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Any decent dealers in SE England?

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Old 10-18-2009, 06:47 AM
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I'm looking at buying a 550 or an M5 - or at least I was.

Dealer one (Hexagon Highgate) - "no extended test drives, but you can hire a car from us. You own a BMW so you should know what the cars are like."
Dealer two (Cooper Cobham) - only one sales person on a Sunday, "you should have made an appointment"

This would be my seventh BMW and I have to say the dealers have always seemed to be very reluctant to bother with little things like customer service.

The Aston Martin dealer around the corner may be getting a visit from me next week.
Old 10-18-2009, 07:02 AM
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Have you tried Vines in Guildford? I used to get my E46 service done there and the service was pretty good.
I am sure you will get a better service if you ask to buy the M5
Old 10-18-2009, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by cjbryce' post='1035083' date='Oct 18 2009, 09:47 AM
Dealer one (Hexagon Highgate) - "no extended test drives, but you can hire a car from us. You own a BMW so you should know what the cars are like."
Dealer two (Cooper Cobham) - only one sales person on a Sunday, "you should have made an appointment"
This is typical of many dealerships,not just BMW.Around 9 years ago I had 24 hour test drives in cars from BMW,Audi,Lexus and Alfa Romeo,and they covered the insurance.You do not get that any more,it's more likely to be a 15 to 30 minute accompanied drive if you are lucky.
Before buying my current BMW,I did drop in at a large Mercedes dealership for a look in the showroom and to pick up brochures,etc.The receptionist asked who I had an appointment with and seemed quite surprised that I had not telephoned a "sales advisor" before visiting!I then had to wait before someone was available before getting any information.I did not bother them again!
Old 10-18-2009, 11:18 AM
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dealers are filth

private probably better option
Old 10-18-2009, 12:40 PM
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I wouldn't recommend Hexagon Highgate. They're ok but don't seem to want to you know post sale. Barons of Farnborough is a top quality place for customer service. They're a large dealer and I'm sure will be able to help you out.
Old 10-18-2009, 01:43 PM
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yup, to start with i couldnt get any customer service at sytner harold wood, they gave me the impression they thought i couldnt afford to buy a BMW
Old 10-19-2009, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by BLooD' post='1035248' date='Oct 18 2009, 10:43 PM
yup, to start with i couldnt get any customer service at sytner harold wood, they gave me the impression they thought i couldnt afford to buy a BMW

Yeap, dealers are just plain shit aren't they. I only step once in Stratstone, snob b****s. I can see their looks on a not clean shaven, casual wear, foreigner ..
To be honest though, Elvet have been very helpfull and undersanding to my surprise. Unfortunately is very difficult to find proper dealers and not many might be around your area...
Old 10-19-2009, 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by spiros' post='1036147' date='Oct 20 2009, 01:02 AM
Yeap, dealers are just plain shit aren't they. I only step once in Stratstone, snob b****s. I can see their looks on a not clean shaven, casual wear, foreigner ..
To be honest though, Elvet have been very helpfull and undersanding to my surprise. Unfortunately is very difficult to find proper dealers and not many might be around your area...
is that stratstone in chesterfield?, my car was from that dealership when it was new.
Old 10-20-2009, 01:19 AM
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Originally Posted by BLooD' post='1036411' date='Oct 20 2009, 08:18 AM
is that stratstone in chesterfield?, my car was from that dealership when it was new.
No, newcastle
Old 10-20-2009, 05:21 AM
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There are two dealers local to me in KENT. One in Canterbury and one in Ashford both are the same franchise.
I initially went to the Canterbury one as the car I wanted was there. One guy was useless......it was all too much hassle to sell me a car and take my money!!!!! Eventally I started dealing with the head salesperson who was great and willing to help. They allowed test drives but it was accompanied and lasted approx 30 mins. They only have one sales person working on a Sunday though.

The Ashford dealer handled my last service. They were faultless.....I could not have asked for better service, communication and help. PERFECT.

All I can say is check them out...........WAIT its a choice between a BMW or an Aston........ What are you doing....get round the corner and check out those Aston's (I realise that is probably not a popular sugestion ;-)


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