I picked up a puncture last week, so went straight to my usual fitter and they ordered a new Falken 452 as the nearly new tyre had a nail near the edge.
I was then reminded by my dad that you can get tyre insurance, which I had forgotten about, as I took it out 2 1/2 years ago when I bought the car as it had run flats. Looked through the policy and sure enough no mention of run flats, just stated it was "Tyre Insurance"
So I gave my local dealer a ring as I needed some warranty work done, explained the situation and that the car was on 452's and was that a problem, as when I wanted to do the swap they didn’t want to know as it was not how BMW designed it. I did point out that they had removed all my 452's and refitted on new rims around 6 months ago. So they came back an hour later and said that was fine and it was all booked in.
Collected car yesterday in the dark checked rim for damage, the service guy said he had checked already as I had made him do a condition check when I dropped the car off, and after he went in I parked under a floodlight to do another check, and all looked OK. Went out to check pressures this morning first thing I noticed was the valve stem was very short, I attached my compressor and it read 55psi, OK I thought I will use my other one as it probably giving a false reading as the valve it to short etc. Attached the other one after releasing a bit of air and it read 49psi. I was not happy. I had only driven half a mile on it so no big problem. So then I checked the tyre to ensure they had fitted it the right way round (couldn’t remember is 452's were rotational or not) this is when I discovered they had fitted the wrong tyre. I was fuming.
Straight back to the dealer I went only half a mile and vented my anger. Service receptionist said she needed to speak to spares as they had done the tyre. She came back and stated the 452’s had been superseded and was no longer available. I pointed out this was nonsense as I had only ordered one last week from the tyre centre across the road, she then said that’s who had fitted it for them as their fitter was off.
She then spoke to parts again and said “Mr. XXX isn’t happy about having odd tyres on his car” making it sound so trivial, and again said that they were obsolete and that the service receptionist who I was dealing with was aware and should have let me know. I pointed out that wasn’t the case, as otherwise I wouldn’t have been sitting here now.
So car is back in on Thursday for a new tyre, windscreen to be removed and re-seated so rubber trim around screen fits properly, offside front fog light has slight condensation (expecting a battle there).
I just struggle to believe that the service guy thought I wouldn’t notice after dropping the car in making him do a condition check, pointing out I hated having tyres fitted etc.
It’s these type of things that make me wish I had an old banger that I didn’t give s sh1t about.
Rant Over.
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Dealers must think we are Stupid
- srhutch
- Moderator
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- Location: East Sussex, UK
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- cj10jeeper
- Lifer
- Posts: 17846
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 am
- Location: Lichfield, England
Re: Dealers must think we are Stupid
Some dealer employees really do make up things on the spot and believe customers will just believe whatever they spout. Good job you're on the case.
Jaguar F-Type 3.0 Supercharged V6 S, Stratus Grey, LSD, Active Exhaust, CF wheels, Performance brakes, Sports seats and mods ongoing
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills
- Mr Whippy
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2851
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:37 pm
- Location: Harrogate
Re: Dealers must think we are Stupid
Good independents who you know by name, and who are also those doing the work.
That is the best way to work with cars imho.
I'd be more annoyed with wasted time. Precious little is available to go arse around with cars, so having to go back AGAIN and AGAIN is a real pain!
Dave
That is the best way to work with cars imho.
I'd be more annoyed with wasted time. Precious little is available to go arse around with cars, so having to go back AGAIN and AGAIN is a real pain!
Dave
04 3.0i, Titanium Silver, 107s, red m-sport interior
- easty027
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2151
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:34 pm
- Location: South Manchester & East Yorkshire
Re: Dealers must think we are Stupid
you havent named and shamed them ? why not...
- mikedav
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1448
- Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:02 pm
- Location: London
Re: Dealers must think we are Stupid
It's a two way street though. I've had similar experiences - a service advisor trying to ensist with me that an M3 and a Z4M are not essentially the same car mechanically...and wouldn't give up. Another told me M3s and 330s have the same front brakes. But they have to deal with ***holes with ridiculous demands too.
I was at a dealer recently with an E90 saloon outside and a totally destroyed rear left wheel and tyre. It looked to have been driven on the rim for 50 miles, it was worn down almost to the hub and the tyre was in shreds. The service guy was on the phone trying to explain to the client there is no way BMW would cover it under warranty....and was getting nowhere!
I was at a dealer recently with an E90 saloon outside and a totally destroyed rear left wheel and tyre. It looked to have been driven on the rim for 50 miles, it was worn down almost to the hub and the tyre was in shreds. The service guy was on the phone trying to explain to the client there is no way BMW would cover it under warranty....and was getting nowhere!
- AlanJ
- Lifer
- Posts: 7725
- Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:54 pm
- Location: North Yorks
Re: Dealers must think we are Stupid
'Dealers must think were stupid' - Srhutch can you clarify if you mean ALL BMW dealers or just the one your dealing with. If it's just the one then why don't you name them so we can all avoid them?
///M tri colour steering wheel, mud flaps and loads of other extras! ZHP illuminated gear lever..... Pre Purchase Checks,Getting the Best out of Dealers http://www.bmwz4roadster.net
- Kaide
- Member
- Posts: 256
- Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:25 pm
- Location: New Jersey
Re: Dealers must think we are Stupid
I'm sick of being thrown a bill and expected to sign the dotted line. Then being mocked when I told him (with a quote), that I can get the parts cheaper from another dealership.
It sucks that they are only 6 miles from my house and the one where they like me (I bought all my Dinan stuff there) is 50 miles away.
On the latter occasion, they tossed me a $700 bill and then wanted to give me a Toyota to drive home in, while I waited for parts. BS, I (respectfully) let him know my opinion on the floor, drove home in an X3, and picked up the parts at the further dealership myself. An entire day wasted, however, I saved $250... YES SAVED $250. They weren't even willing to budge on the prices... After I told him what I can get the parts for, he only took off like $40. I hate those guys.
It sucks that they are only 6 miles from my house and the one where they like me (I bought all my Dinan stuff there) is 50 miles away.
On the latter occasion, they tossed me a $700 bill and then wanted to give me a Toyota to drive home in, while I waited for parts. BS, I (respectfully) let him know my opinion on the floor, drove home in an X3, and picked up the parts at the further dealership myself. An entire day wasted, however, I saved $250... YES SAVED $250. They weren't even willing to budge on the prices... After I told him what I can get the parts for, he only took off like $40. I hate those guys.
03 Z4 3.0i / 6 Speed / Dinan CAI / Dinan Ram Air / Dinan Stage 2 Software / Dinan Strut Bar / My car
98 Honda Superhawk / 101whp
"Life is a game of relationships"
98 Honda Superhawk / 101whp
"Life is a game of relationships"
- mcbeee
- Lifer
- Posts: 3309
- Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:13 pm
- Location: Chestermere, Alberta
Re: Dealers must think we are Stupid
Kaide, 50 miles away is nothing compared to less stress and more peace of mind. I'm lucky in the fact that my "A**hole " dealership is a 45 minute drive away and the "Decent " dealership is only 5 minutes away. funny thing is they are owned by the same person..
Sold the Z4 M Roadster and a 911 Carrera S now I have a 2021 Z4 3.0i