I may be giving up on BMW soon.

takedown8

Active member
 Ontario
I love my Zed just like most of us on here.

Because of the non-trustworthy service of my local dealer here in Hamilton, I decided to take my Zed an hour away to Toronto to Parkview BMW whom I've heard has an excellent reputation. I had condensation developing my passenger headlight, and they agreed to replace it. In general, their customer service is excellent. Very courteous, free loaner (323i), etc.

I pick my car up the other day, do the old walk around....no problems. Then I get in, and right away I notice this wavy crack in the wood trim (surrounding the stereo head unit). I let the service manager know, and he takes a picture of it. He then tells me that he has to investigate who worked on my car, etc. But they'll have to order the part in and call me some time this week regarding what they're gonna do about it.

I was so annoyed. How the heck do they crack the wood trim while replacing a headlight?! And there's no way that was there before I dropped the car off. I notice every little thing wrong with my car both interior & exterior, sounds, etc. The first thing that caught my eye when I got in the car was this crack. Now I can't seem to stop looking at it and cursing! :headbang:

Oh and while waiting for my car to be driven to the pick-up area, I go to the parts department to buy the rubber inserts for the wipers that some of our American members have mentioned were $3.00 each. They try to charge me $18 each for them! NOT for the blades ($50 a pair) but the rubber inserts! I said, "No, thanks!"

Parkview has an amazing showroom and I had just finished walking around and decided that my next car would probably be a 650i convertible. But honestly, the way things are going, I may be switching over to MB, Lexus, or Infiniti for future purchases.

Sorry. Just venting, folks. :online2long:
 
I can certainly understand your frustrations, but if you do go to another vehicle, stick around here, we like you :wink: . BMW isn't the only game in town and if you're unhappy, by all means get something that will make you happy :)
 
Sorry to hear about your frustrations at the dealer.
It does sound strange how they could have cracked the dash :thumbsdown:
Let us know how it works out at Parkview.
 
I understand the frustration. Some years back my car went into the garage for a service and when I got home noticed the wheel arch extension had all the paint scraped off. Called the dealer and they denied it, on pressing they said they would send someone out.

Luckily for me as the service manager arrived inspected and denied telling me I had just missed a car park accident and denied responsibility as all employees have to report damage I was able to show him scrapes of paint on mine that matched exactly to the dealers service bay doors. - case closed!!!

I never did buy another car from them.....as said earlier there are other games in town
 
Well Parkview BMW just called, and they're ordering me a new wood trim replacement for the one they cracked. I don't know how it happened, but they're gonna take care of it.

I'm definitely feeling much better about things. If Parkview continues this level of service, I will continue to bring my Zed to them (while in warranty!), and likely purchase future Bimmers from them as well!
 
takedown8 said:
Well Parkview BMW just called, and they're ordering me a new wood trim replacement for the one they cracked. I don't know how it happened, but they're gonna take care of it.
I know it's not the same, but if you jack a TVR from the wrong place you can crack the windscreen. Maybe a similar sort of thing has happened?
 
takedown8 said:
Well Parkview BMW just called, and they're ordering me a new wood trim replacement for the one they cracked. I don't know how it happened, but they're gonna take care of it.

I'm definitely feeling much better about things. If Parkview continues this level of service, I will continue to bring my Zed to them (while in warranty!), and likely purchase future Bimmers from them as well!
Glad to hear it!! :thumbsup:
I bought from Parkview & had a very good buying experience with them.
...I haven't had any warranty issues to deal with to judge them on that level though.
 
Is Budd BMW the one in Hamilton? Have driven past that showroom many times but been never had a look....don't let bad service put you off the car....if you want good service MB won't necessarily be the way to go! Ever watch that vid on the net of the guy with the broken sunroof on his CLK320? Merc wanted to charge $6500 for a new roof, local garage removed a rock from the runner for free. He then went back with hidden video for a chat...

:)
 
carl said:
I know it's not the same, but if you jack a TVR from the wrong place you can crack the windscreen. Maybe a similar sort of thing has happened?

Interesting thought. But I don't think they have to jack up the Zed to replace the headlight assembly. Maybe partially remove the bumber or fender, but that should be it.
 
mikedav said:
Is Budd BMW the one in Hamilton? Have driven past that showroom many times but been never had a look....don't let bad service put you off the car....if you want good service MB won't necessarily be the way to go! Ever watch that vid on the net of the guy with the broken sunroof on his CLK320? Merc wanted to charge $6500 for a new roof, local garage removed a rock from the runner for free. He then went back with hidden video for a chat... :)

Whoa, are you in Ontario or in the UK? Anyways, yes, there're actually two Budd's BMW's owned by the same family. One in Hamilton and one in Oakville. The Hamilton showroom sucks. I was very impressed with the Parkview showroom. Still drooling over that limited edition '03 Z8 Alpina. Should bring my camera next time.

Your point with MB is well taken. I think it's pretty much standard for dealers everywhere to try to screw customers over.
 
inTgr8r said:
Glad to hear it!! :thumbsup:
I bought from Parkview & had a very good buying experience with them.
...I haven't had any warranty issues to deal with to judge them on that level though.

Definitely stop by the showroom when you get a chance....even if just to get a look at the new M3.
 
takedown8 said:
Whoa, are you in Ontario or in the UK?

Bit of both...I am over there reguarly as I have friends in the Niagra region, Toronto and Ottawa as well as some work out there. Frustrating driving down to St Catherines past Budds BMW and not being in my own Z4M but a Chevy Magnum or whatever Thrifty have given me!

I do notice you tend to have less dealerships to choose from, will dealers allow you to cross over to the US for service work? Or is it too much hassle? I have had mixed service from my BM dealer, Z4 went in three times to fit a dash illumination issues because the mechanic had not been briefed on what he was actually meant to be fixing...but since then the car has been faultless. I have had bad experiences with Audi, Merc and BM so far though!
 
mikedav said:
Ever watch that vid on the net of the guy with the broken sunroof on his CLK320? Merc wanted to charge $6500 for a new roof, local garage removed a rock from the runner for free. He then went back with hidden video for a chat...

Would love to watch this, searched the net and cannot find it.... do you have a link ???? :wink:
 
mikedav said:
Bit of both...I am over there reguarly as I have friends in the Niagra region, Toronto and Ottawa as well as some work out there. Frustrating driving down to St Catherines past Budds BMW and not being in my own Z4M but a Chevy Magnum or whatever Thrifty have given me!

I do notice you tend to have less dealerships to choose from, will dealers allow you to cross over to the US for service work? Or is it too much hassle? I have had mixed service from my BM dealer, Z4 went in three times to fit a dash illumination issues because the mechanic had not been briefed on what he was actually meant to be fixing...but since then the car has been faultless. I have had bad experiences with Audi, Merc and BM so far though!

That's great to hear that you've been over here! Watch out with that Chevy Magnum comment, 'cause Rick Hunter will be all over you for that!

The warranty for BMWs in North America is actually North American, so one can get their warranty work done in Canada or the US. The free maintenance however is restricted to whichever country you purchased from. We have less dealerships than the Americans but ours are exclusive BMW dealerships unlike the US where you have "Bill's Pontiac Cadillac BMW Jaguar and Saturn".

Is it weird for you to be driving on the 'other side' when you're here? I've had more than one person tell me how they were almost killed in London trying to cross the street while looking to the left rather than the right. I've only ever been to London, but really enjoyed it. Missed the London Tower and the "Jack the Ripper tour" though! :D
 
Justinitus said:
mikedav said:
Ever watch that vid on the net of the guy with the broken sunroof on his CLK320? Merc wanted to charge $6500 for a new roof, local garage removed a rock from the runner for free. He then went back with hidden video for a chat...

Would love to watch this, searched the net and cannot find it.... do you have a link ???? :wink:

Try this. Sorry, I tried to embed, but don't know how to do it.

[youtube]RnR1FlUJoQo[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnR1FlUJoQo

Edit by ovrkll to embed the link :thumbsup:
 
takedown8 said:
inTgr8r said:
Glad to hear it!! :thumbsup:
I bought from Parkview & had a very good buying experience with them.
...I haven't had any warranty issues to deal with to judge them on that level though.

Definitely stop by the showroom when you get a chance....even if just to get a look at the new M3.
Next time will be spring oil change.... I'd love to see the Z8 Alpina if it's still there
 
Back
Top Bottom