[grr]

Had reason to call into Harwoods in Basingstoke

Great reception and really helpful

I don't live in the area but they seem better than a lot reported on here

[lee888]

Specialist cars Stevenage.

Went in to ask for a test drive but got fobbed off "you need both of the licences sir, company policy" so I left to arrange for another day.

Called dealership requesting a test drive a few days later, day arrives the salesman didn't bother asking for driving licences (I thought it was company policy!)went out of the showroom and the salesman says hes got another customer soon, that really p*ssed me a bit but continued with the test drive.

Went round the test route it seems and was back to dealership not long after I had left, didn't have time to drive the car properly, back in the showroom the sales guy was pushing for a sale and gave a poor part ex. price too,I must have been waiting at least 20mins I thought he had another customer appointment very soon!

At that point I said no thanks to the offer and left saying I will ring back a few days later.I called later in the week spoke to the same guy asking for another test drive in a different model, his reply was " I don't think we have a demo for that model and will ring you back tomorrow but never did.

That experience wasn't the first with this dealership, It was the same with Mini when they first launched it then with the new X5 also, which I bought at another dealership mini too.

They are the nearest dealership to me but what annoys me more is the poor level of service thus making me having to travel further afield for proper attention.
I might have to try another dealership it seems!

[jedi-knight83]

I used Elms cambridge for my e46 M3. The guys on the desk were helpful but the guys in the garage had absolutely no idea about quality control.

I had some warranty work done on my rear suspension and first I kept being given the car back and told it was fixed only to drive the car 2 miles and hear the same issue, then it was given back twice with the steering very badly aligned and then once after complaining about the poor alignment it was given back and 20 miles later the steering wheel bolt came loose (I think rather than do a re alignment they just took the wheel off and moved it round a notch)

[dxb335d]

Fackin hell.

Elms stansted are far worse though!

[AlanQS]

Just had my first service at Park's in Glasgow. For a change, they actually offered me a loan car when I 'phoned up to book the car in. I declined as I was going to take it in first thing and do some town shopping.

Oil service, micro filter replacement and brake fluid service. Total bill was £259 which I thought wasn't bad. My 230s were checked for cracks (none) and I was quite impressed that the Bridgestones, after 9,000 miles, still have 7mm of tread all round. Maybe they do have some redeeming features after all.

All in all, a pleasant experience (apart from the cash of course.)

[smallbore]

Just bought my 3rd BMW from Elms in 18 months. This time a 320d SE for the wife to match my 320D M Sport. Great deal, below Glass guide price, Premium Club discount of £250, collected our trade in 10 year old Saab from 15 miles away and discounted the £5,000 finance (on original cost of £16,995) by £500. Usual full tank of fuel etc.

I have always dealt with Simon Snowball (yes his real name) and I he is VERY helpful ensuring you get the best price and discounts.

Cannot be more complimentary about them!

Bob Meadows

[Alexmac10]

Originally Posted by AlanQS

Just had my first service at Park's in Glasgow. For a change, they actually offered me a loan car when I 'phoned up to book the car in. I declined as I was going to take it in first thing and do some town shopping.

Oil service, micro filter replacement and brake fluid service. Total bill was £259 which I thought wasn't bad. My 230s were checked for cracks (none) and I was quite impressed that the Bridgestones, after 9,000 miles, still have 7mm of tread all round. Maybe they do have some redeeming features after all.

All in all, a pleasant experience (apart from the cash of course.)

Hi Alan,

Have you used Harry Fairbairn as well? I need to decide on which one to use, my cars due it's first MOT at the end of next month and i'm also looking at the Alpine upgrade as well.

[AlanQS]

It's only my first service, so no chance to try both but Fairbairn's is the south side which is much further for me than Park's so Park would have to be rank rotten before I go to Fairbairn.

The Park technician who does the Alpine upgrade took ages to do mine 'cos it was the first one they had done. The service department also "excused" the time because the guy is a fussy bugger who likes to do things absolutely perfectly - fine by me!

If you go to Park, make them stick to the 2.5 hour labour time for the job which BMW recommends.

[Alexmac10]

Originally Posted by AlanQS

It's only my first service, so no chance to try both but Fairbairn's is the south side which is much further for me than Park's so Park would have to be rank rotten before I go to Fairbairn.

The Park technician who does the Alpine upgrade took ages to do mine 'cos it was the first one they had done. The service department also "excused" the time because the guy is a fussy bugger who likes to do things absolutely perfectly - fine by me!

If you go to Park, make them stick to the 2.5 hour labour time for the job which BMW recommends.

Fussy's not a bad thing, they're near to where i work so i think i'll give them a try.

[SCN_Saul]

Blue Bell Wilmslow

Have bought 3 cars through them (2x new mini for g/f and sister) and a used 130i and each time had great service and got good deals (finance guy at used site is excellent to deal with)

Service site is very busy, had some warranty work done on my 130i and got a cooper s as a loaner, service prices are about average, labour rate is expensive (whos isnt??) but each time car comes back washed and vacced.

Sytner Coventry

Recently p/ex'd the 130i for a 56 plate 335i touring, got great deal and sales guy was good to deal with.

Small issue now revolving around servicing of the car before collection, will see how this pans out.

[vblanche]

Hello,

I'm looking at buying an Alpina D3. Sytner (mostly) Nottingham has few of them, but even when I'm showing that I'm very keen to do a quick purchase and funds are in place, I can't get them to arrange a test drive of the car without going to Nottingham. The problem is that I can't easily go up there, time, availability of transportation...

Is that always like that with car dealers?

thanks
vincent

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by vblanche

Hello,

I'm looking at buying an Alpina D3. Sytner (mostly) Nottingham has few of them, but even when I'm showing that I'm very keen to do a quick purchase and funds are in place, I can't get them to arrange a test drive of the car without going to Nottingham. The problem is that I can't easily go up there, time, availability of transportation...

Is that always like that with car dealers?

thanks
vincent

No, it's a shame you haven't had much joy so far. I have asked for someone from Sytner to contact you to organise a test drive...


Welcome to the forum by the way

[Darren Edwards @ Sytner]

Hi Vincent

You have mail !

Sorry for any delay in getting a test drive sorted - on the case now

Darren

[vblanche]

Hi E92fan and Darren,

Thanks so much for so quick response. That's great. Darren, got your mail, will reply asap. Many thanks

[NFS]

What a brilliant bit of customer service from Sytner!

Getting involved with an enthusiasts forum is a genuinely brave move for a business like Sytner, but Darren is showing them in a very good light.

[T9Gjn]

Originally Posted by rjs

<rant>

What is everyone's opinion on their dealer? So far I'm not blown away by the service levels i've encountered.

I've been looking at buying an e92 for a while now and am currently on my 3rd dealer.

Dealer 1 (Solihull) They started OK, I managed to arrange a short test drive with them & all seemed well. Decided to wait for the M-Sport package though which they told me would be coming out in March. So I advised them to contact me when they heard anything re: the M-Sport. March is almost here, so is the M-Sport. My phone call from the dealer isn't.

Dealer 2 (Wolverhampton) Oh dear. I went in to enquire & they said they would have to get a car in for test drive, fair enough. I asked for a brochure but they didn't have one so they took my name and address to send me one. Two months later... no brochure! No follow up. :mad:

Dealer 3 (Central B'ham) Promising so far. I went in last week, got test drive booked for this week so will see how it goes.

I don't like poor customer service full stop. Even more so when they expect me give them 40K for a car. If the service is this crap before i've even bought it, what's it going to be like afterwards?!

Is it just me? does everyone else get on fine?

I hope this third one is OK, i'm running out of ones nearby!

</rant>

Park Lane in London.

First time I have bought a BMW. Customer service was fantastic the moment I entered the showroom from all the staff. Kept me well informed over the phone and emails.

Their service garage are also good based in battersea.

[Jamese93]

Right, my bit now....

My old man's been using Elms Stansted for years now in their various guises and has never had any problems save being alleviated of major lumps of cash to keep his various bimmers in the style to which they're accustomed - maybe he's not as fussy as some of us on here though.

I've used Stephen James Blackheath (Carla on service is great) for all servicing and have never had any problems or issue - nice that they're a small garage too.

Stephen James in Enfield have bent over backwards for me over the last year, especially when coming to the replacement of my old e93. Great people - PM me if anyone wants details.

Cooper Thames Ditton on the other hand are a complete bunch of fecking w@nkers. They constructively dismissed a very close mate of mine a while back which doesn't leave the nicest taste. Service was OK, valet was very good believe it or not. Sales save Alex (great guy) are a complete bunch of tossers. Don't bother wasting your time or money with them.

OK information / rant over!

[Tippo]

Used Benham in Wolverhampton yesterday to get an alloy refurbed and a gear gaiter replaced (provided the part myself).

Bought the car from them back in Sep and was impressed with the service then so went back to get the above done, before I use them for servicing proper next year.

Well not impressed.

Firstly cause I happen to be on HOLS this week, I went dressed in black jeans, white trainers and leather jacket. This meant that any suits waiting in the service area who came in AFTER me got looked at first, so after waiting 10 mins. I just stood up and said; "I AM NEXT". FFS.

Left car there and picked it up at 4pm-ish. Had a look round the car before I went inside while it was still relatively light and saw no marks or scratches and the work itself had been done well. So good so far.

When I get the docs to sign though they tell me the wheel guy who they bring in has forgot to put my locking wheel nut key back in the car, so they will send it on in the post to me today. DOH!

They offered to wash and vac the car too, now being this time of year even a dealer wash with a spray is a relatively good idea so I said yes please. Well they did wash the car as my rear arches were caked after getting stuck on an icy dirt track last week, but the drivers carpet was absolutely filthy, so no vacuuming the interior was done as promised then.

Also when someone drives your car from probably one side of the dealership to the other, then why oh why do they have to re-arrange EVERYTHING; seats, mirrors, aircon, steering wheel, radio out of tune on the wrong waveband. How fecking rude imho. Took me 5 mins. to get everything back in place before I could leave. Numpties!!! Normally I could live with this but the total distain I got from their service people was beyond acceptable and thus feel the need for this rant.

Sytner in Oldbury might now be getting my next service and brake fluid change, assuming their prices are equal or better.........

[AlanQS]

Went into Park's to pick up my E92 jack kit which they managed to get in under two weeks and whilst there, I asked for a bottle of BMW washer fluid and was given one gratis! Now that was a surprise!

[Tippo]

Still no locking wheel nut key, they are chasing it up again today.

Bet these awful dealers read things like this on here and get very turned on, has to be a reason for it?

[Diamond tints]

Menzies of Stirling, Man what a joke to say the least, Got car there around 9 months ago, walked in with my work gear on and everyone kept walking pat me as if i was invisible!!!

These idiots not realise that might actually be the guys in old work gear actually own the company????????

Eventually i asked for help, i told salesman what car i wanted to test drive, to be asked " you anything to trade in" this was an effort to ask me this I then pointed to my Scirroco (8 weeks old) Then to be asked how much is owed on that!!!!!!

When i told him car was 25k 8 weeks ago and theres 10k owed on it, his tune soon fuckin changed, he couldn't get the keys quick enough.

Picked car up wind deflector was missing to be told it didn't come from one, i argued my case and eventually told him to go and check spec of car from new, to be told i was right after all!!! No shit columbo!!!

Also big ding in bonnet, was told you wont notice this when you collect car, Picked car up and forgot to check, noticed few days later and phoned them back up to be told someone would contact me. After around 10 phone calls with no one getting back i phoned BMW themselves,To be phoned by manager that afternoon

Took car up at long last and Manager comes out, and i told him can you see it? He replies yes why? I told him your salesman told me i wouldnt notice it, (Arguement closed thankyou) Painted car and when they held me the keys back the knob never said a word handed me keys then walked away!!!!

Drivers mirror has mind of its own, still waiting for them to book me in 9 months down the line!!!!!

On top of all this is the wheel issue with the 19s, blamed it on potholes, After watchdog they are " re-evaluating the situation" That was 2 weeks before xmas and still waiting on them getting back

After watchdog i phoned them and was put on to some top of the tree manager, I told him i dont want to leave the wheels in case they went a little wander, to be told " you are dealing with BMW" I then told him exactly my point there is no respect or trust in the company any more
Because of the wheel issue alone i know of 3 Bmw die hards who have all got rid of there cars,
For me this is my first BMW and to be fair the way i have been treated the last!!!!!!!!

Having had around 10 Golfs, VW caddy, Transporter, Mrs has had couple of polos, For me be back to Veedubs next time

Rant over

[Diamond tints]

Originally Posted by Lexybhoy

Hi Alan,

Have you used Harry Fairbairn as well? I need to decide on which one to use, my cars due it's first MOT at the end of next month and i'm also looking at the Alpine upgrade as well.

Mate buy the alpine kit from Bmw and get Ron at mf2k to fit it, This guy is genius with car audio and i dont use this lightly

http://www.mf2k.co.uk

0141 420 1123