BMW Dealers

Anan1

My mother is on the point of ordering a new 320d. I'd like to hear of your experiences with dealers, particularly in situations where things didn't go as smoothly as planned. Thanks!

Owen

If you ask for negative experiences, then that's all your going to get

Elessar

Tell her to go to Germany, or even England for a weekend. You'll get one cheaper, and probably with extras. Otherwise enjoy your (nice) rip-off!

Owen

Elessar wrote:

Tell her to go to Germany, or even England for a weekend. You'll get one cheaper, and probably with extras. Otherwise enjoy your (nice) rip-off!

Extras are common in the European market now, the models are consistant, ES, SE, M-Sport, etc. Going to Germany means ordering RHD, and waiting longer than it would take to order a spec changeable car here. Bear in mind also, that most manufacturers subsidise pre-tax prices for Ireland, and Ireland has some of the cheapest pre-tax prices in the European Union.

Certainly if you're buying second hand, your advice rings true, I would do the same, and have done in the past.

Junkyard is better qualified to post on this subject than I am, I'm sure he'll give you some good advice.

DukeDredd

If you're in Cork steer clear of Kevin O'Learys in Silversprings - had nothing but hassle with this crowd with my BMW a few years ago. Head for Kearys or even Bolands in Waterford. I heard O'Learys have gotten better since but once bitten...

opus

DukeDredd wrote:

If you're in Cork steer clear of Kevin O'Learys in Silversprings - had nothing but hassle with this crowd with my BMW a few years ago. Head for Kearys or even Bolands in Waterford. I heard O'Learys have gotten better since but once bitten...

Had a similar bad experience trying to get them to order a part for me last year, if they couldn't do that then no way I'd consider buying a car off them. Have heard the story that they have improved recently as well so perhaps you should give them the benefit of the doubt. Personally, I won't be going back though & was glad to see Kearys open in Cork.

Fey!

Have used Motorpark (Barry Motors) in Galway for some parts and service work. Found them very good and efficient.

Captain Slow IRL

I know a few lads who work in motorpark, they say it's a pretty decent place. Try conlons in rathangan, kildare - used to work for them and they are pretty decent as well.

Anan1

Elessar wrote:

Tell her to go to Germany, or even England for a weekend. You'll get one cheaper, and probably with extras. Otherwise enjoy your (nice) rip-off!

Tax-free prices are lower here than inthe UK. I have the impression that prices here are lower than in Germany too, although the hassle of buying in Germany would in any case rule that out.

The car is going to be ordered in Dublin, barring a compelling reason to do otherwise. Currently, Maxwell seem to be the most helpful, so partricularly interested in stories about them. Ordering Monday. Thanks for the advice, keep it coming!

milltown

Haven't bought a new car from either of them but I find Frank Keane's and Mc.Keon's (in Kells) to be decent to deal with. However, Barry motors in Galway are one dealer I have found to go above and beyond. Fantastic to deal with.

Captain Slow IRL

Barry motors and Motorpark are all the same?!

Fey!

land9 wrote:

Barry motors and Motorpark are all the same?!

Indeed they are. The 2 girls on the service desk are excellent, and I have had good service from them with 2 cars (jobs that had to be done by dealer) - also no BS from them about the cars being too old for them to be bothered, the fact that I didn't buy from them, or the fact that they don't do my regular servicing.

You can ring them on 091-741100//741133.

DublinDilbert

I've always found frank keane on the Naas road to be quite good... There was a re-call outstanding on my 10 year old E36... brought it in, had it done for free, they even washed the car... it was a saftey related re-call, but i didn't expect it to be so hassle free... I bought quite a few parts from them too, and they are excellent, very friendly and nice on the phone & when you call in..

I would avoid a certain dealer near junction 5 on the M50.. they are a real pain to deal with... even answering the phone seems to be hassle for them...

junkyard

As far as I know Belgium is the cheapest place to buy a car for export, any time I went looking this proved to be the case.

Anan1

junkyard wrote:

As far as I know Belgium is the cheapest place to buy a car for export, any time I went looking this proved to be the case.

Might it be cheaper than here to the point where it'd be worthwhile?

bennyx_o

I've dealt with Joe Duffy at the M50. I ordered rear cabrio screen cleaner and they were very efficient in getting it for me. Think it took them about 4 days in all. One thing I didn't like was I was looking at the Minis and not one sales person came up to me asking if I was OK. I was only looking but it still would've been nice if I was asked if I was OK.

Owen

bennyx_o wrote:

I've dealt with Joe Duffy at the M50. I ordered rear cabrio screen cleaner and they were very efficient in getting it for me. Think it took them about 4 days in all. One thing I didn't like was I was looking at the Minis and not one sales person came up to me asking if I was OK. I was only looking but it still would've been nice if I was asked if I was OK.

Probably, because in most dual franchise Dealerships (BMW & MINI) only MINI sales people are allowed to deal with MINI customers. Duffy's have approx 15 BMW Salesmen I think, and 2 MINI. You might have just been unlucky with the MINI people being out to lunch, delivering cars, etc.

bennyx_o

Ah yea. I wasn't bothered tbh i had just bought a car at the time and I didn't want to be stuck there with some dealer trying to sell me a car I didn't want to buy.

Seth Brundle

Anan1 wrote:

Tax-free prices are lower here than inthe UK. I have the impression that prices here are lower than in Germany too, although the hassle of buying in Germany would in any case rule that out.

Are they still that way? I was under the belief that BMW had standardised pre tax prices across the EU - maybe they haven't done it yet.

astraboy

Pre tax prices had to be standarised recently under a new EU reg. Means our cars will be more expensive till more competition enters, or the Gov lower taxes on cars. :rolleyes:

ninty9er

I'm fairly sure pre tax prices (adjusted for transport and RHD) were standardised across the EU as part of Bloc Exemption

endplate

The girl in Joe Duffy's that sells the Mini's is pretty hot she's well worth a visit;)

Volvoboy

Conlans in Rathangan Co. Kildare, they've the highest sales figures in all of Ireland, also the only BMW approved body shop in Ireland.

Clicky-

http://www.conlanandsonsbmw.ie/contentv3/




-VB-

Owen

Volvoboy wrote:

Conlans in Rathangan Co. Kildare, they've the highest sales figures in all of Ireland, also the only BMW approved body shop in Ireland.

Sorry buddy, Marina Crash Repairs in Cork City are the country's second BMW approved Body Shop.

maidhc

ned78 wrote:

Sorry buddy, Marina Crash Repairs in Cork City are the country's second BMW approved Body Shop.

Never heard of them!

Whereabouts are they?

Owen

maidhc wrote:

Never heard of them!

Whereabouts are they?

Down the Marina Industrial Estate, on the Monaghan Road.

pburns

I've dealt with Conlons, found their service really good when I went back with a problem.

A lot of main dealers must have huge overheads though - what with the price of a site, building, staff etc.

Owen

pburns wrote:

I've dealt with Conlons, found their service really good when I went back with a problem.

A lot of main dealers must have huge overheads though - what with the price of a site, building, staff etc.

You have no idea ...

colm_mcm

the ould rent in Rathangan can't be that high.....

Anan1

Well she ordered the car from Maxwell today, delivery is promised in 6 weeks. Thanks to all for your help.

Fey!

Hope she likes it.

She might have it in time for the next BMW track day in Mondello....

unkel

Anan1 wrote:

Well she ordered the car from Maxwell today, delivery is promised in 6 weeks. Thanks to all for your help.

FWIW, I had my previous car serviced in Maxwell once and they were professional and courteous

Out of interest, did your mothers' 156 finally give the ghost or did she fancy a change?

Mitzy

I dealt with Frank Keane & they were great. A friend recently bought a car through Maxwell motors and had a nightmare time with them. He said he wouldn't recommend them!

Anan1

unkel wrote:

FWIW, I had my previous car serviced in Maxwell once and they were professional and courteous

Out of interest, did your mothers' 156 finally give the ghost or did she fancy a change?

The 156 is still running strong, i'm going to sell the C280 and drive it myself. I pretty much pushed her into changing, mainly because the 3 series is a safer car. It's nicely specced up, and i'd imagine she'll be happy in it until 2016 or thereabouts.:)

Fey! wrote:

Hope she likes it.

She might have it in time for the next BMW track day in Mondello....

I dunno if a €63,500 320d auto would really be in its ideal environment at a track day..;)

Anan1

Mitzy wrote:

I dealt with Frank Keane & they were great. A friend recently bought a car through Maxwell motors and had a nightmare time with them. He said he wouldn't recommend them!

I'm afraid you were a bit late with that one! What went wrong for your friend?

unkel

Anan1 wrote:

The 156 is still running strong, i'm going to sell the C280 and drive it myself

Is the Alfa a 2.0l petrol (can't remember)? Would you not mind the lower performance and would you not miss the "sheep" factor of your c-class?

Anan1

unkel wrote:

Is the Alfa a 2.0l petrol (can't remember)? Would you not mind the lower performance and would you not miss the "sheep" factor of your c-class?

The Alfa is a 2.0TS. To be honest acceleration is about the same, as the Mercedes is automatic. I will miss the "sheep" factor as you put it, but I won't miss the oversteer on wet roads! I'm not overly happy about going back to manual, but the Alfa is just such a nice car that I can't really say no. It handles and grips far better, and the seats are better too. Plus, the Alfa is free.;)

unkel

Can't argue with that. Fair play and enjoy

Anan1

Anan1 wrote:

Well she ordered the car from Maxwell today, delivery is promised in 6 weeks. Thanks to all for your help.

Well, the car was picked up this morning. To be honest, I really can't fault Maxwell Motors so far. Less than a month from order to delivery, good communication, the salesman spent over an hour going over the car with her, and he even gave her a bunch of flowers for Valentines day. Think I might write a nice letter to his boss, I used to love it when people did that for me.:)

stifz

Anan1 wrote:

My mother is on the point of ordering a new 320d. I'd like to hear of your experiences with dealers, particularly in situations where things didn't go as smoothly as planned. Thanks!

do not deal with a main dealer in rathgar.. Absolute misfits. and thats being kind.

JohnCleary

Anan1 wrote:

Well, the car was picked up this morning. To be honest, I really can't fault Maxwell Motors so far. Less than a month from order to delivery, good communication, the salesman spent over an hour going over the car with her, and he even gave her a bunch of flowers for Valentines day. Think I might write a nice letter to his boss, I used to love it when people did that for me.:)

You used to love when men gave you flowers? How nice

Anan1

JohnCleary wrote:

You used to love when men gave you flowers? How nice

I used to love the letters, smarta55!;) Seriously though, the salesman was only a young guy starting out. A letter to your boss from a happy customer is just the thing when you're getting the head torn off you about something else.

JohnCleary

Anan1 wrote:

I used to love the letters, smarta55!;) Seriously though, the salesman was only a young guy starting out. A letter to your boss from a happy customer is just the thing when you're getting the head torn off you about something else.

I agree, praise good work, it's hard to find in this country anymore

unkel

Anan1 wrote:

Well, the car was picked up this morning. To be honest, I really can't fault Maxwell Motors so far. Less than a month from order to delivery, good communication, the salesman spent over an hour going over the car with her, and he even gave her a bunch of flowers for Valentines day. Think I might write a nice letter to his boss, I used to love it when people did that for me.:)

A positive comment about a main dealer for a change. I think the letter is a great idea

Genco

I used to believe that if I had nothing good to say then I should say nothing .... but after recent experiences I will be watching a lot closer for loose horses along the M50 given the cowboy outfit in close proximity :rolleyes:

BMW are definitely amongst the best when it comes to product .... infact definitely cant fault them too much in this regard ....... but when it comes to their people ...... :eek:

Pretty hard to believe that one dealer has retained losses of about €203,000 at the end of 2005, down from losses of €608,000 the previous year; although given their obnoxious disposition its not all that hard to see why

MontgomeryClift

OP: Do you really want your mother to become a 'BMW Driver'? Get her to buy a decent person's car.

unkel

MontgomeryClift wrote:

OP: Do you really want your mother to become a 'BMW Driver'? i.e. A cretin? Get her to buy a decent person's car.

You're the cretin, MontgomeryClift. Any more such tripe and you're gone from here

netwhizkid

I have dealt personally with Aherns BMW in CastleIsland Co. Kerry

http://www.ahernsbmw.ie/contentv3/

and found the service extremely friendly and cordial, Brand new state of the Art facilities with the new showroom opened last December with the aid of that famous son of Kerry the Sam Maguire Cup. I had work done to my beamer which I imported from the UK there, and it was very efficient and came in under budget.

They also house the Opel garage on the same premises for those whose wallets are considerably smaller. Worth a visit if you can get through the CastleIsland Traffic :mad:

Thegalwayman

Having rang motorpark galway to get a price for a wing mirror I'd say AVOID. Took 3 phone calls with no one seemingly knowing the price of anything. Eventually got a price of 210 for a driver side mirror fitted. Checked myself in 30secs on my phone and saw the part (with heated mirror) for 79.50 delivered from micks garage. The girls had no notion of price. Having got through to parts they had no idea what the labour cost would be but seeing as these jokers charged 20mins labour to fit over priced windscreen wipers for my GFs car in the past I'm not surprised.

MetzgerMeister

Things may have changed since 2007

unkel

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Things may have changed since 2007

Ha! Looks like back then I did not use stern moderator Wibbs bold