Arlington BMW

[jwilburn]

I just dropped my car off for the first time to be serviced. They gave me a pin number to check the status on-line. Is this something all dealerships do? Sorry I am new to BMW. From what I have read here the Arlington service center seems pretty good, so I feel better.

With that being said, I must also add that I will NEVER buy a new car from this dealership. When I was deciding between a new 3 and an X, the two sales people I spoke with about the 3 were complete asses. They actually looked suprised when I asked can I test drive! Imagine that, someone looking at a car and wanting to test drive HA! One guy took my info to "set up an appointment"....I have yet to be contacted.

Hence I went back home to SC to by my X (down the road from the factory ). I had 4 sales people helping me. What a difference a change in dealerships makes.

[blondboinsd]

LOL Big Wonder, My favorite was when I was buying the X and the salesman asked me "can you afford this" needless to say I bought it elsewhere and rubbed it in his face :P

[ljnlaw]

I think everyone has a good saleman story. My favorite story begins when I was out visiting my cousin on the Left Coast with a friend, more specifically Westwood (I am from Philly). I was a 21 year old normal, rowdy, snot noze partying kid at the time. My friend and I decide to go to the Valley and visit the infamous Sherman Oaks Mall, where some of my favorite '80's movies were shot. Near the Mall was an upscale (I don't think I would go so far as to say exotic) used car dealer. So my friend and I dressed appropriately enough in shorts, t-shirts and flip flops stop in the dealer to check out some of the rides. The first car that caught my eye was a triple black Porsche 930 Turbo Slantnose Convertible with at that time a pretty hefty sticker price for a used car. Being a college kid this vehicle was definitely out of my Champagne taste / Budweiser budget. In Philly the salesman would have punted us off of the lot upon seeing us, but not in the Valley...the first saleman out of the showroom door said, "hey guys how are you...want to take her for a test drive she's a screamer." Then he proceeded to tell us it was Eric Dickerson's old car (from the L.A. Rams) and threw me the keys. I was so spellbound and baffled my last few brain cells kicked in, I came to my senses and said "oh no thanks we're just looking around." I was afraid to breathe on the car let alone drive it. Later my friend looked at me and said you idiot he was going to let us test drive the car ALONE!!!! Needless to say I have driven a couple of Porsches in my day (I used to detail cars in my former life) and don't regret my decision in the least.

[YankeeBimmer]

You can all always try BMW Exclusive in Rockville MD. I never take the Bimmer to the any dealer!

[GUINNESS]

Well, your first mistake was going to Arlington... actually, the first mistake was thinking about going there Seriously, their sales, service, parts... all suck. Probably the worst dealer in the area. Ask anyone with a BMW and they'll probably say the same thing. Not trying to pick on you or rip you here, just want to inform you.

For parts and service, I would take my car to Fairfax BMW and talk to John in the service dept. To buy, I'd go to Tom Foster at Passport BMW in MD if he still works there.... great great top notch guy, nothing but good things to say about him.

The other places I would avoid are VOB in MD and Sterling. VOB just sucks and Sterling walk around with their noses so high in the air you can see straight up to their brain. Hell, I was treated with more respect walking into Ferrari of Washington right down the block.

And now the plug, if you really want great service not from a dealer, take your X to Gary Martin at Martin Motorsports in Alexandria. He's located on S. Pickett St, right behind Cameron Station. When I lived there, he's the only person I would let touch my X or M. He's also a great guy and great friend. You can even ask JV about him. If you ever do decide to go there, just tell him Ken and JV sent you his way.

[bmwx5lover]

G. I am about to have my X in for service, you said Martin is good right? How about charges? Less than dealer? I might take my X there this weekend. Who should i mention to him to get familiar with? Thanks

[GUINNESS]

Originally Posted by bmwx5lover

G. I am about to have my X in for service, you said Martin is good right? How about charges? Less than dealer? I might take my X there this weekend. Who should i mention to him to get familiar with? Thanks

He's closed on the weekends and I believe his rates are 90/hr and he guarantees all his work. Mention me (Ken - white M3) and/or JV.

[jwilburn]

Thanks for the resposes. All my work was under warrenty and the SA was really nice. I will def keep Martin's in mind though when going for the bigger repair stuff.

Whats silly is that when I went to the pre-owned sales down the street, they were nothing but nice. Plus their showroom/warehouse is amazing. Sure beats the 3 cars crammed in the main dealership.

So is it now normal that dealerships only have one or two "tester" cars and you have to make appointments to test drive? I have never been turned away before from looking at a car. And this includes when I was 19 and looking at S-classes for my mom. Wow.

[BabyCAP]

Hey Guiness - Tom Foster still works for Passport and I agree that he is very good. I got my 4.4 and 4.8 from him and had such a good experience that I referred my buddy who bought a 4.4 from him. Don't know if other dealers do this but he will arrange for the car to be delivered and picked up for any service or work that is required. You set up a time and they drive a little 3 series out and exchange your X for a day/night and then bring it back the next day. When they have to take my 4.8 I don't drive the loaner - I prefer to go back to the 4.4!!! BUT if I could get a 7 series or M as a loaner then that would be a differnet story.

BTW - do any of you know whether any of the dealers/shops represented in this thread will lower my 4.8 via DIS???

Thanks!!