UK Dealer Service

[jonnyp42]

I suspect this is something of a UK specific gripe... My new E70 has some fairly minor issues that need fixing...


Paint Chip, on one of the sharp corners near the read boot hatch
Drivers Seat, loose handle with no ability to lock the position of the pad that pulls out to support the base of your legs
Squeaky passenger’s seat, rough road surfaces cause an audible squeak from the base of the passenger seat. Changes to the position of the seat don’t cure this issue.
Rattle to the left side of the car, location difficult to identify, possibly the B pillar (front seatbelt). This is again noticeable when you encounter a poor road surface.
Visible dust particles on the face of the speedometer.

Needless to say my dealer BMW Park Lane is again proving to be crap... nothing new they were useless with my previous car, their best cock up being that they forgot to quote for paint when refinishing the back bumper... I thought paint was quite essential all things considered!

Of the UK members on here I'm wondering how your dealer has treated you when resolving post delivery faults/issues? Park Lane cant offer me a loan vehicle (they never have any) and even when they do you have to pay £15 per day... some sort of admin charge!

Given the location of their service centres you're left with the prospect of a long walk back to the nearest Tube (Subway) station... I didnt pay over £40K for a car to bloody well walk!

Jon

[Fastbuck]

My Edinburgh based dealer has been superb when dealing with my minor gripes. Take a couple of goes to get a software upgrade to stick though. I had a new 7 series loaner throughout.

[NICKM]

Hi
I'm also experiencing most of what you have plus my new E70 is making an odd noise at approx 40 to 70mph - first I thought it was tyre noise from the 275 front & 315 rear tyre, indeed it still might be.
The noise is best described as a 'hollow roar' or may be a trumpet sound - some road surfaces will make a slight difference to the noise, but it is always in the background !!
My deal had the car checked and put it down to tyre noise, but I'm not sure !!
Is anyone else hearing the same noise and whats your thoughts on this ??
Thanks

[Fastbuck]

Since there are few members reporting this "roar" in recent days, perhaps there are a batch of vehicled where Al the Air Intake fitter was off sick and no one else bothered to connect up the hoses?

[whoopy-do]

never heard of the admin fee for a loan car before, are you under 25?

i think they are talking the pi$$ out of you there a little, i used sytner and have no problems at all , no fees no quible

[Fastbuck]

i've seen them charge an insurance fee of £10 - £15 if you don't cover their car on your own policy.

[Fredo]

My car developed a fault with the Comfort Access after three days. Rang the salesman who arranged for a driver to pick the car up and leave a 325d loan car four hours later. Two days later car returned to my wife's work and loan car picked up once the fault had been fixed. No charge at all.

I live in the London area and have bought cars from the same dealer for over ten years and my sales contact is now head of sales which I am sure helps. The dealer I use is the only independent dealer left in the London area now.

BMW Park Lane is owned directly by BMW UK (only one they own) so I suspect they concentrate on money rather than customer service? I would be furious if I got that kind of service from my dealer.

[jonnyp42]

Thanks for your replies. My email to BMW UK Customer Services seems to have done the trick in that Park Lane called yesterday to say they'll be waiving the £15 charge per day and would like to have the car for a number of days so they can get everything done.

It's a shame that you can't get such basic service without contacting BMW customer service but I guess in the end I've got what I wanted, so I shouldn't grumble that much.

As Fredo says the dealer and service centres are owned by BMW UK and to my mind that should ensure that the best possible 'BMW' experience possible. Where as what you actually get it one of the worst... but in Central London car buyers with £40k seem to be two a penny so I guess they can afford not to give a toss.

The charge applies to all drivers; I’m not under 25 (unfortunately)!

Jon

[whoopy-do]

Ah well its good news then jon , keep us posted on the repairs!

gotta love the way dealers just dont care that you spent 50k on a car ..its like they buy them everyweek huh!

[The Big Easy]

Jonny, Park Lane is more into diplomatic/military sales, I did not particularly get the "wellcome" feeling there. Also, they do have a large established customer base....

Anyway, the rattle you describe sounds like the one I had, check the rear seat latch - may be a starting point.

Cheers,