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Dergside View Drop Down
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    Posted: 01-August-2007 at 14:28

Some of you here will be aware of my growing dismay at the level of service from the service dept of my local dealer.

Today I think I got the service equivalent of a PFO from them.  The 325i is up for NCT on Friday.  Mrs D has been using it for the past few weeks so I took it for a run last weekend to see that things were in reasonable order for the NCT.  Anyway, the ABS light was up and apparently it has been coming on intermittently for the past fortnight or so.

Because time was short and I've had other things on this week I booked it in to Keoghs to get it looked at and dropped it to them this morning (rather than leave it up to John Roche).

I've just come off the phone with the service receptionist and he's saying they can't read the diags (I asked if its because of my car or their diags - he blamed the car - even though they were able to read it fine at the last service they did a few months ago).  He has effectively told me to come and take the car away (he worded it marginally nicer than that and wondered if I really wanted them to do a trial and error effort at €120 and hour).

I bit my tongue on a previous issue I had with them and voted with my feet on a number of discretionary jobs that have needed doing on the various cars since but there is definitely a letter to the MD in the offing.

Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.

Prev:
e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci.
e39 523i SE.
e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE.
e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i.
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beemerchris View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote beemerchris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-August-2007 at 18:05

Sorry to hear that m8 the problem is with the GT1 diagnostics

Every new TIS that comes out is packet with issues that arrise from updating the software on it to the newest version.

So dealers are caught out as the new version is needed to do the newest fixes on the fleet of cars under warranty that come in. Most of them ar not IT specialists hence if it doesn't work they tell you to ......

I was verry amused when I got my first TIS and read trough the service papers better than anything I ever saw in the early IT days in IBM mainframes or early PC's in the DOS and Windows 3.1 times.

This is the reason I've got diag equipment and work for some indies here in the east as I thought that what happened to you will be happening ,more and more.

Solution:

Get an indy to diag your car and either him or bmw to fix it afterwards

HTH

Chris

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote larzyh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-August-2007 at 18:46

Sorry to hear of your difficulties. I have never been very impressed with the service at "our" local dealer.

One always gets the impression that anything more complicated than an oil and filter change is too much for them to bother with. As you say, voting with your feet and/or a letter to the top is the only sensible way to deal with these situations. 

I have voted with me feet but still buy my parts there (I'm on first name terms with all the guys in Parts!).

Good luck.

Larzyh.
Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 635CSi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-August-2007 at 19:22
The best BMW dealer for sales and service in Ireland is Frank Keane from what I have heard and experienced. Dealers that get the wooden spoon are Joe Duffy, Maxwell Motors, Murphy & Gunn and Kevin O'Leary Silversprings.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ben O Brien Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02-August-2007 at 16:19

Having seen this sort of situation from the other side of the fence im not too suprised with their response to be honest, it will be interesting to see what a letter to the MD results in.

"larzyh" hit the nail on the head re: oil and filter servicing.

Hope you get it sorted Diarmuid,

Ben

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote milltown Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02-August-2007 at 20:07

Originally posted by 635CSi 635CSi wrote:

The best BMW dealer for sales and service in Ireland is Frank Keane from what I have heard and experienced. Dealers that get the wooden spoon are Joe Duffy, Maxwell Motors, Murphy & Gunn and Kevin O'Leary Silversprings.

I'd have to give Barry motors in Galway a vote as well. I was frankly stunned at the level of service from Barry's. Staying in Galway for a few days, they offered to collect the car from the hotel, delivered it back to me, carried out a few minor bits of warranty work and replaced a mirror glass that I just hadn't noticed was cracked when I bought the car, for nothing. Saving me €100 + VAT.

Keane's are my local and they are very good too. When they get the s/w updates from BMW they always keep at least one machine on the previous version in case anything stupid has been added or deleted in the update. For i.e. they found one update had removed the ability to code the OBC on the E46 saloon.

'02 320Ci Auto
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 635CSi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02-August-2007 at 22:27
Originally posted by milltown milltown wrote:

I'd have to give Barry motors in Galway a vote as well. I was frankly stunned at the level of service from Barry's. Staying in Galway for a few days, they offered to collect the car from the hotel, delivered it back to me, carried out a few minor bits of warranty work and replaced a mirror glass that I just hadn't noticed was cracked when I bought the car, for nothing. Saving me €100 + VAT.

Keane's are my local and they are very good too. When they get the s/w updates from BMW they always keep at least one machine on the previous version in case anything stupid has been added or deleted in the update. For i.e. they found one update had removed the ability to code the OBC on the E46 saloon.



I forgot to mention Capital Cars aswell.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Eamo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 09:24
Originally posted by 635CSi 635CSi wrote:


I forgot to mention Capital Cars aswell.


lads in there are 100%

know what there at and wont ride you either
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote topazman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 09:38

Originally posted by 635CSi 635CSi wrote:

The best BMW dealer for sales and service in Ireland is Frank Keane from what I have heard and experienced. Dealers that get the wooden spoon are Joe Duffy, Maxwell Motors, Murphy & Gunn and Kevin O'Leary Silversprings.

I think everybody has had some bad experince with the above Dealers I have a great relationship with M&G and know all the mechanics there as well as the sales and other staff and the lads there know I Baby my cars and will always be extra careful with my cars 

Now 2004 M3 Coupe Silver Grey with all the bits
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dergside Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 10:09

At this stage I've drafted a 3 page letter to the MD!  Will need to edit that down fairly significantly before sending!

The car went through (and sailed through) the NCT this morning and luckily the light stayed off for the test.  It came on when Mrs D started it herself this morning so I was prepared for a fail.  Other than the attempted fix of the ABS light the only preparation was a check of tyre pressures and a walk around the lights.  At least I can get John Roche to check it over as time allows now.

Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.

Prev:
e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci.
e39 523i SE.
e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE.
e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote larzyh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 13:20

Glad to hear your car fared well and good luck with the letter. I would not expect much joy; I think your local dealer has the most aloof and arrogant owners.

Also, I don't think your car would have necessarily failed on the abs light. I may be wrong but would not have thought that working abs was a requirement; working brakes of course but I'm not sure about the abs. One could always remove the bulb/led from the telltale light.

Please let us know how you get on with the dealer.

Larzyh.
Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dergside Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 13:45

Originally posted by larzyh larzyh wrote:

I may be wrong but would not have thought that working abs was a requirement; working brakes of course but I'm not sure about the abs.

I wasn't sure about that so I checked a pdf copy of the NCT manual I picked up somewhere a while back.  If its fitted and the warning light is showing on the dash its a failure item.  Whether its applied or not is another question altogether but I would have thought that they'd have an interest in failing cars where possible.

To be honest it wouldn't have been worth the effort to take the bulb out.  I don't mind getting the fault sorted so the worst that would have happened was a fail and therefore a re-test fee.

Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.

Prev:
e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci.
e39 523i SE.
e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE.
e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 635CSi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 14:07
Care to name and shame the dealer??
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dergside Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 15:09

Originally posted by 635CSi 635CSi wrote:

Care to name and shame the dealer??

My location probably makes it reasonably obvious but I'll hold off confirming it until I've sent the letter and given them an opportunity to respond.

Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.

Prev:
e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci.
e39 523i SE.
e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE.
e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote irelandoffline Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 15:57
Originally posted by Dergside Dergside wrote:

At this stage I've drafted a 3 page letter to the MD!  Will need to edit that down fairly significantly before sending!

3 page draft on getting ABS light sorted?? Me thinks you have other complaints too. Tell all....

E39 Black, DSG off.



elara.ie - boards.ie
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JohnH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 19:04
Originally posted by Dergside Dergside wrote:

Originally posted by 635CSi 635CSi wrote:

Care to name and shame the dealer??

My location probably makes it reasonably obvious but I'll hold off confirming it until I've sent the letter and given them an opportunity to respond.


I thought there was a fairly good clue in the initial post
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 635CSi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 19:33
Originally posted by JohnH JohnH wrote:

Originally posted by Dergside Dergside wrote:

Originally posted by 635CSi 635CSi wrote:

Care to name and shame the dealer??

My location probably makes it reasonably obvious but I'll hold off confirming it until I've sent the letter and given them an opportunity to respond.


I thought there was a fairly good clue in the initial post


I beg your pardon, you are correct. I heard they are the longest serving BMW dealer in Ireland.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bayerische Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 19:49

My experience with main dealers is that they are not interested in working on older BMW's as alot of the time it is not a simple fix and they dont want to waste time trying to diagnose a problem as they wont be able to charge all of that time out and if they get it wrong you will be back in to them taking up garage space for free when they could have a 06 5 series in the same spot charging 120 euro per hour to change brake pads.

Dergside is right, when they pawn you off with "Do you really want to spend 120 euro per hour diagnosing this problem" what they actually mean is "PFO we dont want the hassle of working on your car as there is a good chance the car will darken the forecourt every couple of days when we cant fix it and there is easier money to be made with newer cars".

Regards,

Bayerische

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote topazman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 20:13
Thats not what I see in M&G in Churchtown(Milltown) they have no problem servicing any year bmw and alot of the time you can talk to the lads in the service area before you bring your car in and most will have good idea what is wrong as you can bet your problem is not unique to your car
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BM Fan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2007 at 20:29
Agree with Topazman - M&G were excellent with all my BMW's and not one was purchased from them. To the point where I consistently travelled from Portmarnock to Milltown to use them and should I decide to return to the BMW fold with a new jammer that is where I would buy. 
Martin
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