ENstig8or

My dealer gives me a loaner and I didn't purchase the car there. In fact, I'll have a loaner next Monday as mine will be in the shop again.

rj52378

I don't think it's a BMW rule at all. I bought my BMW from a Jeep delearship and had it sevice at BMW of Bloomfield, NJ. Not only did they gladly accecpt the car for service, but they also gave me a brand spanking new 328xi as a loaner.

craigm1841

just got my car back today from the valet loaner service. driver dropped off my car in my driveway and took his loaner back. The car has all of the problems fixed!!! and it wasnt washed per my request. Couldnt be happier. driving that 328 was a drag and well, i love my car so am a stoked to have it back. i know, it was only gone for two days.

Ricracing

I purchased my car from a dealer that promised a free loaner with every service.

They are new lousy Renaults, but free.

With my old dealer I always did order a test drive with some new BMW model for the service day.

monacobmw

Just a dealer thing, and much has to do with volume.

Here in South Florida, BMWs are like Toyotas when it comes to volume. Thus, you will not see much on the service side. There are 6 dealers within 50 miles. They don't have to try hard, and they realize that customer loyalty may not be there even if they do try hard. By imposing the "rule," it may help to force people to buy closer to their home.

If you live in a place where there is less volume, they probably work harder.

Rudy

Clearly, as others have pointed out, this is not a BMW rule (although I don't doubt that some dealers will claim it is to avoid looking like the bad guy...)

I know of a guy who purchased a used 3 series (like a 2003 model year or so) from a private seller and gets it serviced at my dealership. They give him a brand new E90 3 series as a loaner while his car is being serviced. Guess what? Because of this practice, he's a very happy customer who is eventually going to upgrade his older 3 to a newer one as soon as he can swing it financially. He specifically told me that if he hadn't "tasted" the new car during his service visits (and if he hadn't been able to "sell" the wife on how much nicer it would be, etc.) he wouldn't have even considered moving up to a new car this quickly.

I realize some dealers may not agree but if you ask me, using BMW loaners to service customers is a great idea and a win win. It keeps the customer happy, allows them a extended "test drive" in a new car which could plant a seed in terms of a future sale, and allows the dealer to sell the loaners later on to hopefully gain even more customers. In the end, how much did it really cost the dealer to invest in this service? Sure, it may be a bit more expensive using BMWs instead of Toyotas but I don't think you can measure how much additional customer satisfaction this practice generates.

BMRMEUP

Excellent plan! About the only way you'll ever get to spend enough time in a car to figure out whether you like it. I've not had to do this however. I bought my first car from a small "auction" dealership... ...and my dealership has always given me a loaner anyway. The only time they didn't have a loaner, they offered a test drive, which is how I found out I NEEDED a sport package

And that's my story.

Member - BMW Anonymous

z06bigbird

A couple of things cross my mind:

1. As others here have stated, you obviously have not formed any kind of relationship with the service mgr at this dealership. Many customers get a preferred treatment even if they did not buy from that dealer. I would recommend that you join that club. I think the name of the club is: "attitude."

2. You might want to switch shoes with the dealership. You are running a business, and it is costing you much more $$ today that a few years ago. Sales have gone down the toilet, and you still have a large staff to finance. You have the additional expense of insuring every driver, many of them using your expensive cars. You now have to repair these cars and maintain them without any income? You need someone to track the cars; check them in; check them out, etc. You need space to store the cars. You need to wash the cars on a daily basis. How would you save $$?

Saying "other areas" is a cop-out. Be specific; pretend you are in charge. Again, where would you cut expenses.

How do you increase revenue, deal with customers who buy their cars elsewhere, and want freebees? No easy answer, is there?

I don't know your dealership; I am not a dealer; but I know about the decisions that other business people have to make.

BTW, why don't you service your vehicle at the place where you bought it? That dealer will likely give you a loaner. I suspect I know: better price, better service, but no loaner. Life is not perfect; sales and service are not perfect, but no need to badmouth a dealership without asking why they do not provide a loaner.

Think about it.

slickrick

I was just at prestige BMW yesterday and got a new loaner. I remember the papers I signed had a caption which was checked off. The caption read (Vehicle purchased here) yes or no. But it was the same form for everyone so I believe it's up to the dealer.

z06bigbird

All of the dealers I deal with provide me with free car washes. One service writer even gave me the code for the car wash. I simply drive on the property and put the code in. Immediate car wash. It is all a matter of attitude, personal treatment, and a few tacos every once in a while for some of the dealer staff. Sometimes, I just drive thru the service line, hand out a few BBQ sandwiches, and go on my way. No car wash needed. Just a friendly gesture.

I know that I sound like I am bragging, but life is a two way street. Treat people with the highest respect, and ....

BTW, I never, ever abuse a service writer or mgr. We might want to keep in mind that someday, those service writers that I did not like and that I abused might just be working for a dealership where I might buy another vehicle. Bad position to be in. If I don't like the attitude of a service writer, I simply smile, wave good bye, and see the individual that takes care of me.