Dealership gripe - Unnecessary service (tires, fuel system, etc)

Lbsigman · 11-21-2021, 10:30 PM

So, my 2020 M2C has 5,446 miles’s on it now. Back in March of this year, I had the 1,200 mile service done a bit early as requested by Long Beach BMW after it was in for repairs not related to the run in service. I had some issues with that dealer and swore I would never go back. What I am going to mention below occurred at Shelly BMW in Buena Park.

For the past month, my M2C has been bugging me to bring it in for service, so I went ahead and did it for warranty purposes, mind you I changed my own oil using Motul LL-01 FE back in July (3,329 miles on the odo. Waiting in the lobby, a service advisor calls my name and immediately says to me, “I have some bad news, your car needs new tires.” Uh, come again? So I proceed to walk outside with him and he starts pointing at the outer edge of the tire saying my tires are worn out. I point out to him that my tires are nowhere near the wear indicator and then he proceeds to give me some BS response. I told him I’m no spring chicken when it comes to tires/automotive repair and the tires look fine. He continues to push for new tires and an alignment and I just say no 3 or 4 more times. I noticed on my repair sheet that he put my tires in the red and that I declined tires.

After doing the initial paperwork, the SA says there are other services available for my car that are not part of the maintenance plan. I entertain him asking him what else he is trying to sell me. He lists off a fuel system clean, an engine oil flush, and something else, but I lost interest and stopped paying attention to him.

So here are pictures of my tires which have 5,446 miles on them. Tell me what you think.

Caduceus · 11-22-2021, 05:29 AM

The SA is an idiot. Those tyres look almost brand new.

M Fifty · 11-22-2021, 06:44 AM

No sign of mis-alignment on the outer edges?

Noting that the SA probably has some kind of up-selling target to hit and will therefore try it on with every customer, there is a faint possibility that they got the customer/car mixed up (so there's some other owner out there driving around on 'semi-slick' tires without realising it), and - rather than admit the mistake - kept right on digging...

Maybe use that as an approach for a question to the Service Manager?

VisualEcho · 11-22-2021, 07:59 AM

This kind of thing is becoming standard practice at dealerships, unfortunately.

You already know the answer to your question; your tires are fine.

Foggins · 11-22-2021, 10:34 AM

Yup, tires look fine. And hilarious that the SA was trying to get you to add unnecessary service items. They should know that most M owners probably know more about service requirements than they do.

Lbsigman · 11-22-2021, 11:08 AM

The problem I have is, due to sheer ignorance of those who may know nothing about cars, but who has he taken advantage of with unneeded service or repairs just so he can make is upsell target?

Do I talk to the service manager or just let it go? I don't know if it is worth my time and effort.

AlpsRider · 11-22-2021, 06:08 PM

You could try calling the GM. Who knows they might comp you something. It could be that the techs and SA are running a side show and either keeping the tires for themselves or even worse, selling them on the used market. I don't believe those tires would get thrown away.

edycol · 11-22-2021, 07:28 PM

Engine flush? What an idiot! Call GM and complain bcs. other people.

brugada_thug · 11-23-2021, 08:36 PM

The best thing you can do is to see if you can fill out a survey from bmw somewhere. These dealers live off those surveys. If you have extra time go on Yelp, google and leave reviews there too.

AlpsRider · 11-23-2021, 08:41 PM

I always say the squeeky wheel gets the grease. The GM will be accommodating even if he's in on the cheat. He doesn't want BMW NA on his ass.

chris719 · 12-03-2021, 10:32 AM

Give them a 1 on the survey.

LastBastion1005 · 12-07-2021, 04:24 PM

So as a new SoCal M2 owner, I'm guessing I should avoid Long Beach and Buena Park dealerships?

Lbsigman · 12-07-2021, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LastBastion1005

So as a new SoCal M2 owner, I'm guessing I should avoid Long Beach and Buena Park dealerships?

Couldn’t say. I am just sharing my own experiences and opinions. If I do go back to Buena Park BMW, I will ask for a different advisor. I might give McKenna BMW a try next time my car needs scheduled maintenance for warranty purposes.

bummie · 12-09-2021, 07:19 AM

Sadly some of these SAs are on commission plus a very small salary. My SA here in Sarasota, FL told me that if they don't hit their target for upsales their salary gets decreased. These dealerships are becoming unfriendly to customers. And by the way, we are CUSTOMERS, not guests !

pz619 · 12-13-2021, 11:12 PM

Forget the dealership, just send it to BMWNA. You could probably return that tire to Tire Rack and they’d assume it’s brand new.

Also, if my car needed an alignment at 5k miles, my expectation is that it’s done under warranty.

11-21-2021, 10:30 PM	#1
Lbsigman This is my sham shield. 58 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2020 M2 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (0)	Dealership gripe - Unnecessary service (tires, fuel system, etc) So, my 2020 M2C has 5,446 miles’s on it now. Back in March of this year, I had the 1,200 mile service done a bit early as requested by Long Beach BMW after it was in for repairs not related to the run in service. I had some issues with that dealer and swore I would never go back. What I am going to mention below occurred at Shelly BMW in Buena Park. For the past month, my M2C has been bugging me to bring it in for service, so I went ahead and did it for warranty purposes, mind you I changed my own oil using Motul LL-01 FE back in July (3,329 miles on the odo. Waiting in the lobby, a service advisor calls my name and immediately says to me, “I have some bad news, your car needs new tires.” Uh, come again? So I proceed to walk outside with him and he starts pointing at the outer edge of the tire saying my tires are worn out. I point out to him that my tires are nowhere near the wear indicator and then he proceeds to give me some BS response. I told him I’m no spring chicken when it comes to tires/automotive repair and the tires look fine. He continues to push for new tires and an alignment and I just say no 3 or 4 more times. I noticed on my repair sheet that he put my tires in the red and that I declined tires. After doing the initial paperwork, the SA says there are other services available for my car that are not part of the maintenance plan. I entertain him asking him what else he is trying to sell me. He lists off a fuel system clean, an engine oil flush, and something else, but I lost interest and stopped paying attention to him. So here are pictures of my tires which have 5,446 miles on them. Tell me what you think.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-22-2021, 05:29 AM	#2
Caduceus First Lieutenant 342 Rep 396 Posts Drives: 2008 135 (sold), 2017 M2 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	The SA is an idiot. Those tyres look almost brand new.
	Appreciate 1 Lbsigman58.00 Quote

11-22-2021, 06:44 AM	#3
M Fifty Banned 844 Rep 1,962 Posts Drives: M2 & 330CI Join Date: May 2018 Location: The Interweb iTrader: (0)	No sign of mis-alignment on the outer edges? Noting that the SA probably has some kind of up-selling target to hit and will therefore try it on with every customer, there is a faint possibility that they got the customer/car mixed up (so there's some other owner out there driving around on 'semi-slick' tires without realising it), and - rather than admit the mistake - kept right on digging... Maybe use that as an approach for a question to the Service Manager?
	Appreciate 1 Lbsigman58.00 Quote

11-22-2021, 07:59 AM	#4
VisualEcho Banned 6634 Rep 4,145 Posts Drives: '18 M2 6MT Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Missouri iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	This kind of thing is becoming standard practice at dealerships, unfortunately. You already know the answer to your question; your tires are fine.
	Appreciate 1 Lbsigman58.00 Quote

11-22-2021, 10:34 AM	#5
Foggins Restless 1332 Rep 1,031 Posts Drives: M2C Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Dallas & Toronto iTrader: (0)	Yup, tires look fine. And hilarious that the SA was trying to get you to add unnecessary service items. They should know that most M owners probably know more about service requirements than they do.
	Appreciate 1 Lbsigman58.00 Quote

11-22-2021, 11:08 AM	#6
Lbsigman This is my sham shield. 58 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2020 M2 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (0)	The problem I have is, due to sheer ignorance of those who may know nothing about cars, but who has he taken advantage of with unneeded service or repairs just so he can make is upsell target? Do I talk to the service manager or just let it go? I don't know if it is worth my time and effort.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-22-2021, 06:08 PM	#7
AlpsRider Brigadier General 2865 Rep 3,842 Posts Drives: M2 Competition, LBB, 6MT Join Date: May 2015 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	You could try calling the GM. Who knows they might comp you something. It could be that the techs and SA are running a side show and either keeping the tires for themselves or even worse, selling them on the used market. I don't believe those tires would get thrown away.
	Appreciate 1 Detoxified204.50 Quote

11-22-2021, 07:28 PM	#8
edycol Major 1502 Rep 1,483 Posts Drives: 2011 328i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	Engine flush? What an idiot! Call GM and complain bcs. other people.
	Appreciate 1 Lbsigman58.00 Quote

11-23-2021, 08:36 PM	#9
brugada_thug Private First Class 161 Rep 121 Posts Drives: 2010 Honda Fit, 2021 M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	The best thing you can do is to see if you can fill out a survey from bmw somewhere. These dealers live off those surveys. If you have extra time go on Yelp, google and leave reviews there too.
	Appreciate 1 Lbsigman58.00 Quote

11-23-2021, 08:41 PM	#10
AlpsRider Brigadier General 2865 Rep 3,842 Posts Drives: M2 Competition, LBB, 6MT Join Date: May 2015 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	I always say the squeeky wheel gets the grease. The GM will be accommodating even if he's in on the cheat. He doesn't want BMW NA on his ass.
	Appreciate 1 Lbsigman58.00 Quote

12-03-2021, 10:32 AM	#11
chris719 Major General 7334 Rep 7,295 Posts Drives: '08 M Roadster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Give them a 1 on the survey.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-07-2021, 04:24 PM	#12
LastBastion1005 New Member 9 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 LCI Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 LCI [0.00]	So as a new SoCal M2 owner, I'm guessing I should avoid Long Beach and Buena Park dealerships? __________________ 2018 M2 LCI, Long Beach Blue
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2021, 07:19 AM	#14
bummie Enlisted Member 33 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 LBB Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Manatee County, Florida iTrader: (0)	Sadly some of these SAs are on commission plus a very small salary. My SA here in Sarasota, FL told me that if they don't hit their target for upsales their salary gets decreased. These dealerships are becoming unfriendly to customers. And by the way, we are CUSTOMERS, not guests !
	Appreciate 1 Lbsigman58.00 Quote

12-13-2021, 11:12 PM	#15
pz619 Brigadier General 3279 Rep 3,256 Posts Drives: F87 M2C 6MT, Tesla 3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Forget the dealership, just send it to BMWNA. You could probably return that tire to Tire Rack and they’d assume it’s brand new. Also, if my car needed an alignment at 5k miles, my expectation is that it’s done under warranty.
	Appreciate 1 chris7197334.00 Quote