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Car Forum / BMW Cars / May 2004Informal poll: Dealership Service
Hello, Okay, so your shiny late model BMW has finally surpassed the free service mileage limit and - since you've decided to keep the car for a few more years - you now have to pay for all your oil changes, brake jobs and other miscellaneous repairs out of your own pocket. 1. Are you going to: a) take it to your favorite BMW dealership for service work, or b) take it to a some other non-BMW service center for service? What are the reasons behind your answer? 2. What about parts: a) only official BMW replacement parts, or b) third party and/or refurbished parts? Thanks for your help, Kevin > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > b) take it to a some other non-BMW service center for service? > What are the reasons behind your answer? ... or C. Take it to an independent BMW Service Center. I took mine to the independent. He seems to know his stuff, he does some things for free that the dealership would charge for, and the work he does charge for, he charges less. > 2. What about parts: > a) only official BMW replacement parts, or > b) third party and/or refurbished parts? I have found that the parts I have needed have been mostly aftermarket. I got a set of brake rotors (front) for $100, and the brake pads for $50. I don't know what came off, but the new brake parts are much cleaner. 1B: Superior competency. Less B.S. Lower costs. Examples: My M3 has a rattle underneath, like a loose exhaust shield. Dealer says M3 cars have louder exhausts. The dealer services the car and they filled it with oil TWICE, leaking oil with 14 quarts in it. Dealer is $135 an hour. Independent is $90. The dealer keeps replacing shock mounts under warranty, refusing to install the more durable E46 mounts. Stupid. This is costing them! 2A: BMW parts are a known quantity, and often are not that expensive compared to other cars. I might opt for some non-BMW parts, but it will have to be a very good reason for doing so. - Phil > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Kevin > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > b) take it to a some other non-BMW service center for service? > What are the reasons behind your answer? Option a. So far I've had no complaints whatsoever about my dealer, and I do not like taking chances when it comes to my car. I trust my dealer and thus I stick with him. The fact that my dealer is more interested in having satisfied customers than in making money is also a big plus. I've known otherwise. Having said that, I did have my car repainted after a scratch by someone other than my dealer - only because I know him and trusted him with the work judging on his work on previous cars I've owned. > 2. What about parts: > a) only official BMW replacement parts, or > b) third party and/or refurbished parts? Option a again. No doubt about it. Princess Morgiah >Having said that, I did have my car repainted after a scratch by someone >other than my dealer. You'd be hard pressed to find any BMW dealer that can repaint a car. All of the ones I know subcontract the work to someone else. To answer the original questions, I take my car to an independent shop only because my local BMW dealer provides horrible service (Santa Monica BMW). I'm sure some dealers are good, and if that was the case, I'd probably take my car to the dealer. Regarding parts, I most often buy factory parts. -- marcio at compudimensions.com I bought a new 325i from Santa Monica BMW last year and had an interesting service experience. About two weeks after taking delivery the car began making a soft thump when shifting into first gear (automatic) just before stopping. I brought it into the dealer and was told by the service manager that they knew all about the problem and a service bulletin had been issued. It was simply a matter of adjusting the computer. After the adjustment the thump no longer occurred and the rest of the automatic shift points had changed noticeably and for the better. However, the experience left a bad taste about the dealership and BMW. If I had not brought the car in, I would still be running with an incorrect computer setting and poor shift points. I never received a letter from BMW or the dealer telling me that a bulletin had been issued and requesting me to bring the car in. In fact, I suspect that the car was delivered to me after the bulletin was issued but without making the necessary adjustment. The car is a delight but I have some real questions about the dealership and the service department. Larry > >Having said that, I did have my car repainted after a scratch by someone > >other than my dealer. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > -- > marcio at compudimensions.com > About two weeks after taking delivery the car began making a soft thump > when shifting into first gear (automatic) just before stopping. I > brought it into the dealer and was told by the service manager that they > knew all about the problem and a service bulletin had been issued. It > was simply a matter of adjusting the computer. More likely the idle position switch. If you brake to a halt using your left foot to brake, and keep a small amount of throttle applied, it will 'thump' into first on the roll out change down.  Signature*Two wrongs are only the beginning * Dave Plowman dave.sound@argonet.co.uk London SW 12 RIP Acorn I doubt that type of adjustment would cause the second and third gear shift points to change. Larry > More likely the idle position switch. If you brake to a halt using your > left foot to brake, and keep a small amount of throttle applied, it will > 'thump' into first on the roll out change down. > I doubt that type of adjustment would cause the second and third gear > shift points to change. > > More likely the idle position switch. If you brake to a halt using > > your left foot to brake, and keep a small amount of throttle applied, > > it will 'thump' into first on the roll out change down. True. In what way did they change? You're aware the way you drive influences this? Signature*If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest have to drown too? Dave Plowman dave.sound@argonet.co.uk London SW 12 RIP Acorn I would never take my BMW to the dealer again. My previous post listed my reasons (BMW Dealer Dishonest??). Because I'm a woman, they decided to *try* and take advantage by telling me that I needed work that my INDEPENDENT BMW service garage said was not necessary....to the tune of a savings to me of $1500!!! The dealer didn't ask me what my car was doing, they just decided that I needed new shocks, new lower control arms, etc. I was immediately suspicious because 1. the car was in for an OIL CHANGE ONLY and, 2. I had never complained of a problem to them before about the shimmy at 62 mph that turned out to be a bent wheel on the front left. My Independent guy switched wheels front to back and voila! no shimmy! That's one of the main reasons in my opinion, to go to an Independent...they are willing to try different options. As far as OEM or after market parts, I let my independent decide which is best. I prefer OEM, but if he says it doesn't matter, then it doesn't matter. Kathy Black '94 525i White '95 325i convertible > > Hello, > > [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > Princess Morgiah > I would never take my BMW to the dealer again. My previous post > listed my reasons (BMW Dealer Dishonest??). Because I'm a woman, [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > new shocks, new lower control arms, etc. I was immediately suspicious > because 1. the car was in for an OIL CHANGE ONLY and, Which dealer was this, so we can all avoid it in the future? Did you complain to BMW, and to the CA Dept. of Consumer Affairs? This is the only leverage we consumers have over these people, but believe it or not, it works. > 2. I had never > complained of a problem to them before about the shimmy at 62 mph > that turned out to be a bent wheel on the front left. My Independent > guy switched wheels front to back and voila! no shimmy! That's one > of the main reasons in my opinion, to go to an Independent...they are > willing to try different options. Most dealers see only the option of making everything perfect and factory-spec, cost be damned. So moving a bent wheel to the rear isn't an option for them -- the only correct solution is a new wheel! In your case, it's possible an incompetent tech made a bad diagnosis. IMO, incompetence is far more widespread than actual dishonesty. Some independent shops are not so "expert," and/or take advantage of people too. Either way, buyer beware. > As far as OEM or after market parts, I let my independent decide > which is best. I prefer OEM, but if he says it doesn't matter, then > it doesn't matter. Yup. Matt O. Matt, It's Rasmussen BMW in Portland, Oregon. They generally have a good reputation, but I think in this case, they did what you suggest...decided for me that replacing the control arms and shocks needed to be done to make the car perfect. My independent guy has been in business for many, many years and my brother has taken his '87 325e to them since he bought it about 10 years ago. My brother trusts him and so do I. He's getting close to retirement and I shudder to think about going elsewhere. I haven't had the opportunity to report them, yet; I've been working the last 2-1/2 weeks straight and haven't had the time. I will call and talk to the service manager first; to be fair. If I don't get a satisfactory answer, I will report them to both BMW and Oregon Dept. of Consumer Affairs. Happy motoring! Kathy Black '94 525i White '95 325i convertible > > I would never take my BMW to the dealer again. My previous post > > listed my reasons (BMW Dealer Dishonest??). Because I'm a woman, [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > > Matt O. > I would never take my BMW to the dealer again. My previous post listed my > reasons (BMW Dealer Dishonest??). Because I'm a woman, they decided to [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Black '94 525i > White '95 325i convertible Just to give you an idea of how different our dealers appear to be: I've just had an accident, and since I can't drive my car anymore I was looking for a replacement car. BMW Services provided me with a car the first three days, which I did not need. Later on, the insurance company would provide me with a car. As soon as the repairs started, I'd had to trade that one with a car from my dealer. A few phones later I again find out how shoddy my insurance company is and as it turns out I have no right to claim a replacement car from them (long story). After phoning my dealer and telling them about this, they offered me a replacement car (BMW E36 break) without cost for as long as I need it. Now that's service! Princess Morgiah Did you people know that the service advisers at BMW dealerships get a bonus depending on how much parts they can stick you for?. yes that's true I know that for sure > > I would never take my BMW to the dealer again. My previous post listed my > > reasons (BMW Dealer Dishonest??). Because I'm a woman, they decided to [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Princess Morgiah |
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