[C320]

I always check the iDrive to see if they have updated the service history. Had two occasions on different BMWs and different dealerships where it has been missed

It's now part of my routine to check prior to leaving the forecourt!

[DougMcL]

It's an absolute disgrace. Who the fuck do these dealers think they are. Our local BMW service centre is useless and mostly staffed by idiots. Girls in high heels and fake tans teetering about with ipads. FFS. Useless.

And then there are the charlatans. I bought a used Z4 from a reputable second hand dealer. Agreed in the price was an oil change. For some reason I didn't believe it had been done. I dropped the oil myself and it was filthy. What a load of crap.

Porsche dealers are great but boy do you pay. As for my electric Mini, I won't be having that serviced at all. If it gets to two years without a warranty claim, I won't be bringing it in for a service. It has no engine so nothing to do. And I never use the brakes as it has regenerative braking.

[DougMcL]

Originally Posted by C320

I always check the iDrive to see if they have updated the service history. Had two occasions on different BMWs and different dealerships where it has been missed

It's now part of my routine to check prior to leaving the forecourt!

Totally ridiculous. I mean honestly.

[Colmsport]

Originally Posted by C320

I always check the iDrive to see if they have updated the service history. Had two occasions on different BMWs and different dealerships where it has been missed

It's now part of my routine to check prior to leaving the forecourt!

I’ve had issues with iDrive updates at every service, now it’s the first thing I check.

1st service - wasn’t updated at all, was told that it would be transferred ‘over the air’ that evening. I was naive at the time & ended up having to take it back to get it sorted, 55 mile round trip & 2 hours out of work, thanks.

2nd service - incorrectly updated with work that was done, due waiting an hour & a half for them to get it back into the workshop to plug in & sort, probably a 2 minute job for them but kept me waiting, I expect deliberately…

3rd service - sheer incompetence! Mileage on dash did not correspond with the iDrive, which was different to the receipt & also to what was written in the service book (I’ve also got a paper service book from BMW which I get stamped, I’m old school!!). I mean, just how hard can it be!?!?

To be honest, I really don’t know why I bother taking it to main dealers!

Oh, forgot about this one - asked them not to let the ‘ragdraggers’ wash my car after service, as I’ve previously been victim to their washing techniques. The service advisor tried to make a joke about the car having been washed, I knew it hadn’t as I’d had a look around it after the had driven it out of the garage. Glad I did as had to have a conversation with him about the dent they had put in the door.

Cretins!

[Scoobyd]

This thread makes me glad I don't have to deal with main dealers anymore! I have a fantastic independent BMW specialist about 20 minutes from me who's been looking after my car for over 10 years now. Treats it as his own. Has people coming from all over the country to use him as he's a specialist at rebuilding M5 engines. Bugger to get hold of at times but they all have their quirks!!

[agentorange]

Originally Posted by DougMcL

It's an absolute disgrace. Who the fuck do these dealers think they are. Our local BMW service centre is useless and mostly staffed by idiots. Girls in high heels and fake tans teetering about with ipads. FFS. Useless.

Something wrong with the forum. Pictures of the girls in high heels aren't loading.

[Stainy]

Originally Posted by Scoobyd

This thread makes me glad I don't have to deal with main dealers anymore! I have a fantastic independent BMW specialist about 20 minutes from me who's been looking after my car for over 10 years now. Treats it as his own. Has people coming from all over the country to use him as he's a specialist at rebuilding M5 engines. Bugger to get hold of at times but they all have their quirks!!

This ^ and yet 'we' (not me!) put great onus on a car having a full BMW service history. Which in reality means an apprentice fitter bumbling about your car and then more than likely ragging it on a cold engine whilst he nips out for lunch on the 'test drive'

My local indie isn't a BMW specialist, but he's serviced my cars for 17 years and is an actual mechanic. His costs aren't a lot cheaper than the main dealer tbh, but there's no need to check anything when it comes back as he knows what he's doing and respects what he's working on.

[martin10chk]

I am another one for the local independent. TBH the local dealer has been OK (haven’t done anything wrong) but is completely impersonal and very expensive. My independent (they are a BMW specialist) is hugely knowledgeable, takes a bit of time and is reasonably priced. I find the difference between someone reading from a script as opposed to actually thinking about an issue pretty compelling.

[1 AKY]

Originally Posted by Scoobyd

This thread makes me glad I don't have to deal with main dealers anymore! I have a fantastic independent BMW specialist about 20 minutes from me who's been looking after my car for over 10 years now. Treats it as his own. Has people coming from all over the country to use him as he's a specialist at rebuilding M5 engines. Bugger to get hold of at times but they all have their quirks!!

Any details on the independent specialist?