Not such a positive breakdown experience

mgarvey · 03-12-2009, 07:21 PM

For the second time in about six months, my car developed a misfire yesterday, and this time my experience with BMW Emergency Services was somewhat less inspiring.

Those with good memories may recall that last time my car developed this fault the BMW Emergency Services guy came out and fixed my car in about 30 minutes flat.

This time, with absolutely identical symptoms, I was rather abruptly told that the engineer wouldn't come out to me and that I had to take it to a dealer. Being in Northampton - 100 miles from home and 100 miles from my destination of Lincoln - this was somewhat annoying. Frankly it also smacks of cost-cutting and was very disappointing for a customer driving a £40k car.

The local dealer in Northampton were pleasant enough, they got my car plugged into the diagnostics within about 45 minutes, which wasn't that bad considering their workshop was clearly pretty full and I hadn't pre-booked. However, after sitting in their (quite pleasant) cafe for 2 hours they told me they couldn't find what was causing the misfire and I'd either need to limp it home on 5 cylinders or leave it with them.

I chose the latter and got the train to Lincoln. No offer of a courtesy car or anything like that, though I only had my photo driving license with me so I'm not sure I would've been able to get one anyway.

I hope they can sort the car by tomorrow or I'm going to have a fun trip home! I'll keep you posted.

SixDegrees · 03-12-2009, 07:58 PM

Hmmm, not the BMW experince you buy into. My car required some attention a few weeks ago and I wasn't impressed. Felt like I was back at the old VW dealership getting joe-soap treatment.

I certainly expected more.

Sorry to hear you didn't get better treatment. Lets hope it is just a symptom of the current climate and things improve over time.

zedman · 03-13-2009, 06:04 AM

when my Audi had a similar problem and there was no courtesy car for me I just got taxis everywhere I wanted to go. Ended up with a £125.00 bill for one day without a car, sent the receipts to Audi assist, and got a cheque for the full amount a week later!
don't put up with shoddy service, if the product they sold you doesnt work let them pay for the hassle.

creepy coupe · 03-13-2009, 06:42 AM

I had similar when my E92 steering rack lock in on, the first time they were going to come out to me but I managed to free it myself, the second time they said I need to take it to the dealers, "how the Fu'# can I if it's locked on"? eventually the a 5 series estate turned up with a lap top and told me it needed booking in for a new rack as it was common on the E9#'s

mgarvey · 03-13-2009, 08:07 PM

After 48 hours in the dealer, they diagnosed and fixed a faulty injector - exactly what I told them the problem was when I called BMW initially.

I don't have any particular complaints about the dealer, but why couldn't BMW come out and just fix the darn thing, as I know full well they are totally equipped to do!

I hope it is just a sign of the times, and not a sign of things to come.

dxb335d · 03-14-2009, 12:39 PM

BMW service is shit. Im going to start my own dealership and start looking after us lot properly and how we deserve.

SoYank · 03-14-2009, 01:04 PM

Shamzie BMW, how may we help you?

dxb335d · 03-14-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

Shamzie BMW, how may we help you?

a massage sir? a lap dance sir? from one of our fabulous ''Reception Girls''

etc etc.

''Free power upgrade, garunteed to lower your 1/4 times.''

jinjur · 03-14-2009, 01:50 PM

Get your car FreeMapped(tm) at DX's

Make sure you get that trademarked mate

JJ

03-12-2009, 07:21 PM	#1
mgarvey Lieutenant 32 Rep 540 Posts Drives: Renault Megane Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reading iTrader: (0)	Not such a positive breakdown experience For the second time in about six months, my car developed a misfire yesterday, and this time my experience with BMW Emergency Services was somewhat less inspiring. Those with good memories may recall that last time my car developed this fault the BMW Emergency Services guy came out and fixed my car in about 30 minutes flat. This time, with absolutely identical symptoms, I was rather abruptly told that the engineer wouldn't come out to me and that I had to take it to a dealer. Being in Northampton - 100 miles from home and 100 miles from my destination of Lincoln - this was somewhat annoying. Frankly it also smacks of cost-cutting and was very disappointing for a customer driving a £40k car. The local dealer in Northampton were pleasant enough, they got my car plugged into the diagnostics within about 45 minutes, which wasn't that bad considering their workshop was clearly pretty full and I hadn't pre-booked. However, after sitting in their (quite pleasant) cafe for 2 hours they told me they couldn't find what was causing the misfire and I'd either need to limp it home on 5 cylinders or leave it with them. I chose the latter and got the train to Lincoln. No offer of a courtesy car or anything like that, though I only had my photo driving license with me so I'm not sure I would've been able to get one anyway. I hope they can sort the car by tomorrow or I'm going to have a fun trip home! I'll keep you posted. __________________ Current: Skoda Octavia Scout 4x4 DSG Previous: F30 318d Sport, R56 MINI Dooper 2010, E93 325i M-Sport auto 2007, E91 320d SE 2005, E46 318Ci Coupe 2002
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03-12-2009, 07:58 PM	#2
SixDegrees Lieutenant 12 Rep 445 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 Abarth 500 [0.00]	Hmmm, not the BMW experince you buy into. My car required some attention a few weeks ago and I wasn't impressed. Felt like I was back at the old VW dealership getting joe-soap treatment. I certainly expected more. Sorry to hear you didn't get better treatment. Lets hope it is just a symptom of the current climate and things improve over time. __________________ 2014 [14] M135i, 3dr, MG, Auto, SP, CP, HS, HK and FBP Recent Past..... 2011 [61] Abarth 500, Funk White, Leather, H&R 2007 [57] 320d M-Sport Touring Pre 2007 - GT TDI 4MO, Mk4 R32, A3 TQ, A3T, Cupra R and on and on and on.....
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03-13-2009, 06:04 AM	#3
zedman First Lieutenant 15 Rep 389 Posts Drives: E92 M Sport 320D, Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sheffield iTrader: (0)	when my Audi had a similar problem and there was no courtesy car for me I just got taxis everywhere I wanted to go. Ended up with a £125.00 bill for one day without a car, sent the receipts to Audi assist, and got a cheque for the full amount a week later! don't put up with shoddy service, if the product they sold you doesnt work let them pay for the hassle.
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03-13-2009, 06:42 AM	#4
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1823 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	I had similar when my E92 steering rack lock in on, the first time they were going to come out to me but I managed to free it myself, the second time they said I need to take it to the dealers, "how the Fu'# can I if it's locked on"? eventually the a 5 series estate turned up with a lap top and told me it needed booking in for a new rack as it was common on the E9#'s
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03-13-2009, 08:07 PM	#5
mgarvey Lieutenant 32 Rep 540 Posts Drives: Renault Megane Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reading iTrader: (0)	After 48 hours in the dealer, they diagnosed and fixed a faulty injector - exactly what I told them the problem was when I called BMW initially. I don't have any particular complaints about the dealer, but why couldn't BMW come out and just fix the darn thing, as I know full well they are totally equipped to do! I hope it is just a sign of the times, and not a sign of things to come. __________________ Current: Skoda Octavia Scout 4x4 DSG Previous: F30 318d Sport, R56 MINI Dooper 2010, E93 325i M-Sport auto 2007, E91 320d SE 2005, E46 318Ci Coupe 2002
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03-14-2009, 12:39 PM	#6
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1007 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	BMW service is shit. Im going to start my own dealership and start looking after us lot properly and how we deserve. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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03-14-2009, 01:04 PM	#7
SoYank Major General 582 Rep 7,519 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vinton, Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E90 335i S ... [9.00]	Shamzie BMW, how may we help you? __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
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03-14-2009, 01:50 PM	#9
jinjur yes....spelt with J's 58 Rep 963 Posts Drives: F31 325D MSport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NoRtH eYeLaNd iTrader: (0)	Get your car FreeMapped(tm) at DX's Make sure you get that trademarked mate JJ
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