Beware of Pacific BMW! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Dr.Lb. · 14th February 2007, 20:56

Hi All. First time post from a long time reader. Thanks for all the great tips over the years!

I have a 2000 M5 with 52,000 miles. Fixed my carbon build-up issue (more on that later). Just wanted to get this warning out there...

All of us are pretty protective of out beasts and avoid valets etc. But we usually trust the $tealer to treat the beast well, right? After refusing to return to Century West BMW in LA after they botched several visits, put a chip in the door etc, then trying Van Nuys BMW, begging them to thoroughly investigate my carbon issue and constant SES light only to find all they did was replace a belt(!), I decided to give Pacific BMW in Glendale a try (heard some positive things on this board). So I took the beast in to have the OBD recall work done and also to have my front left window regulator replaced. Upon picking her up, freshly washed, I thought, hey, maybe this is going to be a good relationship. Well as I drove off I checked the mileage (I always write down my mileage as I drop off the car) only to find 7 miles had been put on the car. So I went back and asked the rep if it was Pacific's policy to test drive a car after a window repair. His eyes widened and he explained that sometimes they have to drive the car up the street to their other facility. How for is that, I asked. A mile or mile and a half. OK, so why is the 7 miles on the car? He said he'd talk to his manager and get back to me. That never happened. (After getting home I found my sub woofer had been knocked to the side of the trunk -- the only other time this happened to me was when I took a turn at about 50 without brakes to see what the beast can do.) So I left a message for the service manager yesterday and still haven't heard back.

Bottom line: a tech at Pacific took my car out for a joyride, and obviously pushed it pretty hard. I treat my car really well and I'm FURIOUS that the dealer I put my trust in allowed this to happen, and is refusing to get back to me. So, BEWARE of these people!!!!!

JEM · 14th February 2007, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Lb.

Bottom line: a tech at Pacific took my car out for a joyride, and obviously pushed it pretty hard. I treat my car really well and I'm FURIOUS that the dealer I put my trust in allowed this to happen, and is refusing to get back to me. So, BEWARE of these people!!!!!

Y'know, I find that a bit funny.

Someone does anything to my car, I *want* them to test-drive it. If they give it back to me and there's a new rattle, they get it right back. So I damn well want them to take the thing out. It's sometimes difficult to *get* them to test it enough.

And, personally, if I have anything loose in my trunk, it's going to be bouncing around in there pretty good just from my normal daily use.

Nabio · 14th February 2007, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEM

Y'know, I find that a bit funny.

Someone does anything to my car, I *want* them to test-drive it. If they give it back to me and there's a new rattle, they get it right back. So I damn well want them to take the thing out. It's sometimes difficult to *get* them to test it enough.

You say you want someone to try it out, but a tech at a dealer is not neccesarily who you want to drive it, considering many of them are like men in their early twenties who are not M certified and sure as hell can't drive a clutch attached to a 400hp motor.

Dr. lb, I would immediately call up the service manager again and go right back to the dealer. This needs to be documented IN WRITING. You wouldn't want to go 100 miles and notice your clutch is slipping, or something else worse. Do not allow them to take advantage of you, they messed up and they should compensate you. Be fair but firm in your insistence.

Dealers often have pre-designed route that they use to test drive cars or bring to their "other location." These are generally not 7 miles long.

gbogh3 · 14th February 2007, 21:12

Why in the earth would you take your car to a $tealer? 7 miles I would not worry too much about, especially with some of the posts of 20, 50 80 miles being put on cars.
Certianly there is concern why a $tealer cannot do the work at the place you drop it off, IMO I would not want them driving my car from place to place, someone could hit you!
2nd I would be concerned about the sub moving, that sucks!

Read this thread to get ideas of who else you can take the beast too.

SoCal/LA area Dinan Shops...which one?

E55AMG2 · 14th February 2007, 21:26

I only go to the stealer if its absolutely necessary. A trusted indep mechanic is the way to go.

Osodog · 14th February 2007, 21:28

Totally agree, only go to dealer if you must.

gbogh3 · 14th February 2007, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by E55AMG2

I only go to the stealer if its absolutely necessary. A trusted indep mechanic is the way to go.

I will go to the $tealer if I have a feeling I need to yell at someone after the work is done. There is more accountability to BMWNA if it goes that far.

Its been a while since I have had to go....

Dr.Lb. · 14th February 2007, 21:32

Quote:

"Why in the earth would you take your car to a $tealer?"

I HAD to go to the Dealer to get the recall OBD work done. BMW won't allow a independent shop to do recall work. Just thought I'd get the window repaired while it was there. Normally I use a great independent shop.

Quote:

"Someone does anything to my car, I *want* them to test-drive it."

Wow. I only want someone to test drive my car IF I ASK THEM TO. It wasn't necessary for a window repair.

Thanks Nabio, that's good advice. You're right about the clutch -- you can burn thru it pretty quick if you don't know what you're doing.

roadwarrior687 · 14th February 2007, 21:54

A good list of shops in the LA area with reviews.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=686854

Ocean's M5 · 15th February 2007, 07:28

I know it sucks taking any top-end car to the dealer, or even the Valet for that matter...

When I drop my car off, i usually follow it as it enters the work area. Then I appear occasionallyto tell the tech it looks like he really knows his stuff and that I wish I could fix some things.

I usually get a little more info after that. I have learned many ways to occupy my time while i'm at the dealer...

I always say Hi to everyone i see no matter what their status, form the Manager to the guy who gets the $hit jobs. I also have a stack of Starbucks gift cards that I give to people who do a good job. It's only $25.00 but word gets around.

It's actually pleasant going to the dealer these days...

Good luck

Laidback · 15th February 2007, 07:42

Better give BMWNA a call and file a complaint...I guarantee heads will turn and expect a phone call from them soon...btw they normally write the odo reading before taking it for service...goodluck

kirbanana · 15th February 2007, 07:55

hard to convince someone with that though. specially a dealership. i mean who's to say that the car was 7 miles less when you pulled in there in the first place. your word againts theirs. unless you have an official document or proof stating the mileage prior to service then i think you are out of luck. i can't imagine a dealership saying "uh, i'm sorry for driving your car hard for 7 miles and knocking of your sub, here's a coupon for dinner for two somewhere....." i worked at a valet years ago and i do remember handling an M5 once before (not knowing i will ever own one someday...) and i tell ya, those were fun times.....