2008 BMW 135i: Service With A Smile

How are they going to upsell you free maintenance?

BMW service is top notch in my experience. Audi, sadly, nickels and dimes you for everything and almost nothing is covered by their lame 4 yr/50k bumper-to-bumper "free" (included) maintenance.

There's a night and day difference. Bring in a BMW and tell them the there's a problem and the dealer will fix it - whatever it is. Take an Audi in to a dealer and they tell you everything BUT the oil change is an extra charge.

cx7, some BMW dealers give free loaners no matter what, some give them if you make an appointment and a few lousy dealers only give you a car if you bought from them. Pretty easy to figure out which dealers are scummy.

It is funny that the dealer where you have basically already paid for the services in advance treats you well. I mean it isn't like you are going to go to an independent BMW shop to have the work done while you are in the time frame where it is covered. Yet many of the shops that add on all the extra stuff still aren't nice to deal with.

that is definitely good to know. i skipped on buying a mercedes recently because i hate their service department. my mom on the other hand refuses to get another brand and is rewarded with new problems every time the car is serviced at a dealership. real shady...

Good to hear that that big sticker price buys you something. I can't believe that a $37,145 car would come without heated seats even. BMW is still the king at ripping you off. Sounds like a great car though.

If you found good service at a BMW dealership then that is a good thing for you but I will point out the obvious and say there are BMW dealerships out there with bad service as well.

You cannot correlate car brands with dealership service. Come to the BMW dealerships in my neck of the woods and you will change your tune.

yeah these cars are quite pricey and it doesn't seem like you're getting much... even if good service is guaranteed, i don't think i'd pull the trigger on one.

I've never had anything but great service with our MINIs and now BMW. Even though I bought my '06 M3 used from a private seller, and even though the dealer we've bought two Coopers from essentially operates the respective brands as different entities at the same location, the BMW side has treated me like royalty every time I've had to go in. Free loaners, consistent status updates, etc.

Dman is also correct; service can be scattershot at different dealers. In the DC area, I've advised people against buying a BMW when their only service choice has been a certain dealer in this region.

Bimmers are relatively expensive off the lot, no doubt, but if you can buy one a few months to a couple of years old, you'll let someone else absorb the drive-off tax, get the balance of the warranty (if CPO, longer) and continue to get that great service. For anyone who thinks they're outrageously priced, well... the build quality is still top notch and worth every penny, imho. Cold weather package (which includes heated seats and a ski bag is $600, btw).

Note on their 'standard maintenance:' I'd recommend DIY-ing interval oil changes, as I still think 10k-15k for oil is ridiculous. BMW used to recommend more frequent oil changes until they started the 'free standard maintenance' program; conspiracy? I dunno, but I know the oil gets just as dirty now as then.

Again, 410 miles overdue for service? And in the hands of car enthusiasts? Did you pick it up with an empty tank too?
The summer tires in Colorado, the tree strapped to the bare paint of an Audi...what is going on over there? I'm seriously starting to question this site.

Shame you have to buy a premium brand to be treated nicely. I've had such ridiculous experiences with one particular brand - all three dealers in my city - that I almost bought an Acura last year just to get a loaner car or at least decent frickin' cup of coffee while I waited. Not really, I realize the snooty service isn't worth an extra $10K. But I know I'll never buy another car from that particular brand. Maintenance is inevitable. Good service goes a long long way toward making it less painful.

I've had great service for my MINI at the local BMW/MINI dealership. The hassle free experience is certainly a bonus.

It is without a doubt much better then my experiences at the local VW/Audi dealership.

@pat1usmc:
Agreed, although if they're attempting to simulate the cars' use by the general public (and not by "car guys") they're doing an amazingly accurate job. I suspect this is how 95% of people treat their cars, then they complain about fuel mileage, shoddy reliability, etc.

Even at enthusiast forums for performance cars I've seen people asking what their tires should be inflated to, complaining about uneven tire wear right before explaining that they last checked pressure some three months ago, etc. Hell, there's been a spate of topics lately about whether it's okay to drive the M3 in the northeast on summer tires; lots of commenters have said they do.

@pat1usmc: Agreed, although if they're attempting to simulate the cars' use by the general public (and not by "car guys") they're doing an amazingly accurate job. I suspect this is how 95% of people treat their cars, then they complain about fuel mileage, shoddy reliability, etc.

Even at enthusiast forums for performance cars I've seen people asking what their tires should be inflated to, complaining about uneven tire wear right before explaining that they last checked pressure some three months ago, etc. Hell, there's been a spate of topics lately about whether it's okay to drive the M3 in the northeast on summer tires; lots of commenters have said they do.

The great service is nice but its not like you have to spend $37k to get decent service. I have rarely had dealers that attempt to upsell services or exaggerate issues in order to get me to spend more money. It seems to me that dealers can tell if you know a little about your car and will back off if you seem educated. Even if you spend $25k on a car you should get decent service.

My Mazda dealership is just a thorough and nice. Does that have anything to do with the brand ro car? Absolutely not. I cannot believe people are naive enough to think that one service experience at one particular dealership is representative of the entire dealership network across the country. Some people will say anything to fool themselves into buying a BMW. The marketing really works, that's the true marvel of BMW.

@tenfifteen -- Come down off your high horse. The point of enthusiast forums is in no small part so that uneducated people can ask questions and educate themselves. There was a time when YOU didn't know anything about cars, as incredible as that may seem.

@chavis: Was your scheduled service at the Mazda free and did they put you in a free loaner while you went about your business that day, or did you have to wait on it? I'm sure the folks treated you well, the point is that most BMW dealers value your time and don't charge you for the service during the initial 4y/50k.

@jkp1187: Take it easy... I'm not on a high horse; checking tire pressures (and fluids, etc.) regularly and general car care aren't part of the mystical arts of "car guy"-dom. Those are skills that are fundamental to a car's operation, and were imparted to me before I was ever allowed to sit in a driver's seat. I haven't always taken great care of some of my beaters, but they've always had properly inflated tires and oil (well, except this one Honda when I was 17). If you're driving a performance car, there's no excuse for not checking your tires regularly or knowing what their pressures should be, let alone not knowing that you shouldn't be driving on dedicated summer tires in the winter.

I don't know if this rare at all (especially if you live in California) but an Acura dealership near me lets women get their nails done while you wait for your car to be serviced. That sounds pretty nice, and a TSX is only $33,000 :P. Also, I have a question to you Mini owners (dougtheeng). The closest Mini dealer is about an 1.5 hours away, so if I bought a Mini there, would I have to go all the way there to get an oil change/maintence, or could I just go to a BMW dealer? Just wondering.

tenfifteen, you should also be asking Chavis if the price of those "free" oil changes was baked into the initial purchase price of the car. The BMW service should more accurately be called "pre-paid" rather than free.

It really does vary from dealer to dealer. My sister's VW dealership in FL gave her a GLI with DSG as a loaner(that was her choice, over a Passat which was also offered), when my friend dropped his Passat off the other night he had to walk about a mile to a restaurant to wait for a ride since they wouldn't give him a loaner (he expected one because when his folks bring their A6 to the same building they get one) and wouldn't let him stay there after the service depertment closed but the sales side was still open.

@andrew, that's true a fair point, although that said, BMWs are priced at a level that's equal to Audi/MB, maybe slightly higher than comparable Infiniti/Lexus/Acura. And they all charge (see $295 R8 oil change in this blog).

Anyhow, that's not really the point, as I was responding to his statement that it was mere "marketing" that had convinced BMW owners the service was better than other marques. I'm just saying it's not marketing; it's categorically better service, irrespective of whether its cost is "built in" as you say.

^^"that's true *and* a fair point" ;)

I can get a free loaner at MY Mazda and Audi dealer no problem, others have no luck at most Mazda and some Audi dealers, it's all dependent on the service department.

"Also, I have a question to you Mini owners (dougtheeng). The closest Mini dealer is about an 1.5 hours away, so if I bought a Mini there, would I have to go all the way there to get an oil change/maintence, or could I just go to a BMW dealer? Just wondering."

Thats a good question and I'm honestly not sure I know the answer. I know when I had a Mitsubishi, I was able to go to selected KIA dealerships for service and maintenance issues (the local Mitsu dealer was a long ways away). Its possible that BMW has a similar arrangement, ie you can get your MINI serviced at a BMW-only location. They might not have equipment there for it, such as the key reader, etc, but that can be worked around.

One nice thing in your situations is that they don't 'officially' require an oil change/service before 20,000kms/1 year so even if its 1.5 hours away, it will likely only be an annual trip. As for warranty work, I've only had one warranty issue in 25,000kms.

Expect the exact opposite at BMW of Towson in Baltimore, MD.

@advais... That's the dealer I was talking about. Consistently great experiences for five years now. You're the first person I've heard having problems there... sorry to hear it.

There are other area dealers I've heard bad things about, but never them.

"@chavis: Was your scheduled service at the Mazda free and did they put you in a free loaner while you went about your business that day, or did you have to wait on it? I'm sure the folks treated you well, the point is that most BMW dealers value your time and don't charge you for the service during the initial 4y/50k."

Actually, my fist service was free even though the price of scheduled maintanance was not included in the cost of my car. They offered to pick me up from the train station (I don't drive to work) so I hope that answers your question. I don't drop by unannounced because that's not really a professional way to conduct business. If I ever do have an emergency situation with my car, then I'll let you know how well I am received at the dealership with no appointment. BTW- "free maintenance" is a classic bait-and-switch. You pay up and front and "save" down the line. Also, with 15k miles service intervals, you're only going 3 times over the course of the 50k miles. Hardly impressive from that perspective.

adavis2493- I used to drive past that dealership in Towson darn near every weekend. Had a friend in that area.

I don't show up without an appointment either. Clearly we're not going to come to an agreement here, but it's not "bait and switch" when similar marques in the price range charge for maintenance. Bait and switch means something completely different. I'm not going to define it.

Anyhow, trust me, if you're driving an M car, it's impressive... you don't want to know what Inspection I/II can cost (dealer or indie shop).

It must just vary by dealership. I drive a cheap Toyota Yaris hatchback and when I get service done at my favorite Toyota dealership here in RI, they give out a free loaner car, OR offer to give me a ride, OR ask if I want to wait--always. Plus, I didn't buy the car there, which they know, since the other dealer's plate frames are still on the car. Their prices are about the same as any other dealer (a little on the high side), but if it means no interruptions to my day, I say fantastic!

I get similar treatment at my local Infiniti dealership. Always complete the work in a timely manner, never try to upsell services, and I always get a loaner car, even for a 1 hour oil change. No, it's not 'free' (or more accurately pre-paid, as mentioned earlier), but the prices are reasonable.

On top of that, I paid 4K less than this 135, and I have leather, heated seats, bluetooth, etc. If people want to pay the premium for the BMW brand, that's fine, but it's silly to claim that these cars are a good value.

newsflash: BMW's "free" maintenance is only a bargain when compared to overpriced services at their European rivals' dealers. Give me a break. When you are paying $40k for a car I hardly think saving $500 over 4 years on basic maintenance is a huge deal. I doubt anyone who really loves MB or Audi is going to change course in order to save a few hundred bucks. As Chavis said BMWs require so little maintenance (well oil changes at least) you arent saving much at all. You cant rotate the tires on most BMWs so thats not even an issue. BAsically you are getting oil changes and fluid top offs for 4 years. Many dealers will throw that stuff in at other brands to better compete.

Whats amazing is that people who buy luxury cars go out of their way to prove they are not being treated like "regular" people when you can get good service with non luxury brands. I can say that thus far my experience with Saturn has been as advertised. They give good explanations, make it easy to schedule appointments and are courteous. You dont get a free car unless its a warranty repair but that is normal for non luxury brands. They will offer you a ride however. The dealership I used to take my old car to offered free shuttle service downtown and back.

I bought my BMW for the way it drives, not the service. I must admit, however, having a driveshaft guibo replaced for free (it would have been an $1,100 job off warranty) made me feel great, even though I bought the car used (not certified pre-owned). Still, since the car was still under the free maintenance program, I just thought that was a bonus at the bargain price I got mine for.

My BMW dealer's service department is absolutely outstanding. They really do not try to nickel and dime you for every little thing. Free maintenance means EVERYTHING is free. Brakes, wiper blades, windshield washer fluid, everything. They never argue with me, they always listen to what I have to say and follow up on every request that I make. They treat me with respect. My BMWs have been worth EVERY PENNY of their LOW price. People pay for shitty SUVs more money than they would pay for a BMW.

Every other dealer I have dealt with -- evil, evil people. Always treat me like I am crazy just because I am a car nut and like to work on cars. I really hate every other brand dealer service I have dealt with. Incompetent, uncivilized jerks!

Nice to see you got into a restricted area, chief! =Þ What's with the flurry of scheduled blog entries? Hope the Oldhams are having a great one!

"Also, I have a question to you Mini owners (dougtheeng). The closest Mini dealer is about an 1.5 hours away, so if I bought a Mini there, would I have to go all the way there to get an oil change/maintence, or could I just go to a BMW dealer? Just wondering."

carfreak, Minis are to be serviced at MINI dealerships or a combined BMW/MINI dealership such as Creview BMW/MINI or Assael BMW/MINI of Monrovia in Southern Califoria. A BMW-only dealership doesn't have their dealership software setup to support servicing a MINI nor do the stock the parts or have technicians formally trained by BMW North America to work on them.

I love BMW to death but come to Reeve's BMW in Tampa, FL and I'll show you the worst BMW experience quite possibly on the face of this earth.

Every SINGLE thing I EVER brought my 745i or M3 in for was either "normal" or "not covered" by the Factory Warranties on EITHER of those cars.

It is impossible to gauge the service quality of any brand by ONE dealership's service. Good OR bad.

"Whats amazing is that people who buy luxury cars go out of their way to prove they are not being treated like "regular" people when you can get good service with non luxury brands. I can say that thus far my experience with Saturn has been as advertised."

Yep, the only downside I can see is that you still have to drive a Saturn...;)

Dealers vary: Within a 10 mile radius my Subaru can visit a surly, unhelpful Subaru dealer with indifferent mechanics, or one with helpful writers and good mechanics.
The good gets all my business and any I can recommend to it. The bad one can go to blazes.

playdrv4me -- my experience at Reeves Imports was always great; I bought my first GTI from that dealership and had nothing but excellent service and support. Of course, that was 1986...
I really didn't go much to the BMW side -- they seemed snooty and off-putting, but that was just the sales department. The last time I was there with my 325i, the BMW service was pretty good.

My local BMW dealer(Swope, Louisville KY) is first-rate, and they are the only BMW dealer in town. On the others hand, there are two Mazda dealers(Oxmoor and Neil Huffman) and they both suck.
Hard.

BMW service is excellent and it's great that everything is covered, given that these aren't always the world's most reliable cars...

I've had my 135I for about 2 months now and I absolutely love it. Driving it is like an extension of your nervous system and will... If you think about it, the car makes it happen...

Paying $500 for metallic paint will basically cover the three maintenance visits for a BMW. I'm still trying to figure out why lumbar support, leather and metallic paint cost extra on BMWs...? Anyone????

carfreak-

you can get most of your service work done just about anywhere, BMW or otherwise. But for the work that requires MINI certified techs, you want to make the trip. A BMW dealership has to buy the MINI franchise just like Mercedes has to buy a SMART franchise if they want to sell them. If a BMW dealer hasn't got the MINI franchise, it's unlikely that they will have any MINI certified techs working there. Hope this helps.

FtB

"I'm still trying to figure out why lumbar support, leather and metallic paint cost extra on BMWs...? Anyone????"

In my case, I don't care about leather OR metallic paint. As a matter of fact, I wish sunroofs were still optional(and a sump dipstick standard, but I digress).

A couple of months ago, we rolled into a Ford dealer with our ten year old SUV. Never been there before, no appointment, but great service.

Yes we had to pay ($95), but on a ten year old BMW, you'd have to pay too (a lot more).

BMW doesn't hold any kind of a monopoly in decent service.

sgude - What I have heard is that the service quality has degraded since there was a change in who was running things at Reeve's (the son I believe).

In any case, I never had any experience with the dealership before this, so I don't know anything but the less than desirable service I received from them.

The items I wanted fixed were NOT small or petty issues either. On my 745i there was a very pronounced "shake" at idle that was at first dismissed as "having too much ethanol in the fuel" and later as "normal". It caused it to feel more like something resembling a 1979 Nova with bad motor mounts than a world-class luxury car.

The M3 was even worse... There was an obvious lifter tick that one of the technicians HIMSELF even diagnosed as such, that the shop foreman later insisted was normal. I have no idea why I received so much pushback since all repairs covered under the warranty are re-imbursed to the dealership.

For those people asking about $500 in maintenance...

BMWs are often leased. The total-cost for a 3 year lease is commonly just the lease payment and gas. So $500 does make a difference.

Also, the BMW included maintenance program helps BMW protect itself. The included maintenance means that BMW can monitor the status of leased cars. They know their leased cars are getting serviced because people will take the car in. Companies that do not offer this service do not see most leasees taking the cars to dealers for routine maintenance.

Additionally, this creates a relationship between owners/leasees and dealers/manufacturers. Unlike other brands that do not provide "included" maintenance, BMW owners/leasees are taught that the dealership should be a place to visit. So, ideally, the dealer has 3-4 years to impress leasees/buyers that the dealer is place to go.

Further, this gets leasees/buyers onto lots at least 3-4 times over the course of 3-4 years. Browsers are buyers looking for an excuse. If BMW can get all of its buyers to return to the dealership for a few hours a year, they stand a chance of getting that leasee/buyer interested in getting another BMW. visit bimmer boards and you will see BMW owners talking about checking out the lastest version of cars or looking at aspirational cars. BMW is getting repeat business and getting owners to always smell the new leather, feel the tighter, newer cars. When you lease a BMW, your salesperson will gladly put you in the seat of another BMW to test drive. they want you at the dealership.

Finally, the included maintenance helps with CPO. Cars that were brought in often have full service records. Buyers can find out what repairs were received by a BMW tech. BMW dealers looking to buy off-lease BMWs also can see what's happened with the cars over the course of its life as a leased vehicle.

CPO = more cash for BMW and its dealers. So they sell/lease the car at a marked up price (according to many here), service it and then resell it as a CPO for extra profit, knowing the maintenance the car has received. Ideally, the leasee leases again and hopefully moves up to another car, or lures family into the fold.

You may laugh but BMW's shown considerable growth for 10 years. Maybe included maintenance helps? Maybe not but it certainly makes their leases far more attractive.

To those who say a once a year oil change is bad, consider that the e46 3 series hit the road in 1998. Ten years later BMW is firmly committed to the included maintenance program and once a year/computer-determined oil changes. There are no reports of widespread engine problems with the e46's inline 6 engines. no toyota camry sludge problems. nothing out there indicates the once-a-year oil change diminishes the longevity of the BMW inline 6.

No I do not own a BMW currently. We have a Cooper and an Audi. I may go back to them one day but not soon...

"Yep, the only downside I can see is that you still have to drive a Saturn...;)"

Yes, good point. Anyone who doesnt drive a German luxury car should be embarrassed to show their faces in public. I would take a lowly Saturn over a stripped down compact European car with few creature comforts and a far higher price. Luxury cars are nice, but not for the money the manufacturers charge. Great steering feel isnt enough to convice me to pay $40k to get a car with leather and heated seats.

1487, priorities. 5k isn't low enough to convince me to drive a soul-less, joyless car like a 2009 IS350.

"Yes, good point. Anyone who doesnt drive a German luxury car should be embarrassed to show their faces in public."

Bwahahaha! You take the bait every time!

"I would take a lowly Saturn over a stripped down compact European car with few creature comforts and a far higher price."

GM thanks you- as does the entire membership of the BMW CCA.

"Luxury cars are nice, but not for the money the manufacturers charge. Great steering feel isnt enough to convice me to pay $40k to get a car with leather and heated seats"

Ah yes, Consumer Reports is your shepherd, you shall not envy.

Much, anyway...;)

"Bwahahaha! You take the bait every time!"

How old are you?

"Ah yes, Consumer Reports is your shepherd, you shall not envy."

I have no idea what that even means. I will note that CR doesnt even evaluate features or mention them in their reviews. They only care about performance, economy and ergonomics. Styling and features are not mentioned.

I do think its funny that you think BMWs are "exclusive" in the age of leasing. Anyone who can afford a V6 family sedan can afford to lease a BMW. The lease payments on a 3 series are going to be lower than the car payment on a 60 month loan for a loaded V6 family sedan. There may have been a time when BMWs were accessible for middle class people but that time is long gone. The 6 and 7 may be somewhat exclusive but not the 3 and 5. Both cars are ubiquitous in large urban areas.

"I do think its funny that you think BMWs are "exclusive" in the age of leasing. Anyone who can afford a V6 family sedan can afford to lease a BMW."

I don't care whether the car I drive is "exclusive" or not. I buy it for the driving experience it provides. None of the vehicles I own could be described as exclusive- with the possible exceptions of my Club Sport, my 2002A and my Speed Triple.

Come to think of it, if I sold the Club Sport, the '02, the S3, and threw in another ten grand, I could possibly afford a new Aura. Wow!
Decisions, decisions...

Honestly I really dont understand where you are coming from. I guess I am supposed to cringe every time you type "Saturn" as if this is 1995 or something. People that are in the know realize what kind of products they make today. Those who know nothing about cars think Saturn makes small plastic cars that cost about $16k. Since you are posting on a site where people know quite a bit about cars I dont know that your "HA!- He drives a Saturn!" insults are going to be that effective. Keep trying though.