BMW Servicing Experience(s)....
Discussion
Hi all,
I have used my BMW main dealer for servicing (and purchasing) for many years (mainly MINIs). My current BMW (E92 330i) was not bought from them, but I am using them.
Last September, I had some recall work completed. This took three visits. The first visit to confirm work needed doing, the second visit resulted in the car not being worked on and then third to finally complete the work. Today, my car was dropped in for a full service and a new Lambda sensor to be installed. Once again the car was not touched (because of other cars with issues?) and I need to drop it off again next week. This is an inconvenience, but doesn't 'really' matter..
My question is, is this normal for a main dealer service department, or am I seen as a soft touch because I don't ask (or necessarily want!) compo, free things etc.??? All I want is my car to be worked on the day it is booked in for work. Would kicking up a fuss with the dealer, mean I would get better service?
Anyone else experienced this with BMW?
Mike
PS I am geographically constrained so using another BMW main dealer is not an option.
I have used my BMW main dealer for servicing (and purchasing) for many years (mainly MINIs). My current BMW (E92 330i) was not bought from them, but I am using them.
Last September, I had some recall work completed. This took three visits. The first visit to confirm work needed doing, the second visit resulted in the car not being worked on and then third to finally complete the work. Today, my car was dropped in for a full service and a new Lambda sensor to be installed. Once again the car was not touched (because of other cars with issues?) and I need to drop it off again next week. This is an inconvenience, but doesn't 'really' matter..
My question is, is this normal for a main dealer service department, or am I seen as a soft touch because I don't ask (or necessarily want!) compo, free things etc.??? All I want is my car to be worked on the day it is booked in for work. Would kicking up a fuss with the dealer, mean I would get better service?
Anyone else experienced this with BMW?
Mike
PS I am geographically constrained so using another BMW main dealer is not an option.
Never had this.
I either go for a while you wait appointment option and get the car there first thing 0700 ; then usually 1hr - 90 minutes or if it was big job make sure I get a courtesy car which if my car wasn’t ready I’d just keep
in other words I wouldn’t go back to dealership until they confirmed work on my car is complete.
The other option would be if my car came in recovered but then I would get courtesy car.
I can see how things can go awry if they get say a lot of recovered cars in, but you should be compensated for inconvenience.
I either go for a while you wait appointment option and get the car there first thing 0700 ; then usually 1hr - 90 minutes or if it was big job make sure I get a courtesy car which if my car wasn’t ready I’d just keep
in other words I wouldn’t go back to dealership until they confirmed work on my car is complete. The other option would be if my car came in recovered but then I would get courtesy car.
I can see how things can go awry if they get say a lot of recovered cars in, but you should be compensated for inconvenience.
Smuler said:
Never had this.
I either go for a while you wait appointment option and get the car there first thing 0700 ; then usually 1hr - 90 minutes or if it was big job make sure I get a courtesy car which if my car wasn’t ready I’d just keep in other words I wouldn’t go back to dealership until they confirmed work on my car is complete.
The other option would be if my car came in recovered but then I would get courtesy car.
I can see how things can go awry if they get say a lot of recovered cars in, but you should be compensated for inconvenience.
What about when you get a courtesy car and the call to say your cars fixed and you find on the way back home that it blatantly is not fixed. Not once, not twice, but three times. I either go for a while you wait appointment option and get the car there first thing 0700 ; then usually 1hr - 90 minutes or if it was big job make sure I get a courtesy car which if my car wasn’t ready I’d just keep
in other words I wouldn’t go back to dealership until they confirmed work on my car is complete. The other option would be if my car came in recovered but then I would get courtesy car.
I can see how things can go awry if they get say a lot of recovered cars in, but you should be compensated for inconvenience.
bmwmike said:
What about when you get a courtesy car and the call to say your cars fixed and you find on the way back home that it blatantly is not fixed. Not once, not twice, but three times.
Don't go back the 3rd time?Dashcam and record the car not having work done, and record the phone calls clearly lying?
Then compensation for your wasted time?
Mr Whippy said:
bmwmike said:
What about when you get a courtesy car and the call to say your cars fixed and you find on the way back home that it blatantly is not fixed. Not once, not twice, but three times.
Don't go back the 3rd time?Dashcam and record the car not having work done, and record the phone calls clearly lying?
Then compensation for your wasted time?
I remember now my dealership forgot to read the key to update their records. I was passing next day and dropped it in and as a thank you / apology I got 10% off next Service.
Mr Whippy said:
Never had that from a main dealer.
Had it at local 'cheap' back street garages though.
If BMW did that to me I'd expect a courtesy pickup/return to save me further potentially wasted trips!
That's the thing - they have usually been a good dealership. They will pick my car up from work/ drop it back/ give me lifts and next week I have a courtesy car - so I am not disadvantaged much by this. It is just frustrating that I book the car in and three times in the last four months, work has not been completed..... at least my car was cleaned today....... Had it at local 'cheap' back street garages though.
If BMW did that to me I'd expect a courtesy pickup/return to save me further potentially wasted trips!
Thanks for other posts too. Maybe my local dealership are struggling to recruit??
Mike
I’m having fun with my local at present. Not strictly servicing related, the car went in with a misfire.
Last Friday I got the call, to pick up Monday.
Got in car, started engine to help defrost (it was cold on Monday) and the ‘check engine’ is lit. A press of the accelerator revealed the exact same symptoms described upon dropping off the car.
Dropped the keys back in. It’s now 3.5 full days later & I’ve not heard a thing. While I don’t need the car day-to-day, how they handle the resolution of this is going to make me decide on whether they get any of my future business (or not). I know it’s only 2 cars and they won’t care...
By contrast, JCT600, (who I bought my Z4 from) are/were excellent. I’ll probably go there (regardless of how the above pans out) even if it’s a 60 mile round trip from Rochdale...
Last Friday I got the call, to pick up Monday.
Got in car, started engine to help defrost (it was cold on Monday) and the ‘check engine’ is lit. A press of the accelerator revealed the exact same symptoms described upon dropping off the car.
Dropped the keys back in. It’s now 3.5 full days later & I’ve not heard a thing. While I don’t need the car day-to-day, how they handle the resolution of this is going to make me decide on whether they get any of my future business (or not). I know it’s only 2 cars and they won’t care...
By contrast, JCT600, (who I bought my Z4 from) are/were excellent. I’ll probably go there (regardless of how the above pans out) even if it’s a 60 mile round trip from Rochdale...
Mr Whippy said:
bmwmike said:
What about when you get a courtesy car and the call to say your cars fixed and you find on the way back home that it blatantly is not fixed. Not once, not twice, but three times.
Don't go back the 3rd time?Dashcam and record the car not having work done, and record the phone calls clearly lying?
Then compensation for your wasted time?
They can be hit and miss - pretty inconsistent sometimes - I just suck it up as I've had similar/worse issues at Indys and a lot of the time the things I need get covered by warranty.
My latest example - took in for a broken spring. Covered by warranty but obviously only did one side. Dealer phoned to tell me they'd found traces of an oil leak. I pointed out that I'd reported an oil leak on every visit for the last couple years - my parking space has an ever growing stain, but every other visit they claim there is no leak. The solution this time? "We've wiped it away and suggest you come back in a month so we can take a look as now we can't find it". Sigh.
But on balance, no better or worse than the Indy experiences I've had.
My latest example - took in for a broken spring. Covered by warranty but obviously only did one side. Dealer phoned to tell me they'd found traces of an oil leak. I pointed out that I'd reported an oil leak on every visit for the last couple years - my parking space has an ever growing stain, but every other visit they claim there is no leak. The solution this time? "We've wiped it away and suggest you come back in a month so we can take a look as now we can't find it". Sigh.
But on balance, no better or worse than the Indy experiences I've had.
My local abused my car over several days as can be seen with the dashcam I have.
100+ mph on multiple days and on one occasion almost 140mph while boasting about how much petrol they've wasted. No mechanical sympathy whatsoever.
Needless to say, the guy got fired, I got my £2k back in repairs and a free 2 year warranty for that. It's the only BMW dealer around so I still have to use them, however they roll out the red carpet when I turn up now. And I still check my footage!
100+ mph on multiple days and on one occasion almost 140mph while boasting about how much petrol they've wasted. No mechanical sympathy whatsoever.
Needless to say, the guy got fired, I got my £2k back in repairs and a free 2 year warranty for that. It's the only BMW dealer around so I still have to use them, however they roll out the red carpet when I turn up now. And I still check my footage!
I bought a used 520d estate 18 months ago (sold it since). It was a 2012 reg and had 'FBMWSH' including a recent full service.
Whenever I buy a new 'used' car then the first thing I do is change the oil and give it a basic service.
The air filter was still the original item, covered in crap and bearing the '2012' manufacturing date.
The thing is people get their knob out when buying a BMW with FBMWSH - it's not that great imo, certainly no guarantee its a well serviced and maintained car.
Whenever I buy a new 'used' car then the first thing I do is change the oil and give it a basic service.
The air filter was still the original item, covered in crap and bearing the '2012' manufacturing date.
The thing is people get their knob out when buying a BMW with FBMWSH - it's not that great imo, certainly no guarantee its a well serviced and maintained car.
Prinny said:
I’m having fun with my local at present. Not strictly servicing related, the car went in with a misfire.
Last Friday I got the call, to pick up Monday.
Got in car, started engine to help defrost (it was cold on Monday) and the ‘check engine’ is lit. A press of the accelerator revealed the exact same symptoms described upon dropping off the car.
Dropped the keys back in. It’s now 3.5 full days later & I’ve not heard a thing. While I don’t need the car day-to-day, how they handle the resolution of this is going to make me decide on whether they get any of my future business (or not). I know it’s only 2 cars and they won’t care...
By contrast, JCT600, (who I bought my Z4 from) are/were excellent. I’ll probably go there (regardless of how the above pans out) even if it’s a 60 mile round trip from Rochdale...
Assuming who your closest dealer is, I've never had problems with them, not suprised you wish to use a different dealer though!Last Friday I got the call, to pick up Monday.
Got in car, started engine to help defrost (it was cold on Monday) and the ‘check engine’ is lit. A press of the accelerator revealed the exact same symptoms described upon dropping off the car.
Dropped the keys back in. It’s now 3.5 full days later & I’ve not heard a thing. While I don’t need the car day-to-day, how they handle the resolution of this is going to make me decide on whether they get any of my future business (or not). I know it’s only 2 cars and they won’t care...
By contrast, JCT600, (who I bought my Z4 from) are/were excellent. I’ll probably go there (regardless of how the above pans out) even if it’s a 60 mile round trip from Rochdale...
Edited by AllyBassman on Friday 12th January 11:55
Edited by AllyBassman on Friday 12th January 11:55
Silverbullet767 said:
My local abused my car over several days as can be seen with the dashcam I have.
100+ mph on multiple days and on one occasion almost 140mph while boasting about how much petrol they've wasted. No mechanical sympathy whatsoever.
Needless to say, the guy got fired, I got my £2k back in repairs and a free 2 year warranty for that. It's the only BMW dealer around so I still have to use them, however they roll out the red carpet when I turn up now. And I still check my footage!
You should have sent it to the Police too.100+ mph on multiple days and on one occasion almost 140mph while boasting about how much petrol they've wasted. No mechanical sympathy whatsoever.
Needless to say, the guy got fired, I got my £2k back in repairs and a free 2 year warranty for that. It's the only BMW dealer around so I still have to use them, however they roll out the red carpet when I turn up now. And I still check my footage!
Suprised you still use that garage if i'm honest.
I think I'm finally fed up of BMW for my old Z4.
I'd like to use them but now my car is almost 14yrs old I think the value/history factors become irrelevant.
Maintenance history trumps 'service' history... and maintenance is something imo, BMW aren't good at or competitive at.
Just had £720 quoted for insp2, aircon, coolant and brake fluid.
40mins total phone time to clarify and get a price.
Now waiting to see what a local BMW specialist will cost for the same plus some extras (5mins on phone)
I'd like to use them but now my car is almost 14yrs old I think the value/history factors become irrelevant.
Maintenance history trumps 'service' history... and maintenance is something imo, BMW aren't good at or competitive at.
Just had £720 quoted for insp2, aircon, coolant and brake fluid.
40mins total phone time to clarify and get a price.
Now waiting to see what a local BMW specialist will cost for the same plus some extras (5mins on phone)
AllyBassman said:
Silverbullet767 said:
My local abused my car over several days as can be seen with the dashcam I have.
100+ mph on multiple days and on one occasion almost 140mph while boasting about how much petrol they've wasted. No mechanical sympathy whatsoever.
Needless to say, the guy got fired, I got my £2k back in repairs and a free 2 year warranty for that. It's the only BMW dealer around so I still have to use them, however they roll out the red carpet when I turn up now. And I still check my footage!
You should have sent it to the Police too.100+ mph on multiple days and on one occasion almost 140mph while boasting about how much petrol they've wasted. No mechanical sympathy whatsoever.
Needless to say, the guy got fired, I got my £2k back in repairs and a free 2 year warranty for that. It's the only BMW dealer around so I still have to use them, however they roll out the red carpet when I turn up now. And I still check my footage!
Suprised you still use that garage if i'm honest.
The 2 years are up now though, so I'll be going somewhere else.
Mr Whippy said:
Just had £720 quoted for insp2, aircon, coolant and brake fluid.
40mins total phone time to clarify and get a price.
I was told that coolant didn't need changing during the life of the car. I was surprised, not checked. I imagine yo asked for Value Servicing.40mins total phone time to clarify and get a price.
I still get mine done as they still collect, even for a MoT, and being mileage based (except brake fluid) it averages out OK pa.
Parts are expensive imo.
Nick
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