13 miles during a service

[///MLOVER]

Took my car to the local dealer to get a service and brake pads changed. I also got a alignment for 200$ sunscreen I just bought new tires. First of all the alignment is worse then when I took the car in. Second they drove the car for 13 miles. They told me they had to test it and they had a hard time doing the alignment since the car was lowered on springs. What should I do? Is that a normal amount for a test? I called bmw NA and they said all they can do is file a complaint.

[Chadmatic]

[Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Valet Parking Scene]

[Bogey4me]

Originally Posted by ///MLOVER

Took my car to the local dealer to get a service and brake pads changed. I also got a alignment for 200$ sunscreen I just bought new tires. First of all the alignment is worse then when I took the car in. Second they drove the car for 13 miles. They told me they had to test it and they had a hard time doing the alignment since the car was lowered on springs. What should I do? Is that a normal amount for a test? I called bmw NA and they said all they can do is file a complaint.

File a complaint. I even had a service tech tell me once that he couldn't get my seat fixed because the dealer wouldn't approve, but that if I called BMW N.A. that it would get done. They don't like unhappy M drivers. You have nothing to lose. I'd be pissed if they put 13 miles on my car. Doesn't take that long to test drive and see if it rides well.

[Chadmatic]

Originally Posted by Bogey4me

File a complaint. I even had a service tech tell me once that he couldn't get my seat fixed because the dealer wouldn't approve, but that if I called BMW N.A. that it would get done. They don't like unhappy M drivers. You have nothing to lose. I'd be pissed if they put 13 miles on my car. Doesn't take that long to test drive and see if it rides well.

Oh... so you have to be an M driver!

[P1]

Thirteen miles. Goodness gracious. The things that keep us awake at night these days...

[Chadmatic]

Originally Posted by P1et

Thirteen miles. Goodness gracious. The things that keep us awake at night these days...

Lol! Totally get your point, but a 13 mile test drive in LA is a bit concerning... It usually takes about 3 days to travel that far by car /s.

[DuSh]

13 miles is a 6.5 mile trip to some destination and back. That's like 10 min one way and back. Probably a bit excessive yes, but what if they drove it couple times to adjust something after first try. I can't imagine any mechanic testing a BMW repair without a proper test drive - at least 10 min (both ways) or about 5-6 miles is ok-ish. After all you need to test vehicle on different speeds (even highway sometimes) and who knows where is nearest highway entry/exit. I don't think it's worth troubles for extra 6 miles they test drove it. Don't go nuts, save your nerves. I think sometimes we all make a big deal out of nothing lol

[R///MG]

Which BMW dealership in LA was this?

[///MLOVER]

I mean they didn't even get the Alignment right after that many miles? What made me upset was the SA was on vacation after I picked up my car so I I sent him a email telling him what happened. He just said bring it back and we will redo to alignment. He did not even say anything about why or for what they drove for 13 miles. He didn't even say sorry. When I picked it up I talked to the service manager which turned out he was faking his position. He told me you have nothing to worry about we take all our technicians to track days at the local track here. So they are all used to driving fast cars. He also said all the neighbors here have my cell phone number and if any of our techs do anything they call me right away. Jeez people these days! Didn't even say sorry for the inconvenience after I told him I'm not happy with my experience. Also to the people in being sarcastic about how I'm upset over 13 miles. My car has a eisenmann race exhaust and I know the techs that drove the car probably redlined the car. I mean come on wouldn't you?

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by ///MLOVER

I mean they didn't even get the Alignment right after that many miles? What made me upset was the SA was on vacation after I picked up my car so I I sent him a email telling him what happened. He just said bring it back and we will redo to alignment. He did not even say anything about why or for what they drove for 13 miles. He didn't even say sorry. When I picked it up I talked to the service manager which turned out he was faking his position. He told me you have nothing to worry about we take all our technicians to track days at the local track here. So they are all used to driving fast cars. He also said all the neighbors here have my cell phone number and if any of our techs do anything they call me right away. Jeez people these days! Didn't even say sorry for the inconvenience after I told him I'm not happy with my experience. Also to the people in being sarcastic about how I'm upset over 13 miles. My car has a eisenmann race exhaust and I know the techs that drove the car probably redlined the car. I mean come on wouldn't you?

Is there a valet mode or something to lock redline to 5500rpm and lock max speed etc? I know it sounds silly to do this in dealership, but just wondering

[P1]

Originally Posted by ///MLOVER

I mean they didn't even get the Alignment right after that many miles? What made me upset was the SA was on vacation after I picked up my car so I I sent him a email telling him what happened. He just said bring it back and we will redo to alignment. He did not even say anything about why or for what they drove for 13 miles. He didn't even say sorry. When I picked it up I talked to the service manager which turned out he was faking his position. He told me you have nothing to worry about we take all our technicians to track days at the local track here. So they are all used to driving fast cars. He also said all the neighbors here have my cell phone number and if any of our techs do anything they call me right away. Jeez people these days! Didn't even say sorry for the inconvenience after I told him I'm not happy with my experience. Also to the people in being sarcastic about how I'm upset over 13 miles. My car has a eisenmann race exhaust and I know the techs that drove the car probably redlined the car. I mean come on wouldn't you?

Sure, it's frustrating they didn't get the work done correctly they said they would. They need to make that right.

But in regards to the miles, in the grand scheme of things, is that really something you need to worry about? Is your car damaged? Did they scrape your wheels? Is your interior dirty? It's not worth stressing yourself out about chief. It's just a car, not some rare collectible.

[Maverik259]

Just cuz you have a "insert exhaust name here" exhaust doesn't mean everyone wants to just jump in your car and "redline" it. That's a bit extreme. If you had brakes done maybe they took it somewhere to bed them in. So many more innocent reasons than not brother. Wouldn't worry.

[VGM6]

Just curious but which dealer did you bring it to?

[Bogey4me]

Originally Posted by Chadmatic

Oh... so you have to be an M driver!

All businesses prioritize their most lucrative customers. You don't think so? Why do you think they would only help M drivers? I don't agree with your inference.

[Chadmatic]

Originally Posted by Bogey4me

All businesses prioritize their most lucrative customers. You don't think so? Why do you think they would only help M drivers? I don't agree with your inference.

So based on your statement above, you are suggesting that the most lucrative BMW customer is somebody who drives an M car?

[Bogey4me]

Originally Posted by Chadmatic

So based on your statement above, you are suggesting that the most lucrative BMW customer is somebody who drives an M car?

You got it!! M cars cost more and so BMW has highest margins on M cars! See it's simple

[Chadmatic]

Originally Posted by Bogey4me

You got it!! M cars cost more and so BMW has highest margins on M cars! See it's simple

Hmm... I would have thought that the loyal customer who has purchased many cars from BMW would be more of a lucrative customer (or valued customer) than somebody who purchases a single M car. Loyalty or volume isn't part of the equation then? You simply have to purchase an M car?

Based on your logic, if you walk into an Apple Store and purchase the highest spec iPhone X or MacBook Pro then you are the most lucrative Apple customer? As opposed to the enthusiast who has embraced the entire ecosystem? Or an organization which purchases many units?

[Bogey4me]

You're right. BMW probably has a big database that tracks all the BMWs you have purchased new and used, the number of blog posts you've authored, the BMW accessories you own (including those cute little M tire valve stem covers you treated yourself to in your stocking this year)...the true long term customer value over a 100 year life, before deciding what priority a complaint will receive. That's way easier than BMW NA saying I've got a customer that dropped $100k on an SUV that isn't happy and treating that with more urgency. The 20 year service guys comment that they treat M drivers better has to be wrong (which is the comment that got you all twisted up). They have a database instead....much easier. Not sure why you don't understand that's how companies work, don't really care either. This banter is no longer lucrative...as anyone who bothered to read this post will quickly attest to and want the last 5 minutes of their life back. I gave you one more example of using the Lucrative word Chad. Carry on man

[Chadmatic]

Originally Posted by Bogey4me

Not sure why you don't understand that's how companies work, don't really care either.

This banter is no longer lucrative...as anyone who bothered to read this post will quickly attest to and want the last 5 minutes of their life back. I gave you one more example of using the Lucrative word Chad. Carry on man

I will work on trying to understand it, in the meantime thanks for treating me like the non M driver that I am!

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Chadmatic

I will work on trying to understand it, in the meantime thanks for treating me like the non M driver that I am!

It's called entitlement my friend. Lol or maybe it's elitist. I can't remember. Haha

[P1]

Originally Posted by Chadmatic

I will work on trying to understand it, in the meantime thanks for treating me like the non M driver that I am!

Whoa whoa. We are M drivers; we have M Sport, which is essentially an M but just with a more fuel efficient engine and different bumpers.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by P1et

Whoa whoa. We are M drivers; we have M Sport, which is essentially an M but just with a more fuel efficient engine and different bumpers.

I'm entitled