[kplo]

has anyone had good experience with any of the 4 dealers in the bay area for service? I just brought my car in for them to fix a paint chip on the spoiler (chip was there when I picked up the car) and to activate the alarm. They are quick, I can pick up the car the next day...but:
1) alarm is activated but they deactivated my DRL also.
2) they put a scratch on my rear bumper (~2" long, hair thin, not very visible from distance though)
3) they put a dent on my door sill plate

the sales manager was willing to fix the bumper when I pointed out to him, but I probably won't bring it back. I don't want to spend my time just to fix that minor single line scratch. Also I am afraid they will do more damage to the car than repair. I do realize that cars get dent and scratch when you use them, unless they are coverd in the garage. However, I am disappointed at the dealer's carelessness. Now I think about it, I probably should have waited for them to fix the spoiler rather than took delivery and bring the car back to fix it...well, I guess I have to partially blame my own rush to drive the car then...

[SFJAMES]

Damn, I lost my first reply, here we go quick and simple, NONE. Wherever you go though, remember to 1. Deny their Courtesy wash. 2. if they go under the hood, check that nothing was left behind (expansion tank cap, tools, etc.) on top of intercooler especially. 3. Learn as much about your car as you can so you can do as much as you can yourself, thats what I'm doin anyway.

[kplo]

Quote: Originally Posted by SFJAMES

Damn, I lost my first reply, here we go quick and simple, NONE. Wherever you go though, remember to 1. Deny their Courtesy wash. 2. if they go under the hood, check that nothing was left behind (expansion tank cap, tools, etc.) on top of intercooler especially. 3. Learn as much about your car as you can so you can do as much as you can yourself, thats what I'm doin anyway.

I can't agree more with you....actually I thought about telling them not to wash the car, but then I thought, well, they already washed it once on the delivery date, so I might just let them wash it (especially it has been raining for the past few weeks as you know).....bad decision I guess

[SFJAMES]

you'll be alright, just make them aware that you will be checking your car out after they are done with it. Be sure to do so every time.

[prs]

Quote: Originally Posted by kplo

has anyone had good experience with any of the 4 dealers in the bay area for service? I just brought my car in for them to fix a paint chip on the spoiler (chip was there when I picked up the car) and to activate the alarm. They are quick, I can pick up the car the next day...but:
1) alarm is activated but they deactivated my DRL also.
2) they put a scratch on my rear bumper (~2" long, hair thin, not very visible from distance though)
3) they put a dent on my door sill plate

the sales manager was willing to fix the bumper when I pointed out to him, but I probably won't bring it back. I don't want to spend my time just to fix that minor single line scratch. Also I am afraid they will do more damage to the car than repair. I do realize that cars get dent and scratch when you use them, unless they are coverd in the garage. However, I am disappointed at the dealer's carelessness. Now I think about it, I probably should have waited for them to fix the spoiler rather than took delivery and bring the car back to fix it...well, I guess I have to partially blame my own rush to drive the car then...

Who is your dealer? Mine is East Bay Mini, and I would highly recommend them.

[Johnny225]

I've ordered through MINI of Mountain View. So far, all is well, but as I haven't taken delivery yet, I can't speak for maintenance. But their three-man team is really nice.

[Trina]

ordered and picked up my car from East Bay MINI in Pleasanton. Havne't had to go in for service yet, but I plan to make the drive over there when the time comes. I have 2 MINI dealerships that are closer, but I've heard too many questionable things about the others, and only good things about East Bay MINI's service dep

[kplo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trina

ordered and picked up my car from East Bay MINI in Pleasanton. Havne't had to go in for service yet, but I plan to make the drive over there when the time comes. I have 2 MINI dealerships that are closer, but I've heard too many questionable things about the others, and only good things about East Bay MINI's service dep

I am sorry to say that the one that I am talking about is East Bay MINI. Their service is great in terms of the staff attitude. Too bad they did those things to my car. Now I don't know which of the 4 is not as bad then.

[prs]

Quote: Originally Posted by kplo

I am sorry to say that the one that I am talking about is East Bay MINI. Their service is great in terms of the staff attitude. Too bad they did those things to my car. Now I don't know which of the 4 is not as bad then.

I am sorry to hear that. I had to take my car back to East Bay Mini on three separate occasions to correct two manufacturing defects and for the installation of the Mini alarm system. Each time the car was returned to me as good as new. I always ask that they not wash the car to reduce the possibility of any mishaps. EBM prides itself on providing the best service. I would go straight to the top and ask that they make things right. My guess is that they will. Give it a shot and let us know how things turn out. You can tell them that there are a lot of people in the Bay Area who are interested in how this matter gets handled. Good luck.

[SFJAMES]

whats up y'all, I might as well be sorry too, just kidding. The people are cool at locations thats for sure, but my bad experience was experienced when I noticed things wrong with my car before they ever did, on about 3 seperate times. Including them curbing my rim and not telling me about it. its all good now though. motor on!

[SFJAMES]

Brutus is going in for 34,000 mile service. oooooooooh! We are heading to Concord mini to get it handled. Hoping all goes well, I'm getting details on everything they do. motor on!

[SFJAMES]

Quote: Originally Posted by kplo

I am sorry to say that the one that I am talking about is East Bay MINI. Their service is great in terms of the staff attitude. Too bad they did those things to my car. Now I don't know which of the 4 is not as bad then.

I would not worry to much about it man or lady, as long as they know your on top of them, your mini will be alright. I live in the city, but take Brutus to Concord for his service, thought about SF mini, but that place seems very crammed and I am not putting up with any dings or stuff like at all, waiting area sucks too. Theres a lot of things to get into @ Concord. take care and as always... motor on!

[kplo]

thanks y'all. The people at east bay mini are cool, but I am just upset about how careless their technicians are. There were lint and thread get wedge in between the hood emblem and the hood. It is obvious that whoever washed my car was really doing a bad job. The door sill dent was probably from a drop tool like a screw driver or something....probably when they were working inside the car to hook up the computer. I don't think I am bringing the car back to fix it though....because the most fun does not come from how the car looks on the ouside, but from how it drives on the road. I just can't stand to have the rental car again and.....most importantly, not be motoring!!

p.s. I think it is strange that all my previous cars also had scratches on the rear bumper made by someone else within weeks of my ownership.....must be a curse!!

[Gas O]

Out of the dealers I have been to, East Bay Mini service has been the best! I recently developed a stress fracture on the windshield. No impact points visible. After reading horror stories about dealer reluctance to replace under warrantee, I called a couple places. I chose East Bay because Concord has treated me like second class customer since day 2. (Day 1 I bought the car from them so they had to be nice). The service technician at East Bay did the "pen test" and said there was detent at the top which caused the crack. Bryan Malgradi, a service manager, said "There's no obvious impact damage. I'll warantee it." Even provided me with a loaner for the day. Unlike other MINI dealerships, East Bay is not out to screw you.

I think any dealership you go to, you'll run into incompetent service technicians. Last time I went to MINI of Concord for an indicator replacement, I found an Xacto knife poised dangerously close to the wires leading to the Xenons. At East Bay I came back to find my A pillar was cracked when they replaced the windshield. But as long as the service managers are honest, they'll take care of you. I'm getting the A pillar replaced this weekend as well as some other small problems, and I know from now on I will only go to East Bay MINI, even if it means I have to be late for work that day. Thanks again to Bryan and East Bay MINI!

[kplo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gas O

...Thanks again to Bryan and East Bay MINI!

hey, Bryan was my service manager too...he is a cool guy, and he immediately agree to fix the rear bumper for me, no question asked...that's good. I think they just need to raise their technicians' awareness of how they should be handling the customers' cars with care.

[SFJAMES]

Quote: Originally Posted by kplo

hey, Bryan was my service manager too...he is a cool guy, and he immediately agree to fix the rear bumper for me, no question asked...that's good. I think they just need to raise their technicians' awareness of how they should be handling the customers' cars with care.

alright, hell with that... I'm going to see Bryan for now on too! bad Brutus!, bad Brutus!

[SFJAMES]

[

"I think any dealership you go to, you'll run into incompetent service technicians. Last time I went to MINI of Concord for an indicator replacement, I found an Xacto knife poised dangerously close to the wires leading to the Xenons. At East Bay I came back to find my A pillar was cracked when they replaced the windshield. But as long as the service managers are honest, they'll take care of you. I'm getting the A pillar replaced this weekend as well as some other small problems, and I know from now on I will only go to East Bay MINI, even if it means I have to be late for work that day. Thanks again to Bryan and East Bay MINI![/quote]"


ah man, I had one of them leave the coolant tank (old one from orig. tank) cap on my intercooler and was getting ready to have to drive back to SF along bumpy a-- hwy 24, that would have ruined the intercooler for sure. I was very glad I popped the bonnett to look everything over and noticed it. Also made sure to write what happened on their little evaluation card. glad nothing happened with exacto either motor on!

[kplo]

should we ask all bay area owners to write up their bad experience with east bay mini here and forward it to Bryan, so that he can influence on raising their tech's awareness? afterall, we all want to have some good dealer-customer relationships and know that there is a trustworthy dealer we can go to.

[kmickey]

Quote: Originally Posted by kplo

should we ask all bay area owners to write up their bad experience with east bay mini here and forward it to Bryan, so that he can influence on raising their tech's awareness? afterall, we all want to have some good dealer-customer relationships and know that there is a trustworthy dealer we can go to.

Well, here's my experience at East Bay BMW/Mini:

Saturday 3/6/04. My wife and I went to East Bay BMW/Mini to pick up a part that was ordered (via warranty rear window deck lid).

They mistakenly tried to charge me for the part. I mentioned it was a warranty part. No big deal, clerk had to clear it with the service manager.
Service manager (Jim Burke) started shouting at the clerk and then at my wife and myself “you should of came by to see me first and not the parts department”. He was really chewing my butt. How was I to know? In fact, someone from East Bay BMW called my house and said the part was in and come by to pick it up. Really doesn’t matter, the service manager snapped, start a verbal assault on myself, my wife and the poor employee behind the parts counter. He continued with this rant in front of other customers and employees (note: there were several folks in the show room looking at new cars when the service manager snapped – needless to say they cleared the show room.)

The service manager needs anger management classes. If he worked for me and treated my customers or employees like that I would fire him in no time flat!

Funny ending: The service manager was so angry and animated, he grabbed the new part and stomped off to install it on the first Mini he saw outside. When I told him that was not my car - well lets just say I installed it myself.

[muldoond]

took mine to concord. had a great experience.