Experience with Calgary BMW Gallery / Mini Crowfoot

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

The other sad part is that both BMW dealerships are owned by the same group - not much incentive for competition. People want their beemers, and they know it.

Honestly, it's the biggest thing stopping me from buying this thing right now. There's a good chance I'll be moving back to Canada sooner or later and bringing it with me......I can handle the importing issues/hassle and the loss of free maintenance when you bring it into the country, but the idea of having to deal with those dealerships in terms of service scares the crap out of me.

[CaramonLS]

Haha, well now I can post about my experiences at Calgary BMW - to sum it up, I've had some bad experiences with them and started going to the south location (which I've also had a bad experience with).

The north location though is extra special. I got my car broken into a while back and took it to the dealership to have the front / side driver's side windows replaced.

First off, it took 6 days, and the windows were in stock. Ok, fine.

Second, when I went to go pick my car up on Saturday, after they told me my service was complete, they had all the windows rolled down in my car. So, as I was driving it off the lot, I decided to roll them back up - to my surprise, the windows that they claimed to have installed and replaced were not there.

I got my car back the following Monday. How a car makes it from the shop to the customer with zero quality control checks is simply amazing.

I wont be taking it back to the North location. Also had a poor experience at the southside one and from now on, I'm going to try one of the private places.

Just garbage.

[Table 5]

Well that's reassuring.

[Muta]

I don't have any problem with service there on my BMW at the south location. I've had to take it in multiple times in the last year because of nails and screws in the road (thanks Bow Trail!), and they've always had it ready by next day at the longest.

Now, sometimes they ask dumb questions (like, are sure you have the tire warranty on your vehicle? Of course I do - I just made a major purchase from you last year, and paid quite a bit for it, so this should be in your records)... but aside from that, no problems, really.

Only one problem once - someone smashed into my vehicle last year before I picked it up off the lot, and they attempted to give it back early without communicating internally, thereby giving me a car that was still smashed. However, I called them out on it, and they gave me a Z4 roadster for two months while they fixed every damn possible roblem in the car - FOR FREE. Multiple inspections, body work, electrical work.

Mistakes have been made, but they've been professionals about compensating me appropriately when something goes wrong.

After my warranty expires though, I will bring my BMW to a private shop. The dealership costs are just ridiculously high.

[Table 5]

Thanks Muta, good to know. I can accept mistakes (to a point) however it's often how a dealership reacts and fixes those mistakes what matter.

Btw, does anyone here have a Clear Bra / Paint Protective Film on their BMW? Does the dealership do that? It seems like with all the rocks being thrown about in Calgary, it might be a good investment.

[CaramonLS]

I should also add in my example above, that the dealership did not make an effort to set things right in my circumstances either.

Yes, the dealership does do the car film, but it is better to get it done elsewhere, I think you can get it for 200-300$ elsewhere, but about 600 at the dealership.

100% worth it though.

Muta, have you or anyone else had experience with: http://www.motorwerkes.com/

?

[the-rasta-masta]

I bought a 1997 M3 in December. It was a spur of the moment purchase that I took a bit of a risk on, as the seller was moving to Australia on a work term the next day, and was going to put the car in storage if he couldn't sell it, so I needed to buy it that day. I was getting a good deal and the car had really low KMs so I took the risk and bought it without getting it inspected.

He told me the traction control had never worked while he had owned the car. So I took it to BMW Gallery a few days later to get that fixed. Dropped it off with no appointment, they told me they wouldn't be able to get started on the car for a 2-3 days, I said that was fine because I was going to BC for 10 days. So after not hearing anything for a week, I called for an update. They told me it was from a sensor that was not functioning correctly, and they were waiting for the part to come in because they had a shortage of shipments over the holidays. Alright, no problem, when can I expect the car, they told me Wednesday at the latest (2 week mark). So at about 6pm on Tuesday, I still have not heard a thing, so I call back, they tell me they installed the part but the problem still was not fixed. They were going to do a few more tests and get back to me by the next day or Thursday. Friday comes along and I have not heard anything, so I call them again and ask for the service manager. He says they can't figure out what is wrong with the car and are waiting for BMW Canada to advise them, I should have my car back early next week.

Wednesday next week I still haven't heard anything, not one courtesy call. I call back again and they still have not figured the problem out. I'm losing my mind at 3 weeks without a vehicle. Anyways, this went on for about another week and a half, until they finally called me and told me they fixed the problem by putting in a new instrument cluster..... So at nearly 5 weeks I go to pick up the car and pay my bill, which was over $2k... On top of the instrument cluster (which was far and away the most expensive part) I was being charged for the parts that they had originally told me were causing the problem, but had not remedied it. I was told that these parts were needed to be replaced anyways, which may be true, but obviously I was and still am highly skeptical thanks to the whole customer service mess I had just gone through. I paid and went home.

On my way home I look down and see that they didn't even bother to screw the console back on properly, the screws were barely tightened and the part underneath the steering wheel was dangling on my knees as I drove..... as well they didn't bother to reset my mileage on the new cluster. I'm now driving a 1997 vehicle with less than 5000 kms on it (by law they are supposed to at least put a sticker on the inside of the door jam saying that the mileage has been adjusted, I have not been able to find this anywhere on the car)..... I just fixed everything myself at home, rather than take it back there.

My overall impression of the place is that I was an afterthought, I didn't get the same level of service and respect as other customers normally would because:
A) I am in my mid twenties and they probably could figure out I don't have the dough just yet to put down on a brand new vehicle.
B) My car is an older BMW (albeit in mint condition).

I have since started taking my car to Two Square Auto (they deal with German cars) and have been impressed. They actually will call and give me an update, not to mention they are significantly cheaper. My experience with BMW Gallery will make me think twice before ever buying a BMW from them.

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I should also add in my example above, that the dealership did not make an effort to set things right in my circumstances either.

Yes, the dealership does do the car film, but it is better to get it done elsewhere, I think you can get it for 200-300$ elsewhere, but about 600 at the dealership.

100% worth it though.

Muta, have you or anyone else had experience with: http://www.motorwerkes.com/

?

I took my first BMW there once. My tires were wearing out unevenly, and I was concerned there was some alignment issues or something with my car. He told me he fixed it (I can't remember what he did, but it ended up costing me about $800-$1k if i remember correctly). Anyways, it didn't solve the problem, and at the end of the summer my brand new set of tires that I bought at the start of summer had completely worn out on the inside of the rear drivers side tire. When I called and said that obviously the problem had not been fixed, I brought it back to him and he told me everything is fine, and that I had a lead foot and was causing this. I am not an aggressive driver, and have never had a speeding ticket. This seemed like a bulldung explanation to me... why would only one tire be constantly wearing out? I sold the car soon after anyways.


Also, if you ever go on Beyond.ca, there is quite a long thread about Parm, the owner. He allegedly got fired from Calgary BMW for taking a customers car on a joy ride. Like I said in my first post, Two Square Auto is the place I have had the best experience with, they specialize in German cars and have been amazing.

[DrJ]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Thanks Muta, good to know. I can accept mistakes (to a point) however it's often how a dealership reacts and fixes those mistakes what matter.

Btw, does anyone here have a Clear Bra / Paint Protective Film on their BMW? Does the dealership do that? It seems like with all the rocks being thrown about in Calgary, it might be a good investment.

The Clear Bra is a good investment but bigger rocks will just tear through them.

This "option" is always negotiable - you can get it for waaaaay cheaper than they offer. You can dime and nickle to get the 3M material at cost but they will charge you labour. Make sure you specify how much you want b/c you can just get the hood or they can over up other areas, too.

[kdogg]

Due to my experiences with BMW service (BMW Gallery), I will never buy one for the rest of my life.

However, if you are an unfortunate person who is stuck with one for a while (like me), I will highly recommend the German Car Specialist.

http://germancarspecialist.com/

[Muta]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Muta, have you or anyone else had experience with: http://www.motorwerkes.com/

?

I have not had experience with that autoshop, although I have heard it's the place to take your BMW for better service than the dealership. However, that Parm dude works there; was he not fired by Calgary BMW?


I'm now intrigued by Two Square Auto. Seems to be getting good reviews. Once my warranty runs out on my car, I'll likely take it to this place.

[Muta]

By the way, for us BMW owners - just for fun, post a pic of your car (or atleast the model)!



2007 335xi

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Thanks Muta, good to know. I can accept mistakes (to a point) however it's often how a dealership reacts and fixes those mistakes what matter.

Btw, does anyone here have a Clear Bra / Paint Protective Film on their BMW? Does the dealership do that? It seems like with all the rocks being thrown about in Calgary, it might be a good investment.

BMW does not put leather bras on their cars, you have to get the micro film protective layer if you want it. That said, it is WELL worth the money to do so, as it really helps fend of dings, cracks and speed holes caused due to cars spitting out rocks from their back wheels. In Calgary especially, the micro film makes alot of sense. It was about a $600 job though. Could have been done cheaper somewhere else I'm sure.

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by arsenal

Will they sell to canadian customers? That's the question. Also, boarder states are starting to not sell to canadian customers. You would have to go farther south. Then the economics change, and it becomes less worth it.

Plus you have to factor in GST, Duty, etc.. that $9000 savings, becomes less and less.

You pay the GST whether you buy it in the US or Canada. Except you pay GST on the US price, so you're not only saving $9000, but you are also saving an extra $450 because of the GST saved. You will have to pay Duty because the car isn't made in North America.

You could get a broker who will purchase the vehicle for you.

Also regarding service, I never take my car to a Canadian dealership. I pay at least half for service in the US. Example, my big service at 90000km was quoted $725 at Honda West. At Eisenger Honda in Kalispel, I paid $275. I also find them a lot more honest down there about what really needs to be done on the vehicle.

[malcolmk14]

This is a good read.

http://forums.beyond.ca/st/238337/ow...-bmw-scumbags/

I don't know, I wouldn't shop there.

Family friends of mine have had nothing but good things to say about Kelowna BMW / Mini, but they also buy multiple $100k+ cars, so good service is probably expected.

[Hevishot]

For BMW 3M treatments I would recomend Davincis Workbench 403-613-9546 we send him the majority of our 3M work not only is he extremely picky but he does great work and is a truly licenced 3M installer.If Burn_this_city picks up on this thread he can vouch we had Regan do his 2010 Camaro from front to rear and it looked great.

[Table 5]

Hevishot, do they do the full front end of the car so it's not noticeable at all, or just halfway up the hood?

I know some places go all out and take off the bumpers etc to make sure they wrap it so it's completely invisible. I guess it all depends on how much you're willing to spend, but considering the rocks in Calgary, it's kind of a no-brainer.

[Rob Brown]

Another reason to do all your own work on cars... Stealerships FTL.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Rob Brown

Another reason to do all your own work on cars... Stealerships FTL.

Most people don't have the time nor interest for that. Dealerships will continue to profit big time on the average consumer.

[Sliver]

Yeah, somebody shoot me if I start spending my weekends monkeying around fixing my cars.