I do not understand how in the world that a BMW dealer could be bad so equally in both sales and service, I finally think I need to share my experience with So Cal BMW onwers.

*** Bad Experience #1 - Sales ***
In April 2003, when I was shopping for this M3, I visited Shelly because it is the closest one to where I live, the salesman told me the best deal for a new M3 is $3000 markup on the top of MSRP.

I asked for a brochure and the salesman told he they have very limited quantity of those and do not give that to everyone who asked.

I then asked if a test drive is possible, and he said not even someone who paid deposit for an M3 got to test drive it, which to me is B.S. because if you let customer test drive a $90K 7 series, why not a $55K M3?

*** Bad Experience #2 - Sales ***

One week after that, I hook up with a Korean salesman at Shelly, I thought he will be more friendly to me because we are Asians and yes he did.

He said he can knock off the markup from $3000 to $2000, I believed him before I did much enough research, so I paid deposit and ordered the car.

Two weeks later, I found out 2 other dealers that were willing to let me order the car at MSRP, I canceled the original order from Shelly. By law my deposit supposed to be refund to me in 7 days from the date of cancellation, but it took 2 months, it didn't really got taken care of until I called again and again, and asked to talk to a higher level manager.

*** Bad Experience #3 - Service ***
Back in summer last year, my car was broken after a detailing service, water got into the computer system and destroyed it.

I towed the car to Shelly just because the same reason -- It is the closest one to my home. After two days, the service manager told me this damage is not covered by warranty and ask $14,500 to fix it. Yes that is right, fourteen thousand and five hundred dollars!!

Of course there is no way I was going to pay that, then I asked to tow my car to New Century, where I bought the car from. Shelly asked me to pay $280 something to take my car away, which is for their "inspection fee", I argued for this but couldn't take my car without paying it, so I paid that and have my car towed to New Century.

New Century BMW fixed everything for me at no cost. That's not even important, I asked to see the original receipt for all parts / labor required to fix the problem, and asked the service manager to tell me how much would it cost me, if I were going to be responsible for this repair...

Guess what? $7000. And Shelly was trying to charge me not only DOUBLE, but $7,500 more than nessasary. God darn it!

*** Bad Experience #4 - Sales ***
This happened yesterday, I took my car in for oil change (details to be provided in experience #5).

When I went to pick up the car, I decided to take a look at the E90 3 series. When I walked into the showroom and asked the receptionist whether or not they have a E90 to show me, she said she does not know.

Then she called a female saleman, ask her if there is one. She told me there is "probably" one or two left in the lot, she asked me to go over there to check it out by myself and then she went back to the coffee table to continue chit-chatting with other employees.

What the he11 is this? I didnt look like someone who could afford a 3 series?

Anyway, my brother and me walked about 350 ft and saw this E90 in their lot. Another salesman was there showing this car to 2 or 3 customers, I politely said hi and he asked me if someone has taken care of me, I said no, I was told to come over here and find the car I want by myself.

After that, he totally ignored me, I walked away after about 30 seconds. It is really a shame because my brother just visited me 3 days ago and he wants to see how the "VIP" service BMW dealers in USA provides, and this is what he saw.

I am so sorry but I need to go back to work in 5 minutes, I will post #5 later tonight ASAP.