car had to go into service loaner car ?

[smi2710]

So we had to bring the new 325xi in for some fixes

and my wife drops it off and get s a ford taurus as a loner

im quite pissed

whats my recourse? I spoke to service and she said its on a first come first serve basis for a bmw loaner

it wouldnt be horrible but they have to keep our car till thursday because the parts arent in stock to fix it
otherwise she could have it back today but then we would have to reschedule for another appointment
should i call the manager

i didnt buy her a nice car to only have to drive a ford taurus for 3 days

[Beer Goggles]

Things you should have asked when you bought. Just drive the car and you'll appreciate your BMW more. My local dealers are all high volume. Loaner programs are the dealers choice.

[M3 In PA]

Some dealers use rental car companies or even have a fleet of cars they own. So it is up to the dealer if they want to carry all BMW's or a limited amount and offset the rest with standard cars (Camry comes to mind). It's what the dealership budget allows for loaners.

If you were to wait for a BMW to become available you may be waiting longer for service unfortunately.

[Jhunter]

i didnt buy her a nice car to only have to drive a ford taurus for 3 days

I think she will survive the ignominy of driving a Taurus for three days. It's a three year old base model 3 series. It's not like you are dropping off your Bentley for service.

[mryakan]

You are lucky, I used to get Hyundais sometimes since my dealer is also a Hyundai dealer and they used to be co-located with that part of their business. In short, you have no recourse, the loaners are offered as a courtesy by the dealership and if you call BMW and complain, they will tell you they have nothing to do with it since the dealerships are independently owned and BMW has no policy for loaners. The only recourse is to complain to your dealer (which will probably get you nowhere) or to find another dealer that offers only BMWs. But as they told you, it is 1st come 1st server, so if they ran out, you probably got a Hertz car so that they keep you a happy cutomer. I guess it takes a lot to keep some customers happy.

[Beer Goggles]

You are lucky, I used to get Hyundais sometimes since my dealer is also a Hyundai dealer and they used to be co-located with that part of their business. In short, you have no recourse, the loaners are offered as a courtesy by the dealership and if you call BMW and complain, they will tell you they have nothing to do with it since the dealerships are independently owned and BMW has no policy for loaners. The only recourse is to complain to your dealer (which will probably get you nowhere) or to find another dealer that offers only BMWs. But as they told you, it is 1st come 1st server, so if they ran out, you probably got a Hertz car so that they keep you a happy cutomer. I guess it takes a lot to keep some customers happy.


Most dealers here give you their loaners if you were a customer. And not if you just are coming in for service.

[mryakan]

Most dealers here give you their loaners if you were a customer.
Fine, but what if they ran out on a busy day and you were not willing to wait until one is available (I assume is that is what happened with the OP)? My guess is they would throw you in a rental and chances are it is a domestic. My dealer charges 20-25$ per day for loaners except for some warranty issues (not maintenance), you guys are lucky, but then you are in Southern California, people expect too much there.

[Critter7r]

What was the car taken in to have fixed?

I think you may not have enough other things to worry about in the big scheme of life if this is something that makes you "quite pissed". It is just a car after all. I know having the Joneses seeing a Taurus parked in the driveway is embarrasing, but you'll get through it. Look at it as a character-builder.

[ApexinMCoupe]

get to know a salesperson... they can easily grab a used car off the lot and throw a dealer tag on it... maybe ur interested in another car... :D

[Wineman]

but then you are in Southern California, people expect too much there.


Actually, most dealers around here (southern California) have abolished the practice of giving loaners, even for BMW service. can be done but you must ask in advacne and arrange it and even then some simply dont or it depends on you, the type of service, etc. We are NOT really ALL spoiled here...if I got a Taurus I would be fine with it and as noted, enjoy my BMW that much more when I get it back.

[mryakan]

Actually, most dealers around here (southern California) have abolished the practice of giving loaners, even for BMW service. can be done but you must ask in advacne and arrange it and even then some simply dont or it depends on you, the type of service, etc. We are NOT really ALL spoiled here...if I got a Taurus I would be fine with it and as noted, enjoy my BMW that much more when I get it back.

Interesting, both getting the other side of the story and refreshing for your attitude towards this, kudos.

My story:
I have an appointment to take my car in for Thursday and didn't ask for a loaner when I booked last week since I figured it is going in for something minor and I was willing to wait the 1 hr or if it ends up needing reprogramming I could then take the shuttle to work. Well as Murphy is never satisfied till he screws me around, my son had his hospital appointment rescheduled for that same day around the time I am going in so I called to ask if they can accommodate me with a loaner but they said sorry they cannot promise anything since they are all booked. They offered me a rental, but that to me is a hassle since you have to go pick it up and then drop it off (it's not onsite) so I decided to have my wife use their shuttle service to take my son to the hospital while I wait for the car. No fuss or anything, I know how things work so I can't expect the impossible. They did say if someones cancels I could get the loaner, so maybe I will get lucky. Why am I saying all this, well in short, there are more important things in life than ending up in a Taurus and even that is still better than a shuttle service, so OP, don't worry be happy. Chances are if you had been in an accident, your insurance would only give you a Taurus too, so be glad it is just in for regular service.

[theanswriz42]

I took my car in yesterday and was given a Prius. Don't complain about the Focus as I'd much rather be driving around in that. Hell, I'm just glad I got a loaner at all. My other cars have been GM vehicles and they would laugh at you if you asked for a loaner.

[smi2710]

ok so i suppose a taurus isnt horrible considering i have a base model bmw according to above

the point of it is we jsut bought the car and it is for stuff that was supposed to fix prior to delivery

so we made the appointment last week for the car to go in this dealer ship does have a loaner fleet but somehow they ran out of bmw loaners at 8:15 this morning ( they open at 8) you are gauranteed a bmw if you schedule three weeks in advance

i am however no knocking the dealership as they are going above and beyond

i just kinda felt if i have to bring it back for stuff that was supposed to be done prior they should go a lil further with making the experience enjoyable thats all

on the bright side were not putting miles on our car for the next three days

[Beer Goggles]

Actually, most dealers around here (southern California) have abolished the practice of giving loaners, even for BMW service. can be done but you must ask in advacne and arrange it and even then some simply dont or it depends on you, the type of service, etc. We are NOT really ALL spoiled here...if I got a Taurus I would be fine with it and as noted, enjoy my BMW that much more when I get it back.

I don't know where you went but Crevier gives me a BMW for every service. My oil change...I drove home in a 3-series. Other services I had an X3, and even a 5-series.

But Like I said it depends on the dealer. I was told that was part of the "bonus" of buying there. Hell some Mercedes dealers give you massages if you bought from them.

And its not what "we expect" it's what it takes to get our business in a crowded market.

[mryakan]

ok so i suppose a taurus isnt horrible considering i have a base model bmw according to above

the point of it is we jsut bought the car and it is for stuff that was supposed to fix prior to delivery

so we made the appointment last week for the car to go in this dealer ship does have a loaner fleet but somehow they ran out of bmw loaners at 8:15 this morning ( they open at 8) you are gauranteed a bmw if you schedule three weeks in advance

i am however no knocking the dealership as they are going above and beyond

i just kinda felt if i have to bring it back for stuff that was supposed to be done prior they should go a lil further with making the experience enjoyable thats all

on the bright side were not putting miles on our car for the next three days
In that case do what I did, they messed something up for me at delivery and I had to go back for it (they didn't install the foglights I had already paid for). Even though they gave me a loaner when I returned, I still though they should not have done this on a brand new car at delivery and politely complained to my SA saying maybe they could throw in a free trunk mat for my troubles. As my sig says, my wish was fulfilled. I wouldn't have asked if it weren't something they messed up at prep.

[mryakan]

Hell some Mercedes dealers give you massages if you bought from them.

Is that massages or messages? :) (refer to Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther).

[Wineman]

I don't know where you went but Crevier gives me a BMW for every service. My oil change...I drove home in a 3-series. Other services I had an X3, and even a 5-series.

But Like I said it depends on the dealer. I was told that was part of the "bonus" of buying there. Hell some Mercedes dealers give you massages if you bought from them.

And its not what "we expect" it's what it takes to get our business in a crowded market.

Hit and miss. Acura of Cerritos used to always give loaner, no more. Long Beach BMW - I dont think so but maybe if you ask and have big service. Same for Mckenna. I usually just take the shuttle or ride my bike home/work so perhaps I havent ask lately..not sure but thats my expiennce lately

[91M5]

My buddy got an '08 335i the other day when he took his 03 540i in for service. I am going to make sure I get his SA when I take my 335i there. With my wife's 323iT I just made appointments way in advance when it was routine service and I usually got a Bimmer. Any car, for free, is fine with me.

[TeaRoy]

As said above, I'm happy with anything as a loaner...that said...I have brought my car in and been given a loaner 3 times => All Bimmers (one 528, one 535, and one 550). The 550 was my SA's car...and when my fuel pump started going I called his cell and he met me at my house in his car (the 550), left his car with me and took mine in for service. I will never buy a car anywhere else. The service is phenominal.

[mryakan]

As said above, I'm happy with anything as a loaner...that said...I have brought my car in and been given a loaner 3 times => All Bimmers (one 528, one 535, and one 550). The 550 was my SA's car...and when my fuel pump started going I called his cell and he met me at my house in his car (the 550), left his car with me and took mine in for service. I will never buy a car anywhere else. The service is phenominal.
That is indeed awesome service. I had a better experience with Herb Chambers in Boston with loaners than I've had here in Ottawa and once they offered me the same as you for someone to pickup my car and leave me theirs but I declined. Still offering proved to me they deserved my business. I used them even though I had closer dealers to me.

[mihalis]

Don't complain man, when I used to take my 330ci for service, they used to offer me a ride back to work...that's about it. Not even pick-up service. Until one day one of the ladies I worked with (who lived down the street from the branch I worked) was at the dealer waiting to pick up her 530i. She told me that they dropped her off and picked her up! :mad I was like, WTF? 3-series customers only get a ride to their destination while 5 series customers get to be picked up as well?? I wonder what they do for 7 series and M customers...do I see hot chicks waiting in the back seat for them? :)

Honestly though, when my dealer used to give loaner cars, they used to use enterprise and just pay for the rental. No BMW's. It all depends where the dealer is located as well. Mine was located right in Boston, so there really was no point in loaner cars.

[karupspc]

In the past I would schedule a service appointment at 7 a.m. and ask if they could secure a loaner car at that time. Scheduling an early appointment usually gets me a loaner.
Typically they're willing to help out but if the service is for something small then that request would get denied.

[Kevlar]

Anybody remember the days when you used to take your car in for service and they never gave you squat? They just told you... good luck happy travels, you can go as far as your feet can take you or there is a phone over there to call a friend.

None of the dealerships here guarantee you a BMW loaner. They will try to provide you with basic transportation to get you on your way, but in no way does it guarantee a BMW. Sometimes you get whatever they have with a motor and four wheels out back. Most times you get a $19-24/day rental car which they can comp for you. If you're lucky, they may find a BMW from their loaner fleet to give you.

[M3 In PA]

Funny thing with a CEO of a company my wife works at. He had an older 7 series that was well kept and serviced often to maintain it. He sold it and bought one of the new 4 door Maserati's. That thing is in the shop for several days at a time and he only gets to drive it for a few days out of the month. Every time he takes it in for whatever issue they give him a Cadillac for a loaner. :lol3

[Critter7r]

As said above, I'm happy with anything as a loaner...that said...I have brought my car in and been given a loaner 3 times => All Bimmers (one 528, one 535, and one 550). The 550 was my SA's car...and when my fuel pump started going I called his cell and he met me at my house in his car (the 550), left his car with me and took mine in for service. I will never buy a car anywhere else. The service is phenominal.


that's funny.. when I was service manager at another dealer in town, I did the very same thing, left my car at the house and picked up a guy's car to bring in for service.

His wife backed into my car. $3800 in damage.

[bjhorton2005]

lmao, I read this through, and thank god it was explained in more depth why you were so worked up. However, you should think first before posting something like this, it made you look ... unfavorable to be complaining about your 3 year old car being serviced, and getting a ford taurus as a loaner. LOL be thankful your dealer does loaners!

[006330i006]

Encinitas BMW (25 miles north of San Diego) always gives you a BMW loaner. I was curious as to how many loaners they had and the loaner clerk told me they had 60 BMW loaners. On most days they are all out.
I've had X3s and 335s, but usually get 328s. Last one was an '09 328 with only 1900 miles on it. I just wish I didn't have so many problems with my car that necessitates having a loaner in the first place!

[TeamSlowdotOrg]

Yay whiny yuppie BMW owners!

FWIW, my wife had a Camry once for the we-owe items that the dealer was fixing after purchase. Her latest service got her a 135. Who cares? Free car is a free car.

[Takashi]

So we had to bring the new 325xi in for some fixes

and my wife drops it off and get s a ford taurus as a loner

im quite pissed
i didnt buy her a nice car to only have to drive a ford taurus for 3 days

I don't see your wife complaining so why are you complaining? You are lucky you get a loner car. There are many people who only gets a 2 way ride from the dealership to Point A. Put a sock in the trap and move on.

From the voice of my girlfriend "If you stop breaking your car, you don't have to bring your car in for small fixes and you don't need to ask for a loner car!"

[mryakan]

you don't need to ask for a loner car!"
Freudian slip? :embarrasm ;)