Dealer service in Vegas sucks. My first and last BMW

[NVHoo]

Bought my 2010 128 in 2014 with only 10K on the ticker from CarMax. After seeing the complexity of the convertible top mechanism, I decided to spend $2K for a CarMax5/50 extended warranty which I thought was a bargain at $2K. Within 2 months I was in the Henderson BMW shop because of CELs and the radio stopped working. It took them 3 different visits of a week duration before they finally got it fixed and at no time did they give me a loaner. So I decided I would only deal with the other local dealership, Las Vegas BMW, because of Henderson's incompetence. I averaged 1 warranty repair a year and could not get a loaner from that dealership either because they were "all booked up". Fortunately, my extended warranty pays for a rental if the car is in the shop for over 2 days. So my warranty is about to expire and I took it in for a final check. They came up with $5K in repairs including motor mounts, suspension, and several other odds and ends! All repairs and none of it was routine maintenance. All this for a car that only has only 50K on the ticker! They said it would take 2 weeks to get the parts but I could not drive the car because it was in pieces. Again they had no loaner but I told them I would rent a car for a week (the max allowed by the warranty) but would need a loaner. The week was up yesterday and again no loaner despite a week notice! Others in my family have a Mercedes and an Audi and their local dealers will give them a loaner for an oil change if they give the dealer a week notice.
I was seriously considering getting a CPO 2 series in a year or so to replace my 128 but given the extensive issues I've had, expensive routine maintenance (the dealer typically charges about 1/3 more than Audi or Mercedes for the same service), and lack of customer service - I'm done

[kaputt]

There are others here who might have more experience, but this sounds like typical dealer incompetence and them possibly taking advantage of the warranty you have, knowing they’ll get a nice pay day.

I’d highly recommend finding a good independent shop to work on your car. My 128i has never been to the dealer since I’ve owned it.

[desertman123]

Replacing shocks and motor mounts at 50k? Both these can last way longer, especially the mounts. My motor/trans ones were perfectly fine when I replaced them at 111k mi.

Shocks COULD need replacing if they've had a rough life, but that'd be apparent in how it drives.

Sounds like they're just finessing cash out of you/your warranty.

[Gangplank]

For maintenance take it to Southwest Bimmers. Great shop w/ fair prices. Former bmw tech who started his own shop.

Both BMW dealers in Vegas are owned by the same people I think. It doesn't surprise me.

Typically unless you buy the car from the dealer you won't get a loaner UNLESS they think you might be looking to buy one in the future...

[iminhell1]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Typically unless you buy the car from the dealer you won't get a loaner UNLESS they think you might be looking to buy one in the future...

I bought mine from a Benz dealer. Have the warranty stuff done at BMW. We have 2 in MN, I've been to both. Both gave me a loaner without question.
One is Penske owned and the other is Carousel owned.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by kaputt

There are others here who might have more experience, but this sounds like typical dealer incompetence and them possibly taking advantage of the warranty you have, knowing they’ll get a nice pay day.

I’d highly recommend finding a good independent shop to work on your car. My 128i has never been to the dealer since I’ve owned it.

And the bolded part of your statement is incorrect. While I haven't worked in the auto repair industry, I've been personally involved on a deeper level because a friend had his own shop. So I saw all the inner workings of what happens day to day. Aftermarket warranty companies are typically a pain in the ass to deal with from the shop side. They don't want to pay for much and require all sorts of verifications before paying on jobs.

It's so bad my friend refuses to accept aftermarket warranties for any jobs he does. He only worked with me on my aftermarket warranty because we're friends. Other shops have the same mentality. There are some good aftermarket warranty companies out there but those are few and far between.

[NVHoo]

but I get any potential warranty work done at the dealer. I took the car into the CarMax shop for my early issues and they gave up almost instantly and towed it to Henderson BMW. After "fixing" it several times unsuccessfully, they replaced the ECU.
Certainly, Las Vegas BMW smelled a payday and is milking it. Their arrogance regarding a loaner when others in my family get one easily at other brand dealers just pisses me off. BMW Las Vegas is getting big bucks from my repair, had a week to arrange a loaner, and all I get is a shoulder shrug

[Happy Jose]

Interestingly, all of these people who know of a BMW dealer who gives good service refuse to divulge their names!

None of the BMW dealers are cheap, and I doubt any go out of their way for the befuddled owner trying to get his car repaired. All of them try to squeeze every dime out of their customers, and any service or attention to the customer's car is usually not free. If they could, they charge you just to look at it or give a quote for repairs.

[Rmtt]

I guess I'm lucky in that I haven't had to have much warranty work done on previous BMW's. But when I did, Ford treated me better than BMW. Granted the loaner car sucked, but it was 2004 and what could they give me to compare to the newly modified Terminator I was leaving with them.

Never dealt with Chevy, but none of the Corvettes I have owned ever required me to take them in despite me beating the crap out of them.

[Windy5000]

I brought my 135i from private garage on basis the main dealership would warrant the car. Handed it over to BMW two weeks after purchase and they fixed over £3000 in issues including an oil leak for £50.00's, no issues or qualms. If you know what your doing these cars can be brought as a good investment. Cancelled the extended warranty a month later and got the turbo insured on it's own for much cheaper.

I've got nothing but praise.

[Tommm]

Call a salesman and ask him about a trade on a car in stock. Ask him to appraise yours which is in the shop. Get some numbers, then when it is ready walk in, show him the receipt for the rental and tell him his service advisor killed the deal.

[edisapimp]

Originally Posted by NVHoo

I was seriously considering getting a CPO 2 series in a year or so to replace my 128 but given the extensive issues I've had, expensive routine maintenance (the dealer typically charges about 1/3 more than Audi or Mercedes for the same service), and lack of customer service - I'm done

Good luck and good riddance.

[NVHoo]

Originally Posted by edisapimp

Good luck and good riddance.

.