Main dealer service. Disappointed.

[deangsadv]

Hi
Had my bike serviced on Thursday at my local BMW Main dealer and I'm not impressed. It was in for a 6000 + annual @ £260 came in at £226 as they had an offer with free oil, so the price was ok, however when I picked the bike up it was filthy, covered in oil and oily fingerprints and stunk to high heaven (gear oil) When I dropped it of it was spotless as I wouldn't expect them to work on a dirty bike. The problem is now that I have cleaned of all the mess I have three marks on my swing arm that where not there before 1 under the rear brake reservoir and 2 under the rear calliper, obviously from brake fluid, how do I get them off? and is this the kind of service I am to expect from a main dealer?
I'm new to BMW and was expecting a lot more.

 

[forest biker]

Hi
Had my bike serviced on Thursday at my local BMW Main dealer and I'm not impressed. It was in for a 6000 + annual @ £260 came in at £226 as they had an offer with free oil, so the price was ok, however when I picked the bike up it was filthy, covered in oil and oily fingerprints and stunk to high heaven (gear oil) When I dropped it of it was spotless as I wouldn't expect them to work on a dirty bike. The problem is now that I have cleaned of all the mess I have three marks on my swing arm that where not there before 1 under the rear brake reservoir and 2 under the rear calliper, obviously from brake fluid, how do I get them off? and is this the kind of service I am to expect from a main dealer?
I'm new to BMW and was expecting a lot more.

You probably wont get the marks off if its brake fluid because it eats into the paint , and not being sarcastic , but you should have brought it up with the dealer before you took it really and pointed out the condition it was in when you dropped it off !! knowing main dealers they wont give a s*** anyway if you do complain anyway [ in my experience ]

 

[david a hall]

Hi
Had my bike serviced on Thursday at my local BMW Main dealer and I'm not impressed. It was in for a 6000 + annual @ £260 came in at £226 as they had an offer with free oil, so the price was ok, however when I picked the bike up it was filthy, covered in oil and oily fingerprints and stunk to high heaven (gear oil) When I dropped it of it was spotless as I wouldn't expect them to work on a dirty bike. The problem is now that I have cleaned of all the mess I have three marks on my swing arm that where not there before 1 under the rear brake reservoir and 2 under the rear calliper, obviously from brake fluid, how do I get them off? and is this the kind of service I am to expect from a main dealer?
I'm new to BMW and was expecting a lot more.

Did they change the brake fluid, the price seems to cheap for that and i thought it was every two years or 12000 miles for that. worth taking it back i would say.

 

[jogo]

Sorry about that trouble . I had something similar two times at different dealers and was pretty pissed. Based on that I learned how to do the ususal service tasks myself and my bike has not been close to a dealer the last couple of years.

I would take it back to the dealer and complain. It will not change the damage done now but it tells them that what they are doing is not good enough and may reserve you some goodwill for another occation (say you would need a new FD right after warranty runs out ).

 

[Dainese Brave]

Sorry about that trouble . I had something similar two times at different dealers and was pretty pissed. Based on that I learned how to do the ususal service tasks myself and my bike has not been close to a dealer the last couple of years.

I would take it back to the dealer and complain. It will not change the damage done now but it tells them that what they are doing is not good enough and may reserve you some goodwill for another occation (say you would need a new FD right after warranty runs out ).

I once had a dealer leave similar marks all over the tank side panels on a Gsa...those olive coloured brushed metal ones on the original 06-08 bikes.

They were a nightmare to clean anyway....but the marks wouldn't come of.

I raised the issue at the dealer at the time, and they assured me it'd come off....I seriously tried...and it didn't!!!

"Come in, we've got some special stuff that'll shift it" was their reply (I think this was Acf50?)...

....it didn't....so they then set about them with what I can only imagine was a fine scourer!!

Result=two new panels free of charge!

I'd go back, play hell with them, set them see the 'damage', explain nicely that you've tried to clean it, but it's not come off.....and that you want it sorted!!!

.....if they refuse?.....go and shit on their display bike's seat and see how they like it!!!

 

[Rasher]

The problem is most owners do not check their bikes thoroughly before departing a dealers, and even if you did could you prove it was not like this before and for once I am gonna stand up for dealers as I do know some owners will have a bike serviced and then try to claim for pre-existing damage.

I found my ZZR fairing had some cracks around a fixing screw when it was about 600 miles old, I only noticed it when giving the bike a good polish as it was not easy to spot unless close up.

My theory was it most likely happened during the first service as I had never taken the fairing off and I could not see how it would happen other than during maintenance. I went back to thte dealer as soon as I had noticed it and got them to take a look and to their credit they did a warranty replacement and TBH I was expecting a p** off from them.

Give them a chance to sort the issue out, and avoid them like the plague if they do not care, hopefully the recession will weed out some of the worst dealers, so if you have a good one stick to him, if your unhappy with your dealer try another one.

 

[snerkler]

That's poor, I'm pretty sure the dealer I use would bend over backwards to fix the issue. That's my impression so far anyway.

 

[Dainese Brave]

I agree with Rasher to some extent.

I think if you approach the dealer calmly, rationaly,..but firmly, they will more than likely respond favourably. Despite their bad press I've always found most BMW dealers very good on the customer service front.

It's when confronted with an enraged biker with flapping arms and potty mouth that the situation will probably end in (more) tears.

BMW dealers are human too.

 

[deangsadv]

Thanks for the comments, I won't be going back to them as I don't want to give them the satisfaction of blaming it all on me, as I said it's disappointing, you buy into a premium product and expect premium service.

 

[Big Nick]

Thanks for the comments, I won't be going back to them as I don't want to give them the satisfaction of blaming it all on me, as I said it's disappointing, you buy into a premium product and expect premium service.

Must admit I don't give my bike a once over when I pick it up from the dealer but I think at the very least you should contact them on the off-chance they actually want to put things right

To just accept it and walk away without even letting them know your disatisfaction ain't gonna help those who come after you and get the same shit service.

I wouldn't call BMW Motorrad a 'premium' product though

 

[Dainese Brave]

I agree......don't just walk away with a bad taste left in your mouth....it's possible they'll be happy to help.

 

[Martyn H]

Thanks for the comments, I won't be going back to them as I don't want to give them the satisfaction of blaming it all on me, as I said it's disappointing, you buy into a premium product and expect premium service.

If I've understood you correctly, you haven't given them the chance to do the right thing. You ought to give them the chance, IMHO.

If they aren't interested, then you may feel you have to right to feel hard done by.

 

[snerkler]

If I've understood you correctly, you haven't given them the chance to do the right thing. You ought to give them the chance, IMHO.

If they aren't interested, then you may feel you have to right to feel hard done by.

+1. Yes it shouldn't happen, but unfortunately mistakes/errors do. It's how a dealership deals with things like this that dictates whether the dealership is good or bad IMO. I don't think it's fair to spout off without giving them a chance to rectify the problem.

 

[stolzy]

+1. Yes it shouldn't happen, but unfortunately mistakes/errors do. It's how a dealership deals with things like this that dictates whether the dealership is good or bad IMO.

Absolutly, getting it wrong and then putting it right is a great way to win a customer.

Unfortunatly, too many business (especially in the motor trade) are forced to work in the short term and never give a thought to keeping a customer.

I don't think it's fair to spout off without giving them a chance to rectify the problem.

Really? I think that, not only is it fair, but its a duty to shout when you get bad service like this. The OP has let us down slightly by not naming the dealer.

They screwed up and we'll all give the round of appluase if/when they put it right.

 

[snerkler]

Really? I think that, not only is it fair, but its a duty to shout when you get bad service like this. The OP has let us down slightly by not naming the dealer.

They screwed up and we'll all give the round of appluase if/when they put it right.

sorry, might not of phrased it great. Fair enough to have a go but should give the dealer chance to fix it and apologise and thus diffuse the situation. If the dealer wasn't interested then name and shame

 

[forest biker]

If I've understood you correctly, you haven't given them the chance to do the right thing. You ought to give them the chance, IMHO.

If they aren't interested, then you may feel you have to right to feel hard done by.

When they charge top wack for everything they do on your bike , why should they get a second chance and not do the job properly in the first place ?? The machanic should have more pride in his work or the workshop manager should have spotted it and got it sorted before the bike was collected , makes me laugh if i gave bad service in the industry im in i would be out of business very quick

 

[Timpo]

Have I missed which main dealer it is?
And, have you contacted them about the condition of the machine post-service?

Timpo.

 

[st247]

Do yourself a favour. Go back to the dealer and have a polite conversation with them about your issues. It's more than likely that they'll be as horrified as you and rectify it.

I did exactly this and had a fork lower resprayed and an alloy tank panel renewed after a service.

 

[C-J]

What dealer are we talking about ??????? Looking at your location I can choose between Southport Superbikes or Williams Manchester....

Would be interesting to find out which, as we're having some issues with Williams aswell...

 

[Martyn H]

When they charge top wack for everything they do on your bike , why should they get a second chance and not do the job properly in the first place ?? The machanic should have more pride in his work or the workshop manager should have spotted it and got it sorted before the bike was collected , makes me laugh if i gave bad service in the industry im in i would be out of business very quick

Well, it's a choice, isn't it ?
A) Complain on the internet about the original fault, but don't give the dealer a chance to fix it, or,
B) Go back there, explain why he's disappointed & see if they'll help.

Can't see why anyone wouldn't try the latter ??