HORROR STORIES FROM THE STEALERSHIP OR LOCAL SHOP

[mig25]

Please share some of horror stories ,mishaps or overcharged services from your local stealership or local garage.
I want all owner's to know what you went thru, so they will be aware the next time they bring their cars for service.
I recently bought an X5. Previous owner was quoted over 2K to replace transfer case.
I found the issue was front differential dry not the transfer case at all.
Shop replaced the output oil seal, but used a hammer to install new seal damaging the housing.
All the oil leaked out.

[Serb404]

BMW in Indiana will charge over 100 just to check error code for me one time

this was before I found my local mechanic who also owns an e53

[David.X5]

I get dealer abuse vicariously from my neighbor. No chance I would take my car to a BMW dealer for service.

Anyway, the top two stories are: (I helped Him out). He has a 2009 528. Nothing fancy.

1) it wouldn't start one cold morning. He had it towed to the dealer. They wanted $1000 to replace the battery. About $400 for the actual battery; but then they told him it was standard practice to replace the battery cables every time they change the battery! Another $300 in parts and $300 in labor... Needless to say I sent him to buy a good quality battery for $150 and we installed it coded it to the car together.

2) just recently got a call from him from the dealer. Car was running rough and he got the CEL light. Dealer wanted $1400 for 6 spark plugs and coils. Wasn't sure he really needed new coils, but sent him links to the usual online vendors and he bought the parts for $250 and we swapped it all out in under an hour.

I am curious if this happens to other people - About once a week I start talking to someone about BMW's and they will ask something along the lines of "I like them, but I heard they aren't reliable" or "I sold mine - how can you afford to maintain it".

[mig25]

OMG ! $1000 for a battery. This what I call armed robbery

[X5only]

Had loud whining noise from the transfer case. Dealer and Indy wanted to replace it at ridiculous prices of course ($1,400 or more I vaguely remember). However, as I was just about to leave the dealership, the service advisor mentioned in passing that it may just need an oil change. I pretended not to hear him Circled back to the parts counter and got myself transfer case oil. 300 miles after I changed the oil and reset the transfer case via GT1, the whining noise completely stopped.

[StephenVA]

Only go to the dealer to pick up parts. I overhear enough service writer comments to make a good laugh on the way home, every time I am at the counter waiting for the parts.

There is a local BMW indy shop I trust and have known for years who is always open for a conversation and to offer up a few tips for DIY. He also works on lots of X5s for those who do not have the time nor skills. The vehicles that are dragged in there will with NO maintenance other than Jiffy Lube service scares me. Opening those hoods is like opening a coffin that has been in the ground way too long.

[Joshdub]

Originally Posted by David.X5

I get dealer abuse vicariously from my neighbor. No chance I would take my car to a BMW dealer for service.

Anyway, the top two stories are: (I helped Him out). He has a 2009 528. Nothing fancy.

1) it wouldn't start one cold morning. He had it towed to the dealer. They wanted $1000 to replace the battery. About $400 for the actual battery; but then they told him it was standard practice to replace the battery cables every time they change the battery! Another $300 in parts and $300 in labor... Needless to say I sent him to buy a good quality battery for $150 and we installed it coded it to the car together.

2) just recently got a call from him from the dealer. Car was running rough and he got the CEL light. Dealer wanted $1400 for 6 spark plugs and coils. Wasn't sure he really needed new coils, but sent him links to the usual online vendors and he bought the parts for $250 and we swapped it all out in under an hour.

I am curious if this happens to other people - About once a week I start talking to someone about BMW's and they will ask something along the lines of "I like them, but I heard they aren't reliable" or "I sold mine - how can you afford to maintain it".

I know a guy with a e60 530. The dealer wanted nearly 2k for coils and spark plugs. I just laughed and sent him the parts online.

There is a member on here who had the dealer overfill his X5 with oil and caused some issues that took forever to sort out. I can't remember the thread but I am sure some else here does.

[StephenVA]

There are lots of M5 owners who had motors trashed due to inexperienced techs working on V8 HiPo motors who had no training whatsoever.

[Roman D]

I had a VW Jetta 2.0T with DSG and noticed that headliner started treading - some treads were visible at top light console where lights/switches/sun-roof controls are. Next visit to Life Quality VW/Audi dealer in Brooklyn, NY I had pointed that out and they were kind enough to offer me a full headliner replacement at no charge and I did not have to ask twice - nice going so far, right? So I come back in few days and service adviser is telling me how tough of the job that it because front seats had to come out before headliner can and new headliner is really in place installed by someone.....
with dirty-greasy hands and prints are all over it and now all over every side panel as well and they're all light-light-beige. I could not pronounce a single word, was so disguised - almost vomited, what a pigs..
Hudson Subaru was trying to feed me BS that it is normal for my Legacy 3.6R to consume 2+ quarts of oil between oil changes (5K miles) and to counterweight I told them that back in a years my father was overhauling Soviet Era made engines manufactured in 1970-'80 and they where 10-15 year old at the time and they did not consume oil for 100,000 kilometers and with all today's technologies and materials for my brand new 2011 Subary it is normal?!!! After that, they would just give me 2 quarts of oil at no charge with every oil change till my lease was up...

[Roman D]

Kings Infinity in Brooklyn, NY takes my Q50 for service and NYS inspection, later called me to point out that some filters will need to be replaced, total $240 to which I say OK - go ahead. I pick up the car and next day went to the store, come out and there is ticket for....
"Expired Registration" !!! Wait, I say, how is that possible - checked the invoice - charge is there, went back to dealership, came up to service adviser, showed him the invoice and pointed to NYS Inspection charge and asked what that charge is for? "For NYS Inspection" he replied, then I smiled and handed the ticket over to him. It was really priceless to see his face. He's got "All business" went to look at the sticker, jumped in to the car, drove it in, shortly rolled it out with new sticker... "So how about that ticked ?" I asked, he said "It is a serious matter (a $65 ticket for a multi-million dealership that holds Infiniti/Nissan/VW lines), And Have to talk to Rico(Owner)" he said. Till this day he is talking - over 6 month passed and I am not a stranger there - I service their printers on regular basis for last 4-5 years.