Main dealer issues with AUC - any experiences?

[eniacs]

Evening all;

Well Ive had the new (to me) car for 6 weeks now. Since buying the car Ive reported to the main dealer - Berry Heathrow the two minor issues i found with the car, and asked for them to deal with them. I called and emailed and emailed again and again. No answers...

Ive been to twitter and tweeted on BMW's wall - eventually called me back and called the dealer and I had a rather annoyed call from the dealer who half blamed things on me and promised to do everything to sort it. 10 days later and nothing they said has happened...

All the time I seem to be dealing with either customer services from BMW who can only point me to the dealer. Then the dealer who is just a car salesman and seems to be annoyed that I am calling him, like its not his issue, his only job is to sell the car.

To top it off, they are such minor issues! I brought up the tyres issue on here which as you have pointed out is actually normal wear for a runflat. Then there is a missing plastic thing which adjusts the vents in the rear. Probably about a cost of £20...

Why are AUC cars like this! I thought buying form the dealer I would have no problems, but it feels like I've bought a 36k car from a 5 year old child!

Rant over, for now.

[X5Sport]

Most folks expect that an AUC from BMW ought to live up to a high standard as befitting a premium car.  Mostly they are right, but just occasionally a poorly performing or disinterested dealer lets everyone down.

The truth is that AUC is no better than pretty much any other main dealer offered 2nd hand car and that BMW GB are useless.  They will wash their hands of so many things - even with brand new cars - you have to wonder what they really do?

I hope you get things sorted to your satisfaction..

Richard

[hertfordshire1]

I had similar issues with my supplying dealer for my AUC. once the sale is done and you have the car they don't want to know.

It's a shame. Would put me off another BMW AUC.

[touring]

About 4 years ago I purchased an AUC X5, within 20 miles it would not start (battery flat) this happened at least 50 times and the dealer said there was nothing wrong!

After 350miles they said it needed £650 spending on the front suspension! The day I picked it up, the washers never worked, the passenger door would not close and the flat battery required a Mondial call out.

I was so worked up about the dealers attitude I said I am rejecting the car as it will not start, cant close the door, and I don’t believe it had been mot'd.

They did the suspension, I had to pay for a new mot, they did nothing about the battery - in fact I sold the car as it was and lost over 50%

You are right, the dealer was only interested in selling the car - not if it was 'fit for purpose'

I have had BMW's for the last 20 years - now I would NEVER buy an AUC car and because local dealers are clearly not interested in selling me £65k of new car I will probably buy from another manufacturer now! >:(

[Mavster]

I had a pretty bad buying experience with Ridgeway BMW in Portsmouth less than 8 weeks ago. From the initial  video of the car they sent me, to receiving the car was not a pleasant experience,  and actually quite stressful.  Even when I got the car there was some tool missing from the boot, I called the sales guy up and he told me it was there when they gave me the car , even though I pointed out it was missing to the chap that delivered the car at the time of delivery....they never sent any replacement  ::)

Apart from the Warranty, you should double check everything when buying AUC.  I think all main dealers are probably sticking as loosely as possible to BMW AUC guidelines if it means cost savings for them.

[eniacs]

Thanks for the replies. It seems a similar set of stories. A sad state of affairs from a large company, who realistically with a few more checks and a tiny amount of after service could easily rectify the issues.

Like a few have said, I'm thinking Mercedes or Land rover is the way to go next. I certainly wouldn't go AUC again that's for sure.

Thanks again for the continued support.

[X5Sport]

I've had even worse experiences with Merc & Landrover, especially LR!  They really are dreadful.

[hertfordshire1]

Agreed re LR and Merc. Also Audi were shocking. Best dealer I have dealt with in last 8 years were Jag.