07-29-2011, 01:34 PM | #1 |
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Loaner only if you buy from dealership???
I went to the Drive Team USA Event today. The CA that went along on the test drive told me that they had loaner cars when you bring your vehicle in for maintenance but only if you buy your car from them. This was pretty shocking to me. Is this the case for others out there? I planned to shop around for the best price and service my car at this dealership since it is the closest to my home.
On another note, I learned that the battery is in the boot. Didn't realize that until today! |
07-29-2011, 01:36 PM | #2 |
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The ca went around with you when you did the team
USA drive event? I was able to go by myself. I think what your dealer told you about loaners is incorrect. |
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07-29-2011, 02:00 PM | #3 | |
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As far as loaners go, I can't believe they would diss a bmw driver regardless of where the car was bought unless they are discriminating against only competing dealerships in the vicinity. I asked him what if I moved from another state and was new to the area, they weren't going to give me a loaner??? He started to back pedal a bit but couldn't say definitively one way or the other. |
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07-29-2011, 02:02 PM | #4 |
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At my dealership, a free of charge loaner (with a 150 mile per day limit) is provided free only to that dealership's new vehicle customers. They also note the gas gauge reading and expect the customer to refill to that level upon return. Loaners are available at a moderate (for a BMW) rental rate for repair customers who have purchased at a different dealer. The BMW NA warrantee has no provision for free loaner vehicles. Providing a loaner is a dealer's "perk" to keep customer's coming back (to them).
Batteries mounted under the trunk (boot) floor have been pretty much standard on most BMW models for many years. Better weight balance, safer in a frontal collision, less damage to the battery from high under-hood temperatures. Now that you've solved the "Where is the battery?" question, just try and find the fuse block(s). Extra points if you don't have to look in the Owner's Manual. |
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07-29-2011, 02:03 PM | #5 |
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CA went with me too on the drive. The loaners is a dealer by dealer decision I think...the one closest to me I've been told gives loaners even if you dont buy from them, but others in the area require you to buy it from them to get a loaner.
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07-29-2011, 02:09 PM | #6 |
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What is that sitting on top of the battery? I was guessing that might be the fuse box but even the CA didn't know.
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07-29-2011, 02:17 PM | #7 | |
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If you must disconnect the battery (for instance if the car is being transported by ship), the proper way is to disconnect the negative (Ground or earth) cable. Not the fuse block - not even close! |
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07-29-2011, 04:03 PM | #8 | |
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There is "no free lunches" in the world. Nothing is really "free". Someone is paying somewhere.
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07-29-2011, 04:22 PM | #9 |
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It's frankly a dumb policy from the dealer's perspective. Assume there's a reason you go to another dealership for maintenance or warranty work. If they take care of you, you come back for you next vehicle. Talk trash about how loaners are only for customers and you;re essentially bullying the potential customer. Not very clever if you want to grow your business.
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07-29-2011, 05:40 PM | #10 |
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Strictly a per-dealership arrangement. You might have to "appeal" to upper management, but it doesn't hurt to ask. My roof-window issue had them looking for a loaner at first. Now that the parts are in, the fix is scheduled around a loaner being available. After a couple of years doing business with them (if they keep up their end), I might graduate to something a little up the food chain than a 323i. We'll see ...
Some BMW motorcycle dealerships have service loaners, but of those that do, most want the loaner back at night. Build a relationship and getting it overnight isn't as much of an issue. After a couple more years, you might even score a demo (new BMW) for the weekend. Upon return, though, they'll usually want to know how interested you are.
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07-29-2011, 06:08 PM | #11 |
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It is certainly a dealer by dealer decision. Dealer here will give a loaner if you buy here. MB dealership is same way. I can understand both sides, but no competition here for either dealer. Not sure what the value of a loaner is. Would guess much higher in bigger metro areas.
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07-29-2011, 11:19 PM | #12 |
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Definitely a dealer-specific policy. Some dealers have their own loaner fleet, while others farm it out to a rental agency like Enterprise. This should be part of your decision when choosing a dealer. My dealer has a valet service that brings the loaner to my house and picks up my car, then brings my car back after servicing (for scheduled maint only). Big selling point for me.
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07-30-2011, 12:55 PM | #13 |
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Loaners are only a good investment for the dealership, as a benefit they bring in customers who appreciate customer care. They tend to use cars that people chose not to take upon delivery or a particular non-priority-1 ordered allotment of vehicles that are then later sold as Certified Pre-Owned. They are a convenience and a privilege at best, and I'm surprised there isn't a service fee to have one. Certain, more lucrative dealerships have more, nicer loaners. The dealership I purchased from is the only one in the Chicago metropolitan area, the nearest one being at least 40 minutes outside of town, so they are very happy to provide new loaners for people who make service appointments a few days in advance (under warranty). It is hard to justify why a dealership might offer loaners to someone from another dealership without a service fee, but BMW NA should have a policy that anyone under warranty should be allowed a loaner as fitting to their everyday needs as possible. Good luck.
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07-30-2011, 02:03 PM | #14 | |
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Dealers make some money of the sale, and they make some money off the service. This is how they reward relationship customers who don't run across town to save a few hundred bucks... etc.
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