Ask for Dave Kierstead. He is the foreman. He is a family friend I've known for 20 years. He is as straight up as they get no BS.
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02-11-2012LAST POST
Mike Benvo wroteI spoke to Dave and Chris. Both very stand up gentlemen. However, his employees, definitely not. I told Chris how surprised I was that he was so understanding and his employees were terrible. My gas gauge was reading that I had well over 1/2 a tank. I never let it go under a quarter tank myself.An engine/misfire would be a DIRECT result of not having enough fuel. Driving the car with very low fuel is bad - in fact, there are even seperate faults thrown for "misfire with low fuel" which differ from the standard misfire faults that would be thrown if there was a spark plug or coil issue.
That is a textbook reason why it would misfire in the first place. Not enough fuel = leaner mixture = potential misfire.
I have been a customer of center BMW for quite a long time, and know the service department and managers closely. I bought my M3 and my 7 series there.
I doubt that bottoming out would cause a fuel level sensor to have an issue. It's not located on the front bumper. I've never even heard of an issue with the gas gauges malfunctioning on these cars.
After reading part of your post, I think you need to learn some more about the car. Running out of gas could certainly cause the engine to abrubtly stop, which would leave you without power steering and brakes. I suggest you don't let it go under 1/8 of a tank as the lubrication for the pump is fuel, and without it you are putting a lot of strain on it and the fuel delivery system.
I will make sure to relay this to the appropriate heads over there. You should try talking to Dave K (the shop foreman) or Chris P (the service manager), they are both very good guys. Good luck with getting your issue sorted.
Mike
thanks for the help
The fact that I left the dealership with my car and on the way home, my speakers were far more worse when i dropped it off is completely unacceptable. I had a rent a car for 14 days, i expect everything to be FIXED. i don't think im asking for much.
Also, when i bought my car from there, I was promised a loaner vehicle every time i came in for service. They said none were available. They had over 30 cars to the side for loaners. It was 3 pm in the day at this point.
I know loaners are a courtesy but when a client goes without his car for 14 days and then picks up his car and has to bring it back the same day for the issue, THATS STUPID.
also, if the dealerships promises a loaner for every client who purchases from them and then doesn't provide it, its no longer a courtesy but an incentive for a client to make a purchase.
Only Dave and Chris P were nice to deal with. The other service advisors would be better suited selling oranges down the street at the 101 off ramp.
Also, when i bought my car from there, I was promised a loaner vehicle every time i came in for service. They said none were available. They had over 30 cars to the side for loaners. It was 3 pm in the day at this point.
I know loaners are a courtesy but when a client goes without his car for 14 days and then picks up his car and has to bring it back the same day for the issue, THATS STUPID.
also, if the dealerships promises a loaner for every client who purchases from them and then doesn't provide it, its no longer a courtesy but an incentive for a client to make a purchase.
Only Dave and Chris P were nice to deal with. The other service advisors would be better suited selling oranges down the street at the 101 off ramp.
I can tell you Center doesn't have 30 loaner cars to begin with. I've purchased six BMW's from them, and if I don't schedule a loaner weeks in advance, I'm not getting one either. They will usually put you in an enterprise car if no loaners are available. Let's stop making blanket assumptions that are not true.
You might want to try South Bay from now on. They have given me some serious cars as loaners: an X6M, E60 550 6 sped, 550GT TT, 335, etc..
If you go to Center for service I would suggest Dennis Bohlig and tell him I sent you. He is a very good service advisor, although I take my car to South Bay now.
You might want to try South Bay from now on. They have given me some serious cars as loaners: an X6M, E60 550 6 sped, 550GT TT, 335, etc..
If you go to Center for service I would suggest Dennis Bohlig and tell him I sent you. He is a very good service advisor, although I take my car to South Bay now.
penny31 wroteThe fact that I left the dealership with my car and on the way home, my speakers were far more worse when i dropped it off is completely unacceptable. I had a rent a car for 14 days, i expect everything to be FIXED. i don't think im asking for much.
Also, when i bought my car from there, I was promised a loaner vehicle every time i came in for service. They said none were available. They had over 30 cars to the side for loaners. It was 3 pm in the day at this point.
I know loaners are a courtesy but when a client goes without his car for 14 days and then picks up his car and has to bring it back the same day for the issue, THATS STUPID.
also, if the dealerships promises a loaner for every client who purchases from them and then doesn't provide it, its no longer a courtesy but an incentive for a client to make a purchase.
Only Dave and Chris P were nice to deal with. The other service advisors would be better suited selling oranges down the street at the 101 off ramp.
Center BMW in Sherman Oaks has serviced my last 3 M3s and 335 over the past 6 years. I've never had a single issue or unpleasant experience and they have always taken car of me.
My service advisor is Shahe and the shop foreman is Dave, both really great guys.
My service advisor is Shahe and the shop foreman is Dave, both really great guys.
Just an update for you guys with the dealers response:
"We did not indicate that the car had bottomed out. We see signs of impact on the gas tank, on the dimple where the level sensor bracket is positioned. We don't know what hit it but the sensor was off it's mount and the sensor bracket has a ball bearing at the bottom which was also dislodged. Because the sensor was off it's mount, the gauge was inaccurate therefor he ran the car out of gas."
I don't think Center handled this situation improperly. Cheers everyone
"We did not indicate that the car had bottomed out. We see signs of impact on the gas tank, on the dimple where the level sensor bracket is positioned. We don't know what hit it but the sensor was off it's mount and the sensor bracket has a ball bearing at the bottom which was also dislodged. Because the sensor was off it's mount, the gauge was inaccurate therefor he ran the car out of gas."
I don't think Center handled this situation improperly. Cheers everyone
hey mike
interesting because thats what they told me.. "the car bottom'd" out.
do you know people at center for which you contacted them?
anyway, after they installed my new speakers, on my way home they malfunctioned again and now they ordered new parts again to replace...
interesting because thats what they told me.. "the car bottom'd" out.
do you know people at center for which you contacted them?
anyway, after they installed my new speakers, on my way home they malfunctioned again and now they ordered new parts again to replace...
3XTR3M3 wroteDave the shop foreman was cool. Shahe, Definitely not the way he began accusing me and telling me I SHOULD BE THANKFUL that he fixed the problem speaking to me in the most condescending way.Center BMW in Sherman Oaks has serviced my last 3 M3s and 335 over the past 6 years. I've never had a single issue or unpleasant experience and they have always taken car of me.
My service advisor is Shahe and the shop foreman is Dave, both really great guys.
i still say to not have shahe be your service advisor, it seems like there are much nicer people that other forum members stated
penny31 wroteShahe has taken care of me like no other service rep I have ever had. With that said, if you are down to earth with these guys they are great to deal with. However, some BMW clients act like princesses and lose their shit when something happens, expect a loaner immediately, talk to SAs like they fucked up, and this gets under the Service Advisors skin. I'm not saying thats what you did, I'm just saying this kind of behavior drives them mad.Dave the shop foreman was cool. Shahe, Definitely not the way he began accusing me and telling me I SHOULD BE THANKFUL that he fixed the problem speaking to me in the most condescending way.
i still say to not have shahe be your service advisor, it seems like there are much nicer people that other forum members stated
Shahe also gets me a good loaner every time. He knows I like something fast so when I call in, he does his best to give me the only 335 loaner they have instead of a 328. He's a great dude.
Dave and Shahe handled my last E92 M3s clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate replacement at 42k without giving me any issues.
3XTR3M3 wrotewish i got treated the same way as you dude! (not being sarcastic )Shahe has taken care of me like no other service rep I have ever had. With that said, if you are down to earth with these guys they are great to deal with. However, some BMW clients act like princesses and lose their shit when something happens, expect a loaner immediately, talk to SAs like they fucked up, and this gets under the Service Advisors skin. I'm not saying thats what you did, I'm just saying this kind of behavior drives them mad.
Shahe also gets me a good loaner every time. He knows I like something fast so when I call in, he does his best to give me the only 335 loaner they have instead of a 328. He's a great dude.
Dave and Shahe handled my last E92 M3s clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate replacement at 42k without giving me any issues.
Mike Benvo wrotethis is interesting...Just an update for you guys with the dealers response:
"We did not indicate that the car had bottomed out. We see signs of impact on the gas tank, on the dimple where the level sensor bracket is positioned. We don't know what hit it but the sensor was off it's mount and the sensor bracket has a ball bearing at the bottom which was also dislodged. Because the sensor was off it's mount, the gauge was inaccurate therefor he ran the car out of gas."
I don't think Center handled this situation improperly. Cheers everyone
like you Benvo, i've had nothing but great experiences with Center BMW service department. they replaced my windshield no questions asked when it cracked for whatever reason. They answered my questions quickly and got my car in and out over night.
i've taken my car there for service also and have had no issues in the past.
There is always 2 sides of a story. From my own personal experience, Center BMW has amazing service department. When I lived in LA, they are the one that I bring my car to. Chris and everyone are friendly and fix any problem I have without questions, doesnt matter if I bought the car from them, which I didnt.
Regarding the rental, it's hard to say. Everyone who service their car wants a bmw loaner, you need to schedule ahead to get one.
Regarding the rental, it's hard to say. Everyone who service their car wants a bmw loaner, you need to schedule ahead to get one.
I was at Center today picking up some cables for my recent combox retrofit. When I walked in, Dave and Chris were right there, and I had the opportunity to talk to Dave.
I also bumped into the SA from the original post Sahe (I think I butchered the spelling). He told me that the fuel sensor was replaced under warranty as a goodwill gesture to the OP - even though there were signs of physical damage.
Just wanted to put it out there, I think they did the right thing.
Cheers to them for fixing the issue without charging.
I also bumped into the SA from the original post Sahe (I think I butchered the spelling). He told me that the fuel sensor was replaced under warranty as a goodwill gesture to the OP - even though there were signs of physical damage.
Just wanted to put it out there, I think they did the right thing.
Cheers to them for fixing the issue without charging.
i shouldn't have gotten charged either way... because i definitely didn't damage that sensor or fuel pump by myself. how could i even do that?
regarding the speakers, they said it was my fault.. but once they replaced the speakers and the issue is there.. they definitely cannot blame me for that now. I love southbay but i don't leave near them anymore... they were awesome and provided me with a selection of loaners 1 day in advance of my appointment
i just want my car back.. its been almost 20 days
regarding the speakers, they said it was my fault.. but once they replaced the speakers and the issue is there.. they definitely cannot blame me for that now. I love southbay but i don't leave near them anymore... they were awesome and provided me with a selection of loaners 1 day in advance of my appointment
i just want my car back.. its been almost 20 days
chris and dave have been very nice though.
No matter how good this dealership has been with other customers they clearly did not live up to the OPs expectations - which to me don't seem to be excessive.
If the dealership had half a brain they would ring the OP and apologize for any misunderstanding and for any upset....if not because its the right thing then because it makes good business sense.
The dealer I bought my car from and used for service annoyed me for the sake of a few £s, now I use a different (cheaper and better) one - who loses out on that deal?
If the dealership had half a brain they would ring the OP and apologize for any misunderstanding and for any upset....if not because its the right thing then because it makes good business sense.
The dealer I bought my car from and used for service annoyed me for the sake of a few £s, now I use a different (cheaper and better) one - who loses out on that deal?
penny31 wroteSorry to hear about your misfortune and problems. Perhaps to help others and for you to find a better dealership .... explore this thread here ===> CLICKSo I bought my car from Sherman Oaks 7 months ago and usually serviced it in at Pacific but this time I wanted to go to Center for once. (Big Mistake)
I was on the way to the dealer for blown out speakers (bass wasn't working)
... Long story short, my engine malfunctioned on the freeway, brakes, steering wheel and car immediately turn off causing me to nearly get into a serious accident on the freeway.
When this happened and i tried to turn on my car again, it wouldn't go away and my rpm red line would drop to 2-3k.
Anyway, after my car two weeks at the dealer with no contact besides when i went to pick up my parking pass two days after i dropped it off, I get a call this past friday from my SA that my car is ready. I notified him that I actually called bmw customer relations to notify them of the issues my car is having and specially the one that nearly caused me to get into a major accident.
After I mentioned that, He gets very, and i mean very defensive and tells me that the car turned off because of a gas sensor ( "my car was reading that there was gas when there wasn't , (( Dont know how this explains the redline and engine malfunction))" )
He Said I bottomed out my own car and cracked something down there that caused the sensor to mess up. There is no way i would ever bottom out my car, seriously. Then he accuses me of blowing out my speakers. I have premium sound on the car and my bass is always on the regular level and i don't even listen to music higher than the half mark. BUT AREN'T THE SPEAKERS SUPPOSED TO BE PLAYED AT LEVEL ALLOWED ANYWAY?
He tells me I should be "grateful that he went ahead and fixed these repairs even though they arent covered by warranty And he continues his condescending rant for a good 5 minutes when i keep telling him i didn't cause these issues. Without even contacting me and mentioning this wouldn't be covered to even give me the slightest update in 2 weeks.... NOT 1 single phone call. I really speculate some shady stuff is going on. He said that in the most condescending manner possible which really threw me off the edge.
He told me he took pictures of the bottom and I asked for him to send them to me and he said when i come in, I could go talk to the shop foreman myself and try to get it from him. I asked him if he could do it because he has a relationship with the foreman and after all, HE IS my SA. finally after 5 minute of back and fourth about this, he said he would "try".
OH, and the one other problem i Had with my car, they said they couldn't duplicate it so it "isnt" there even though the problem has been duplicated 3 times before. I guess he didn't accuse me of that as well. jerks.
Anyway, does anyone know if when a car "runs out of gas", the engine malfunction turns on, the rpm's drop? because i've run out of gas and my experience is that the car slowly rumbles to a stop. My car had immediately turned off.
Any help regarding the issue of "bottoming out the car" and issues regarding my rpm get lowered to 2k would be greatly appreciated.
SenorFunkyPants wrote+1No matter how good this dealership has been with other customers they clearly did not live up to the OPs expectations - which to me don't seem to be excessive.
If the dealership had half a brain they would ring the OP and apologize for any misunderstanding and for any upset....if not because its the right thing then because it makes good business sense.
The dealer I bought my car from and used for service annoyed me for the sake of a few £s, now I use a different (cheaper and better) one - who loses out on that deal?
Rolf-Dieter wrotehey rolf,Sorry to hear about your misfortune and problems. Perhaps to help others and for you to find a better dealership .... explore this thread here ===>CLICK
the link doesn't seem to be working.
thank you though.
I think im going to start driving back to southbay, they were great
penny31 wroteThat is strange here let me try again (2 different ways)hey rolf,
the link doesn't seem to be working.
thank you though.
I think im going to start driving back to southbay, they were great
First
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560411
Second
Click here ===> CLICK
PS. I edited the original link and checked the links above all work now ...
Weird....I live 2 hrs away from Center and took my car there after hearing how good they where especially with modded cars. They took care of me in every way i expected and even put me in a rental car from enterprise that i was able to take home for the weekend while my car was getting worked on.
UPDATE:
So On monday when i picked up my car and left the dealer, my speakers that they fixed and accused me of blowing out the speakers were once again faulty and ten times worse.
I took the car back, 30 mins after i had picked it up. Now 5 days after the car being in the shop, they first told me it was another fault issue (this time they didn't blame me.. what a surprise, How could they? I had just picked up the car). They said they ordered new parts for it. I get a call today saying that my car is ready and the issue was that they didn't install the premium sound speakers. GOOD JOB GUYS. From thinking its 1 thing to a completely different thing. Took them 5 days to figure that out. Real smart techs. I picked up my car today, no apology for their mistake whatsoever even after after my car for 5 days. No offer to comp me detail or nothing which i figured I'd be offered something for my trouble of all my trips back and fourth , BUT of course not.
Oh , they had oatmeal cookies at the cashier.. I guess that counts for something right?
WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAND IS THAT THEY SAY YOU NEED TO CALL 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE TO GET A LOANER... HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO PREDICT THAT MY CAR IS GOING TO HAVE A MAJOR ISSUE TO CALL 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE TO GET A LOANER. CATCH 22? RIDICULOUS. SHOULD I JUST MAKE AN APPOINTMENT 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE FOR THE REST OF MY LEASE AND IF A ISSUE DOESN'T OCCUR, I JUST DON'T SHOW UP? (BEING SARCASTIC)
THEY ALWAYS FOUND THE ISSUE TO BE "X", AND AFTER A PHONE CALL IT BECAME SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. ARE THEY REALLY THAT INCAPABLE OF FIGURING OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS THE FIRST TIME?
PS.. I WAS TOO LAZY TO PRESS THE CAPS LOCK BUTTON OFF.. OH WELL
So On monday when i picked up my car and left the dealer, my speakers that they fixed and accused me of blowing out the speakers were once again faulty and ten times worse.
I took the car back, 30 mins after i had picked it up. Now 5 days after the car being in the shop, they first told me it was another fault issue (this time they didn't blame me.. what a surprise, How could they? I had just picked up the car). They said they ordered new parts for it. I get a call today saying that my car is ready and the issue was that they didn't install the premium sound speakers. GOOD JOB GUYS. From thinking its 1 thing to a completely different thing. Took them 5 days to figure that out. Real smart techs. I picked up my car today, no apology for their mistake whatsoever even after after my car for 5 days. No offer to comp me detail or nothing which i figured I'd be offered something for my trouble of all my trips back and fourth , BUT of course not.
Oh , they had oatmeal cookies at the cashier.. I guess that counts for something right?
WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAND IS THAT THEY SAY YOU NEED TO CALL 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE TO GET A LOANER... HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO PREDICT THAT MY CAR IS GOING TO HAVE A MAJOR ISSUE TO CALL 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE TO GET A LOANER. CATCH 22? RIDICULOUS. SHOULD I JUST MAKE AN APPOINTMENT 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE FOR THE REST OF MY LEASE AND IF A ISSUE DOESN'T OCCUR, I JUST DON'T SHOW UP? (BEING SARCASTIC)
THEY ALWAYS FOUND THE ISSUE TO BE "X", AND AFTER A PHONE CALL IT BECAME SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. ARE THEY REALLY THAT INCAPABLE OF FIGURING OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS THE FIRST TIME?
PS.. I WAS TOO LAZY TO PRESS THE CAPS LOCK BUTTON OFF.. OH WELL
