bueller wrote I am pretty sure that they were referring to a dealership in Ontario CAlifornia.
I think BMW Canada is a separate entity from BMW USA.
The dealership model is an unfortunate inconvenience for automotive enthusiasts. It is a necessary evil, manufacturers want as little to do with customers as possible.
The dealers are a buffer between the customer and manufacturers, they also provide inventory management, and some sort of infrastructure to facilitate the sale process, as well as dealing with defects and maintenance.
Personally, I avoid dealers whenever possible, they don't actually fix anything, they just replace parts, as they get paid for warranty work by the manufacturer, so if they don't get it the first time, then they get to bill for it again.
I have had much better luck with Endras over BMW Toronto for service. At BMW Toronto, I think if you wear a nice suit and drive a 7 series, you probably receive better service, than jeans and a 1 series (me). There are enough Banksters and lawyers in Toronto to keep them busy.
When I lived in California, I drove Porsche / Audi products, and I was close to Andial for service, and they were amazing. After picking up my car from the dealership, I would rarely return.
Unfortunately, I have not yet found good independent BMW service in Canada close to where I live, thankfully, I have only had to have the HPFP replaced in my 135 once, and it was done efficiently, and I got a mini loaner which was fun.
You are quite right about the dealership being in California, someone else already pointed that out . I was just not thinking my bad, well sort of. In my mind when one uses "North America" for me this does include Canada. I am a German/Canadian so I think slightly different
I do know there is an Ontario in California, in fact I dove thru it twice in my life time on vacation trips.
I know what you are saying that the manufactures use the dealerships as a buffer and very seldom deal with the customer directly.
I also know what you mean about some dealerships on the service side treating customers different if you are dressed well or not, driving a 1 Series or a 7 Series. The dealers provide the service (before warranty expires) so so one needs to watch carefully what is done and what is not done since they get paid one way or the other. After warranty expires well that is when some see $$ signs in there eyes the moment one drives into the joint.
I've driven BMW's now for some 25 years, still have our first one a e28 made in 1987 it is a 535is. I had it serviced during the warranty at BMW for the normal oil and filter changes, however, in-between I've handled all the work myself. Same for after the warranty I did all but the timing work there I used a former BMW trained mechanic that went on his own and did very well. My daughter now has the car serviced when needed at BMW she drives the car very seldom. I look after the general upkeep. Last year I replaced both front fenders they started to show rust in the wheel wells. I also replaced the front and rear bumpers otherwise this fine car is in perfect shape.
I chimed into this thread for one reason and that is that I got teated very badly by a US dealership in Idaho Falls USA during my last cross country vacation trip in a new car (a Z4 35i). At 18,000 KM both my rear wheels cracked. That dealer gave me some choices and also lied to me. In the end my wheel was changed (after waiting 1 1/2 days in a hotel for wheel delivery) at a local tire shop they use for that work. There interest was to sell cars service in my case was adding air pressure to my leaking wheel due to the wheel crack and sending me to a hotel. Not providing a car or picking up the tab oh no. When the wheel was changed at this tire shop I requested to check all my wheels and we found 2 hairline cracks in the other rear wheel. Since the air was holding I elected to drive home with the 2 hairline cracks very carefully, it was a 3000 KM trip home with 2 cracks in my wheel I shall remember for the rest of my life.
Once home my local dealer changed the wheel with the hairline cracks without question. The wheel with the open crack that 2 fellows damaged in the tire shop with tire irons they declared bend. The BMW so called specialist totally ignored the tire iron abuse.
Go to this thread and scroll down to --->
Region Idaho and you see my story and the wheel
The latest thread (there are many more) on cracked wheels --- >
Can be found here
They always seam to like to boost about what people think are "The Great Guys" .... never "Look stay clear of those Guys"
Like the saying goes "If I did good tell others if I screwed up tell me"
I love to see a list of the bad boys
it will never happen I know.
Cheers, Rolf
PS. Now BMW offers a new and stronger Generation II of this wheel design and Bridgestone is on there Generation III tire design ... Go figure
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