[rjd_F30]

Well I have an interesting story to tell. As I write this, I'm sitting in the waiting area at my local BMW dealership waiting to talk to my SA. About 10 minutes ago, I overheard (eavesdropped on) an older couple talking to another SA. They were in for a door latch being busted or something, and when the SA came over to tell them they're done, the owner of the car asked the SA what kind of engine his car has as apparently he is asked often. The SA looked surprised and proceeded to look through the papers he was holding, as if the answer would be in there. He looked up and clumsily responded with "It's a 4 cylinder, 2.8 liter, two turbos" and smiled at the customer, who obviously didn't know better to realize that 2/3s of that info was wrong. The couple was driving a late model 528i that was obviously equipped with the N20, which of course is a 2.0 liter, single, twin scroll turbo. I was honestly shocked that someone who deals with these cars day in and day out, an SA, could be so misinformed. At the very least he should know how the badging and engine lineup works in the cars.

I don't know, I was just shocked at this, and wanted to post up here as I'm bored waiting. Is this normal? I always thought the SAs were at least a little bit mechanically inclined.

[torkles]

it's not surprising. SAs are salespeople, not necessarily car guys or mechanically inclined.

[rackjuediger]

I can't even think of an excuse for this. Wow. Most SA's I've talked to come to local meets and bring out something interesting and know the car like the back of their hand. Anything from M3's to Dinan modified vehicle's.

[chiefneil]

You’re absolutely right, but I give the SA minor props for at least thinking 528i = 2.8L engine per the classic BMW nomenclature before their naming went off the rails. I would’ve given extra props if he’d thought it was an NA I6 2.8L due to assumed confusion with his old E36 328i, but he kinda looses the cool factor when he mixes up the 2.8L and I4 stories.

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

You’re absolutely right, but I give the SA minor props for at least thinking 528i = 2.8L engine per the classic BMW nomenclature before their naming went off the rails. I would’ve given extra props if he’d thought it was an NA I6 2.8L due to assumed confusion with his old E36 328i, but he kinda looses the cool factor when he mixes up the 2.8L and I4 stories.

I think you're giving him too much credit lol.

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by rackjuediger

I can't even think of an excuse for this. Wow. Most SA's I've talked to come to local meets and bring out something interesting and know the car like the back of their hand. Anything from M3's to Dinan modified vehicle's.

Right? I was very surprised. I figured that the people that enter the car industry do it because they're at least a little bit into it, but I guess not!

[torkles]

Originally Posted by rackjuediger

I can't even think of an excuse for this. Wow. Most SA's I've talked to come to local meets and bring out something interesting and know the car like the back of their hand. Anything from M3's to Dinan modified vehicle's.

are you meeting them at the local meets, or have you surveyed the population of SAs and determined that most of them are car guys? you're probably meeting the exceptions, not the rules.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by rjdnyy224

Well I have an interesting story to tell. As I write this, I'm sitting in the waiting area at my local BMW dealership waiting to talk to my SA. About 10 minutes ago, I overheard (eavesdropped on) an older couple talking to another SA. They were in for a door latch being busted or something, and when the SA came over to tell them they're done, the owner of the car asked the SA what kind of engine his car has as apparently he is asked often. The SA looked surprised and proceeded to look through the papers he was holding, as if the answer would be in there. He looked up and clumsily responded with "It's a 4 cylinder, 2.8 liter, two turbos" and smiled at the customer, who obviously didn't know better to realize that 2/3s of that info was wrong. The couple was driving a late model 528i that was obviously equipped with the N20, which of course is a 2.0 liter, single, twin scroll turbo. I was honestly shocked that someone who deals with these cars day in and day out, an SA, could be so misinformed. At the very least he should know how the badging and engine lineup works in the cars.

I don't know, I was just shocked at this, and wanted to post up here as I'm bored waiting. Is this normal? I always thought the SAs were at least a little bit mechanically inclined.

Originally Posted by torkles

it's not surprising. SAs are salespeople, not necessarily car guys or mechanically inclined.

Agreed. And, honestly, so few customers are "car people", that this kind of misinformation can be perpetuated. Think about it--those customers OP overheard aren't going to go and verify that info. And a "car guy" customer already knows what's under the hood, and doesn't need to ask the SA--so can't correct him when he gives bad info.

[rackjuediger]

Originally Posted by torkles

are you meeting them at the local meets, or have you surveyed the population of SAs and determined that most of them are car guys? you're probably meeting the exceptions, not the rules.

Meeting them at car meets. So mostly the exceptions. Last Cars and Coffee I went to some SA's from the local Mini dealer brought a fbo F56 Cooper S to show that they can install aftermarket parts anx your warranty will be saved.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by rjdnyy224

I think you're giving him too much credit lol.

LOL, just having some fun on a Friday.

I would bet the reverse of what I was joking about is true though - who wants to bet that a lot of younger BMW buyers have no idea that the model number used to refer to actual displacement of the engine?

I think it was around 1998 or thereabouts that BMW abandoned that nomenclature, so now we have a full generation that’s grown up with BMW’s made-up model numbers.

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by torkles

it's not surprising. SAs are salespeople, not necessarily car guys or mechanically inclined.

SA's are Service Adviser's not sales people. Perhaps you are thinking of CA's who are Customer Adviser's. These are the salespeople. But yes an SA should have more knowledge but it's a bit sad that the car owners did not know what engine was in their vehicle.

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

LOL, just having some fun on a Friday.

I would bet the reverse of what I was joking about is true though - who wants to bet that a lot of younger BMW buyers have no idea that the model number used to refer to actual displacement of the engine?

I think it was around 1998 or thereabouts that BMW abandoned that nomenclature, so now we have a full generation that's grown up with BMW's made-up model numbers.

Well, I'm 19 and I know how it works ,and how it used to work, but that's just because I did my research lol. I would agree though, most younger car people like me have never even seen a time when badges actually correlated to the engine size or it's output. And I guess the older generation just never knew it changed.

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

SA's are Service Adviser's not sales people. Perhaps you are thinking of CA's who are Customer Adviser's. These are the salespeople. But yes an SA should have more knowledge but it's a bit sad that the car owners did not know what engine was in their vehicle.

I would agree with you most times, but this couple had to be in at least their 80's, just trying to buy a comfortable car. I don't at all blame them for not knowing what kind of engine the car has, but I totally blame the SA, he should definitely know.

[chiefneil]

Funny side story - I’ve been thinking about getting a used Cayman, so a friend of my wife’s who just bought a used boxster swung by so I could check it out.

Me: “Is this the PDK or step?”
Him: “I don’t know, what the difference?”
Me: “Did you get the S?”
Him: “I don’t know”
Me: “What options do you have?”
Him: “I don’t know”
Me: “I want this generation because the newer ones switched to turbo 4’s”
Him: “”Really? I didn’t know.”
Me: “How much is an oil change at the dealer?”
Him: “I forget”
Him to my wife afterwards: “Your husband knows more about my car than I do!”

[Insane435]

I know more about my car, the brand, and sometimes other cars that share my engine, etc than any SA I have dealt with.

All thanks to the forum!

[bimmer456]

Service advisors don't know everything. It pays to do your own research. I wanted to get a quote on mppsk and the dealer kept quoting me the MPPK until I gave them the actual part number to look up.

[BMW11]

I cant believe that the couple asked the SA the question in the first place. Its an embarrassment to ask. How can you own a car and not know what engine is in it. Its ridiculous. Its like going to the doctor and asking where your foot is. lol

[BMW11]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

Funny side story - I’ve been thinking about getting a used Cayman, so a friend of my wife’s who just bought a used boxster swung by so I could check it out.

Me: “Is this the PDK or step?”
Him: “I don’t know, what the difference?”
Me: “Did you get the S?”
Him: “I don’t know”
Me: “What options do you have?”
Him: “I don’t know”
Me: “I want this generation because the newer ones switched to turbo 4’s”
Him: “”Really? I didn’t know.”
Me: “How much is an oil change at the dealer?”
Him: “I forget”
Him to my wife afterwards: “Your husband knows more about my car than I do!”

obviously he don't know anything about the P car, probably just bought it for the label lol

[vgore]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Service advisors don't know everything. It pays to do your own research. I wanted to get a quote on mppsk and the dealer kept quoting me the MPPK until I gave them the actual part number to look up.

I recently went to service my car and meanwhile I went to parts guy and asked for cup holder tray. The guy had no idea of what I was talking about. Even after explaining it, he got me a layout of interior parts and I had to point it out for him.

[torkles]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

SA's are Service Adviser's not sales people. Perhaps you are thinking of CA's who are Customer Adviser's. These are the salespeople. But yes an SA should have more knowledge but it's a bit sad that the car owners did not know what engine was in their vehicle.

Service Advisers are sales people. At most dealerships, SA's receive commissions from selling you work on your car. "Oh Mr. Schott, it's really time for you to get your 60k mile service performed. Have you thought about getting your all of your fluids changed with our full BG fluid flush and fill service?". When you bring your car in for an oil change and get an estimate back for 3 grand worth of work, why do you think that happens?

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by torkles

Service Advisers are sales people. At most dealerships, SA's receive commissions from selling you work on your car. "Oh Mr. Schott, it's really time for you to get your 60k mile service performed. Have you thought about getting your all of your fluids changed with our full BG fluid flush and fill service?". When you bring your car in for an oil change and get an estimate back for 3 grand worth of work, why do you think that happens?

+1 100%. Their job is to up-sell any service they can for which they are paid a commission.

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by torkles

Service Advisers are sales people. At most dealerships, SA's receive commissions from selling you work on your car. "Oh Mr. Schott, it's really time for you to get your 60k mile service performed. Have you thought about getting your all of your fluids changed with our full BG fluid flush and fill service?". When you bring your car in for an oil change and get an estimate back for 3 grand worth of work, why do you think that happens?

I'm sure this is true at some dealers. I never experienced this at my BMW dealer.