BMW loaners = Enterprise, what a joke !!!

[ctm14]

I just took my 04 into Harloff BMW in San Diego for a warranty issue. I was provided a loaner but was sent to the onsite Enterprise for a Chevy cavalier or similar. If I wanted something nicer I could pay for the upgrade. This is not the type of service I expected. I no longer live close enough to my original dealer but didn't think I would be treated like a second class citizen by other dealers. We own both Infiniti & Lexus, and are always provided a like vehicle when in for service. I like the X, but will consider returning to the Japanese luxury brands in the future. I think that BMW should address their customer service and spend less time verifying that I will give them 5's on their surveys.

What type of loaner vehicles are being provided at other dealerships???

[tsagg]

I had a chrysler Town & Country minivan for three days from DeSimone BMW in Marlton, NJ.

It's strictly economics...they'd rather spend $35/day to rent you a car then have 3-4 $40,000 cars lying around as loaners.

[Juanted]

My dealer, Hendrick BMW in Charlotte, NC, has always provided me with a BMW loaner. I have had X3s and 3 Series. I've never been given anything other than another BMW.

Juan

[broknlgs24]

i've only been in to my dealer, Towson BMW in Towson, MD, once since owning my X5 and the provided me w/ a 3 Series. of course the 1st thing they asked was if i bought it from them; however, i did not. it was purchased out of state.

[Scotty]

this is a common situation with SD area dealers it seems. I use Cunningham (kinda a long way out in El Cajon - but they are very efficient, small and friendly). Have had a 3 series loaner when my X was waiting for parts (5 days !!); but otherwise, they send me to their onsite Enterprise guy and I get 'basic' loaners.

Remember that BMW of SD is a HUGE operation !! Have you seen the size of their service bay !! I reckon they could get thr' 100 BMWs in a day - cranking out those oil services and inspections I's.

[kirkX5m]

Originally Posted by ctm14

I just took my 04 into Harloff BMW in San Diego for a warranty issue. I was provided a loaner but was sent to the onsite Enterprise for a Chevy cavalier or similar. If I wanted something nicer I could pay for the upgrade. This is not the type of service I expected. I no longer live close enough to my original dealer but didn't think I would be treated like a second class citizen by other dealers. We own both Infiniti & Lexus, and are always provided a like vehicle when in for service. I like the X, but will consider returning to the Japanese luxury brands in the future. I think that BMW should address their customer service and spend less time verifying that I will give them 5's on their surveys.

What type of loaner vehicles are being provided at other dealerships???

they try to stick everyone w/ an enterprise "death trap" as we call it, whenever they can. especially if you didnt buy your car at the dealership. the "courtesy bmw loaner" is always said to be unavailable, or you have to schedule your drop off weeks in advance in order to ge one. it all really boils down to your relationship with the SA there. i suggest getting to know him/her well, treating them to a few nice things here and there, and they'll make sure a loaner is available for you next time you need one. for our family its a simple thing since we bought 7 cars at BMW of Riverside, they always have the BMWs. But I do frown at the fact that a lexus or infiniti dealer will always put their customers in another lexus or infinit, not some malibu or taurus. eeeeek!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[motordavid]

We bought our '01 back in '01, in NY...
We moved 20 mins later to western NC.
The two "local stlrs", one 45" away and
the other 1 hr 15", away have Never provided
a loaner, even when pressed gently.

I hear ya', but if getting a "like kind" car as
a loaner is a serious criteria for picking a car
brand, I guess we are on diff. wavelengths.

Wish I got one, but Never have, and never will get
a loaner from the 2 knucklehead stlrs, in my "area".
GL,md

[Curious Joel]

I brought my car in to Tulley BMW yesterday, and we're stuck with a Chevy Cobalt... Every time one of our Audis has been in for service/broken down, Lakes Region Audi has given us loaners... My brother always gets a CPO A4 off the lot as a loaner, my dad generally gets brand-new A6's (he drives an A8)... Why BMW doesn't get it, I'll never know. There really is a safety issue there.. I mean, one of the main reasons a lot of people buy BMWs for is for the safety.. Then the dealer goes and puts you in a tiny little economy car that's about as safe as an aluminum can? Something is not right there... Of course, this is the only time they haven't given me a BMW loaner, but... still I think it's dumb. My dealer sells BMW, VW, Pontiac, GMC, Buick, and Mazda, so you'd think they'd be able to pull a decent car off the lot somewhere to give to you.. I wouldn't mind driving around in a VW at all... A Cobalt or a Hyundai, though....

[ctm14]

I just think it is ridiculous. When you purchase a luxury car you expect luxury service. If my fellow BMW owners are allowing themselves to tolerate this type of service it will continue. I don't want to hear excuses, and stories about taking care of your Service Advisor. Who is the customer? If Lexus, Infiniti , Audi etc. can offer similar loaners, than BMW should do the same. They should listen to their current owners, we may not be owners in the future.

[X5Jay]

My dealer charges $20 for a loaner now - sometimes. Wierd. It's usually an X3. Anyone else's dealer charge for a "loaner"? Other than that, I have no complaints with them though...