Vines BMW

[JonF]

A reply from the dealer
I suspect this was just after certain members of the team attended the Motor Trade Law course and were frightened by the legal side of the business, and the rights of the customer if we fail to inform you of any defects found, but remember these supposed defects are just in the opinion of that technician on that day! As the law stands if we had failed to tell you that your disc was below the recommended limit and you were involved in an accident on the way home and the brake failed the technician and the service advisor plus the general manager could all be charged and serve a custodial sentence! So please bear that in mind the next time you visit any bike or car dealership and you get a recommended estimate ! Welcome to the united states of blame culture.

Just come across this old thread while bored, during my first day off sick in ten years. Well, Darren at Vines, apart from being a patronising twat - "please bear that in mind the next time you visit any bike or car dealership" - whatever point you're making, you completely ignored wanting to change a tyre only halfway through its life, switchgear which doesn't have a fault and freeing up binding brakes which weren't binding. That's nothing to do with the law, with liabilities or any such rubbish you hide behind. It's all about ripping off gullible customers.

 

[Nutty]

Just come across this old thread while bored, during my first day off sick in ten years. Well, Darren at Vines, apart from being a patronising twat - "please bear that in mind the next time you visit any bike or car dealership" - whatever point you're making, you completely ignored wanting to change a tyre only halfway through its life, switchgear which doesn't have a fault and freeing up binding brakes which weren't binding. That's nothing to do with the law, with liabilities or any such rubbish you hide behind. It's all about ripping off gullible customers.

Darren is a member on here, so hopefully he'll come along in a bit to explain. I've known him for years, and he's gone out of his way to look after me.

 

[GSTraveller]

I agree with the OC. I bought the most expensive piece of machinery I have ever purchased in cash (well bank transfer anyway) last year from Vines. Couldn't get them off the phone while I was deliberating whether or not to take the plunge but once I had opened my wallet the communication suddenly dried up. Pretty sure if I hadn't turned up to collect the bike they wouldn't have batted an eyelid. Once they have your money, they couldn't give a damm until it's time for your next service of course! I was promised a full tank on collection and had to prompt them to fill it up, even though it was listed on my invoice. Even took over 6 months just to send out the bikes bloody manual. Thats despite a 2 hour round trip to see if I could pick it up but was told they had lost it. Felt completely mugged off and not the kind of service I was expecting from BMW. Totally ruined the experience in my eyes to the point I doubt I will ever buy from them again.

 

[Jessjames]

Same story with me. Now use Bahnstormer Alton and lovely roads round there too.

 

[JonF]

So, today in a slightly better, more reflective mood. I guess Vines manage to keep enough customers happy to keep in business, and that's what matters to them. It's a more or less free country, and we can all just exercise freedom of choice in where we spend our hard earned, and that's about the be all and end of it. I did, so when I sold my GS and bought a GS Adventure, I didn't buy it from Vines. I also get it serviced somewhere else as well.

 

[Richie N]

This dealer is in Caterham? I have used them a couple of times and was happy with the service - no advisories on disc wear etc. But some of the stories on here are not acceptable. Funny thing is, I got similar service from an indie recommended on this forum so its not just the dealers..

 

[paddy]

Vines

I have always found if your up front and business like with a dealer that's what you get back.

Been a vines customer for about 15 years always been good to me.

No need to go elsewhere.

That's it.

 

[Nico]

I couldn't find any more recent experience, has anybody been to Vines lately? Mixed reviews it seems...

I booked the first service of mt RT LC with them, I thought I would give them a go after a few years with Bahnstormer. I will let you know how it goes.

Cheers
Nico

 

[Auwyn]

I couldn't find any more recent experience, has anybody been to Vines lately? Mixed reviews it seems...

I booked the first service of mt RT LC with them, I thought I would give them a go after a few years with Bahnstormer. I will let you know how it goes.

Cheers
Nico

I bought my bike from Vines. It has been mostly good, but sometimes frustrating.

Bought the bike in April ready for my DAS and the day before my Mod 2 exam, the headlight died. The bike had HID lights fitted by the previous owner (it had obviously been part-exed) and it was that which went awry. When I asked for some guidance from Vines, the chap told me they don't do HID lights and I should just google it. Really unhelpful, particularly given the fact that whilst they might not do HID lights, they sold me a bike with them fitted.
Anyway, I managed to sort that out myself.

Another minor thing that was wrong was the housing under the seat that the seat lock fits into wasn't holding the seat lock properly, so when you take the key out of the lock when replacing the seat, the lock barrel comes away with the key. Never came out of it's own volition, but always with the key. Took about two months for them to get around to ordering the part and I was chasing them for ages, with frustrating response to telephone calls, however when they did get it booked in, they did the work fine and dandy. They gave me an advisory about the rear tyre, which I knew was low, but didnt have the money at that point to get it changed. When I was able to, I took the bike to Chandlers in Portslade - because it is nearer - who said they would need to book it in for 3 weeks time and order the tyre in - TKC80 - as they didnt have it in stock. They said they would call me back with more information and I have yet to receive a call about it. Maybe the lack of phone calls is just not a priority for BMW dealerships? I took the bike to a garage out in Uckfield and they changed the tyre for £30 cheaper than Chandlers were quoting me anyway, so it's not all bad.

I have no real problem with the service I had with Vines. In some ways they have gone out of their way to help - like one of the chaps delivering the bike on theway home at short notice after they were pissing me about a bit. In others, they are frustratingly shit at the customer service aspects. Generally though, my experience has been positive.

 

[Wolfgang]

Vines ?

I was in there today for the recall bits.
All very good.
Courtesy call yesterday to remind me,also called when it was ready.
Let me have a demo LC GS while I waited.

 

[Marjie]

I've been happy with Vines. I bought my 2nd hand F650GS from them almost 2 yrs ago. Arranged purchase over the phone. The bike came with vario panniers & top box. Travelled from Dumfriesshire to Guildford - The bike & paperwork were all ready for me.
When I got home in lashing rain found that 1 pannier was leaking badly. Turned out previous owner had attempted to repair a split pannier. This hadn't been noticed by sales. I contacted them & within about a week I received by courier another vario pannier which may have been used but looked new.
So I've no complaints. They were much cheaper than dealers nearer me . My husband has also bought a couple of bikes from them & had no complaints.
We'd use them again.