Why I hate main dealers
Moderator: neil
Why I hate main dealers
So today my partners car goes into the local(Warwick) BMW main dealer for recall work to be carried out.
As I joke I said wait for the call saying they have found other issues.
Well approx. 2 hours after dropping the car off she gets a call.
Along the lines off:-
All 4 of your tyres are showing the metal casing, they would fail an MOT and if you get pull over by the police they are
illegal so you would be fined etc etc etc
Also your rear brake pads need replacing.
Shall I order all the bits and get on with the work.
At which point my partner said "NO" as her son is a trained mechanic and would get him to check these issues out and carry out any work required.
I myself check our cars over weekly for issues like this.
A couple of hours later we get a call to say the car is ready to be picked up.
So along we go and well all four tyres are fine no metal casing showing. Yes the rears are wearing on the inside edges as most BMW's do.
Rear brake pads on a quick inspection have probably got 5k left in them.
So left the garage with not even a note saying what they had reported to her.
On the way home we call into to her sons business and he confirmed that all tyres and brakes where ok.
Yet again the dealer trying to get business by scaring a female, if I was not around or my partners son she would have ok'd for the work to be carried out and I am guessing at BMW prices this would be close to £1,300.
Sorry rant over but the do piss me off.
Yes business may be slow but stop trying to ripping people off and the may use you.
As I joke I said wait for the call saying they have found other issues.
Well approx. 2 hours after dropping the car off she gets a call.
Along the lines off:-
All 4 of your tyres are showing the metal casing, they would fail an MOT and if you get pull over by the police they are
illegal so you would be fined etc etc etc
Also your rear brake pads need replacing.
Shall I order all the bits and get on with the work.
At which point my partner said "NO" as her son is a trained mechanic and would get him to check these issues out and carry out any work required.
I myself check our cars over weekly for issues like this.
A couple of hours later we get a call to say the car is ready to be picked up.
So along we go and well all four tyres are fine no metal casing showing. Yes the rears are wearing on the inside edges as most BMW's do.
Rear brake pads on a quick inspection have probably got 5k left in them.
So left the garage with not even a note saying what they had reported to her.
On the way home we call into to her sons business and he confirmed that all tyres and brakes where ok.
Yet again the dealer trying to get business by scaring a female, if I was not around or my partners son she would have ok'd for the work to be carried out and I am guessing at BMW prices this would be close to £1,300.
Sorry rant over but the do piss me off.
Yes business may be slow but stop trying to ripping people off and the may use you.
Now
E39 B10 3.2 # 64 Alpina Blue Metallic since 03.10
F02 750Li & Mini Cooper Cab
And before
E46 330Ci,MX5 Mk2,E46 325ti,Mini Cooper S, Z3M Roadster, MX5 Mk1, E38 728, E36 325, Westfield SEi fitted with 240 BHP XE Redtop, Westfield WSEi fitted with Honda SuperBlackbird, Smart 4/2, Omega MV6, LS400, Senator 24v, Volvo 360 GLT, Fiesta Supersport, Porsche 2.7s (1976)First car
+ 23 Motorbikes in my younger days
E39 B10 3.2 # 64 Alpina Blue Metallic since 03.10
F02 750Li & Mini Cooper Cab
And before
E46 330Ci,MX5 Mk2,E46 325ti,Mini Cooper S, Z3M Roadster, MX5 Mk1, E38 728, E36 325, Westfield SEi fitted with 240 BHP XE Redtop, Westfield WSEi fitted with Honda SuperBlackbird, Smart 4/2, Omega MV6, LS400, Senator 24v, Volvo 360 GLT, Fiesta Supersport, Porsche 2.7s (1976)First car
+ 23 Motorbikes in my younger days
Re: Why I hate main dealers
I would send an email along the lines of this post to the Dealer Principal. I'm sure he/she would like to know.
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
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- ALPINA
- Posts: 1217
- Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:40 pm
- Location: Shropshire
Re: Why I hate main dealers
Absolutely - do it.
I hate how you feel guilt tripped into using main dealers. We bought my Wife's 1 Series 8 years ago from a dealer with warranty still on it, and the first service it needed I took it back to my local dealer. I was then recommended a local BMW specialist and for the next service took it to them. He said there was evidence that some of the work they claimed to have done hadn't been carried out.
I really trust the specialist - we've been taking our cars there ever since, and as they are only small you know the people who are doing the work. You likely never get to see the mechanic who works on your car at a main dealer. Having just bought my first Alpina from a dealer, with full dealer history, I have the dilemma of where to take it to be serviced. I really want to use the guy I know, but worry it will somehow damage the car's provenance. I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of other Alpina owners on the subject......
I hate how you feel guilt tripped into using main dealers. We bought my Wife's 1 Series 8 years ago from a dealer with warranty still on it, and the first service it needed I took it back to my local dealer. I was then recommended a local BMW specialist and for the next service took it to them. He said there was evidence that some of the work they claimed to have done hadn't been carried out.
I really trust the specialist - we've been taking our cars there ever since, and as they are only small you know the people who are doing the work. You likely never get to see the mechanic who works on your car at a main dealer. Having just bought my first Alpina from a dealer, with full dealer history, I have the dilemma of where to take it to be serviced. I really want to use the guy I know, but worry it will somehow damage the car's provenance. I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of other Alpina owners on the subject......
Paul
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
Re: Why I hate main dealers
Interesting dilemma
With it being such a rare car you could go get serviced at bmw I do mine and they all know me and how picky I am I have noticed the same chap for last couple of services has done it so knows my car the service advisors love my car and know that I will scrutinise everything
I do know BMR Barry have all the latest diagnostics and experience these are genuine enthusiastic people and forum users and many owners take their cars I believe they are approved so it does not impact on warranty
With it being such a rare car you could go get serviced at bmw I do mine and they all know me and how picky I am I have noticed the same chap for last couple of services has done it so knows my car the service advisors love my car and know that I will scrutinise everything
I do know BMR Barry have all the latest diagnostics and experience these are genuine enthusiastic people and forum users and many owners take their cars I believe they are approved so it does not impact on warranty
Re: Why I hate main dealers
Go to the people you would trust most with your car. You will be driving it.
B3 E46 no.265
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- ALPINA
- Posts: 1217
- Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:40 pm
- Location: Shropshire
Re: Why I hate main dealers
Yeah - I agree with this. I'm hoping to keep the car for a good while too, so hopefully will make less difference in the long run.
Paul
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
Re: Why I hate main dealers
I use Sytner Bmw in Coventry
Perfect all the time
Some prices that I get quoted are the same as independent Bmw specialists
I would rather go to Bmw Sytner
I'm also very fussy , however everybody there, is on the same page as me
I have a car booked in tomorrow for a full service including spark plugs
Perfect all the time
Some prices that I get quoted are the same as independent Bmw specialists
I would rather go to Bmw Sytner
I'm also very fussy , however everybody there, is on the same page as me
I have a car booked in tomorrow for a full service including spark plugs
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- ALPINA
- Posts: 1217
- Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:40 pm
- Location: Shropshire
Re: Why I hate main dealers
That’s good that you have a positive relationship with the dealer for servicing. Hopefully they take a bit more care when it comes to Alpinas. As you know, I bought my car from there but it’s too far to go back for servicing. I don’t have a Sytner garage near me either....
Paul
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
Re: Why I hate main dealers
My wifes E90 325i went in for a heater power lead recall....
I like the original poster said to the wife..."bet you they send a report back saying the cars on its last legs" its had 1 previous keeper to her, with a FBMW service history, every mot cirt from new and only 61k from new.
And of course, the health check came back saying brakes had got a few miles left, plus an issue with the auto headlight alignment control box not working.
Was working perfect prior to going to sytners nottingham, but came out with this problem and a cost to repair of £754 +vat!!
It only went in for a £4 lead replacment!!
So I do see where your coming from, wonder how they would feel if I was contracted by them to replace their front door, and told them that ALL the doors were shot and the factory needed a new roof!! I would be branded a rip off merchant and a cowboy conman.............
I like the original poster said to the wife..."bet you they send a report back saying the cars on its last legs" its had 1 previous keeper to her, with a FBMW service history, every mot cirt from new and only 61k from new.
And of course, the health check came back saying brakes had got a few miles left, plus an issue with the auto headlight alignment control box not working.
Was working perfect prior to going to sytners nottingham, but came out with this problem and a cost to repair of £754 +vat!!
It only went in for a £4 lead replacment!!
So I do see where your coming from, wonder how they would feel if I was contracted by them to replace their front door, and told them that ALL the doors were shot and the factory needed a new roof!! I would be branded a rip off merchant and a cowboy conman.............
Never take flatulence to an excrement disagreement. Custodian of B10 V8 #803