I Went to a BMW Dealer For Service...

"Tripper" (tripe46) 07/27/2020 at 10:07 • Filed to: None

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For the first time in a reeeeeeal long time, and contrary to pretty much every other BMW dealer experience...this one went great!

Since I have moved the M3 to DD duty, I have been dealing with all of the little things that happen when you don’t give your car the attention it deserves. New wiper blades, check/flush fluids, state inspection...Also, the A/C which used to get so cold it made my hands/arms ache now only got “cool” on the drivers side but blew hot on the passenger side.

I’m a big time DIYer with everything, but I keep a portfolio of dealers, specialized independents, and just general garages that I consider to be “excellent” for situations where I can’t or shouldn’t do it myself. A/C is one of those things.

So to kick it off I called the local garage. They’re a “every-car ” garage with a Mercedes specialist on site . A lot of gorgeous old SLs often grace the lot. Owner is a Bimmerhead, and every single employee is in love with my former Ranger. I don’t do HVAC or at least the A/C side of things, and I trust this shop.

“Still got that Red truck?”, as they all shower it with compliments. I had that truck at 3 or 4 different shops during my ownership and everyone just gushed over it. It really is a flipping nice truck that I went above and beyond on as far as maintenance and mods . It’s my FIL’s now.

The owner and I talked about his previous Bimmers as I told him what was going on with the M3. (I live less than a mile from this shop) He goes “There’s a guy around here with a sweet 2002 but it isn’t a 2002...” he continued to describe my car as I grinned like this.

The Grinch Obvi

He laughs and says “oh it’s yours, that car is badass!” I gave him the readers digest version of the story and told him I’d come by with it. They did your typical AC service, evacuate and recharge the refrigerant with dye added in order to troubleshoot any future issues/possible leaks. Tech was pretty confident that 18 years was enough to be a little low on refrigerant. Back to icy cold for $160. It was to be inspected as well, but they ran out of stickers so I had to reschedule.

My father and I were talking about the car, and he mentioned that he was pretty sure it still needed an airbag recall!? He took the car for service on the first airbag because it was when replacements were hard to get and I was out of town. He neglected to tell me or maaaaybe they neglected to tell him, or most likely he told me and I for got...that they only had the parts for the drivers side.

Luckily I have not had a passenger in the M3 in a very long time. Anyway I called the only BMW dealer that I don’t dislike, and they verified that there was indeed an open recall for the passenger side airbag. I asked them to inspect it if they had the time because I couldn’t get it done at the local shop and I’d rather not have to take the car in 3 separate times.

The dealer did the recall and inspected it...FOR FREE. I only paid for the emissions test and rolled out of a BMW dealer service shop with an 18 year old car and only $68 fewer dollars in my pocket. I also earned 100/100 on their “your vehicle’s health report” thingy. Not a single recommendation or upsell.

We went to my parents for the first time in almost a month because of overlapping vacations and a rona scare. I went out to the garage to check on the Alltrack. I looked at it, I sat in it and I thought “boy, this really does not feel like my car...” Weird.

Finally I caught a blue S2000 in my rear view mirror this morning approaching the empty, double lane, super hard right exit on to the next highway. I could tell by his pace that he had business with this turn. I’m in the same industry so I obviously couldn’t hold him up...

Me: oh hes going for it

Me: we’re going for it

Me:

Heyo

Car:

The 4 of us round the turn (cars and drivers ) :

asdfasd

Me to S2k guy:

asdfasdf

S2k guy to me:

asdfsdf

Me:

asdf

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 10:15

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Neato. Good story telling here. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 10:20

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Love those mutual respect moments you get from time to time as a car enthusiast.

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/27/2020 at 10:27

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Very infrequent, but indeed the best. I can (and I’d like to think others too) can tell by driving style when you have another respectful enthusiast. Once I see a car, q uick but cautious is what I look for.

A lot of brake lights, lane changes, bumper riding, etc....BYE enjoy crashing or being ticketed, hope you don’t hurt anyone!

Both of us were already giving everyone lots of room, and we gave each other room until both of us were confident that we’d both be bombing into the empty turn. He honestly had the turn a good bit better than I but I have him on power and my car revs pretty high too, haha. So I was able to pull away on the exit.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 10:28

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That grinch gif is the best. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 10:31

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And this is exactly why you daily your M3.

(says the guy who didn’t drive his today...)

Had her out yesterday, though!

Sovande > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 10:39

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I went to the dealership with my V60 this weekend. I needed an oil change (I get them done at the dealership in case my car develops oil consumption issues these cars can sometimes develop) and I wanted a transmission flush. It naturally took an hour longer than they said and cost $100 more than the quote, but they did compliment the mechanical condition of the car and were very su rprised I had done the suspension work myself.  It was all worth it since the flappy paddles now work way faster after the transmission service and reprogramming. There used to be a big lag between pulling the paddle and the transmission shifting, but it’s instant now. I almost sprung for the Polestar tune, but the cost held me back once again.  Maybe next month.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 10:41

4

Yeah, it’s rare. Too many are just looking to establish dominance or worried about their pride. I will admit to being guilty of being goaded into dumb teenager behavior every once in a while on an empty road , but thankfully I’ve mostly grown out of that.

Yeah, if someone wants to be reckless, I’m definitely going to get clear and let them go on their way.

I ran with a big group of S2Ks one weekend in the Ozark backroads in NW Arkansas. I was able to stick with some of the faster ones in the twisty stuff , but I’m sure I was working a lot harder than they were ! True sports cars those are... Light makes right.

Tripper > Sovande 07/27/2020 at 11:00

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Awesome! Yeah it’s almost silly to change your own oil on most new cars. You save the time not taking it to the dealer but I pay more for the parts to DIY than I would  for the whole service on any of the cars.

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/27/2020 at 11:02

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Yeah I was working a lot harder than he to keep the car in our lane.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 11:04

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Clickbait title! You completely set me up to expect a disaster of a dealer service story for which you paid $2000.

I know good dealers are out there, the universe is not always out to get you but the ones who tried to scam you are all you remember . So i t ’s really nice to hear about that dealer.

bob and john > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 11:05

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“ WIcould tell he had some buisness with this turn”

A nd now I know how I will be describing my next few encounters.

Sovande > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 11:15

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Cost is close enough for me that it’s a wash. The upside to the dealership is that the Volvo doesn’t have a dipstick so you have to check the level electronically, which seems like a pain.  The dealer software will give levels to the tenth of a quart, however.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 11:33

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Thanks for the reminder on that passenger airbag. I got the recall letter just as COVID was starting - was pissed to be honest, like you I assumed it had been done when the “airbag recall” was dealt with years ago but apparently that was drivers side only. Thanks guys!

Not really driving around much these days, and definitely not with a passenger in the E46, so I don’t mind waiting. Just a pain in the butt. Mentions of S2000s pop up everywhere these days it sounds like - hurts me too much thinking of my old one. In situations like that S2000s are great, but believe me when it comes to DDing a fun car you’re way better off with that beautiful M3. 

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 11:59

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This is the type of post that drew me to Oppo in the first place. Thank you for sharing!

Danny Korecki > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 12:11

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I only ever go to the BMW dealer to get my yearly inspection.

They are very polite , they do some gentle upselling, but it is mostly because they run the key and it says it needs like 10x services I already handled but never take the time to clear them with my Carly BMW app. 

Tripper > Danny Korecki 07/27/2020 at 12:14

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I’ll go for recalls and 10w60. I’ll let anyone do the inspection. 

Danny Korecki > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 12:18

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Oh dude just buy it online, even you can even get the Castrol 10w-60 on Amazon now by the case.

stuckMTB > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 12:18

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I LOLed and genuinely smiled ear to ear at the exit ramp anecdote at the end. Been there, done that, can’t wait to do it again!

Tripper > Danny Korecki 07/27/2020 at 12:20

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Haha yeah I guess I haven’t bought it in a WHILE. The car has only racked up 3k miles over the past 3-5 years and has had the oil changed 3-4 times lol. I’m looking to send another sample to blackstone but need a good bit more miles before its worth anything.

Danny Korecki > Tripper 07/27/2020 at 12:26

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I gave up on the Blackstones . It apparently could only help warn you of the early rod bearings were about to go due to copper, but the newer ones don’t have copper.

Tripper > Danny Korecki 07/27/2020 at 13:49

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Haha, that is all I’m looking to see. Mine has had the recall but it was with the original owner then. I’ve blackstoned every car (except the 02) just to have a baseline to compare against later down the road. The responses have been pretty detailed and specific to the engine.

superdave847 > Tripper 07/28/2020 at 19:47

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I love the gold on your E46.