It seems, as i read the threads on this forum, that no one likes or trusts thier dealer. This is my first BMW, for that matter it is my first upper end car. I find it a little stressfull that I am paying this much for a vehicle and wont be able to trust anybody to work on it if there is a problem. To make it worse I live 2 hours from the closest dealer. I would like to think I could trust the guys I'm buying from to take care of the car. Are there good dealers out there that can be trusted? Concerned.
Does Everyone Hate Thier Dealer
- Thread starter z44me
- Start date
I just bought my z4 last January and can't say enough good things about my dealer in Madison, WI. They were simply fantastic. The service tech on my car would always come out and walk me through everything that needed to be done and than again when it was finished. They even called and researched some aftermarket add-ons for me to ensure compatibility. what even better is that they'd let me test drive other cars while I waited.
But now I live in AZ. Just had my first experience with the dealer. No where near the personal experience that I had in Madison (BMWs are common as dirt in Scottsdale, AZ so I'm not as special), but nothing to complain about either.
But now I live in AZ. Just had my first experience with the dealer. No where near the personal experience that I had in Madison (BMWs are common as dirt in Scottsdale, AZ so I'm not as special), but nothing to complain about either.
No complaints here. I've bought cars from both BMW dealers in the Portland OR area. I bought my 530 at one and it was a very good experience. I found my Z4 at the other dealer and have since been amazed at the service they've provided. I went as far as to have the teleservice number in my 530 changed to call the 2nd dealer. Both dealers do a fine job, but the 2nd dealer just does it much better. They get my car in for service at a moments notice with a loaner car available. My SA has also been very good about helping resolve any issues with BMWNA and also supports my side projects/requests and some of the "non-standard" things I've done to my coupe. They always explain exactly what is being done and the waiting room has video monitors that show the service bays so you can see exactly what is going on.
No problems here (Vines Redhill). Have always called me back and have always done the work asked, and no quibbles about the warranty etc. thought their price for an Inspection I was reasonable too.
They have even tracked down the service history of the car for me once Id realised it was missing
I think most of the time people complain but dont write good stuff about them, so all we here about is bad experiences.
They have even tracked down the service history of the car for me once Id realised it was missing
I think most of the time people complain but dont write good stuff about them, so all we here about is bad experiences.
I've had a mixed bag of service in the UK. I loved Vines of Guildford, Murketts make up for forgetting half the jobs every time by being really helpful and accommodating in other ways but as for the rest: wouldn't pee on them if they were on fire.
Best service I ever got was from Auto Bavaria in Midrand. Big up the real pros!
Best service I ever got was from Auto Bavaria in Midrand. Big up the real pros!
i think its very much dealer specific, its not possible to say all BMW dealers are bad. Mercedes Benz... well thats a different story, i wont be buying one of those again!
I bought my z from Menzies in Stirling, no problems, nice experience all round and the one snag i had was fixed no questions as soon as they had a slot to fit me in.
I bought my z from Menzies in Stirling, no problems, nice experience all round and the one snag i had was fixed no questions as soon as they had a slot to fit me in.
I have a great dealer that goes out of their way to make ownership a great experience.
...recent example.
I phoned in to parts asking for pricing on a new (replacement) center wind deflector;
the OE clip in style, not the slip over style.
After spending some time to find the right part # for just the center panel (usually comes as multi piece kit)
& finally getting a price....
The parts guy, sensing my shock at the price, said;
"hey I was on e-bay a while ago & saw a few. Why don't you try there first before ordering one"
Long story short I got it on ebay, called him back & thanked him for his help
...recent example.
I phoned in to parts asking for pricing on a new (replacement) center wind deflector;
the OE clip in style, not the slip over style.
After spending some time to find the right part # for just the center panel (usually comes as multi piece kit)
& finally getting a price....
The parts guy, sensing my shock at the price, said;
"hey I was on e-bay a while ago & saw a few. Why don't you try there first before ordering one"
Long story short I got it on ebay, called him back & thanked him for his help
On the other hand I love the Dealer in Cedar Rapids, Ia Sytner (formerly Rydale) in Sutton are really good to me.
Speaking to parts they will research anything for me, nothing is too much trouble and talk about experience I discovered the the 2 main parts people have 22yrs and 30yrs+ of continuous service....
Service side is good too. collecting and returning the cars to my house.
The BMW pricing matrix is the bit that sometimes gets me how a 5 minute item cost a minimum of an hours labour, etc.
Speaking to parts they will research anything for me, nothing is too much trouble and talk about experience I discovered the the 2 main parts people have 22yrs and 30yrs+ of continuous service....
Service side is good too. collecting and returning the cars to my house.
The BMW pricing matrix is the bit that sometimes gets me how a 5 minute item cost a minimum of an hours labour, etc.
I've had experience with three dealers. One of them did not live up to BMW reputation, but is still better than the Ford and Saturn dealerships that I've experienced before my BMWs. The other two, John Roberts BMW (Dallas, TX) and Sharpe BMW (Grand Rapids, MI) were awesome, awesome, awesome!!! Everything I'd expect and more. They really live by the rule, "the customer is always right".
Have you read the reviews in the Dealer Feedback threads?
Have you read the reviews in the Dealer Feedback threads?
My dealer in Macon, GA is good too. At first, I got the feeling they were blowing me off. But then when they saw I wasn't an idiot, everything changed. Being informed before you walk in the door is advisable.
cj10jeeper said:
Funny that. BMW Sytner in Sutton totally snubbed me and my husband. We were looking at a Z4 there and also trying out the new 1 series coupe but the guy who took us for a spin was a bit 'snoopy'. They said they'd call us back after the test drive to see what they could offer on a part ex but failed to do so. I get the feeling that you have to 'dress' a certain style and present yourself in a certain way when you get into BMW dealer places otherwise I feel they just snub you off thinking you haven't got enough money for a BMW :?
I think attitude is more important than what you wear. If you walk into a place and behave like a Maharaja then you will be treated as such in my experience. If you look uncomfortable or unsure then you will be treated as though you do not belong there. Human behaviour is actually quite predictable.... Just my $0.02
x2
I am not much of a clothes fashion horse at all but I do walk into my dealership with the attitude that I do belong there and I have been treated in a fashion that makes me feel perfectly at home. Enough so after the first BMW that I went back a second time to buy my Z4.
I am not much of a clothes fashion horse at all but I do walk into my dealership with the attitude that I do belong there and I have been treated in a fashion that makes me feel perfectly at home. Enough so after the first BMW that I went back a second time to buy my Z4.
