On going problems with 1 particular dealer. - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

plisken · 7th September 2004, 19:23

Finally decided today, that I would not return to this particular dealer for any repair/service work at all...

Having tried to go through all routes of complaint with the dealership, and decided to call BMW UK and have my complaint logged, which is basically all they did, they did not require a full list of issues or complaints etc, simply saying that they will log my dis-satisfaction with this particular dealership and wished me better luck at another.

I have now made a concrete decision, I had been looking more seriously about the possability of moving the E34 on, in favour of an E39. I have now howver decided that I will NEVER again own a BMW.

I sure do love the E34 M and what it represents, but it is no longer a true representation of the current BMW mark.

I'll most probably have the remaining/outstanding issues repaired, I owe it to both myself and the car, and then I'll be selling up.

Skyline here we come...

Phlem5 · 8th September 2004, 17:08

Plisken, is there a thread that preceeds this one ?
We are aware of your up's and downs with Parks, but no prior indication(as far as I've seen) that you were that pissed off i.e. "I will NEVER again own a BMW" strong words old son. I can tell you that you would be as well trying to put out a fire with petrol than expecting an apology from either BMW GB or Parks, the guy at my work with the 530d has written letters, complained in person etc about Parks and eventually got 1 year's extra warranty, but with all the problems he has had with his car it's a small token. Plus he was looking to buy 3 of them at one time and the sales guys didn't even respond to his enquiry. I would suggest knocking on Mr Parks door,seeing as his humble abode is on the L/H/S of the main road nxt to 'Smithy Croft' heading to Chatelheraut, you cant miss it just look for an couple of X5's, E60's etc, although I'm sure you'll know that already.
I hope you have considered the dealer situation with Skyline ownership, I think there could be a few grey areas with their service.. What's with the E34 M no longer being a true representation of the mark ? i.e. the marque is no longer up to scratch or ......?
Maybe Grassicks will restore your faith, but I think it more likley they'll find a good home for your hard earned cash!

Phil.

Quote:

Originally Posted by plisken

Finally decided today, that I would not return to this particular dealer for any repair/service work at all...

Having tried to go through all routes of complaint with the dealership, and decided to call BMW UK and have my complaint logged, which is basically all they did, they did not require a full list of issues or complaints etc, simply saying that they will log my dis-satisfaction with this particular dealership and wished me better luck at another.

I have now made a concrete decision, I had been looking more seriously about the possability of moving the E34 on, in favour of an E39. I have now howver decided that I will NEVER again own a BMW.

I sure do love the E34 M and what it represents, but it is no longer a true representation of the current BMW mark.

I'll most probably have the remaining/outstanding issues repaired, I owe it to both myself and the car, and then I'll be selling up.

Skyline here we come...

ilundber · 8th September 2004, 19:21

Sad to hear. I have just had the opposite experience with the Swedish BMW Main Dealer. It was not concerning the E34 M5 but I also have a M5 E39 and I have discovered oil in the air filters. A few threads on this forum made me check that.
Called the BMW dealer and booked an appointment to check this out.
The problem is an O-ring that is worn out and that provides the oil leak. Must change the entire magnetic valve for the Vanos on cyl. bank 2.
O-ring cost € 0.10 and accompanying peaces and work € 19.999,90

The test was carried out by BMW at no cost

I then told them I had read that there is a Good-Will-guarantee that some people have been offered (also from this forum). "Hmm, i'll look into that" was the only answer. A couple of days later I found out that BMW will cover everything except €300 for work.

plisken · 8th September 2004, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phlem5

Plisken, is there a thread that preceeds this one ?

I've posted here several times regarding issues that Parks could not deal with. I am partially no longer interested in working on my car, hence my Capris are simply sitting, rotting away. My idea of owning an affordable M5 and having all it's needs attended to from a main dealer was way off.
There are simply loads of complaints, raning from my Air Pump issues, which cost me time and time again, until they eventually said "You know you were right afterall, your pump is knackered", there is my ongoing suspension/steering complaints, which have gone on for 11 months or so, to the tune of a couple of thousand pounds later, there has been tools left under the bonnet, plastic covers removed from under the bonnet, fog lamp replaced which didn't work, got my car back with very little EDC fluid in the resovior after the replaced my rear shocker they then tried to charge me for filling it up, hell they could not even adjust my sunroof properly.

Believe me, I could go on and on...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phlem5

What's with the E34 M no longer being a true representation of the mark ? i.e. the marque is no longer up to scratch or ......?

BMW dealers are in my opinion not interested with E34 M5's regardless of model or condition, that is a fact! I do love the E34 M but it is not a representation of what BMW are today.

What I'm trying to say is, if I had a 1995 Porsche 911 of some variant, and went to a main dealer to have the car serviced, I am sure that they would know and probably care more for the car than that of a BMW dealer.
BMW simply do not care for their heritage, or so it would seem..

I've had coments like, "We would have to contact BMW regarding that sir, and it will be expensive", pathetic, if a BMW dealer does not know how to deal with an issue, then they should contact some form of technical support, which I'm sure is provided to all franchises and they should have to foot any bbill incurred. Is it really my fault that a dealer does not have the staff or resources to work on my car?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phlem5

Maybe Grassicks will restore your faith, but I think it more likley they'll find a good home for your hard earned cash!

Concerning, I was hoping that they could possibly represent a light at the end of the tunnel

Phlem5 · 8th September 2004, 21:25

Fair comment, I have worked for a main dealer before and as such I am aware that the corporate ideal of all the technicians being passoinate about the brand and giving things their very best attention, is sadly far from the truth in most cases, the attitude of many in the trade is more akin to the building trade where most workers are only interested in money/bonus and doing a jop as quick as possible, I hope that Grassicks can redeem the dealership experience for you. Crossflags in Dumfries maybe another good option. As Brian suggested the dealers best purpose seems stamping the book. I think I have suggested before, that there is a guy in Law who trades as BM Motors (01698 375 146) who is more the 'old school' type mechanic, does a good job and charges a reasonable price.
If your still planning to change, I watched a mpeg this afternoon of an E39 M5 chasing an audi S4 (next on the shopping list) along a busy motorway in Russia, the S4 left it standing when there was a clear patch, it may well be in the E39 section of the Board,
cheers,
Phil.

plisken · 8th September 2004, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phlem5

Fair comment, I have worked for a main dealer before and as such I am aware that the corporate ideal of all the technicians being passoinate about the brand and giving things their very best attention, is sadly far from the truth in most cases, the attitude of many in the trade is more akin to the building trade where most workers are only interested in money/bonus and doing a jop as quick as possible, I hope that Grassicks can redeem the dealership experience for you. Crossflags in Dumfries maybe another good option. As Brian suggested the dealers best purpose seems stamping the book. I think I have suggested before, that there is a guy in Law who trades as BM Motors (01698 375 146) who is more the 'old school' type mechanic, does a good job and charges a reasonable price.
If your still planning to change, I watched a mpeg this afternoon of an E39 M5 chasing an audi S4 (next on the shopping list) along a busy motorway in Russia, the S4 left it standing when there was a clear patch, it may well be in the E39 section of the Board,
cheers,
Phil.

I'll let you know how things go with Grassicks on Friday, I am still tempted thought to remove the front struts and replace springs, bump stops etc myself

I saw that video, very dangerous driving, I think from reading some comments the Audi is modified though, but it certainly did seem to walk away from the E39

I'm going to make a decision within the next 4-6 weeks or so and if I do decide to sell, someone will get a serious bargain, as I have sepent an absolute fortune on this car and normally sell below the asking price to relieve myself of the hassle.
I'd probably wait a while though before buying another performance type car, possibly drive a few Skylines, though justifying the cost of one of them is pretty difficult. As for the E39's, I'd be waiting to see how much they drop in price over the next few months.
I may well through some money at my Capri, and possibly give someone the oppertunity of taking car of it for me.

I just don't know what to do, my BMW expierence has been a really bad one, with very little blame being placed on either of the cars I've owned.

stevie53 · 9th September 2004, 01:04

Plisken
I was going to ask hows it going but that would be seriously stupid of me

my heart goes out to you cause you've had some heavy sh** with this beast over the time

I never thought I'd hear myself say this but if I were you I'd get shot of and move on have you seen the asking prices at the moment, they've gone through the roof

haven't used BM Motors but he has been recommended to me by a few E30 M3 owners through BMW Car Club, old skool who knows his stuff

as for the E39 I'm going to hang off til the new M appears, I would imagine that the prices will drop even further by then

btw still got the VR and it's seriously pissing me off now, the fun of trying to get this thing to shift has died. I'm buried in behind all these 21 year olds running scoobies but I just keep telling myself that life will begin again when I manage to get my next M

ROLL ON NEXT YEAR

see ya mate

stevie

plisken · 9th September 2004, 01:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevie53

Plisken
I was going to ask hows it going but that would be seriously stupid of me

my heart goes out to you cause you've had some heavy sh** with this beast over the time

I never thought I'd hear myself say this but if I were you I'd get shot of and move on have you seen the asking prices at the moment, they've gone through the roof

haven't used BM Motors but he has been recommended to me by a few E30 M3 owners through BMW Car Club, old skool who knows his stuff

as for the E39 I'm going to hang off til the new M appears, I would imagine that the prices will drop even further by then

btw still got the VR and it's seriously pissing me off now, the fun of trying to get this thing to shift has died. I'm buried in behind all these 21 year olds running scoobies but I just keep telling myself that life will begin again when I manage to get my next M

ROLL ON NEXT YEAR

see ya mate

stevie

God to hear from you mate, and in a strange way it is quite encouraging to me that you do still read this forum...

I may check this guy out, all it takes is a phone call and a few minutes up the road.

It's a hard decision to sell, as I have spent a serious amount of cash on this car and someone will get the benifit out of it, but these things happen. Shame really as I could have saved myself a lot of money, if I'd only had held off 18 months or so for an E39.
At the end of the day, the car wasn't giving me grief, the dealer was!
I think if I do find a dealer I can trust, then I would obviously look into an E39, but it would probably be next year, I can see prices dropping to £14k pretty soon...

BTW, didn't you use the brothers in the town for servicing? If so, what are your comments?

Until next time, keep your chin up, I wouldn't take a scooby for nothing