[3.0L]

I'm curious as to customer satisfaction with their dealer service, particularly during the warranty period that includes the free oil changes, etc.

The reason I ask is because I had a rather unpleasant experience with the year 2 service recently. The technician left oil spots on the engine covers and the car was obviously very hastily washed. It had water spots, lint on the paint and water in the door sills. Wheels and tires were not even touched.

But that's the petty stuff. My real beef is that the driver's door now sports a 1 inch scratch in the paint. Fortunately, not a dent.

Pure carelessness. My Mercedes Benz dealer/service has these guys beat 10 ways for Sunday.

[nike001]

Sounds to me like your issue is with the lot kids washing your car and not the technicians. Oil spills happen, yeah, easily wipeable. Blame lot porter's making $9/hr that only care if your car was washed, not how well it was done.

Next time I'd recommend telling your SA that you don't want a courtesy wash.

[OpenAir]

I had my service record updated to show "no wash"

[Sportstick]

Absolutely top ratings for BMW of Farmington Hills, Michigan Service Department. Far beyond just competent...work hard to delight customers, and have succeeded for me consistently. A true "10".

[Rayscott]

Top ratings for BMW of Milford, DE. AND, they don't wash it. I own a detailing business so they know better.

[TBro2002]

Long Beach BMW in California has provided excellent service on my 228i. They just moved to an all new facility, with a very comfortable waiting area (kind of reminds me of the Welt). Very pleased with the work they do.

[mcompact]

No complaints with the service I receive at BMW of Louisville. Excellent work at a very reasonable price.

[krhodes1]

When BMW is footing the bill, I absolutely love them.

When I am paying, my car will never darken their door again. I don't like their cappuccino that much, and I have enough cars that I don't need a loaner. Their service prices achieved ludicrous speed decades ago, even with coupons.

Though for full disclosure, I do have a 1400sq/ft garage with two lifts in it... And one of the best indy BMW mechanics in the country who has the FULL BMW computer system right up the road a piece in case I get in over my head. He's not cheap, but he's cheaper than the dealer, and I trust him more.

Actually did an oil change, cabin filter and air filter change on my 328! wagon tonight. Still need to do the rest of the fluids and the 40K service will be complete. Plan to finish it up this weekend.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

Though for full disclosure, I do have a 1400sq/ft garage with two lifts in it...

You lucky bastard!!!!

[Rayscott]

I have a local guy who specializes in German cars and has fair prices. I get him business for mechanics and he gets me detailing business. Win-Win.

[qnet]

I haven't had my car long enough for service, but it's nice to see most of you are satisfied with your service departments, except the OP, sorry to hear that.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

I had my service record updated to show "no wash"

That's a very good idea. I keep my car clean and well detailed, so there really is no need for the dealer to wash it. Just not worth the risks.

Meanwhile, I have more to add to my BMW dealer experience.

After I dropped off my car for service, I headed to the parts department to pick up some black-out kidney grilles. I had to wait at the counter for quite a long time. I could overhear a conversation in the back room and it went on and on. Finally, the parts guy arrived.

I gave him the part numbers and off he went. It took him a long time to determine that he did not have the parts in stock. That's fine - I would've been a little surprised if they had them in stock. So, he told me he could have the parts here the next day and he would call me when they came in.

I waited until 3:00 the next day - no call. So I called them. The receptionist transferred my call to parts and I'm not kidding, the phone rang for 5 minutes. The receptionist never cut back in. No request for my name or call back number. It just rang and rang.

Next, I called back at 4:57 and got lucky. Yes, my parts are in.

My overall image of my dealership boils down to one simple point: all of the staff appear very rushed and harried. They don't seem to have a second to spare on me or my car. Both times I was there, the receptionist answered the phone with a long, drawn out greeting. She mentioned just about everything except the current weather.

Harried is the word. No time. Rush, rush, rush. Even the shuttle car driver complained about his work load.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

Though for full disclosure, I do have a 1400sq/ft garage with two lifts in it... A

Also for full disclosure. Your garage is bigger than my condo. I'm beginning to think this SoCal living by the beach thing might be overrated.

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by pz619

Also for full disclosure. Your garage is bigger than my condo. I'm beginning to think this SoCal living by the beach thing might be overrated.

Well, you can enjoy mild weather all year and don't have cockroaches the size of mice to deal with. Me thinks it is not such a bad trade off.

[chattanooga240]

Originally Posted by pz619

I'm beginning to think this SoCal living by the beach thing might be overrated.

It isn't, SoCal for the win.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by pz619

Also for full disclosure. Your garage is bigger than my condo. I'm beginning to think this SoCal living by the beach thing might be overrated.

It's actually 2800sq/ft, if you count the upstairs. But tough to get cars up there. Much bigger than my house as well, the house is only 1250. I totally lucked out finding this place - I only paid $128K for it 15 years ago, on a 1/2 acre in a nice neighborhood. No HOA madness. House is just a crappy old New England shack, but adequate to my needs. I just wish I had enough headroom for a 2-post lift.

Inside pic:

[IMG]Garage inside by kevinr1916, on Flickr[/IMG]

There's a scissor lift under the Rover in the middle of the garage, and a 4-post over the 328i.

Outside pic (don't mind the trim that needs painting and the crud on the roof):

garage outside by kevinr1916, on Flickr

The Cub Cadet is getting it's own garage next week - ordered a custom built 10x12 shed for all the lawn crap. That thing takes up a lot of room.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

It's actually 2800sq/ft, if you count the upstairs. But tough to get cars up there. Much bigger than my house as well, the house is only 1250. I totally lucked out finding this place - I only paid $128K for it 15 years ago, on a 1/2 acre in a nice neighborhood. No HOA madness. House is just a crappy old New England shack, but adequate to my needs. I just wish I had enough headroom for a 2-post lift.

Inside pic:

[IMG]Garage inside by kevinr1916, on Flickr[/IMG]

There's a scissor lift under the Rover in the middle of the garage, and a 4-post over the 328i.

Outside pic (don't mind the trim that needs painting and the crud on the roof):

garage outside by kevinr1916, on Flickr

The Cub Cadet is getting it's own garage next week - ordered a custom built 10x12 shed for all the lawn crap. That thing takes up a lot of room.

You might just be my new hero. I totally agree with the garage larger than the house strategy. Looks great!

[Orenji]

I opted for the bottom rating.

Do not visit BMW of Ann Arbor, MI for anything. They ordered the wrong parts twice, told me my car doesn't have launch control "because it's not a real M." Only M cars, especially real ones, have launch control. Even when I showed it to them in my owners manual I was told I was wrong. I had to call BMW several times before someone called them. I went back and asked about the launch control and received attitude and sarcastic remarks before they even looked at it.

Then there's Lafayette, IN. They scratched the hell out of my clear coat and put a solid scratch in my driver door aluminum hex, both of which they fought me on.

I will be trying Farmington, MI next, but expectations are low.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Orenji

I will be trying Farmington, MI next, but expectations are low.

Ask for Service Advisor Jason

[uberspeed]

BMW of Fort Lauderdale is pretty good overall. Great new facilities, their loaners are now through Sixt (awesomeness), Scott Quick is a solid guy over there. The lows are with the car wash folks (recurring theme) and they always seem to lose the valve stem covers on every visit but overall they're great for service; I find them much more helpful than their sales locations.