[disco4me]

What are the disadvantages of buying new from one dealer but then having it serviced at the dealer closest to me? The dealer near me is not too far away but probably will not provide the best price.

[BEM-S4]

Not sure about BMW but in the past places have been a pain in the butt about a loaner while the car is in for service. I don't care because I live in the city but something to consider otherwise.

[disco4me]

Good point. I'll call the dealer that would be the servicing dealer and ask if they give free loaners to those that do not buy the car from them.

[BEM-S4]

If the other place is significantly cheaper it may be worth the hassle of renting a car but otherwise maybe not. Also on the off chance that your car is in a lot for service (we had a 3-series that was there every week for an electrical gremlin) it might be a nightmare. Usually though if you work close by or there's a train station they'll drop you off. I have never had a problem getting one of the service techs to run me to work and pick me up when car was done, within reason of course.

[disco4me]

I'm sure there is something wrong with my logic but...what difference does it really make where you buy your new car from if you if you can get your car serviced under warranty at your closest BMW dealer? Why not just buy from the dealer with the lowest price? So does where you buy it really make a difference? You just want the lowest price and someone to work with who will handle the transaction correctly.

[five3three]

I have never had an issue with this. I service my car at a BMW dealer other than where I bought it from. I even bought my extended warranty from another local dealer.

Sales and service are usually unrelated. I go to other dealerships for service from time to time when they have certain promotions and always get loaners. I have probably had work done at 4 local dealers, none of which were where I purchased the car or the extended service/maintenance plans from. This was also the case when I was covered under factory warranty as well.

Bottom line is it shouldn't be an issue whatsoever. What comes into play is their rules for loaners. Some require you to reserve in advance and others simply give them out until they run out. But I have never seen a loaner get denied because you didn't purchase a car from them.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by five3three

I have never had an issue with this. I service my car at a BMW dealer other than where I bought it from. I even bought my extended warranty from another local dealer.

Sales and service are usually unrelated. I go to other dealerships for service from time to time when they have certain promotions and always get loaners. I have probably had work done at 4 local dealers, none of which were where I purchased the car or the extended service/maintenance plans from. This was also the case when I was covered under factory warranty as well.

Bottom line is it shouldn't be an issue whatsoever. What comes into play is their rules for loaners. Some require you to reserve in advance and others simply give them out until they run out. But I have never seen a loaner get denied because you didn't purchase a car from them.

Like I said, I have never encountered with a BMW but I had my car serviced where I bought it. Audi, MB, etc. I have had issues. Just threw it out there as it's worth asking the question.

[bman6074]

I would definitely ask about the loaner. When i bought my first 99 M3 from a non bmw dealer and it did have factory warranty still on it. One dealer would give me a loaner and the other would not stating that i did not buy it from them. I think that has changed now as BMWNA contacted that dealer making them straighten out there act. I believe BMWNA requires the dealers to offer a loaner to any BMW owner regardless of where you buy the car.

[disco4me]

Just checked. My local dealer offers loaners whether or not you bought from them.
Is there any other preferential treatment a selling dealer gives to its' service customers who bought from them?

[bman6074]

Other then that you should get treated the same at any BMW dealer. That is part of buying a BMW. The service

[BEM-S4]

Unless you manage to hook up with a hot sales girl when buying and are missing out on some repeat post-sale fun you should be fine.

[Lucky13]

At my dealer you have to book out your service about two weeks in advance to get a loaner. Doesn't do you any good if you have an immediate problem and forget it if you didn't buy the car there.

[bman6074]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

At my dealer you have to book out your service about two weeks in advance to get a loaner. Doesn't do you any good if you have an immediate problem and forget it if you didn't buy the car there.

I have this same issue with the 2 weeks to get a loaner but when i did have a immediate issue. I had the car towed to the dealer and then after the repair they sent a driver to picked me up to get my car.

2 day turn around. I was lucky enough to have a friend drop me to work for a couple of days.

[five3three]

I was too lazy to remove the license plate frame that the dealer put on there so I have been going to one dealer for service with one of their competitors' license frames for years. Always gotten loaners and never had issues.

I think if you're in a less urban area with a relatively small sales and service area and they all know each other, they may hold grudges. Where I go, the sales building is 3 blocks away from the service area and they have way too many cars coming in and out to play these games. They have a person just dedicated to giving out loaner cars.