Discussion
Can anyone recommend a good dealer in the North West that actually gives a stuff about their customers?!
My 11 month old 325i has just been in for an inspection 2 service (I think!) at 31k miles and I had a list of things for them to check over and above it, only one of which they appear to have fixed.
Having got the car back last night, the service indicator is telling me that I have only 3200 miles until an oil change and that the oil level is only half full - as it was when I dropped it off..
Ring up service dept to be told that someone has not reset it properly and could I drop back into dealer this morning?
Dutifully return to dealer this morning only to be told by someone else that what i am seeing on the service indicator is correct and that they didn't change the oil as part of the 'inspection' as there was still some miles to go before that element of a service was due!?
At my weekly mileage rate that means that I will have to return to the dealer yet again in 4 weeks time - "But don't worry sir, we can do that whilst you wait.."
Is it me, or is that completely puddled?!
I thought the idea of the variable servicing system was to reduce the number of visits to dealers rather than increase them?!!!
Added to which, whoever valeted the car (and I use the term advisedly) was clearly related to Stevie Wonder
Moan over!
Any ideas for a better dealership, preferably not in the Warrington area - no names no pack drill!!
Thanks
Nick
My 11 month old 325i has just been in for an inspection 2 service (I think!) at 31k miles and I had a list of things for them to check over and above it, only one of which they appear to have fixed.
Having got the car back last night, the service indicator is telling me that I have only 3200 miles until an oil change and that the oil level is only half full - as it was when I dropped it off..
Ring up service dept to be told that someone has not reset it properly and could I drop back into dealer this morning?
Dutifully return to dealer this morning only to be told by someone else that what i am seeing on the service indicator is correct and that they didn't change the oil as part of the 'inspection' as there was still some miles to go before that element of a service was due!?
At my weekly mileage rate that means that I will have to return to the dealer yet again in 4 weeks time - "But don't worry sir, we can do that whilst you wait.."
Is it me, or is that completely puddled?!
I thought the idea of the variable servicing system was to reduce the number of visits to dealers rather than increase them?!!!
Added to which, whoever valeted the car (and I use the term advisedly) was clearly related to Stevie Wonder
Moan over!
Any ideas for a better dealership, preferably not in the Warrington area - no names no pack drill!!
Thanks
Nick
Edited by appletonn on Tuesday 24th October 11:51
Unfortunately the ones I've tried around the area are also crap. I've tried the dealers in Warrington, Liverpool, Chester, and an independent in Liverpool.
My next port of call is a specialist called David Paul BMW in Warrington (Unit 1 Dover Court, Dover Rd, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 1NW, 01925 232 515) that was recommended to me by another local lad, and then on to BayMoW in Stockport.
Good luck.
My next port of call is a specialist called David Paul BMW in Warrington (Unit 1 Dover Court, Dover Rd, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 1NW, 01925 232 515) that was recommended to me by another local lad, and then on to BayMoW in Stockport.
Good luck.
Most of them are useless, does your car have the 3 year/ 60,000 mile service pack ? if so they won't carry out any servicing work unless the SI shows the mileage to be within 1000 miles of the due service.
Good luck finding a decent dealer !
P.S. and let us know if you do..........................
Good luck finding a decent dealer !
P.S. and let us know if you do..........................
I agree, I’m shocked at BMW dealers as well. I had a head light replaced under warranty. I took the car back after it was replaced, as it was pointing towards the ground. The self adjuster would not adjust it high enough. Pretty bad I thought, BMW fitting a new light, and not checking the alignment.
A year later, they advised me (whilst doing a service) that they had replaced both headlamps this time. Guess what, no adjustment at all. They had set them both pointing towards the ground so far, that I couldn’t see the road unless I was on main beam…!
Shocking..!
A few months ago I received 3 separate letters inviting me to an open weekend, to come and try any new vehicle. I called to check, as I wanted to test a 630, and my partner an auto X5. They said no need to book, just turn up.
When we arrived, guess what, they had no 6-series in at all (as it was the showroom managers car – and he wasn’t in at the weekend!), and only had a manual X5..?
jj
A year later, they advised me (whilst doing a service) that they had replaced both headlamps this time. Guess what, no adjustment at all. They had set them both pointing towards the ground so far, that I couldn’t see the road unless I was on main beam…!
Shocking..!
A few months ago I received 3 separate letters inviting me to an open weekend, to come and try any new vehicle. I called to check, as I wanted to test a 630, and my partner an auto X5. They said no need to book, just turn up.
When we arrived, guess what, they had no 6-series in at all (as it was the showroom managers car – and he wasn’t in at the weekend!), and only had a manual X5..?
jj
Not going to get into the rest of it again but...
Never, ever, under any circumstances, how ever lazy you might be feeling, even if you hate cleaning cars, leave your car for "...our complimentary wash and vacuum, Sir..."
On the occasions that any of my cars end up at a main-dealers they are accompanied by a note, in large block capitals taped to both the service books AND the steering wheel which reads:
"PLEASE DO NOT WASH THIS CAR AFTER SERVICE!"
Honestly...just don't do it!
P.S Did I mention you shouldn't leave your car to be washed at the main-dealer???
Never, ever, under any circumstances, how ever lazy you might be feeling, even if you hate cleaning cars, leave your car for "...our complimentary wash and vacuum, Sir..."
On the occasions that any of my cars end up at a main-dealers they are accompanied by a note, in large block capitals taped to both the service books AND the steering wheel which reads:
"PLEASE DO NOT WASH THIS CAR AFTER SERVICE!"
Honestly...just don't do it!
P.S Did I mention you shouldn't leave your car to be washed at the main-dealer???
Derin100 said:
Not going to get into the rest of it again but...
Never, ever, under any circumstances, how ever lazy you might be feeling, even if you hate cleaning cars, leave your car for "...our complimentary wash and vacuum, Sir..."
On the occasions that any of my cars end up at a main-dealers they are accompanied by a note, in large block capitals taped to both the service books AND the steering wheel which reads:
"PLEASE DO NOT WASH THIS CAR AFTER SERVICE!"
Honestly...just don't do it!
P.S Did I mention you shouldn't leave your car to be washed at the main-dealer???
Never, ever, under any circumstances, how ever lazy you might be feeling, even if you hate cleaning cars, leave your car for "...our complimentary wash and vacuum, Sir..."
On the occasions that any of my cars end up at a main-dealers they are accompanied by a note, in large block capitals taped to both the service books AND the steering wheel which reads:
"PLEASE DO NOT WASH THIS CAR AFTER SERVICE!"
Honestly...just don't do it!
P.S Did I mention you shouldn't leave your car to be washed at the main-dealer???
Have searched your posts to find out why but remain clueless. So why not let their jetwash monkey clean the car?
Because this kind of swirl-free shine took 40 man-hours for me to achieve:
www.bmwclassics.co.uk/blue740i/bmwc_740i_blue_15.html
Would you let 'the jet-wash monkey' loose on that? And if only it were just a jet-wash monkey! At my local dealership it's a huge whirly-brush mechanical monstrosity, secreted around the back of the show-room that does the job! They even put the brand new cars through it.
At another dealership some years ago I got my car home after the "...complimentary wash and vacuum, Sir" to find that A-level student on his summer holidays, earning a few quid thought it would be a good idea to enhance the sheen on my wheels with a light wipe over with what looked like a medium-grade wire wool! Trouble was I didn't realise until some days later when I came to do my own 'complimentary was and vacuum'!
As you can see from this link I'm fairly 'anal' about finish on my cars:
www.bmwclassics.co.uk
www.bmwclassics.co.uk/blue740i/bmwc_740i_blue_15.html
Would you let 'the jet-wash monkey' loose on that? And if only it were just a jet-wash monkey! At my local dealership it's a huge whirly-brush mechanical monstrosity, secreted around the back of the show-room that does the job! They even put the brand new cars through it.
At another dealership some years ago I got my car home after the "...complimentary wash and vacuum, Sir" to find that A-level student on his summer holidays, earning a few quid thought it would be a good idea to enhance the sheen on my wheels with a light wipe over with what looked like a medium-grade wire wool! Trouble was I didn't realise until some days later when I came to do my own 'complimentary was and vacuum'!
As you can see from this link I'm fairly 'anal' about finish on my cars:
www.bmwclassics.co.uk
Derin100 said:
Because this kind of swirl-free shine took 40 man-hours for me to achieve:
www.bmwclassics.co.uk/blue740i/bmwc_740i_blue_15.html
Would you let 'the jet-wash monkey' loose on that? And if only it were just a jet-wash monkey! At my local dealership it's a huge whirly-brush mechanical monstrosity, secreted around the back of the show-room that does the job! They even put the brand new cars through it.
At another dealership some years ago I got my car home after the "...complimentary wash and vacuum, Sir" to find that A-level student on his summer holidays, earning a few quid thought it would be a good idea to enhance the sheen on my wheels with a light wipe over with what looked like a medium-grade wire wool! Trouble was I didn't realise until some days later when I came to do my own 'complimentary was and vacuum'!
As you can see from this link I'm fairly 'anal' about finish on my cars:
www.bmwclassics.co.uk
At long last I have found someone else who stripes the carpets!!! Thought it was just me.www.bmwclassics.co.uk/blue740i/bmwc_740i_blue_15.html
Would you let 'the jet-wash monkey' loose on that? And if only it were just a jet-wash monkey! At my local dealership it's a huge whirly-brush mechanical monstrosity, secreted around the back of the show-room that does the job! They even put the brand new cars through it.
At another dealership some years ago I got my car home after the "...complimentary wash and vacuum, Sir" to find that A-level student on his summer holidays, earning a few quid thought it would be a good idea to enhance the sheen on my wheels with a light wipe over with what looked like a medium-grade wire wool! Trouble was I didn't realise until some days later when I came to do my own 'complimentary was and vacuum'!
As you can see from this link I'm fairly 'anal' about finish on my cars:
www.bmwclassics.co.uk
the other option is to come down south and visit Dick Lovett BMW Bristol. We are mor than happy to supply cars up north and we will make sure every effort is made to look after you with delivery and will endover to deal with any problems you have in the best way possible.
Call me if i can help
Regards
Edward
01179 050 000
Call me if i can help
Regards
Edward
01179 050 000
Oops, seemed to have reopened a can of worms!!
This is my first BMW and have had all of the other so-called premium brands before it. My last car was a 2.5 Jag X Type Sport (cue Mondeo jokes...!) and I have to say that the dealers were the best i had ever known, including the car wash monkeys!
They truly made me feel as though I was a special customer!! Unbelievable but true - maybe I was just lucky, but I don't think so.
Having done more than my fair share of tinkering/rebuilding of cars/ engines etc in the past, I am afraid I have a big, huge, ginormous problem
with a 'Service advisor' advising me about my car as though I am thick!
Incidentally, I have also told them that I wasn't happy with the level of stone-chipping on the front bumper after only 30,000 miles and 11 months and wanted them to get it resprayed - they were supposedly consulting with BMW about it....
Apologies for reopening an evidenly common rant...
Cheers
This is my first BMW and have had all of the other so-called premium brands before it. My last car was a 2.5 Jag X Type Sport (cue Mondeo jokes...!) and I have to say that the dealers were the best i had ever known, including the car wash monkeys!
They truly made me feel as though I was a special customer!! Unbelievable but true - maybe I was just lucky, but I don't think so. Having done more than my fair share of tinkering/rebuilding of cars/ engines etc in the past, I am afraid I have a big, huge, ginormous problem
with a 'Service advisor' advising me about my car as though I am thick! Incidentally, I have also told them that I wasn't happy with the level of stone-chipping on the front bumper after only 30,000 miles and 11 months and wanted them to get it resprayed - they were supposedly consulting with BMW about it....
Apologies for reopening an evidenly common rant...
Cheers
appletonn said:
Can anyone recommend a good dealer in the North West that actually gives a stuff about their customers?!
My 11 month old 325i has just been in for an inspection 2 service (I think!) at 31k miles and I had a list of things for them to check over and above it, only one of which they appear to have fixed.
Having got the car back last night, the service indicator is telling me that I have only 3200 miles until an oil change and that the oil level is only half full - as it was when I dropped it off..
Ring up service dept to be told that someone has not reset it properly and could I drop back into dealer this morning?
Dutifully return to dealer this morning only to be told by someone else that what i am seeing on the service indicator is correct and that they didn't change the oil as part of the 'inspection' as there was still some miles to go before that element of a service was due!?
At my weekly mileage rate that means that I will have to return to the dealer yet again in 4 weeks time - "But don't worry sir, we can do that whilst you wait.."
Is it me, or is that completely puddled?!
I thought the idea of the variable servicing system was to reduce the number of visits to dealers rather than increase them?!!!
Added to which, whoever valeted the car (and I use the term advisedly) was clearly related to Stevie Wonder
Moan over!
Any ideas for a better dealership, preferably not in the Warrington area - no names no pack drill!!
Thanks
Nick
My 11 month old 325i has just been in for an inspection 2 service (I think!) at 31k miles and I had a list of things for them to check over and above it, only one of which they appear to have fixed.
Having got the car back last night, the service indicator is telling me that I have only 3200 miles until an oil change and that the oil level is only half full - as it was when I dropped it off..
Ring up service dept to be told that someone has not reset it properly and could I drop back into dealer this morning?
Dutifully return to dealer this morning only to be told by someone else that what i am seeing on the service indicator is correct and that they didn't change the oil as part of the 'inspection' as there was still some miles to go before that element of a service was due!?
At my weekly mileage rate that means that I will have to return to the dealer yet again in 4 weeks time - "But don't worry sir, we can do that whilst you wait.."
Is it me, or is that completely puddled?!
I thought the idea of the variable servicing system was to reduce the number of visits to dealers rather than increase them?!!!
Added to which, whoever valeted the car (and I use the term advisedly) was clearly related to Stevie Wonder
Moan over!
Any ideas for a better dealership, preferably not in the Warrington area - no names no pack drill!!
Thanks
Nick
Edited by appletonn on Tuesday 24th October 11:51
That sounds like bulshine to me.
The service indicators tell you when a service is due - all services include an oil change!
Oil Change
Service 1
Oil change
Service 2
Oil change
Service 1
repeat til the car dies..... should be about 15k miles between services, so a Service 2 at 31k miles sounds like another con to me.
Check the service book yourself, it tells you EXACTLY what each service contains and don't take any crap from them when you go back and stuff a monkey wrench up their jacksi
EdwardLovett said:
the other option is to come down south and visit Dick Lovett BMW Bristol. We are mor than happy to supply cars up north and we will make sure every effort is made to look after you with delivery and will endover to deal with any problems you have in the best way possible.
Call me if i can help
Regards
Edward
01179 050 000
Call me if i can help
Regards
Edward
01179 050 000
I will second what Edward has said, the service we have from their BMW and Porsche dealerships is first class, although we use Swindon rather than Bristol. I would go as far as to say that the service from BMW is better than the Porsche side of things.
Sorry to hear about your bad dealer experience, I work in a BMW dealership in Leeds, luckily in the parts dept not service.
Depending on which 325i you have depends on the servicing.
E46 3 series have the usual service proceedure (oil filter and oil etc)
E90 3 series has mileage based servicing, so depending on what your mileage is as to what needs doing.
For them not doing your oil service is basically protecting themselves from BMW proceedure Audits. If its not due in a considerable time (like yours was) they won't do it because BMW do come down hard on dealers for it. That said they should have pre booked you based on an estimate of your vehicle usage and a conveinient (sp) time so that the service was due nearer to the recommended mileage.
Depending on which 325i you have depends on the servicing.
E46 3 series have the usual service proceedure (oil filter and oil etc)
E90 3 series has mileage based servicing, so depending on what your mileage is as to what needs doing.
For them not doing your oil service is basically protecting themselves from BMW proceedure Audits. If its not due in a considerable time (like yours was) they won't do it because BMW do come down hard on dealers for it. That said they should have pre booked you based on an estimate of your vehicle usage and a conveinient (sp) time so that the service was due nearer to the recommended mileage.
Thanks for that - it's an E90 325i.
According to the service indicator thingummybob, the brake pads will need doing in 10K, the oil now in 2.8K and the next 'inspection'; in 29K, so 3 separate visits, loss of time, dealing with arrogant & ignorant service staff and hence raised blood pressure leading to even more pressure on the NHS - I blame the parents...etc etc
More fool me, thinking that choosing another premium brand would entitle me to more premium service from the dealerships!!
To think that I was going to get a specced up Focus ST3 (& DMS chip) but changed my mind because of the thought of dealing with the crappy Ford service depts....!!
Ah well, thanks for the therapy - feel much better now...
According to the service indicator thingummybob, the brake pads will need doing in 10K, the oil now in 2.8K and the next 'inspection'; in 29K, so 3 separate visits, loss of time, dealing with arrogant & ignorant service staff and hence raised blood pressure leading to even more pressure on the NHS - I blame the parents...etc etc
More fool me, thinking that choosing another premium brand would entitle me to more premium service from the dealerships!!
To think that I was going to get a specced up Focus ST3 (& DMS chip) but changed my mind because of the thought of dealing with the crappy Ford service depts....!!
Ah well, thanks for the therapy - feel much better now...
I'm with you on it, this mileage based servicing is a crap idea, especially if you do alot of mileage. I don't like BMWs myself, but everyone needs a job.
We do hear about a few 'bad' dealerships in the network (is there a good one?!) we've had complaints ourselves I will admit.
Me personally if I was going to buy a presitige german saloon, I'd go with an Audi.
We do hear about a few 'bad' dealerships in the network (is there a good one?!) we've had complaints ourselves I will admit.
Me personally if I was going to buy a presitige german saloon, I'd go with an Audi.
I agree with Rich it is a daft idea and if your car has a service pack then the dealers hands really are tied as the residual mileage to a service item must be below 1000 miles before it can be done, if it is close to the limit a manual claim can be submitted for permission to do it but that can mean a customer waiting for hours in reception before a reply comes back.
appletonn said:
Thanks for that - it's an E90 325i.
According to the service indicator thingummybob, the brake pads will need doing in 10K, the oil now in 2.8K and the next 'inspection'; in 29K, so 3 separate visits, loss of time, dealing with arrogant & ignorant service staff and hence raised blood pressure leading to even more pressure on the NHS - I blame the parents...etc etc
According to the service indicator thingummybob, the brake pads will need doing in 10K, the oil now in 2.8K and the next 'inspection'; in 29K, so 3 separate visits, loss of time, dealing with arrogant & ignorant service staff and hence raised blood pressure leading to even more pressure on the NHS - I blame the parents...etc etc
We have a E90 318i M Sport. Our car is 4 weeks old and has done 1600 miles. The service indicator shows it needs a service at 16000 miles. It doesn't show different mileages for Inspection, Oil and brakes. How di I get it to do that? I would be interested in what it says about the brake pads.
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