[catcher22]

Beware...long post:

Tell me if I’m exaggerating. I have a bad gut feeling about my dealership after scheduling my first service.

I call my BMW dealership that I bought my car from to schedule my first service appointment for a road worthiness test and an alignment. First thing I asked is if I could bring my car in on Saturday morning because I’m very busy during the week. The guy tells me they don’t schedule service on Saturdays. I think, that’s odd, they’re open from 8:30am-4:30pm on Saturday.
(First No, Strike 1)

I don’t think it’s that big of a deal and tell him I do have a break in my schedule on Monday afternoon, around 2pm, so I can bring it in then. He then says “no sir, you can bring it in at 5pm instead of 2pm and we’ll get started on it first thing Tuesday morning.” I get a little frustrated and say “what’s the difference between 2pm and 5pm! It’s only three hours, and you can still start it the next morning. I have an appointment Monday evening so I can’t bring it in at 5pm.” He then says “well, you’re only covered for the rental car for a 24 hour period, and we can’t guarantee your car will be done by 2pm on Tuesday, so I suggest you try to bring it in as late as you can Monday evening.” I said “Fair enough, I’ll try to bring it in as close to 5pm as possible.”
(Second No, Strike 2)

I then ask “so how much does the road worthiness test and alignment typically cost?” He says “well, you’ll have to talk to your service advisor about that.” Excuse me? Didn’t you just pick up the phone for the service dept. and don’t you have 2008 335xi coupes serviced very frequently?
(Third No, Strike 3)

So I get off the phone, wondering why I have to play hardball just to schedule my first service. One of the reasons I bought a BMW was because of the great “service”. I now find that I’m bending over backwards trying to accommodate their schedule for them to accomodate me. I know with a little fuss I probably could schedule a Saturday appointment, extend the rental car coverage, and with another phone call, I could find out approximate quotes, but WHY? Why do I have to fuss for my dealership to accommodate my still new under-warranty car, and why do I have to call around to get a simple quote? Also, what if they need to hold my car for longer for repairs (i.e. Fuel Pump)? I know they'd immediately extend my rental car coverage, but why can’t they accommodate 27 hours of coverage so I have time to pick up my car the next evening?

I came from a car with loads of issues and had nightmares with shoddy service managers, scheduling, getting jipped out of money, etc. I hoped buying a BMW would ease the pain a bit, which I agree, it has, barely, but unfortunately for the extra money I paid for BMW service, I sure feel like I’m not getting it with no, no, no’s everywhere I turn.

[WLS]

I would find a new dealership or ask to speak with the service manager to file a customer service complaint.

I had a similar experience with my dealership the first time, gave them a major earful, and since then have had no issues at all.

[JunkStory]

I'm sorry, but "BMW" and "great service" don't belong in the same sentence.

I had an even worse experience than yours:

Last month, I brought my 530i to the dealer to fix a squeeky brake, a very small problem that shouldn't take them more than 25 minutes. Long story short, it took them FOUR HOURS for them to fix it. They kept telling me that the car will be ready very soon, but actually, they were busy with other customers.

It all came down to the fact that they didn't want to hand me a loaner car, so they just kept telling me to wait. It was Brian Jessel BMW of Vancouver, BC. Stay away from that place.

[GMWNashville]

a squeeky brake should only take 25 mins? are you a tech? do you fix cars for a living? yeesh. anywho...yea the person you spoke with is probably just a receptionist..aka they arent really the people youd need to speak with. furthermore...at my shop we basically bend over backwards CONSTANTLY to fit a customers schedule so idk?

[123Britt]

I agree that after the warranty is gone - finding a good BMW Specialist INDY is the best way to go - unless you find & have a good relationship with your current dealership.
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I have found the a good Specialist Shop to be a great source of info, help & very cost competitive.

[deletedelete]

I didnt even know the maintenance covered alignments and I dont even know what a road worthiness test is.

File a complaint and see their response. Meanwhile call up some other dealerships. People are people, doesnt matter if they work at BMW or not. Some are good and some are bad.

Good luck.