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kris d
21-05-2005, 12:18 PM
Ok, so I got the latest software downloaded on to my ECU, after having to sign something saying that if it messes with the supercharger it's not their fault. Fair enough.
When I drove off, couldn't notice any difference. Get home, eat some lunch, go out again, when I turn the car on, it read's Oil Service 12,000 miles. However when I gave it to them, it read Inspection due 200miles :confused:
I called them up and said WTF basically. They said it's a common thing and to bring it back to them and they'll reset it!
:confused: How incompetent can these steelers be? They work on BMW's all day long and in my experience with the dealer in chigwell, 90% of the time they mess up!
Have had the following issues with them so far:

1. I had an inspection 1 done some time ago, they ticked that they'd checked the tyres and spare tyre in the check list. However I didn't have my spare wheel in at the time! I said how can you tick the box saying that my spare tyre is good, when there isn't even one there!! They appologised and said they'd give me a free winter check!

2. They recon they couldn' flash the OBC so my rear LED retrofit's wouldn't bring up the error. The reason they gave me is that because I've got non standard Xenons on the front they can't flash the rear ones! That's got to be a lie!!!

3. I had an issue where the gear knob stuck over to the right after I'd put it in 5th gear. They said they couldn't find anything wrong even tho it was still doing it and my car's under warantee! I told them I'm getting the sortshift installed soon and they said that would fix it. Got the shortshift fitted and the problems still there so I went back and they said they couldn't do anything coz it's not a BMW approved shortshift! It told them the problem was there before and they said that I'd have to get the old one fitted back for them to have another look!

It makes me so angry that you spend all this money on a bmw, extended warantee, services etc. and the aftersales service is sooo crap! [fight
Although some BMW dealers know their stuff, my local one seems to have complete idiot's working there who know less than an enthusiastic customer!!!

Thinking of writing to the headoffice, what do you guys think...........

Shuriken
21-05-2005, 12:22 PM
I think you've got a case if you wrote to head office, theres a fairly complete collection of mess ups from one dealer, especially on warranty.

Depends how strongly you feel.

Shuriken.

M5 SC
21-05-2005, 12:28 PM
I sort of know how ya feel.
I dont trust my local dealer at all, got no specific examples but just get that feeling that when my car goes in for its 1st service all the boxex will be ticked but only half the work will done. just a gut feeling! and there usually right. You can just tell with some dealers.
Why dont BMW dealers let you watch the technicians work on your car??? it would put me at ease! other garages let you do this!!!

Nickleback
21-05-2005, 12:44 PM
Kris d,
I got issues with my car on faulty wheels which I have now complained verbally to the regional manager for my region @ BMW GB and have got some good action to sort - already had two replaced with brand new ones FOC. :D

http://www.bmw.co.uk/apm/about_bmw/contact/index/0,3208,1364_10207__,00.html
Click current BMW owner, then option 5

If you call - 0870 5050160 the main customer care number & ask for the regional manager & get their name, you should be able to complain & get it sorted.
Interestingly, they also have to log customer complaints for subsequent action & review.
So if you're not happy with their service, pick up the phone & let them know, its the only way we'll get them to improve !! :mad:

Raj
21-05-2005, 12:58 PM
Definitely complain. I have had to do this for other marques, although I haven't YET had any issues with my local BM dealer. The main problem is that although they have at least one master technician in at each dealer, all the others tend to be YTS trainees, and they would know less about your BM than you do. Because most of the stuff on modern cars is controlled by the ECU, they tend to just hook up the diagnostics tool and if nothing comes up as a fault, then they think everything is ok. As we alll know, that is never the case.

I gave my MkIV Golf in to the dealer for a service. At the end of the day I went to pick it up, they told me that they didn't have time to do the service and to rebook it back in. Got to the car, and found they had washed it (not brilliantly mind you) and eaten my bag of boiled sweets that were in the side pocket :eek: . P*ss take or what. Since then I get the car checked out by an independant (mate who was actually a master tech for BM).

peppernick
21-05-2005, 01:08 PM
Got to say Scotthall has been pretty OK with me except the little problem with Harsha when they had to exchange wheels between her car and mine.

However, at one time they charged me for an air filter change during inspection 1 when I had my GruppeM on....nice try :mad:

CA Automotive UK
21-05-2005, 02:46 PM
hey kris

you need to writ eto BMW bracknell. however I must warn you I had simialr issues with Barons BMW some time ago , and when I complained to BMW I got atfirst no response , and then finally a reply saying their dealers are independant businesses and I have to take up complaint swith them !!

so I got nowhere ; in the end I served a County court N64 default summons on the actual service manager rather than BMW or Barons ....that sorted it out ...funny that

bm_man
21-05-2005, 03:08 PM
in the end I served a County court N64 default summons on the actual service manager rather than BMW or Barons

PML :D It is a shame that in order to get anywhere you have to refer to these sort of actions. Glad you sorted it though.

CA Automotive UK
21-05-2005, 03:36 PM
PML :D It is a shame that in order to get anywhere you have to refer to these sort of actions. Glad you sorted it though.

bloody stressful tho' ...and as a company you always wonder if you will end upon some secret BMW "black list " ..... :rolleyes:

Nickleback
21-05-2005, 03:53 PM
hey kris

you need to writ eto BMW bracknell. however I must warn you I had simialr issues with Barons BMW some time ago , and when I complained to BMW I got atfirst no response , and then finally a reply saying their dealers are independant businesses and I have to take up complaint swith them !!

so I got nowhere ; in the end I served a County court N64 default summons on the actual service manager rather than BMW or Barons ....that sorted it out ...funny that

Bought mine from Barons, never had a problem - perhaps they have got a new service manager ? Thx 550Nm :D :D

CA Automotive UK
21-05-2005, 03:59 PM
yes , this was about 3 - 4 years ago . up till that point I had been reallyhappy with them ...just one of those things I guess

Silver
21-05-2005, 09:08 PM
u still take to chigwell....i rather drive to parklane..and i knw the car will come back...wit no faults...

worst bmw dealership i ever been in....chigwell..bmw.