Dealer takes my baby for a 16 mile test drive??? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

M Macht · 26th May 2003, 18:02

Here is some background info. About a week and a half ago, the infamous SES light comes on and stays on. So I take the Beast in to Niello BMW here in Sacramento. I was going to take her in anyway to have the Rogue SSK and WSR installed. They have the car for 2 days, install the equipment (to the tune of $450 for the labor to do the install

) and reset the diagnostics saying that almost every error code was activated and they could not find anything wrong.

So I pick up car and within a day, the SES light is back on. The Beast seems like she might be down alittle on power so I took her back in last Wednesday. They tell me it is a cam sensor and have to order the part. So they keep it overnight and install the new sensor. I have gotten in the habit of checking my milage carefully when I drop off the car to have it serviced and reset my trip computer, average speed etc. After reading some horror storey posts on the Board, I have become paranoid about leaving her in someone elses hands. Anyway, I get her back and there are 15.8 new miles on her.

What's with that??? Do they really need a 16 mile test drive? Or was it a 16 mile joy ride with my Baby on my dime. Not only that, there were two people in the car because the passenger floor mat was soiled. Am I being overly sensitve and protective or should I fire off a letter of protest to Roger Neillo (owner of the dealership)? Thanks for reading my rant.

Myron · 26th May 2003, 18:19

I'd write the letter and demand an explanation of why, why, WHY they had to drive your baby 16 miles, and WhyTF they had to be 2 in the car..! " ppl in the car gets me thinking more of a joy ride, than if it was only one inside the car.... Fire off a letter, see what they have to say, and take it from there...

Brother Methias · 26th May 2003, 18:37

i think test driving it after you brought it back a second time to make sure the ses light didn't come back on immediately is standard fare.. Occasionally i've found they want to 'test drive' because the 'service manager' will either take home their demo cars, or if all the demos are out on loaner he'll take a car getting serviced, call it a 'test drive' and bring it back the next morning..

tfung · 26th May 2003, 18:37

dunno about the 16 miles.. but at my dealership in Boston, only the shop foreman is allowed to take M cars out for a test drive... and the mechanic of the car would come along with the foreman driving it.. thus two people....

M Macht · 26th May 2003, 18:40

You know, it's just absolutely infuriating. With city driving, it would take you about 45-60 minutes to drive 16 miles here in Sacramento. Throw in some freeway, driving and it's perhaps 30 to 45 mins. The average speed read out 18 MPH but the tech. could have reset it. What kind of restitution should I ask for? A free loaner car the next time I have my Beast serviced? Free mod install? An apology? I wish I could find a trustworthy dealership. There are no other "convenient" dealers in the area and my Beast is still under warranty.

Teutonaddict · 26th May 2003, 18:48

If it weren't the dreaded SES light...

Because of the intermittent nature of the SES problem, they were within reasonable and customary practices to test a car after re-setting the OBD-II brain. In fact, if I'd taken my car to them, I would WANT them to test-drive my baby before returning her to me--in order to prevent that idiot light from firing up as I'm leaving the dealership.

You might, in a calm and reasonable tone, let them know you do record your odometer readings, and you want to be informed if a test-drive is needed. I would not, however, go in there ranting and raving, as you're not likely to accomplish much except p*ss them off.

Your best bet is to find a dealer that you trust, and let them do their work. I once asked a dealer to have a tech test drive my car to find an intermittent steering problem, and they insisted that I ride along. That's the kind of relationship I'm talking about.

Lest you think I'm some dealer lackey, I've also had another dealer take a 100-mile joyride in my 540i/6 when it was in for new rotors. In that case, I spoke directly with the GM and never returned again.

M Macht · 26th May 2003, 19:09

Teutonaddict,

You're problably right. Will take a deep breath and maybe go out for a "cleansing" drive.

I placed a call to the service manager on Friday and left a nonconfrontational message on his voicemail but he will be out untill tomorrow. I would love to establish a relationship with one "M tech." and one service rep.---people that I can trust, so that I won't get so uptight every time I take her in for service. I don't think that is too much to ask when you own one of the rarist and most expensive BMW models. Have you guys had any luck in this regard? It seems that with BMW's sales success, that there are so many BMW owners now that the service departments appear overwhelmed and that "personal touch" is sacrificed and lost.

atomic80 · 26th May 2003, 20:08

Nick,

I would at least take the chance to ask them what happened. Were they testing the SSK kit and trying to track down the diagnostic errors? Take a deep breath like Dave suggested and start from there. That's what I'd do.

One thing though, why did they charge you $450 to install the SSK?!?

My dealership charged me $200.

gra8fuldd ed · 26th May 2003, 20:50

My Dealership ... Where I've purchased my previous 4 Bimmers ...

Beverly Hills BMW ... They FLAT out refused to do a UUC - SSK

install. They said that they will have "No Part" of helping me

void my warranty.

Obviously ... I had to have it installed elsewhere.

Digi · 26th May 2003, 21:07

My dealer has always notified me that there may be a need for a test drive when it is needed, and gives me a chance to decline. Both my dealer and my mechanic are more professional than to joyride. They aren't making any money out driving around in someone's BMW. Also, if there is an accident, they are out on a limb. If your dealer has mechanics that quit frequently, or are not career oriented, maybe they will do stupid things. My dealer has many mechanics for many years, some over 10. These guys aren't interested in taking my car out for a joyride. If you have the car in for the second time, maybe they didn't want to take a chance that things weren't correct again. Also, perhaps the mechanic was on the passenger side while working on the car, and not another person in it when driving it. I trust my dealership's mechanic, and have reinforced my relationship with one through a descrete bonus or 2. I know he will always do his best, and has always been available to talk to me directly.

Don't automatically assume the worst from your dealer. Build up a trusting relationship. Ask for an explanation, and ask that you be notified in the future. That should solve the problem without compromizing your future relationship with the dealer. Don't always assume they are ripping you off, unless you see it happen.