Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Just visited a BMW dealership. Very unsatisfied!
- Thread starter anubis
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Unlike others I'm not going to try to talk you out of your purchases or a different vehicle. Even as someone who owns a BMW (2004 325xi). 
However, not all dealers are alike. Here in Salt Lake City our BMW dealer is very friendly. Buying my car from them was a nice experience that I'd be happy to repeat. Now the Jag dealer, let's not go there.
Since you've got a head on your sholders it seems, I'd confine your decision-making to the vehicles, not the dealer. If you do happen to fall on the side of the BMW then I'd consider leveraging your experience with that dealer to get a better price; you can always take your business elsewhere.
Oh, and I love my BMW. The "Ultimate Driving Machine" indeed!
However, not all dealers are alike. Here in Salt Lake City our BMW dealer is very friendly. Buying my car from them was a nice experience that I'd be happy to repeat. Now the Jag dealer, let's not go there.
Since you've got a head on your sholders it seems, I'd confine your decision-making to the vehicles, not the dealer. If you do happen to fall on the side of the BMW then I'd consider leveraging your experience with that dealer to get a better price; you can always take your business elsewhere.
Oh, and I love my BMW. The "Ultimate Driving Machine" indeed!
It looks like I was in the same boat as you. I was shopping between the new BMW 3-Series/new Lexus IS/Audi A4. I ended up settling for the BMW (although I have tremendous respect for Lexus- every car we've owned is a Lexus except for my 330i). Although I love BMW, Lexus is the king of customer service/reliability/workmanship/work-ethic. Great company.
Here's a little bit of my opinion:
2006 BMW 330i- the best out there, IMO. Fresh, avant-garde exterior/interior design, handling, performance. What makes this car stand out is that you can have a blast driving it- it's easy, sporty, exciting, and just downright fun and satisfying to drive. One of the best BMWs I've driven in a while! I just got this a few weeks ago; no problems with reliability (a first for us!)
Lexus IS250/IS350- right behind the BMW. It's really a great car, and I would have gotten it if not for the cramped rear seat. The workmanship is flawless, and engine smooth (350), but I still find the overall performance to be generally sub-par to the BMW.
Audi A4- I think it's aging, but aging gracefully. The interior, while still nice, is starting to show a need for an overhaul. The performance, while "spirited", wasn't enough compared to the 3er. However, the biggest problem I have with the A4 (or all Audis today) is that they all look the same! I have difficulty differentiating (and I'm a car buff) the A3/A4/A6/A8 head-on, and even from the side/rear. It really needs more distinctive styling. BMW and Lexus wins here.
For me, it was really a decision between the BMW and the Lexus. Overall, I truly had "more fun" behind the wheel of the BMW. But it's really a personal choice, and you'll have to spend some quality time behind both and see what you truly enjoy.
Good luck with your carshopping! It was really fun for me.
Here's a little bit of my opinion:
2006 BMW 330i- the best out there, IMO. Fresh, avant-garde exterior/interior design, handling, performance. What makes this car stand out is that you can have a blast driving it- it's easy, sporty, exciting, and just downright fun and satisfying to drive. One of the best BMWs I've driven in a while! I just got this a few weeks ago; no problems with reliability (a first for us!)
Lexus IS250/IS350- right behind the BMW. It's really a great car, and I would have gotten it if not for the cramped rear seat. The workmanship is flawless, and engine smooth (350), but I still find the overall performance to be generally sub-par to the BMW.
Audi A4- I think it's aging, but aging gracefully. The interior, while still nice, is starting to show a need for an overhaul. The performance, while "spirited", wasn't enough compared to the 3er. However, the biggest problem I have with the A4 (or all Audis today) is that they all look the same! I have difficulty differentiating (and I'm a car buff) the A3/A4/A6/A8 head-on, and even from the side/rear. It really needs more distinctive styling. BMW and Lexus wins here.
For me, it was really a decision between the BMW and the Lexus. Overall, I truly had "more fun" behind the wheel of the BMW. But it's really a personal choice, and you'll have to spend some quality time behind both and see what you truly enjoy.
Good luck with your carshopping! It was really fun for me.
Z4 is an awesome car!
Before you give up on the Z4 because of a bad experience at your dealer try another one. It is too bad you aren't in the Houston area because Momentum BMW is a very good dealership.
I love my Z4 and highly recommend it if you like the style of the car. It is a blast to drive.
If you are serious and have more Z4 questions visit this forum: http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e85/
Before you give up on the Z4 because of a bad experience at your dealer try another one. It is too bad you aren't in the Houston area because Momentum BMW is a very good dealership.
I love my Z4 and highly recommend it if you like the style of the car. It is a blast to drive.
If you are serious and have more Z4 questions visit this forum: http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e85/
I'm on my third BMW in a row, all 5-series, from the 528i to the 530i to the 545i. Following that trend, next stop: M5 (he dreams).
The first two were from so-so dealerships. Salesmanship and customer service were fine, nothing to complain about and yet nothing extraordinary. One was in Dallas, the other in LA.
The 545i, however, was purchased from a dealership in the Bay Area, one that was recently bought out by AutoNation, the large national chain. Surprisingly, salesmanship and service improved significantly with the new owners. They built a new building, retired many of the old staff, and instituted better management.
All three of my 5-series were/are highly reliable. The only problems were burned-out taillights (fixed with a $2 bulb which the dealerships would just give to me without charge and a service manager would even install it himself), a window that did not roll up all the way, and broken cup holders. Those cup holders are laughable... My 545 has had only one problem: an error message concerning the Active Steering hydraulics. This error was intermittent for several months then finally it stayed on so I took it in for service, and the dealer, of course, gave me a free loaner.
The problem with Active Steering turned out to be something the local technicians could not diagnose and repair, so the problem was escalated to a BMW engineer. The engineer was able to remotely diagnose the problem and he fed-ex'd a replacement part. Since then, the error message has not only completely disappeared, but the feel of Active Steering has improved immensely to the point that I actually love it!
But the story does not end there. As part of the repair, the service rep had to drive the car to verify the fix. During this test drive, the rep felt that there was a bit too much road noise and the ride was not as supple as he had recalled from driving other 545s. So the rep did something completely unexpected, he replaced all 4 tires with 2nd-generation run-flats. The interior is quieter and the ride is noticeably more supple.
They kept the car for 3 days, but they got everything fixed and then some!
Finally, the service adviser asked me to rate the service in various categories on a scale of 1 to 5. Needless to say, I gave them a perfect 5 in every category. I was able to make an appointment one day ahead, every problem was fixed, every fix was explained, and even though a 1-day turnaround lingered into a 3-day turnaround, who cares? They went the extra mile and fixed everything.
Will I buy another BMW in the future? You bet I will.
The first two were from so-so dealerships. Salesmanship and customer service were fine, nothing to complain about and yet nothing extraordinary. One was in Dallas, the other in LA.
The 545i, however, was purchased from a dealership in the Bay Area, one that was recently bought out by AutoNation, the large national chain. Surprisingly, salesmanship and service improved significantly with the new owners. They built a new building, retired many of the old staff, and instituted better management.
All three of my 5-series were/are highly reliable. The only problems were burned-out taillights (fixed with a $2 bulb which the dealerships would just give to me without charge and a service manager would even install it himself), a window that did not roll up all the way, and broken cup holders. Those cup holders are laughable... My 545 has had only one problem: an error message concerning the Active Steering hydraulics. This error was intermittent for several months then finally it stayed on so I took it in for service, and the dealer, of course, gave me a free loaner.
The problem with Active Steering turned out to be something the local technicians could not diagnose and repair, so the problem was escalated to a BMW engineer. The engineer was able to remotely diagnose the problem and he fed-ex'd a replacement part. Since then, the error message has not only completely disappeared, but the feel of Active Steering has improved immensely to the point that I actually love it!
But the story does not end there. As part of the repair, the service rep had to drive the car to verify the fix. During this test drive, the rep felt that there was a bit too much road noise and the ride was not as supple as he had recalled from driving other 545s. So the rep did something completely unexpected, he replaced all 4 tires with 2nd-generation run-flats. The interior is quieter and the ride is noticeably more supple.
They kept the car for 3 days, but they got everything fixed and then some!
Finally, the service adviser asked me to rate the service in various categories on a scale of 1 to 5. Needless to say, I gave them a perfect 5 in every category. I was able to make an appointment one day ahead, every problem was fixed, every fix was explained, and even though a 1-day turnaround lingered into a 3-day turnaround, who cares? They went the extra mile and fixed everything.
Will I buy another BMW in the future? You bet I will.
Give BMW another chance...
I agree with all the above posters: PLEASE give BMW another chance/consideration. Don't let one rotten apple ruin the experience of driving behind the wheel of the "Ultimate Driving Machine"! If you have the opportunity, visit some other dealers- it really depends and makes a difference.
I promise you... you won't regret it at all.
I agree with all the above posters: PLEASE give BMW another chance/consideration. Don't let one rotten apple ruin the experience of driving behind the wheel of the "Ultimate Driving Machine"! If you have the opportunity, visit some other dealers- it really depends and makes a difference.
I promise you... you won't regret it at all.
BMW's all marketing. Don't let it get to you. Just remember - it's just a car. I had a 2002 325i w/ sport package, and there was nothing magical about it. And the materialism it speaks of? Barf. Not only is the car nothing special - their service departments are absolutely rotten. No other manufacturer calls you to take "customer satisfaction" surveys and then claims that they have no power to remedy any complaint by virtue of each dealer being independently owned.
I'm not saying don't try them out. I'm just saying there's nothing magical about the marque.
I'm not saying don't try them out. I'm just saying there's nothing magical about the marque.
Jon'sLightBulbs said:
That's true. The dealership owner cabal does contractually quite have the manufacturers by the balls when it comes to most things about customer service.
About the only legal recourse the manufacturers have is to restrict the hot selling cars they allot to a troublemaking dealer. That's why they do those surveys; it's the only way to punish crap sales departments.
Dealership owners = evil
The dealer where our BMW 5-series is serviced is very concerned about how we rate their service when BMW calls, which they generally do each time the car returns from the shop. The dealer never fails to remind us of the importance of giving them a "5" (highest rating) in every category. I suspect that if they don't get a "5" then corporate is not happy with them in some material way.
Personally, I would not darken the door of a dealership where I was abused by even one grouchy employee, but if it makes you feel any better, I'd go to the sales or service manager and complain, then tell him you're planning on taking the complaint to the company.
BTW, I didn't know you could spend $45k on a 3-series. Granted it was a few years ago now, but our 5-series didn't cost that much. It's a terrific car, BTW -- a genuine pleasure to drive.
Personally, I would not darken the door of a dealership where I was abused by even one grouchy employee, but if it makes you feel any better, I'd go to the sales or service manager and complain, then tell him you're planning on taking the complaint to the company.
BTW, I didn't know you could spend $45k on a 3-series. Granted it was a few years ago now, but our 5-series didn't cost that much. It's a terrific car, BTW -- a genuine pleasure to drive.
I bought a BMW M3 and I had a fantastic experience from http://www.thoroughbred.com/ in Nashville.
My last 3 cars have ben thru http://1800vehicles.com/ and I can honestly say if you want a kick ass ride you can get a 2002 BMW M3 thru them for 36k or a convertable for 40k
They do all makes and models, and will take good care of ya
Best;
Doc
My last 3 cars have ben thru http://1800vehicles.com/ and I can honestly say if you want a kick ass ride you can get a 2002 BMW M3 thru them for 36k or a convertable for 40k
They do all makes and models, and will take good care of ya
Best;
Doc
I'm sure the BMWs are nice and all, but if this is the dealership you'll be dealing with, I'd look elsewhere. If you're planning on buying a Lexus, maybe consider a nice Toyota instead. Some of them are really nice. If course, I bought a Chevy (which I'm actually pretty happy with, especially being able to completely pay it off soon after buying it), so what do I know. As for the experience, I'd say that was more the norm these days with some things unfortunately. I moved recently, and had a heck of a time with buying new furniture and appliances. I would have gone elsewhere for things, but had problems pretty much everywhere. Sears, Circuit City, JC Penny, Target, etc. and even a few little, locally owned places.
If you find a place that gives really good customer service, you buy there.
If you find a place that gives really good customer service, you buy there.
IJ Reilly said:
As I said, when it comes to popular, high-margin vehicle supply, the manufacturers are allowed to give priority to dealerships doing well with the CSI. And that's about it. But it does matter to them somewhat.
I'm kind of insulted when I'm told how to vote on these surveys. Do your job well and you don't have to command your customers to lie about how they feel. I wish they'd do something less pandering and shameless, like ask me if there's anything that would prevent me from voting "5" on a CSI survey.
pseudobrit said:
Agreed, but we've had no hesitancy in dinging them when they deserved it. For one, when they suddenly stopped giving us shuttle service from the dealership to where we live, we made our feelings known in the survey. They're now not only doing it again, one time we actually got a free loner car.
IJ Reilly said:
With my Saab dealer (heck, every saab dealer I've used during warrenty work, I can think of 4 different ones) has ALWAYS given me a free loaner car. Usually it's something brand new too, with less than 5k miles. Only once did I get a non-Saab (Caddy, which I wasn't too impressed with, but that's another story).
At a premium dealer like that I would DEMAND a loaner car.
Ben