Is it normal for dealer to drive 8 miles for brake flush serivce? - Page 2

atomic80 · 4th April 2002, 21:14

Quote:

Originally posted by Diamond Dave
That's why I recommended that your behinie should have been in that passenger seat during the test drive!

Good one, Dave!

Diamond Dave · 4th April 2002, 21:19

Or Sugi, come to my house and I'll bleed the brakes for you for free while you drink a cold one!

Thanks Jason!!!

DWP

Bob Uenaka · 4th April 2002, 23:26

I just had a normal service done at the dealer and when I got my car back I found a heavy scratch on my fender and scuff marks on the center console wood trim. The fender has to be repainted and the wood replaced. While the dealer is taking care of the problems, it's still a BIG disappointment. At least they didn't put excessive miles on the car!
Bob

SWing · 5th April 2002, 01:46

Hey Dave,

I might just take you on that offer

Too bad I have to drive 1200+ miles to Texas to drink with you....

Well, next time ur in North Cal, be sure to look me up

Sugi

AMP · 5th April 2002, 02:30

Regarding the "valet" mode...

In the Audi world one of the chip tuners (GAIC?) has a multi-program chip that will allow you to switch between 2 or 3 different "programs." This mostly for different turbo mappings, but one of the offered programs is valet mode. They integrate selection into the turn signal/cruise control stalk.

This would be a little more difficult to accomplish in the E39 as software changes are done by download rather than physical chip swap, but it's got to be possible.

... if only we could get Dinan to figure something out... I'd buy it.

mmoody · 5th April 2002, 03:44

Well speaking from a dealer standpoint on this subject, I am kinda caught in the middle. I posted a tread yesterday on Joy rides from dealers. As some of you know I am a SA for BMW and have been for 5 years with BMW. I would read that and that would help you in the future. 9 miles does seem excessive to me, but again depends on where you are and what is around you. Highway, Freeway, Beltline, etc. It is standard for 2 miles to be put on the car.

By the way a great place for good cupholders is www.cup-holders.com They work well, are only about $65.00 and match the woodgrain pretty good. I have sent a lot of customers his way since finding the site, he only makes them for 5 and 7 series.
and BMW refers to their cupholders as CANHOLDERS. which fit a 12oz. can perfect only.

atomic80 · 5th April 2002, 04:39

Matt,

Thanks for the tip on the cupholder but I'm afraid that I don't particularly like the way it looks. I'd much rather just not drink at all in my M5. Don't want to have others drink either.

On a side matter, my dealership usually drives no more than 2 miles at a time whenever I take my M5 in for service so that sounds about right. I also am lucky enough to have a good relationship with them too.

bobafett · 5th April 2002, 05:25

What dealership are you guys using? I befriended a tech at Peter Pan and so he pretty much exclusively drove my car. It worked out well, no issues, etc.

Dave's right, get to know them and things should be ok. After all, a clutch is in warranty anyways.

--Dan

DZeckhausen · 5th April 2002, 05:35

Quote:

Originally posted by louv
Yes, it probably is necessary.

If you want them to fully test the brake job, they will have to take it up to speed and do some repeated, hard braking. You wouldn't want it back untested, would you? That could be scary if they did something wrong.

Now, if it came back with more that 10 miles, I'd say there might be an issue. Remember, they run a business, and all those miles ar time away from fixing other cars (read: more money).

According to Sugi, the car was in the shop for a brake flush service, NOT a pad and rotor change. They didn't need to put ANY miles on the car! After bleeding the brakes, you merely need to check that the pedal is still firm. There's nothing about replacing the brake fluid that requires a test drive.

Unless they did something else when they serviced your car, I think they took it out because they wanted to drive it. In other words, they took it for a joy ride. I would confront the service manager about this. (Assuming the brake flush is all that they did when they serviced the car.)

Sugi - why was your car brought in for service? Was there a complaint you had that they may hve been trying to duplicate or was it simply time to change the fluid?

Bluewater M5 · 5th April 2002, 07:42

I hate to bash a dealership but I only speak the truth when I say Allison BMW doesnt care. You would think that they would learn having so many complaints. But they get so many customers they don't worry about losing one here and there. I had the same problem with them putting extra miles plus a nice gash on the rim. I learned that a BMW loaner is not worth the headache.