More total w*ank from BMW A*sist

[Mutley]

Responsibility & Accountability

I think you'll find that it's all to do with responsibility, accountability and cost.

If you run a specialist recovery service (in this case only for BMW bikes) you need someone on 24hr call out who will spend a large part of their time sitting around waiting for a call. It stands to reason then that you don't want to be paying a huge hourly rate for this person and so they will be poorly trained. Is this the kind of person that you want fixing your tyres? I'm sure the insurance companies don't.

 

[marcus]

I'm with the whingers on BMW assist.

good bunch of 'blokes maybe, but organisationally incompetent technically useless disorganised deaf stupid script reading excuse listing lying clowns running a system of corner cutting and not giving a shit.



AA every time. They can fix BMW's at the roadside when BMW can't.

 

[WindyChuffer]

I think you'll find that it's all to do with responsibility, accountability and cost.

If you run a specialist recovery service (in this case only for BMW bikes) you need someone on 24hr call out who will spend a large part of their time sitting around waiting for a call. It stands to reason then that you don't want to be paying a huge hourly rate for this person and so they will be poorly trained. Is this the kind of person that you want fixing your tyres? I'm sure the insurance companies don't.

Perhaps therein lies a fundamental issue with the design of the BMW Assist service. Far better to use a national recovery service with specific bike competence...i.e. the AA. Why dont BMW just give AA cover...better service all round it would appear.

Dont re-invent the wheel - you'll waste time, it'll cost more money and wont be as good. Ahem.

 

[Graham G]

I think the point about BMW Assist is...

OK, BMW Assist is a phone number you are going to ring when something is wrong with your bike...or car.

The other week I had a flat battery (didn't realise that at the time - duhhh!). Called BMW Assist and they inquired about the nature of the fault. The display said 'engine electronics'. Anyhow, BMW Assist got there four hours later. The bike was still on the drive, so I'd been warm and comfy.

When the guy turned up, I said "Are you a bike technician?" He said no. He then said that he worked for about 20 manufacturers, including BMW. If it was something he couldn't sort, it would be straight to my BMW dealer.

Apparently BMW Assist are able to call on bike technicians, but I suppose it depends on the nature of the fault and the whereabouts. At the end of the day, it's a free service for new bikes - the fixing of which would be under warranty, so as far as BMW Assist are concerned, what does it matter that the bikes carted off to the nearest dealer?

Like other posts, I would be prepared to pay for roadside assistance - and the AA/RAC sound like good sources. My attitude to BMW Assist - well, they will get the bike to a dealer if needs be. If that's in the first two years - so be it.

The long and the short: don't expect a bike technician, don't expect the fault to be sorted roadside, and yes, the service varies depending on geography.

But, it's free. So, like low cost airlines - you pay nowt, you can expect nowt.

 

[Mutley]

Perhaps therein lies a fundamental issue with the design of the BMW Assist service. Far better to use a national recovery service with specific bike competence...i.e. the AA. Why dont BMW just give AA cover...better service all round it would appear.

Dont re-invent the wheel - you'll waste time, it'll cost more money and wont be as good. Ahem.

Maybe because if you are BWM you look at it from a different point of view. You are looking to add value to the ownership experience whilst maximising the revenue for your franchised dealership network.

I agree the service is not as good as the AA and nobody stops you from taking out additional cover if that is important to you. On the other hand the option you propose would come at a considerable cost to BWM and would be reflected in the cost of a new bike, something that would not exist on a 2 year old bike, hence increasing the depreciation on your machine.

 

[nick]

BMW Assist came to my rescue in France last August.

I made one phone call (after that they called me back on my mobile every 30 mins or so to update me with what was happening), they arranged a recovery vehicle to take us to Calais, booked and payed for a ferry and then a taxi from Dover to London.

My bike arrived at the local dealer a couple of days later.

The only bad thing was I had to push my bike from check-in, onto the ferry and off again. But I cannot blame BMW Assist for that.

I cannot speak highly enough of their service. I hate to see them slagged off !

 

[Paul Wakefield]

why on earth don't BMW assist attempt a puncture repair at scene

They did for me. They even made sure that who they sent out had the relevant knowledge and gear on board (which meant we had to wait an extra 20 minutes or so but gave us an on the spot solution).

Paul

 

[WindyChuffer]

But, it's free. So, like low cost airlines - you pay nowt, you can expect nowt.

Its not free - tts included in the cost of the bike....p*ss poor service from a premium brand...

 

[gsman1]

Pitty new bike does not come with puncture reapir kit and decent tool kit like it used to do, surley this would be better for both the rider and BMW

Its not free - tts included in the cost of the bike....p*ss poor service from a premium brand...

 

[Mutley]

Just what is the point of BMW A*sist if they can't help fix a very simple problem????

It seems to me the did exactly that - turned up and offered to take you either to a dealer where they would have fixed it, or to wherever you wanted Seems perfectly reasonable to me

I'm glad you're not one of my customers

 

[orca the porker]

I broke down a few years ago on my R1150R and contacted BMW. They stated someone would come within the hour, actually took 2 hours. When the geezer arrived in his recovery truck he said " oh i didn't know it was a bike i can't recover that you'll have to wait for another truck. Yes, you've guessed, bike truck on another job took another 3 hours for him to turn up. Now i don't mind waiting, i'm a fisherman, but why hadn't BMW picked up on the fact i was riding a bike and not a car, I should of pushed it home I was only 50 miles away. Not good.

 

[Eric_Norman]

Wish ADAC would take over the UK breakdown market, stationed in Germany ADAC cover my whole family with an incredibly comprehensive breakdown policy in any vehicle for the whole of Europe, no extra cover needed for going abroad, interest free loans, courtesy car, flights, you name it, they'll give you it, all for about £50 a year, makes the RAC/AA/Greenflag look like rip off merchants TBH

If it covers the whiole europe then why not take it out with them !!!

 

[WindyChuffer]

Well - AA Cover purchased as clearly cant rely on BMW Arseist. At least I know now the AA will at least be prepared for a roadside fix...

Next time there's a need for a call out - can call both, have some fun and see who turns up first !

 

[Stu-13]

Well - AA Cover purchased as clearly cant rely on BMW Arseist. At least I know now the AA will at least be prepared for a roadside fix...

Next time there's a need for a call out - can call both, have some fun and see who turns up first !

What level of cover did you go for, I think I got the AA relay something free with by bank account.

Haven't had to use it for a bit thankfully, used the AA cover on my honda a couple of times and they were fine.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Option 400

Includes: Roadside , Home Start , Relay , Relay Plus
price £130.40

http://www.theaa.com/services/breakdowncover/confirm_add_additions.jsp?optMshp=scon400

i.e - the works.

 

[ampthill]

Option 400

Includes: Roadside , Home Start , Relay , Relay Plus
price £130.40

http://www.theaa.com/services/breakdowncover/confirm_add_additions.jsp?optMshp=scon400

i.e - the works.

...or if you also want to include European cover - but can do without the homestart option - you could also try Europ Assistance and they only cost £59

I know which one I'll be signing up to in May when my 2 years is up

Peter

 

[Stu-13]

Option 400

Includes: Roadside , Home Start , Relay , Relay Plus
price £130.40

http://www.theaa.com/services/breakdowncover/confirm_add_additions.jsp?optMshp=scon400

i.e - the works.

Wow, I just checked my account details, and they chuck in the lot in for free. Must be nicer to bank manager, or maybe not

 

[WindyChuffer]

which bank / what type of account is that?

 

[Stu-13]

which bank / what type of account is that?

Lloyds TSB, they bump up the level of cover with each account stage, eg std, gold, plat and prem. They bung in all kinds of stuff now to get people to sign up or upgrade.

 

[Schnell Panzer]

That's done it......

Lloyds TSB, they bump up the level of cover with each account stage, eg std, gold, plat and prem. They bung in all kinds of stuff now to get people to sign up or upgrade.

He'll be off to complain to his bank manager now as he has had to fork out £130 for something other souls get free.