[BC4J]

Originally Posted by jpfizz

...unless of course you want to pay near £900.00 for a set of 18s!!

If that's for all 4 wheels, incl. fitting, sounds a good deal to me! BMW Battersea want £297 each!

[buzby2001]

hi

I'm new on here.

I have a 335 M sport (25k miles over 14 months). After reading most of the threads ive had smilar experiences.

Presently arguing with BMW about irregular inner edge tyre wear on all four tyres (my second set due to this) !!!!!

The said the allignment was out so had to pay £180 for them to KDS it. I have 6mm in the middle and bold on the inner edge..... has anyone else experienced this? Both a sytner mechanic and service consultant have admitted they see this regularly but BMW having no of it....

Spent may an hour in Sytner with Brake squeek. After 4 visits of the shaving back the plastic sensor, blaming brake dust, they wanted to change the pads at my cost. After tearing into the service manager they asked me to pay for parts £150.... A email to the MD stating i would charge them for my time sat in there waiting room and they would lose out, i got a new set of pads and the squel vanished. I did have 15k miles of it though....

Dash vibration was in the bulk head for me. First time they re mounted the power steering pump after three visits as they coundn't hear it !!! This worked
5k miles later it was back. 2 more visits and they could hear it as the original mechanic was off on holiday ...arggghhh. They have just replace all the power steering pipes and its now vanished again.

My ipod keeps freezing, tried to fix again
3 misfires and reduced power warning light (2 bmw roadside visits). But as it hasnt done it again ( it does it on the motorway under load but no warning light) they wont do anything until can replicate with a warning light

can anyone shed any light on the tyre issue

Thanks

[kevbhoy]

I only use the local dealer here in Aberdeen (there is only one) for servicing etc. They are s***e when it comes to sales.

My current car I bought from dealer in Dundee...they are the same chain as the Aberdeen one but more attentive.

I thought I would try the Aberdeen dealer to purchase my next car...OMG! Talk about not listening. I want a 3 year deal. OK sir over 4 years you will be £x or over 5 years you will be £x...aaaarrrrgggghhhh.

So went on tinternet and I am now delaing with Williams in Liverpool. Went out of his way to get me a car with the spec I wanted.

Also had Coventry, Eire dealers, amongst others, working there ass off to find me a car.

John Clark Aberdeen = tossers!

[Budgie]

Shop around man...they wont give a monkeys,you can get a car from anywhere in the uk.

I know a Audi dealer sent a car (A5 3.0 tdi Quattro)on a transporter to the local dealer some 260 miles away so my mate could go look at it.

He bought it,and did all the arranging through the other dealer and settled up on completion.Both parties were more than happy,infact he nearly had this other dealer offer him a better deal while he was there.

[lons]

Originally Posted by rjs

You should, but you won't.

+1

I called at a Newcastle dealer 2 years in scruffy jeans and driving my van (business name all over it) and they totally ignored me.

Had to ask 3 times for prices and a brochure.

They lost a £25k BMW and a £15k cooper that day and I've bought another 2 motors from their competitors since.

Dick heads!

[lons]

Originally Posted by lemans320d

keep away from stratstone Doncaster.
they advertised a 330d m sport on the net with privacy glass, mudflaps etc and i drove 45 miles to view it after the salesman had confirmed it was fully specced up to find it wasn`t.
they offered to do the privacy glass but i refused as it would be a film on the glass not dyed as factory which is an expensive option.
he then came up with a silly p/x offer and said the photo on the website was the wrong car.
total bunch of wan***s that cant even arrange the right photo to advert so i would not have trusted them any further.

Wonder if Stratstone are all the same. Found the salesman very good but they tried to shaft me by charging 17.5% Vat. 2 weeks after the reduction. (I'd put a holding deposit on the car which was a BM reg demo but not signed an order). Changed tune when I told them to give me back my deposit and keep the car!

That car was also listed with the wrong mileage and I noticed when they listed my part ex they had dropped the mileage from 11k to 10k

I think it's deliberate policy just to get you to the showroom where they can get to work on you!

[biscuits]

I got my car serviced at Battersea BMW and found them excellent... guess it just depends who you deal with at the end of the day...

[booforty]

I can't fault BMW Battersea either, superb people and superb service

[kevbhoy]

Originally Posted by lons

+1

I called at a Newcastle dealer 2 years in scruffy jeans and driving my van (business name all over it) and they totally ignored me.

Had to ask 3 times for prices and a brochure.

They lost a £25k BMW and a £15k cooper that day and I've bought another 2 motors from their competitors since.

Dick heads!

I had the same problem at John Clark Aberdeen a few years ago just before we bought our first BMW (325Ci). Turned up in my works car...N reg Laguna...and they didnt come near me! Lost the sale.

[Swiller]

Originally Posted by swanseahammer

Anyone got any experience of either Trainers in Swansea or Synters (sp?) in Cardiff?

Thanks.

Yes mate i have had an old e46 serviced at both. I dont think there is much of a difference if you are buying new on any of em, but if its servicing you are after....

Trainers are v good imho. They pick you up , drop you off if you need it and keep you informed of progress. Ive had 3 services done there with few probs. They charge £80 ph on the labour which isnt completely outrageous, but pricey none the less. They will always ring you on the mobile and clear the work beforehand which is good and no pressure. I have had a few niggles, but they always give the car back spotless, whether its an oldie or a newie.

The other service i had was a rydale in cardiff (now sytners). What a piggin shambles. My car had warning lights on after the service and it eventually cost me over 500 notes to sort out. Lots of appaling reviews on the web of these idiots. They completely fooked the car on an inspection 2.

Apparently there is an independant in swansea called bryn motorworks which is supposed to be excellent, but you dont get the official dealer stamp of course. I cant find where he is tho. Apparently opposite trainer in swansea.

there is another indy called south wales bmw specialists, on the way to the m4 out of swansea. Avoid these as well. They didnt reset the service indicator on mine and tried to get me to spend lots of cash on faults which were advised as insignificant from trainer. The rudest service you will get and they will con you out of a few quid in quite an aggresive fashion.

Trainer are you best bet if you are after an official dealer in s wales i reckon.

The latest one i had done was holland park in london who i thought were pretty good and were very eager to please, despite the servicing being completely free on an e90 330i.

[swanseahammer]

Originally Posted by Swiller

Yes mate i have had an old e46 serviced at both. I dont think there is much of a difference if you are buying new on any of em, but if its servicing you are after....

Trainers are v good imho. They pick you up , drop you off if you need it and keep you informed of progress. Ive had 3 services done there with few probs. They charge £80 ph on the labour which isnt completely outrageous, but pricey none the less. They will always ring you on the mobile and clear the work beforehand which is good and no pressure. I have had a few niggles, but they always give the car back spotless, whether its an oldie or a newie.

The other service i had was a rydale in cardiff (now sytners). What a piggin shambles. My car had warning lights on after the service and it eventually cost me over 500 notes to sort out. Lots of appaling reviews on the web of these idiots. They completely fooked the car on an inspection 2.

Apparently there is an independant in swansea called bryn motorworks which is supposed to be excellent, but you dont get the official dealer stamp of course. I cant find where he is tho. Apparently opposite trainer in swansea.

there is another indy called south wales bmw specialists, on the way to the m4 out of swansea. Avoid these as well. They didnt reset the service indicator on mine and tried to get me to spend lots of cash on faults which were advised as insignificant from trainer. The rudest service you will get and they will con you out of a few quid in quite an aggresive fashion.

Trainer are you best bet if you are after an official dealer in s wales i reckon.

The latest one i had done was holland park in london who i thought were pretty good and were very eager to please, despite the servicing being completely free on an e90 330i.

Thanks mate. It's servicing I will need. I live in Swansea but bought from Dick Lovett in Bristol

[lons]

Originally Posted by kevbhoy

I had the same problem at John Clark Aberdeen a few years ago just before we bought our first BMW (325Ci). Turned up in my works car...N reg Laguna...and they didnt come near me! Lost the sale.

Hey you live in a great part of the world, I have some smashing memories of my time spen there.
I used to be in the caravan industry many years ago based in Hull and we had some small company aircraft. In the winter I'd fly into Aberdeen an then to our main dealer in Frazerburgh but in summer, I'd link up with the local rep and spend a week driving instead. Great fun!

Anyway, it isn't just BMW dealers who are guilty of arrogance.

I remember attending a caravan show in the north and witnessed one of my dealers totally blank a potential customer who was scruffy and in working gear.
I kept an eye on him and he was p*ssed off so I directed him to another dealer who obtained an order for my statics worth £120k (a huge sum in those days).
Turned out to be a farmer with planning permission for a new site.

I had to appear to be neutral but no way was I going to lose the business.

Bloody idiots. I always go to a dealer in jeans and teeshirt now just to guage their reaction and prefer to use my van.

[zltm089]

Bought my car from Specialist Cars Tring. Salesman was good. But like every Dealership, you still need to be vigilant, as oil was at minimum and when actually paying for the car, had some problems which the "business manager" wasn't willing to go the extra mile to help out! Complained to the General Manager/ Principal and the salesman delivered me a litre of oil, floor matts and some BMW keyrings at work. So can't complain as the gesture of goodwill was good.

However, like every Dealership...always be knowledgeable and check the car thoroughly as they will eat you alive if you're don't know your stuff! (My car is pulling slightly to the left now so will need to find out that this is covered by the bmw warranty)

[rsyed]

Guys,
what are the on-going deals in the UK for a e92? apart from the free m-sport, can you guys negotiate a further discount of xx%? in germany, numbers like 18% seem to be normal..

[Looney Toon]

Originally Posted by lons

+1

I called at a Newcastle dealer 2 years in scruffy jeans and driving my van (business name all over it) and they totally ignored me.

Same thing happened to me when I bought my 320d se 3 years ago at Sopers of Lincoln(which is a stunning dealership btw). Saturday morning, me in Scruffy Jeans/T-shirt etc... i couldn't even book a test drive. I'm sure if i'd gone in my Monday MR M.D. suit, they'd have been all over me....

To be fair, when I've been in since for services,small problems etc, they've been excellent and very proactive in the last month or so, as they know i'm looking to change.
I bet they get a hell of a lot of time wasters too..."Ooooo, look at that M3!"

[Speedtrap]

Its not only that; I was at the BMW dealer in Brentford and in walk two youngs guys (quite well dressed in jeans), and just walk across straight to the sales guy who was talking to me and said "Mate - can I start up the M3? I want to hear how loud the exhaust is?" duh???

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by Speedtrap

Its not only that; I was at the BMW dealer in Brentford and in walk two youngs guys (quite well dressed in jeans), and just walk across straight to the sales guy who was talking to me and said "Mate - can I start up the M3? I want to hear how loud the exhaust is?" duh???

HAHAH.....damn....that was funny!....

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by Speedtrap

Its not only that; I was at the BMW dealer in Brentford and in walk two youngs guys (quite well dressed in jeans), and just walk across straight to the sales guy who was talking to me and said "Mate - can I start up the M3? I want to hear how loud the exhaust is?" duh???

forgot to ask...

did the salesman start the M3?

[Looney Toon]

Originally Posted by Speedtrap

"Mate - can I start up the M3? I want to hear how loud the exhaust is?" duh???

Classic!

[Speedtrap]

Originally Posted by zltm089

forgot to ask...

did the salesman start the M3?

Naaaah

[Newbie 4]

Well, I have to say that unlike Kevbhoy, my experience of using John Clarks in Aberdeen (JC), has always been very good.

I have been a loyal customer to JC since 2006 and in that time I have bought 4 cars in 3 years (cash down), and the staff have always been attentitive and helpful.

The first time I ever went to John Clark was when I first moved up to Aberdeen in 2002. I went to the garage, and wanted to check out a 318. I was a fresh graduate working for an oil company - but they didn't ask me any of this. The chap at the time, handed over the keys to a demo car, didn't bother accompanying me, and then apologised endlessly that I couldn't have the car for more than 3 hours as it was near closing time.

Well I went off on my testdrive, and when I came back to return the car, I told the sales man that I wanted to check it out and that honestly I couldn't afford it at that time. He was honest and said "no problem, I know that you'll come back soon". 4 years later I did and I have been returning since. I have always liked the garage because of the 'special' treatment I recieve and have since sent a few friends over and they too have bought BM's from them.

PS - I would like to add that in no way am I affliated to BMW / JC, but that the reason I go back time and time has been due to good service.

One last example. When my wife recieved her X3, it wasn't cleaned to my satisfaction. I asked them to clean it again, they were embarrased that it wasn't done to my satisfaction. No questions asked, they gave my wife an e92, 330 m-convertible for the day, while they did the job better. Well that too won her over and now she is a loyal BM customer.

Nice to recieve good service though. Thats my two cents. I do appreciate we all have different experiences, that was mines. So I give a to JC aberdeen!!

[mogli882]

Hi,

New to the forums - hello everyone!

For the last 3-4 weeks I have been searching for a used 330d M sport coupe, i went into my local dealer Coopers Reading, they had one which though didnt match my exact requirements, price, colour etc....it had the same engine and similar spec. I arranged a test drive, which was an effort in itself...I had requested a longer drive only for the salesperson saying that it was too much effort to get some motorway driving in! Anyways we went on a short drive, wonderful car definitely wanted one. I had thought that we could come back to the dealers afterwards and he would search his stock, used www that seemed like too much trouble for him. he then he was going on leave for a week due back on 13/04 and that someone would get in touch the following week, if they found anything...no contact until today. Now in the meanwhile I had been searching the approved used WWW and had even popped in on the Friday (Bank Holiday) to refine my search criteria a bit... In the meanwhile i found a car (woohoo) and put down a deposit! So when he contacted me today...I responded saying that I had found a car, thanks for the time and I would let him know if anything changed. This is how he responded...

"if only you had let me know about that car we could have done the hard work with regards to transporting the vehicle and i would have got a reward for the time spent on the demo."

Not a single congrats on the car etc...just sour grapes for no comission, and wanting a reward for what...his 20 min test drive? Unbelievable, really annoyed me, in contrast I had also been dealing with Porsche re the possibility of a Cayman (Heart v Head). I emailed him today letting him know that i had chosen the BMW...what a marked difference, congratulating me on my purchase wishing me well and be sure to keep him in the loop if i was interested in Porsche at any point in the future. Dont they understand that there putting me off buying another car from them? Can anyone recommend a good dealer in the Reading, Berks area?

There was such a marked difference between Porsche and BMW...the guy from my local Porsche garage was a really nice guy, really friendly the first day i went in he spent about 1.5-2 hours with me showing me around and giving me all the info i needed. Had no problems with taking me out for about an hour in a Cayman, great route just a pity my head wont let me buy one! Dont get me wrong, am really happy with my purchase and cant wait till it arrives its a beautiful car and in a 330d i get performance and economy (definitely helps with the WAF!). Am counting the days!

Cheers,
Mogli