LJ Irvines, Bridgwater, Somerset, UK

[x5-UKsteve]

Having owned an X5 4.6iS for a number of years, imagine my disbelief after a recent Inspection 2 service which cost me £725 +VAT @ 17.5%.

A brief history of me and my car, as soon as any service needs doing I do it, as soon as the service centre recommend anything needs doing I do it and so on.

Anyway the dealer gladly took my service money - two days later I was driving with my wife and kids in the car and bang it sounded like the engine had blew up, anyway I nursed the car back home (was wet and raining!!) called BMW emergency assist and they arranged collection of the X5, oh and by the way my warranty had just elapsed and I had decided that due to my positive experience with all the BMW's I had owned, and I I had ever claimed for was drinks holders etc,. I decided to not bother with the new warranty.

The car is now at the dealers, and they have found that the belt that drives the air conditioning compressor had either snapped or perrished and basicly had disintegrated everything in its path, including fans etc, radiator, brake pipes, and the fan had also damaged the bonnett.

Asked for some form of goodwill from them but had a NO WAY you are out of warranty, my argument is that after only 150 miles of inspection 2, wher eiot states that it should be checked (the belt) I thought I had a bloody good argument, but no

Got the car back after costing me £3,400 and was not running correctly so I took back and they had said that as they had not pressure tested the new rads etc there was a leak and a new water pump was required, so I booked in to have it done (2 weeks later, you see this only cost £410 and they had already got the big money out of me!!!) yes thats right 2 whole weeks before they could fit me in!!!!

The story has now ended with me having an extremely bitter taste in my mouth from my local BMW dealer, now I would like to warn everybody to steer cler of LJ Irvines, Bridgwater, Somerset, UK - You have been warned - nice chaps but no customer service skills whatsoever!!!!!

[UCrewX5]

I agree with you on several accounts. First, they should have offered to help share the cost under general "good will". Second, they should have picked up on the belt issue during the Inspection II and recommended a replacement at that time. Their negligence may well have been a contributing cause for a situation that could have been avoided alltogether.

Thanks for sharing.

[trapdoor]

That's bad news - I was considering moving my business to Irvines as Dick Turpins (sorry, Lovetts) in Bristol are just as bad. Always trying to charge me for warranty work which they claim isn't covered under warranty!

Gonna have to stick with Jacksons in Jersey - when we get over again!!