Last year my wife bought a 5 series touring (estate) from a BMW main dealer as an approved BMW – it’s been back twice for work recall (the dreaded exhaust sensor) and MOT and a couple of little niggles we found in the first few weeks of ownership.
About a month ago the dealership called us to say the car was getting towards an oil service and would I like to book it in – something about the connective drive and BMW assist keeping them updated.
I was a little reluctant; I’m finding it hard to bond with them in the same way I did with the Ford dealership I was with for more than 30 years – we only moved to BMW via the Zed when my Focus RS reached 200K and Ford had nothing else I fancied to replace it. On the last visit the receptionist walked away from us because my question was ‘stressing’ her too much and left the service manager to deal with us!
Now when I booked the car in for an oil change I asked how much – I managed not to choke on the phone at the £129 oil and filter quote (well they have to fund the marble floors; complementary coffee and car washing somehow). We dropped the car in this morning and the receptionist read the key fob; printed the list of work and said sweetly that will be £534. In my calm voice I pointed out that the quote was £129 – oh yes she said but we do other filters at the same time. I did inquire why it was not mentioned to me by the call centre – it’s because they didn’t have the key! .. but I say; reading from the page she’s printed: pollen filter; air filter; fuel filter ‘LINKED TO OIL SERVICE’ so you always do them together. Well I waited for the non forthcoming reply; you can’t as they say, argue with stupid! or was this a deliberate omission when they they called me to book the work?
Now I know I’m over 60; retired; grumpy and pedantic; and don’t look as sharp as many other BMW drivers (I’ve more boiler suits than business suits now!) but is it me? Am I approaching this all wrong or are main dealers deliberately deceptive?
Next stop is the local indie although I know my way round cars well enough to change the oil and other filters myself but can I reset the service computer? – if so what software do I need .
About a month ago the dealership called us to say the car was getting towards an oil service and would I like to book it in – something about the connective drive and BMW assist keeping them updated.
I was a little reluctant; I’m finding it hard to bond with them in the same way I did with the Ford dealership I was with for more than 30 years – we only moved to BMW via the Zed when my Focus RS reached 200K and Ford had nothing else I fancied to replace it. On the last visit the receptionist walked away from us because my question was ‘stressing’ her too much and left the service manager to deal with us!
Now when I booked the car in for an oil change I asked how much – I managed not to choke on the phone at the £129 oil and filter quote (well they have to fund the marble floors; complementary coffee and car washing somehow). We dropped the car in this morning and the receptionist read the key fob; printed the list of work and said sweetly that will be £534. In my calm voice I pointed out that the quote was £129 – oh yes she said but we do other filters at the same time. I did inquire why it was not mentioned to me by the call centre – it’s because they didn’t have the key! .. but I say; reading from the page she’s printed: pollen filter; air filter; fuel filter ‘LINKED TO OIL SERVICE’ so you always do them together. Well I waited for the non forthcoming reply; you can’t as they say, argue with stupid! or was this a deliberate omission when they they called me to book the work?
Now I know I’m over 60; retired; grumpy and pedantic; and don’t look as sharp as many other BMW drivers (I’ve more boiler suits than business suits now!) but is it me? Am I approaching this all wrong or are main dealers deliberately deceptive?
Next stop is the local indie although I know my way round cars well enough to change the oil and other filters myself but can I reset the service computer? – if so what software do I need .
Attleborough, Norfolk
