BMW Dealers just getting worse
Discussion
I had an ok experience initially with my local Sytner branch but it went south pretty quick.
Usually there is always some form of drama which doesn't make sense.
Most recent one being they identified 3 oil leaks which I asked them to fix under warranty, went to pick the car up and they had fixed one and told me I have another 2 oil leaks.
Due to the warranty I have I always go to the dealer but for smaller jobs,I go to my independent who is ex BMW and is exceptional.
Usually there is always some form of drama which doesn't make sense.
Most recent one being they identified 3 oil leaks which I asked them to fix under warranty, went to pick the car up and they had fixed one and told me I have another 2 oil leaks.
Due to the warranty I have I always go to the dealer but for smaller jobs,I go to my independent who is ex BMW and is exceptional.
Sohaib-ijiiv said:
Most recent one being they identified 3 oil leaks which I asked them to fix under warranty, went to pick the car up and they had fixed one and told me I have another 2 oil leaks.
Sounds like they’ve adopted the Meatloaf approach to repairs.“Two out of Three ain’t bad”
rayyan171 said:
Thinking about it, I would love to slate them more, but heavy pricing aside, the local dealer had to take most of the brunt of the recalls this year as the main dealer in the city was busy relocating. Made it a nightmare to book, but I think its finally dying down. I remember seeing people have to return courtesy cars and leave in a taxi. Madness, but props to BMW solving it, rather than ignoring it and letting people drive around with the issue. Few brands have been known to do the latter with recall issues...
It does appear to be getting sorted much quicker. Chap at work has a 530d that was originally outside of the original recall but needed a new EGR. It was in and out in a day with no crazy wait times for a six cylinder engine.Sohaib-ijiiv said:
Most recent one being they identified 3 oil leaks which I asked them to fix under warranty, went to pick the car up and they had fixed one and told me I have another 2 oil leaks.
I had a similar with sytner when I had my3 series. It went in for another piece of warranty work and on the health check pointed out an oil weep from the diff/driveshaft seal. Rather than sorting out While it was in (I think it was a 30 minute job) they rang me and advised me to book it in again! Then when I came to drop it off for this work they talked about it will be 80 something quid, which I promptly pointed out the car was 18 months old so there will be no such bill. However don’t get my started with Stratstone, took my 3 series for warranty for a horrific rattle from the central armrest cubby. The wireless charging dock was faulty and was rattling like crazy. They fixed it, handed the car back then a week or so later tried to bill me for it as they said it wasn’t factory fitted. When I politely pointed out that an online VIN decoder matched my car spec to the smallest detail (including factory de badge) and the wireless charger was also listed, they then backed down.
TBH I haven’t had much better luck with the local VW dealers since I’ve had a golf either, so think it’s just general level of service nowadays.
Court_S said:
It does appear to be getting sorted much quicker. Chap at work has a 530d that was originally outside of the original recall but needed a new EGR. It was in and out in a day with no crazy wait times for a six cylinder engine.
They must be staying afloat now, they seemed to be absolutely drowning this summer, could not even find a parking space and they were parking cars wherever they could fit - including in the Mini dealer opposite (owned by the same company). rayyan171 said:
They must be staying afloat now, they seemed to be absolutely drowning this summer, could not even find a parking space and they were parking cars wherever they could fit - including in the Mini dealer opposite (owned by the same company).
Yes its loads better than it was even earlier this year.I went to look at a 335d that Stratstone had and it was chaos at the dealership. Cars shoved everywhere whilst waiting for parts - the car I went to look at hadn't even been checked, so they couldn't tell me if it was affected or not. Potentially I could have paid for the car and not actually been able to drive it away! I didn't bother taking it any further.
mdavids said:
My one and only experience of main dealer service was terrible. My 1 series went in for the power lead recall, location of the work was behind the glove box. Couple of days after picking it up I realised the HVAC system wasn't working properly, which is also located behind the glove box.
One of my e90's went in for the power lead recall in the summer, then 2 days later had complete power failure on the M3.Upon inspection, they hadnt fitted the new lead properly, plus had made a right mess of my fuse box.
Bunch of muppets the lot of them.
I must be really lucky as I have a fantastic local BMW dealer they are really good, often do things for free, always sort out goodwill on repairs without me having to ask and have never caused an issue and are always really friendly, they had to look at something the other day and didn't charge me for the investigation either. (I do give them all my business though servicing/tyres/car sales/repairs/accessories etc....but I always price check)
They did once make a small mistake and fitted the wrong tyre to my 7 series they fitted an i8 spec tyre instead, they called me up as I was driving away asked me to turn around so they could sort it out, gave me £50 worth of BMW merch/car care as an apology without me asking for anything, which I wouldn't have done as we're all human.
They did once make a small mistake and fitted the wrong tyre to my 7 series they fitted an i8 spec tyre instead, they called me up as I was driving away asked me to turn around so they could sort it out, gave me £50 worth of BMW merch/car care as an apology without me asking for anything, which I wouldn't have done as we're all human.
I've been relatively happy with the service received from BMW Park Lane. Its not as good as my trusted specialist from another marque, but not any worse than my regular BMW specialist. In fact, of all the car brands I own, I've struggled to get good service from any BMW related garages.
Took my E39 in to BMW Park Royal and they booked me on the spot for an airbag recall, first checking that they had the part in stock. Washed the car (7/10 work) and kept me in the loop on timings. Oskar is the service manager and he is pretty good, for a main dealer.
Took my E39 in to BMW Park Royal and they booked me on the spot for an airbag recall, first checking that they had the part in stock. Washed the car (7/10 work) and kept me in the loop on timings. Oskar is the service manager and he is pretty good, for a main dealer.
I have been dealing with Norwich for the last 20 years and they have been great. Jonathan who has been there looking after service is brilliant, they have rules but think when you build up a relationship with them they know you're not trying it on and do whatever they can to get things sorted.
gizlaroc said:
I have been dealing with Norwich for the last 20 years and they have been great. Jonathan who has been there looking after service is brilliant, they have rules but think when you build up a relationship with them they know you're not trying it on and do whatever they can to get things sorted.
It's a shame they can't give the best service to every customer that walks through the door instead they pick and choose who they deem worthy.Very poor business practice.
I don't think it is that, I think they have certain procedures they have to follow, but if you have been dealing with them for years you build up a relationship where they can probably 'bypass' some of the procedures.
Just sit at the service desk and listen to some of the customers, most are complete numpties.
Just the other day I was sitting outside on the phone, and some old boy was trying to park, he was riding his clutch like mad, took him around 15 goes to get in the space next to me and all I could do was cringe.
Then when I was sat inside he came back in with one of the techs, I was listening to him complain that a car that is only just over a year old shouldn't be needing a new clutch for the second time already.
They were asking if he had considered and automatic? He didn't like that at all.
I agree, charging for diagnostic though is just a wind up.
But this is a BMW UK issue.
I wanted a price for fitting a new EGR, they wanted £160 for diag.
I explained it didn't need diagnosing, I just wanted it fitting. The system wouldn't let them book it.
Why? They are a garage, if I ask them to fit a new genuine part they should. It could be just good preventative maintenance, doesn't need to be faulty.
Just sit at the service desk and listen to some of the customers, most are complete numpties.
Just the other day I was sitting outside on the phone, and some old boy was trying to park, he was riding his clutch like mad, took him around 15 goes to get in the space next to me and all I could do was cringe.
Then when I was sat inside he came back in with one of the techs, I was listening to him complain that a car that is only just over a year old shouldn't be needing a new clutch for the second time already.
They were asking if he had considered and automatic? He didn't like that at all.
I agree, charging for diagnostic though is just a wind up.
But this is a BMW UK issue.
I wanted a price for fitting a new EGR, they wanted £160 for diag.
I explained it didn't need diagnosing, I just wanted it fitting. The system wouldn't let them book it.
Why? They are a garage, if I ask them to fit a new genuine part they should. It could be just good preventative maintenance, doesn't need to be faulty.
jamoor said:
gizlaroc said:
I have been dealing with Norwich for the last 20 years and they have been great. Jonathan who has been there looking after service is brilliant, they have rules but think when you build up a relationship with them they know you're not trying it on and do whatever they can to get things sorted.
It's a shame they can't give the best service to every customer that walks through the door instead they pick and choose who they deem worthy.Very poor business practice.
Unfortunately the sales side was irredeemably useless which is why we don’t have any BMWs now.
bad company said:
REALIST123 said:
bad company said:
Lexus can be good cars and apparently the dealers service is excellent. Trouble is their cars are monumentaly UGLY imo. 
Yeah? The latest BMW are hardly beauty queens..........
Games, Set and Match I’d say.
Wills2 said:
bad company said:
Indeed, the beemer looks positively demure next to that thing. I think we’re at a stage where designers are just pushing to see how gullible buyers are. It’s the only explanation.....
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