Just wanted to let those know that if you are the 2nd owner of a bmw that is still covered under warranty, no dealership will provide a loaner or a free rental. Also, if you are the original owner and you bought it from a specific bmw dealership, that dealership and that dealership only will give you a loaner. I confirmed this with 3 different dealerships (Bob Smith, Center & Pacific). I apologize if this has been discussed before, but i searched and didn't find this topic.

I believe this is a horrible policy and this should be changed so clients don't get inconvenienced, especially if a car has an issue.

Anyone else have this issue?

Yeah, it's getting more common. In case you haven't heard, auto dealers are *hurtin'*.

BTW, if you treat your service advisor well, they can treat you well. I'm just saying...
(I have never worked as a service advisor or for a dealer)

BMW North America doesn't pay for or provide loaner cars, dealerships do. Dealerhips also make most of their profits from service as well. One of the things a dealership sells to you when you buy a car from them are all of the perks of the dealership, because they want to keep you there.

I'm sure those reasons are why rentals are only provided to people who buy their cars from them.

If you are willing to drive to SouthBay BMW they'll give you a loaner. They even have a stick Couper S that does not get any love so you can request that one.

But most of the people above are correct. At most dealers the loaners are assigned to individual service advisers, so they can do with them what they want if they like you. They also have a budget for loaners, so the same holds true there. If you get in tight with them, your worl will be all good.

Be nice to me, or you guys don't get loaners :)

Honestly, I think we have a fair policy. We want to keep our loyalty to the people who buy from us and send the message to the people looking to buy. I know it sucks when you make a long trip and your car breaks down 300 miles from home, but everybody has to put up with that. If its any consolation, even the clients who have loaner appointments aren't guaranteed BMW loaners. If people always return on time with no damages, it would be different. But the system only works as good as the people who return on time :dunno

^ I think assigned loaners for each service advisor is a bad idea. First come first serve basis at my job, I think thats the way to do it.

** Just remembered, IIRC, if you buy an extended warranty from those dealers I believe that qualifies you to receive BMW loaners. **

Just because 3 dealerships wont give you a loaner car that dosent mean that ALL dealerships wont... I know of plenty of dealers that will give you a loaner car whether you bought from them or not

Just because 3 dealerships wont give you a loaner car that dosent mean that ALL dealerships wont... I know of plenty of dealers that will give you a loaner car whether you bought from them or not

Which dealers? Even Crevier really only wants to give loaners to people who bought it from them.

Crevier will give you a loaner car if you make an appointment in advance and schedule a loaner car. Alot of dealers will not give you one if you just walk in off the street and want your car serviced unless its a tow-in type situation.

I am sorry that you were inconvenienced by some dealership somewhere, they should have known that this is America, land of entitlement. Make sure next time you go in that you let them know as an American, everyone should owe you something and you are ready to collect from them because you are entitled to do so.


:rolleyes

Just wanted to let those know that if you are the 2nd owner of a bmw that is still covered under warranty, no dealership will provide a loaner or a free rental. Also, if you are the original owner and you bought it from a specific bmw dealership, that dealership and that dealership only will give you a loaner. I confirmed this with 3 different dealerships (Bob Smith, Center & Pacific). I apologize if this has been discussed before, but i searched and didn't find this topic.

I believe this is a horrible policy and this should be changed so clients don't get inconvenienced, especially if a car has an issue.

Anyone else have this issue?No. You can't make such broad sweeping statements because they are not true. We bought a CPO 2005 X3 from a dealership in Thousand Oaks several months ago. The sunroof developed a constant irritatating rattle so after enduring it for a few months we took it to Santa Monica BMW and they were out of loaner cars so they provided my GF with a Chevrolet rental car right from their lot at no charge. The repair they did worked for two days then it started rattling again so she took it back and they paid for a rental car again while they attempted to fix their original botched repair. Their second repair still did not fix the problem so we got fed up and took it to South Bay BMW instead. They offered her a loaner but she didn't need it because she already planned to use my spare car for a few days.

And BTW, South Bay BMW found the mistakes that Santa Monica made and fixed the sunroof perfectly - it's been silent ever since. And the service writer at South Bay (Joe) was great! The guy at Santa Monica was arrogant and deceitful and really pissed the GF off.

BMW North America doesn't pay for or provide loaner cars, dealerships do. Dealerhips also make most of their profits from service as well. One of the things a dealership sells to you when you buy a car from them are all of the perks of the dealership, because they want to keep you there.

I'm sure those reasons are why rentals are only provided to people who buy their cars from them.


Yes I'm aware how dealerships make money. They make money from bmw usa on all warranty service. The fact that it was a minor thing to ask for that I was denied was what really inconvenienced me. I bought the BMW for convenience, reliability & performance/handling.

It's sad that I've told about 20 people so far about this and this is the first that they've heard. If they had given the loaner car to me, I probably would say good things about them and refer friends, but now I've told more than 20 people about my scenario, including my parents, who are looking into buying a BMW. Little things always add up and those little things are what people look for, especially when buying a high end luxury sports vehicle.

I do want to thank you all for replying to this subject matter. I've been told by the guy who drove me home that it is up to the service advisor.

Best Regards,

Mike @ Elite Tuning

The fact of the matter is, before buying a car you should always double check the rules and regulations of the service department. Dont get me wrong, if you own a 2002 745Li and are doing $5,000+ of work, Im sure a few strings can be pulled.

Service doesnt make squat on warranty vehicles, its the up-sells like alignment, fluid flushes, nitrogen, etc. that really pays.

Who did you buy the car from?

I purchased the car from a private party, who was very trustworthy