BMW Berrys Chiswick - Rattles / Clunk & Diagnostic Cost

bluestreak56

Veteran
 Maidenhead
Just taken my car into Chiswick due to a rattle on the back end underneath (my mechanic thought it might be the rear ARB).

They said they'd happily look at it and fix it if covered under the AUC.

However if it turned out to be a trim item or something not covered they would charge me £154 for 1 hour diagnostics.

This seems ludicrously high to me? :tumbleweed:

Dont get me wrong I dont think it will be but still. This is my first experience of a dealer garage and Im not impressed so far!
 
Very expensive - and is it needed for an hour?!
My experience of Berrys by Stockley Park was that it was extortionately expensive also, and they will try and give you a better price if you quote other dealerships. So make sure you call around.

Though it shouldn't take so much time on our part to find the good deal with Stealers.

Speak to the servicing manager. :poke:

Any luck so far?
 
Can't your mechanic diagnose it for you?

If your mechanic is certain it's a warranty item then take it to the dealer - as it won't cost you anything even at £154/hour. Although if they claim to have not found anything you will be responsible for the charge.
 
bluestreak56,
There's a very good indy close to Chiswick. Guys called Adrian and he seems to know his stuff.
Maybe have him check it...

http://www.gilbertsforbmws.com/cms/home
 
Berry Chiswick damaged my car when they had it and I had to fight to get them to fix it at their cost. I would be very cautious about using them if an alternative dealer is within a reasonable distance.
I've heard that they are in some financial trouble at the moment, so I wouldn't expect any lenience when it comes to their diagnostics charge if they do not find a fault covered by the warranty.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I shall bare it in mind next time.

My mechanic didnt get a chance to have a proper look the day I took the car to him, but as its covered under AUC and Ive only had it 3 weeks I thought I'd just pop it in anyway..

Interesting all the comments about Berry's and Chiswick in particular I think I may have to look elsewhere for AUC in the future although they are literally on my door step.

Anyway cause of the issue was found to be the handbrake cable, knocking against the body not being routed correctly. Berry's advised me this was not an AUC covered item as it required an "adjustment". They also mentioned my water jets being underpowered.

As I only bought the car 3 weeks ago I called up my selling dealer who said he will take care of it for me. So :thumbsup: for Luton Specialist Cars and :thumbsdown: for Berry's Chiswick
 
Mate use HR Owen in Acton, or use Berrys Heathrow, I know the service managers a both very well and am sure they will do it for free.....and if they do, then great!! But PM me or text me and I will give you their names etc and see what they can do
 
Nickm said:
Mate use HR Owen in Acton, or use Berrys Heathrow, I know the service managers a both very well and am sure they will do it for free.....and if they do, then great!! But PM me or text me and I will give you their names etc and see what they can do

Cheers Nick, will give you a shout if its not sorted..
 
My recent experience of BMW AUC warranty is this - unless you go back to the supplying dealer you will get short shrift from any other dealer you try to take the car's problems to. They will apply the Ts & Cs of the warranty to the letter to attempt to wriggle out of resolving any issues. It's a shame but I guess it affects their bottom line and if they didn't supply the car then there's no profit to offset it against.
 
Further update on this.

BMW Berrys Chiswick are wanting to charge me:

£238.87 in total for:

Rattle from N/S/R area (Parking brake cable knocking on body) - Cable re-routed.
Visual health Check
Windscreen washer jets weak - Remove and refit tank, clean tank, add liquids

I called up the dealer I bought my car from 27 days ago and they have emailed me to confirm they will be reimbursing me for the costs.
 
That's a good result.....at least it will get sorted. I would ask the dealer to pay it to them direct, they have done that with a wheel they replaced. It's cheaper for them doing it that way I believe
 
Bastards! As Nickm said, I wouldn't let any money leave my account, leave it for them to sort it out between them.
 
jamesgarbett said:
My recent experience of BMW AUC warranty is this - unless you go back to the supplying dealer you will get short shrift from any other dealer you try to take the car's problems to. They will apply the Ts & Cs of the warranty to the letter to attempt to wriggle out of resolving any issues. It's a shame but I guess it affects their bottom line and if they didn't supply the car then there's no profit to offset it against.

I've never had this problem, my last two cars weren't bought from my local dealer (1/2 mile away) but they have never given me any issues because of this.
 
I find London dealer are generally crap and get crapper the more central you get. :thumbsdown:

I HATE Chiswick! Service is sh!t3 and staff look grumpy, moody and bitter! :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:
 
I have to say, I've taken my motor to them twice and I'm been happy with their service so far. The first time for some AUC work regarding the ABS sensor, which they fixed and the second time for an Inspection One service (cheapest around London too as I was ringing round to get quotes), both times they returned the car as promised, cleaned and in good condition. The guys there seem really friendly, sometime almost too friendly that it's scary! I'm also sceptical of dealers and will probably take mine to an independent for the next service.
 
Sharon Baxter is the Service Manager for Berrys Heathrow, she used to be at Chiswick, and she's really good. HR Owen Acton are much better. And if you have kids, the service guys will take them around the workshop and show them Bugattis, Lambos etc etc
 
Got my car back today, still waiting for the funds to clear from Luton so had to pay for the work myself for now.

Car was "washed" for me. Knocking noise has gone but I still hear a faint rattling, could be the rear boot cover I suppose though.

They gave me a discount £224 all in so if Luton have paid the £239 then im a few quid in..

All in all not too displeased with them. Also spotted a dark M coupe while I was there..
 
To be fair my local dealer has arranged to be reimbursed by my supplying dealer for any non-warranty work they have done on my Zed and I haven't had to reach for my wallet at all.
 
Berry's Chiswick tried and failed to rip me off when I took mine for a service there - oil service, I supplied the oil.... Phone call 3 hours later with a long list of things 'that we advise need doing'.. like brakes, puncture (that wasnt) etc... total quote was £1500 :o

Car had been MOT'd a couple of months before and not driven for long since then so the brakes were fine.

Paid for the service only, which they tried to overcharge for too. I think they are primarily geared up for the business market where company car owners (ie the company) pick up the tab no questions asked :roll:
 
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