Is there anything recently wrong with Sawbridgeworth??

[BJEast]

Hi all, I've been using S-bridge with my CS for almost 18 months now, I've got the new GS on order with them and hopefully I've made the right decision by trusting them with the order.

I'm looking for any info or reason that I've made a bad choice and/or to watch out for? Like I've said, they've treated me well so far and I have no reason to think otherwise but with my initail (8 months worth!!) hassle off Park lane/west then I'm hoping I don't get de ja vu and have to go through that hassle again!!!

Any GS owners from S-bridge on here?? Thanks all

B

 

[Cooky]

I bought mine from Sawbridgeworth a while ago and was there yesterday getting a new rear tyre and Remus fitted. Very good service in my view - much much MUCH better than Park Lane.

The only gripe is that they are hard to get hold of on e-mail but someone's always there on the phone including the friendly and very competent woman whose name escapes me.

Went into the workhouse and was greeted by friendly engineers who clearly were eager with their work and very keen to please.

Of course it was expensive but then all BMW dealers are.

I recommend them.

 

[Greg Masters]

BJE

I think that you can find fault with nearly all dealers, car or bike, irrespective of marque.

Sawbridgeworth are no different in that respect although their Dealer Principal (Nigel Darken) and Dave Halsall from sales are occassional contributors to this board and have supported the Club in various ways. They are also keen to get things right if they were less than perfect first time around.

Half the battle is getting to know the people that your dealing with. When you know them and they know you, you can each begin to meet the needs and expectations of the other side.

Although I have never bought a bike from Sawbridgeworth, I wouldn't hesitate to do so. I don't think that you should either!

Greg

 

[darkhorse]

I have used them for my last two services and have found them to be ok

 

[DavidHolmes]

BJE
Half the battle is getting to know the people that your dealing with. When you know them and they know you, you can each begin to meet the needs and expectations of the other side.

Although I have never bought a bike from Sawbridgeworth, I wouldn't hesitate to do so. I don't think that you should either!

Greg

I agree. I used Sawbridgeworth from 1989 to 2001 for servicing and parts. I never had an issue. Bought my (first ever new bike) 1150GS in July 2001.

I have no 'up to date knowledge', but I will never (ever) 'Darken' their doors again.

As more constructive advice:
1) Book the first service date on the day you buy your bike. Ensure that there is a clause forcing them to either comply with that date or pay for it to be done elsewhere.
2) Get them to sign a guarantee to undertake authorised recall/warranty work (even if their senior mechanic has left so they cant do shit unless you pay for it, etc etc.).
3) Never ever ever accept a 'repair estimate' without checking (or preferably getting someone else to check) the basics.
4) Be prepared for yearly 'Your Bike is now over a year old and not covered by a warranty (as if the warranty had ever been honoured) so you need to buy a new one, but yours is worthless as we have just had a sudden glut of silver ones in....
5) Accept that making numerous official complaints to BMW UK about them will result in letters telling you that 'Your Bike is now over a year old and not covered by a warranty......'

Yours
David Holmes
(The only difference between me an the Sanguine is that I let them rip me off a couple of grand and just learnt my lesson.)

PS Almost forgot - get the p/ex valuation in writing, then when you arrive to take delivery of your new toy (or in my case my only form of transport) you might be able to avoid the old 'how much did we offer you in p/ex for that?, are you sure?, I think we only offered ..... etc etc.

 

[robeekay67]

sawbridgeworths:

1.david in sales was very concientious.
2. very very pricey servicing rates for somewhere quite a way from london....£55 +vat i recall
3. servicing levels were not consistent, either through work load the repair shop was put under or turnover of staff.
4. i had several dubious servicing incidents, one which could have resulted in near disastrous consequences which was picked up only for an alert mechanic at a non franchise tyre shop.

however, it has become very clear that consistent servicing at any bmw dealership has become a hit and miss affair. if you find a good guy..hang onto him..

so would i hesitate to buy there again? yes.

 

[pint6x]

Somone on this board recently had a 6,000 mile service there.

What should this involve beyond an oil&filter change and checking the torque settings I don't know, but the bill was £300.

While they're very helpful, they ain't half pricey

I would be tempted to get all servicing quotes up front and make it very clear that you will not be paying any more than that unless they phone you first.

I would also be tempted to ring around and get quotes from other dealers - there is quite a variation in my experience - you may be surprised !

6X

 

[BJEast]

Pint6x

Noted!! My CS go's in for its 18K next weekend (24th) so I'll be having a better chat with David then.

B

 

[bakerlonglegs]

Echo earlier comments about Nigel and Dave - whilst the servicing experience I've had there has been, er, "variable" to say the least, if you get any problems you should contact Dave and/or Nigel to sort it out....
I would avoid weekends as they get very busy. I would also allow time for a chat with the chaps in the workshop as the folks who run the service reception don't always know what was done, any problems/potential problems spotted on your bike, etc, etc.
Andy

 

[rugbug]

pint6x,

your comments on the servicing costs ring very true! They are my nearest dearlership and I know all of the staff there pretty well and have a good rapport with the sales and service team.

However, they are dear. Very dear. Now they will claim that you pay for the quality of the service technicians and that they don't skimp on your service [suggesting that other dearlerships do, which is, as an aside, a very unprofessional thing to do]. I do think that they are very good at their servicing and are always very obliging to help. But the cost can be a factor. I had my 6k service done at another dealership - £165!! What a differenec in price!!! How on earth can there be such a fluctuation?

Needless to say that I use them as little as i can, but this is ONLY a cost issue. There level of service is, excellent.

 

[DavidHolmes]

But the cost can be a factor. I had my 6k service done at another dealership - £165!! What a differenec in price!!! How on earth can there be such a fluctuation?

BMW UK assure me that they operate 'fixed priced servicing'. Therefore the only variation possible in cost between official dealerships is in the labour costs.

If you want a service done at Sawbridgeworth I suggest you ask to see the stated labour hours and parts costs.
Last time I did so I was pointed to a sheet on the wall giving no of labour hours per service which was well outside the 'official' guide for labour hours. When I queried this, I was told it might be a mistake, they checked with BMW, yes it was a mistake (BMW had recently reduced the recommended hours, hence the honest mistake).

When I went in for the next service I noticed that the notice had not been ammended.....

 

[Beemer Bob]

£300 service for the first 6K

I'm the poor bleeder who had the £300 6k service. That price did include a loan bike, which was £15.

I was told the alternator belt was loose - fair dues.
Told the rear pads needed changing (so we wont ring you and ask you if you want them done we will go ahead and charge you top dollar for the pads and labour...nice. Pads are a piss easy job to do, I could have done them myself, but that option never came into it.) Front brakes stripped and greased - they’ve done a nice job on them, the feel is miles better than before - fair dues.

I was charged labour for taking the crash bars off - £20 if I remember right - Turn it in! My sides are hurting!

The fuel lines where checked under warranty. I know they were done because on filling up the petrol tank some petrol got into the overflow pipes and pissed all over the gearbox casing and down onto the swing arm. The techi forgot to connect up the breather pipes after refitting the petrol tank. This happened on the Monday after the service. To say I was jumping up an down cursing was an understatement. I phoned, but forgot they're closed on Mondays. I never bothered after that...what’s the point? It’s my word against theirs.

So overall, I can't say it feels like I've had a nice experience.

Bob of crash bar fame

 

[Steptoe]

. I had my 6k service done at another dealership - £165!! .

£70 if you know where to go -- that includes rear bevel oil changed . ( not spec in BM 6K service, )

 

[rugbug]

One gripe that got to me recently is when I popped into S'worth and they advised me that my rear pads were 'shot' and needed changing within around 500 miles.

When I took the bike to me 'regular' dealer for servicing, I asked them to change to pads, which they did, only to be told that they were actually in pretty good nick and didn't need changing at all. So, £40 lighter, I am pretty pissed off.

Not endearing themselves at the moment.