BigNige
Registered user
Cheers Mike.
Rainbow BMW of Sheffield, just got voted the Rider Power (Ride Magazine) UK's No 1 Bike dealer overall (of any make) with 96% rating , with CW 2nd .
Well done to Shaun and his team - go to the No 1 - like me.
Well done to Shaun and his team - go to the No 1 - like me.
Where the Hell are Rainbow?
Johnny,
I was in Sheffield this afternoon and after reading your recommendation decided to pick up some service parts from them.
I printed directions using Yell.co.uk before setting off.
Where the hell are they? I drove around for over an hour looking for the shop, none of the roads in Sheffield seem to be named, I found Carnells and asked them, very unhelpful, all I got was "Over there somewhere near the perv shops anyway they shut on a Monday".
Anybody got any decent directions to Rainbow?
Johnny,
I was in Sheffield this afternoon and after reading your recommendation decided to pick up some service parts from them.
I printed directions using Yell.co.uk before setting off.
Where the hell are they? I drove around for over an hour looking for the shop, none of the roads in Sheffield seem to be named, I found Carnells and asked them, very unhelpful, all I got was "Over there somewhere near the perv shops anyway they shut on a Monday".
Anybody got any decent directions to Rainbow?
RussellAisbitt
Guest
Went to Clarks last week. Sales team seemed a bit slow (took 15 minutes to find a salesman), second visit they were a quicker off the mark and I went for a test ride, after which salesman suggested I get my cheque book out while we have a chat, he then procedeed to bugger off for 5 minutes while he chatted to several other staff leaving me to contemplate my navel. When he did return he tried the old quick sales trick of: "they're in short supply, need to take order soon or you might not get one until late next year" .. "earliest delivery we can do is spring/early summer but I need to know soon as we are only allocated 2 a year and they are already sold" ... "I can ask BMW and see if we can get an extra allocation". I walked away, not impressed.
Went to Wollaston today, salesman (Marcus) was easy to find, wasn't pushy, had an excellent product knowledge including the minor differences between the 2002 and 2003 models (Which Clarks salesman didn't know about), answered all my questions. Instead of saying when he could deliver, he asked when would I like one, October was an option if I was happy to accept one they already had on order or January onwards if I wanted my own specification. He wasn't prepared to negotiate on price but he eventually offered a Remus Y piece FOC as a token gesture in addition to his standard offer of 15% off any parts or accessories I bought on day of delivery. I placed an order for an 1150GS Adventure in Black and Yellow and I'm now eagerly awaiting delivery in Jan 2003.
Sorry guys, I didn't mention any names from this board to Marcus (I forgot to write your names down before I went), but I'll endeavour to remember them for my next visit. Thanks for your help.
Went to Wollaston today, salesman (Marcus) was easy to find, wasn't pushy, had an excellent product knowledge including the minor differences between the 2002 and 2003 models (Which Clarks salesman didn't know about), answered all my questions. Instead of saying when he could deliver, he asked when would I like one, October was an option if I was happy to accept one they already had on order or January onwards if I wanted my own specification. He wasn't prepared to negotiate on price but he eventually offered a Remus Y piece FOC as a token gesture in addition to his standard offer of 15% off any parts or accessories I bought on day of delivery. I placed an order for an 1150GS Adventure in Black and Yellow and I'm now eagerly awaiting delivery in Jan 2003.
Sorry guys, I didn't mention any names from this board to Marcus (I forgot to write your names down before I went), but I'll endeavour to remember them for my next visit. Thanks for your help.
Rob,
Ring them tomorrow on 01142 618866 and they'll fax you a map or talk you through it
Ring them tomorrow on 01142 618866 and they'll fax you a map or talk you through it
Cannons or Sawbridgeworth
Has anyone had any dealings with either of the following dealers and are they any good ?
Cannons in Chelmsford
Sawbridgeworth in Hertford
Cheers
Simon
Has anyone had any dealings with either of the following dealers and are they any good ?
Cannons in Chelmsford
Sawbridgeworth in Hertford
Cheers
Simon
roger miles
Guest
Got my 1150 from Park West. Service good and Steve Muff in sales seems to know his stuff? 1st & 6K service with them and no complaints. Almost impossible to get through to workshops by phone. !2k service quoted at £270-320 and not available till end October. Now booked with South London Motorcycles quote circa £250 and on date to suit me. Unless somebody tells me different.......................
Simon Eassom
Guest
Re: Cannons or Sawbridgeworth
Have been into Sawbridgeworth many times over the past 12 or 13 years after buying an R100GS-PD off them. Used to regularly attend their open days. Eventually got fed up with their very pushy sales pitch. I couldn't go in there and test a bike without follow-up phone calls asking if I was ready to buy! Heard bad reports about them the last two years. There was also a very bad long-running service fiasco saga on the board/e-mail-list a while back.
I'm always prepared to give people the benefit of the doubt, so I went in a few months back looking for an F650GS for my partner. The salesman (I won't mention his name) shook my hand, ignored Lisa (even though we had pre-booked the test-ride for HER) and tried to butter me up. After the ride, he kept asking me about Lisa's impression of the bike. She got so pissed off she told him what a t***er he was (in not quite such an abbreviated way) and when a colleague asked how we werre getting on she told him in no uncertain terms that she would never buy a bike from Mr F***knuckle.
I prefer it if people form their own impressions because our experiences are always different and my bad-time might not reflect somebody else's enthusiastic ratings. I have to say that I think Sawbridgeworth are the victims of their own success from the early 90s and are now a little bit too smug. I certainly won't buy anything from them. But, I will no doubt keep calling in and am prepared to be won over.
cecilthecat said:
Have been into Sawbridgeworth many times over the past 12 or 13 years after buying an R100GS-PD off them. Used to regularly attend their open days. Eventually got fed up with their very pushy sales pitch. I couldn't go in there and test a bike without follow-up phone calls asking if I was ready to buy! Heard bad reports about them the last two years. There was also a very bad long-running service fiasco saga on the board/e-mail-list a while back.
I'm always prepared to give people the benefit of the doubt, so I went in a few months back looking for an F650GS for my partner. The salesman (I won't mention his name) shook my hand, ignored Lisa (even though we had pre-booked the test-ride for HER) and tried to butter me up. After the ride, he kept asking me about Lisa's impression of the bike. She got so pissed off she told him what a t***er he was (in not quite such an abbreviated way) and when a colleague asked how we werre getting on she told him in no uncertain terms that she would never buy a bike from Mr F***knuckle.
I prefer it if people form their own impressions because our experiences are always different and my bad-time might not reflect somebody else's enthusiastic ratings. I have to say that I think Sawbridgeworth are the victims of their own success from the early 90s and are now a little bit too smug. I certainly won't buy anything from them. But, I will no doubt keep calling in and am prepared to be won over.
Simon,
I got my 1150 from Sawbridgeworth last April. Like most dealers, there wasn't anything in the way of leverage when it came to getting deals on accesories or other stuff, I only managed to get a free datatag kit out of them.
Their servicing costs are very high too. Their current labour rate is £48 per hour + VAT. Their fixed prices for servicing an 1150 GS are 6k £160 12k £275 24k £315 and the 36K is about the £360 mark. All these figures include all parts and oils applicable to each service.
When you consider they are based in Hertford, I often wonder why they feel the need to charge Central London labour rates. Now my GS is out of warranty, I am doing the work myself. A full service kit including all filters ( air, fuel and oil) and spark plugs is in the region of £23 from Motorworks. Oils work out at about the £25-30 mark, depending on what one you get ( this includes transmission oil). By doing the 24K service myself, I have just saved myself in the region of £260 compared to how much it would have cost me had Sawbridgeworth done it.
Bob Southgate
I got my 1150 from Sawbridgeworth last April. Like most dealers, there wasn't anything in the way of leverage when it came to getting deals on accesories or other stuff, I only managed to get a free datatag kit out of them.
Their servicing costs are very high too. Their current labour rate is £48 per hour + VAT. Their fixed prices for servicing an 1150 GS are 6k £160 12k £275 24k £315 and the 36K is about the £360 mark. All these figures include all parts and oils applicable to each service.
When you consider they are based in Hertford, I often wonder why they feel the need to charge Central London labour rates. Now my GS is out of warranty, I am doing the work myself. A full service kit including all filters ( air, fuel and oil) and spark plugs is in the region of £23 from Motorworks. Oils work out at about the £25-30 mark, depending on what one you get ( this includes transmission oil). By doing the 24K service myself, I have just saved myself in the region of £260 compared to how much it would have cost me had Sawbridgeworth done it.
Bob Southgate
Simon Eassom
Guest
Yes, thanks for adding that Bob . . . I forgot to mention how bloody expensive they are. Don't try to trade in your old bike either, when you hear their offer you'll hurt your dentures when your jaw drops onto the floor.
But . . . I will say that they are very very generous with their test-rides, but then they can afford to be!
But . . . I will say that they are very very generous with their test-rides, but then they can afford to be!
Oh yes, their trade in's are a joke. I got my first 1100 GS (secondhand) from them in November 1996, and traded in my January 1993 K1100RS. I had paid £7500 for the bike in July 1993, and they offered me £5000 for it, which considering it needed a panel sprayed up from where it had been knocked over, and a new front tyre, I didn't think was too bad.
However, in April 1999, when I took the GS in for a valuation against an 1100S, their offer was a joke. They were also unwilling to negotiate on the price of the bike, or the accessories I wanted ( paniers, heated grips, centre stand and high bar option). The Triumph dealer made me a better part exhange offer, and also discounted the accessories by 15%.
I also believe they have become smug and complacent, and with the lack of BMW dealers in the North London area, they seem to think that the customer has no other option but to go to them.
Bob Southgate
However, in April 1999, when I took the GS in for a valuation against an 1100S, their offer was a joke. They were also unwilling to negotiate on the price of the bike, or the accessories I wanted ( paniers, heated grips, centre stand and high bar option). The Triumph dealer made me a better part exhange offer, and also discounted the accessories by 15%.
I also believe they have become smug and complacent, and with the lack of BMW dealers in the North London area, they seem to think that the customer has no other option but to go to them.
Bob Southgate
Has anybody had dealings with Hughenden A40? They must be the only dealer not to get a mention on this board?
Guys
Thanks for your responses, I have decided to take a test ride with Woolaston, Northampton on Saturday so will see if they are any good.
What quirks should I look out for during the test ride ?
Simon
Thanks for your responses, I have decided to take a test ride with Woolaston, Northampton on Saturday so will see if they are any good.
What quirks should I look out for during the test ride ?
Simon
DavidHolmes
Registered user
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Quirks to look out for include:
Maniacal laughter from somewhere inside the crash helmet.
Stupid Grin that refuses to budge even when cheeks hurt.
Toes decking out on roundabouts (keep your toes on the pegs)
Arriving everywhere early, but not going in.
Not wanting to give it back to the dealer.
Scuff marks on your knees when from begging when he tells you the delivery date.
The sudden need to buy a trail bike and join the TRF just to get some practice in for when it arrives.
Booking weekends in Wales so some madman can make you ride up hills you couldn't walk up.
And worst of all, finding out your partner (who previously had no interest in motorbikes at all) suddenly wants to go for a ride on the pillion, to the Nordkapp......
As to SawbridgeWorth, well, this board has well seen my Adventures in Hertford documented. All I will say is that I had been a customer since 1993 when I bought my GS in July 2001. I had no choice (I felt) because I needed to trade in my K75S that they had repaired and was suddenly going through clutches every 2,000 miles. In all honesty I did not feel able to sell in in that condition except to the people who insisted it was perfect, and 'twas my riding style doing the clutches. (The GS is on 23k with no signs of wear yet).
I really like the staff (almost without exception), but the dealership attitude has meant that I shall never return. All I will say on that score is check they actually have mechanics, 'cause when I stopped using them they had enough sales people to sell a lot of bikes, but no mechanics to service said bikes.
Oh yeah, and dont worry if you cant get a 12k service until you have done 24k, no sweat, doesnt affect warranty work 'cause BMW never actually check the service book you know......
Extended warranty? No sir, to get a second years warranty you need to buy a new bike....
Warranty claims: Umm, well sir, we need the BMW area rep to come visit and he is currently indisposed until 2007...
Oops. Here I go again - might have to change my name to The Sanguine 2
Shame all this really, 'cause as I have said, I really liked most of the front line staff.
Having said all that, I only went to Sawbridgeworth in the first place because in 1993 I was despatching a 1986 ex-plod R80RT and Wollastons treated me appallingly - ie asked me to stand outside if it was raining so I didn't drip on the carpet of the showroom, laughed everytime I tried to order a part, etc etc
Maniacal laughter from somewhere inside the crash helmet.
Stupid Grin that refuses to budge even when cheeks hurt.
Toes decking out on roundabouts (keep your toes on the pegs)
Arriving everywhere early, but not going in.
Not wanting to give it back to the dealer.
Scuff marks on your knees when from begging when he tells you the delivery date.
The sudden need to buy a trail bike and join the TRF just to get some practice in for when it arrives.
Booking weekends in Wales so some madman can make you ride up hills you couldn't walk up.
And worst of all, finding out your partner (who previously had no interest in motorbikes at all) suddenly wants to go for a ride on the pillion, to the Nordkapp......
As to SawbridgeWorth, well, this board has well seen my Adventures in Hertford documented. All I will say is that I had been a customer since 1993 when I bought my GS in July 2001. I had no choice (I felt) because I needed to trade in my K75S that they had repaired and was suddenly going through clutches every 2,000 miles. In all honesty I did not feel able to sell in in that condition except to the people who insisted it was perfect, and 'twas my riding style doing the clutches. (The GS is on 23k with no signs of wear yet).
I really like the staff (almost without exception), but the dealership attitude has meant that I shall never return. All I will say on that score is check they actually have mechanics, 'cause when I stopped using them they had enough sales people to sell a lot of bikes, but no mechanics to service said bikes.
Oh yeah, and dont worry if you cant get a 12k service until you have done 24k, no sweat, doesnt affect warranty work 'cause BMW never actually check the service book you know......
Extended warranty? No sir, to get a second years warranty you need to buy a new bike....
Warranty claims: Umm, well sir, we need the BMW area rep to come visit and he is currently indisposed until 2007...
Oops. Here I go again - might have to change my name to The Sanguine 2
Shame all this really, 'cause as I have said, I really liked most of the front line staff.
Having said all that, I only went to Sawbridgeworth in the first place because in 1993 I was despatching a 1986 ex-plod R80RT and Wollastons treated me appallingly - ie asked me to stand outside if it was raining so I didn't drip on the carpet of the showroom, laughed everytime I tried to order a part, etc etc
Simon Eassom
Guest
DavidHolmes said:
Nine years ago. Different location. Different management. Different staff.
Back then they were a car dealership with a few bikes on display with the cars. The bike side of things was very much a poor relation and the car sales people clearly treated bikers with contempt. Entirely different now. They're the 5th largest BMW bike dealer in the UK (by sales of new bikes). Excellent parts and workshop service. Workshop rate £35 per hour compared to Sawbridgeworth at £48 . . . and you can usually get booked in within four or five days for service work.
I must confess I frequent the establishment regularly for a bacon and egg bap, large cappucino, and a slice of fabulous homemade cake that the lovely ladies in the very clean and pleasant (but expensive) cafe provide freshly baked throughout the day.
Dave Barrett
Registered user
Oh yes,Simon Eassom said:
I lived in Northampton at about that time and visited Wollastons, just the once - that was enough. It's encouraging to hear they've improved somewhat. I was under the impression from reading the occasional UK Bike mags that all UK BMW Bike Dealers have something of a legendary good reputation.....
Bridge, Andover
I drive straight in and say " guys can you check my tyre presures, no problem Steve"
Bridge Motorcycles Andover, Top men down there, used to be Thruxton Motor Cycles changed hands 5 years ago but kept the merchanics.
They only ever do one BMW and thats mine , case of BEER and a pizza = a extra specail job, the beer would work anywhere for any of you , its a oral tip.
I drive straight in and say " guys can you check my tyre presures, no problem Steve"
Bridge Motorcycles Andover, Top men down there, used to be Thruxton Motor Cycles changed hands 5 years ago but kept the merchanics.
They only ever do one BMW and thats mine , case of BEER and a pizza = a extra specail job, the beer would work anywhere for any of you , its a oral tip.
Most important.
Beer must be bottle beer not cans, and not cheap French beer from some French supermarket visit.
Beer must be bottle beer not cans, and not cheap French beer from some French supermarket visit.
judge
Registered user
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2002
- Messages
- 10,323
- Reaction score
- 7
Re: Bridge, Andover
hmm pizza 
Steve, I'm no mechanic and I have a reputataion for being a difficult sod at times but even I'll check your tyre pressures for a case of beer and a pizza - especially the size you do!!! hmmBAKERMAN said:
hmm pizza Stuart Woods
Guest
Hey Bakerman
Get yourself a soddin' tyre pressure gauge, and don't expect the menial to do the basic tasks for you.
Oi...............
If I "just rode in and asked them to check my tyre pressures..." I'd want to be told to F*!*!*! off and shove a loaf up me jacksy....
Oi...........
Get yourself a soddin' tyre pressure gauge, and don't expect the menial to do the basic tasks for you.
Oi...............
If I "just rode in and asked them to check my tyre pressures..." I'd want to be told to F*!*!*! off and shove a loaf up me jacksy....
Oi...........
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