 20 bay workshops, and staffed by about 80 people.

15yrs ago you got much better treatment with a 5yr old 318i than you do a new 5 series

All summed up by one word 'Volume'

So your saying Sports Cars would provide me with a car tomorrow, if I booked in today?

You and I both know theres supposed to be a courtesy car for Mr Xyz just waiting outside just incase he happens to need one

[Nano2nd]

right I’ve spoken to BMW UK and the courtesy car(or collection/delivery service) is dealer discretionary and most have a 2-3 week lead time though it’s worth shopping round apparently.
If your car is “immobilised” i.e. blown up then BMW Assist will deal with it and they will liaise with the local dealer to get you a rental car for the first 48 hours, after that it’s down to the dealers discretion whether you can keep it longer. An option is for me to pay for my own rental car at a preferred dealer rate for the duration of the repair as the warranty doesn’t actually include a courtesy car so BMW won’t pick up the tab if it’s not immobilised.

Oh and if the cars stolen whilst being unlocked and not immobilised BMW won’t pick up the tab for a new one – surprise!

TBH I’m extremely disappointed by this, if my interior light wasn’t working or something minor then fair enough...

[DSM2]

Nano2nd said:

DSM2 said:

I would agree that the prestige makes have lost some of their quality, in both build and service over the years but it seems that the quality of service is dealer dependent.

We have two BMWs and don't have any complaints about our dealer (yet). Always willing to collect/return, fix while I wait, whatever suits me. To be fair the cars have been pretty reliable so not much need for service.

Hi so have these been short notice? as there saying at short notice they can't do anything for me regard col/deliver or a curtosy car....

I'm just trying to get an idea of what to expect, obviously if they ring me up tomorrow and say they can't fix it on the same day, do i have to get it back then wait for them to sort there st out? i'm a little concerned that due to not being able to lock the car and activate my imobiliser my insurance is affected, plus i need to use the car for business and don't want to be locked out or anything daft.

basically if they are fobbing me if i want to know so i can open a can of whoop a$$

No, to be honest I have not had to get anyhting done at short notice exactly, and as I said, not much at all to be done.

But as an example I was psssing the dealer two hours ago and called in to order a touch up for the wife (oooer!). Thought I would see how much notice they would need to service my 320 (50K service in 700 miles). The receptionship plugged my key in, confirmed service in 684 miles and said they could squeeze it in on Friday, if I wanted.

As it happened I didn't, I will get closer to the mileage, but she said if I give them a week's notice it will not be a problem and they will collect, though I don't need a loan car.

[MitchT]

Mustard said:

The days when buying a BMW etc and you were buying into something a 'little bit special' have long since gone, when they acquired 3 acre sites with 20 bay workshops, and staffed by about 80 people.

...

All summed up by one word 'Volume'

I knew when the first 3 Series Compact appeared that things were going to start sliding. They should ditch the 1 Series and the SUVs and concentrate on what they do best - niche market sporty saloons and coupes and the odd roadster coupled with that magic touch they used to have that made you feel like you were a member of a special secret society. Less quantity and more quality please!

Edited by MitchT on Thursday 13th March 22:42