"BMW First"

v10

I was just emailed details of a new service being offered by BMW .. what are your thoughts on it ? ...

Get exclusive BMW FIRST advantages for an even better driving experience.

Basically for €49 per month you get :

• Monthly exterior hand-wash and monthly interior vacuum at any BMW Dealer for free.
• For each BMW Service choose between pick-up and delivery or replacement vehicle free of charge.
• In-depth leather care and interior cleaning with original BMW cleaning products included.
• Drive a BMW model of your choice for 3 days a year for free
• Rent a roof box or bicycle holder for your vacation for free.
• We take care of your scratches and dents up to an amount of € 100.00 / year.
• 10% discount on toll road expenses (up to € 100.00 / year).
• Get 5 cents on each liter of fuel at partnering petrol stations.

€600 per year .. what do you think ?

JoeA3

Completely daft imo!

Most of those things should be a given, such as the service items.
I wouldn't let a main dealer near my car to "wash" it.
100 quid per year for scratches? WTF.

Stallingrad

You're basically paying them so they can have multiple opportunities to try and sell you a car during the course of the year. If they gave me €600 a year I would consider it.

v10

JoeA3 wrote: »

Completely daft imo!

Most of those things should be a given, such as the service items.
I wouldn't let a main dealer near my car to "wash" it.
100 quid per year for scratches? WTF.

I agree, and in fairness I've always been offered pick-up and delivery or replacement vehicle free of charge any time my car has been booked in for anything.

Also agreed, €100 per year for scratches is ridiculous, €100 wouldn't fix any scratch !

I wouldn't have any problem with a main dealer washing/vacuuming my car though, I'm sure they'd do as good a job as a lot of places.

Stallingrad wrote: »

You're basically paying them so they can have multiple opportunities to try and sell you a car during the course of the year. If they gave me €600 a year I would consider it.

They do that anyway !

TGJD

Does the model of your choice 3 days a year include the m5?

v10

TGJD wrote: »

Does the model of your choice 3 days a year include the m5?

ha I asked the same thing and was told yes any car is available, apparently a lot of people asked if the i8 was an option too !

Blazer

v10 wrote: »

ha I asked the same thing and was told yes any car is available, apparently a lot of people asked if the i8 was an option too !

hmm..?600 to drive a M5/i8 for 3 days.. that might be tempting.
The rest of it is only muck. Well maybe the 5 cents off fuel but the service parts will easily cost you a fortune.
Whatever about the dealer cleaning the inside of my car I point blank refuse to let them wash the outside as they strip off the wax and sealant and it ends up looking manky with water drops afterwards.

Theboinkmaster

v10 wrote: »

I wouldn't have any problem with a main dealer washing/vacuuming my car though, I'm sure they'd do as good a job as a lot of places.

Not a chance - I've bought a premium selection car from a main dealer as well as dropped it into 3 different ones.

All of them "hand washed" and hoovered it and they all did a terrible job, and some of them actually damaged the interior trim of the car. Outside of the car just looks like they wet it.

And most of them let the premium selection cars go out the door in a terrible state, just a quick hoover and wipe with damp cloth :eek:

None of them have a clue when it comes to valeting or detailing.

PGE1970

v10 wrote: »

I wouldn't have any problem with a main dealer washing/vacuuming my car though, I'm sure they'd do as good a job as a lot of places.

They do that anyway !

If you care about your paintwork, as I do, I wouldn't let any dealer near my car. Chances are, the sponge that is used is full of grit that they will pass, with force, over the vehicle.

Never mind the damage of a strong power hose close to alloys etc.

Save your cash, buy yourself a DA polisher, some decent products and look after it yourself rather than leaving it with some 17 year old in for a summer job.

v10

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

Not a chance - I've bought a premium selection car from a main dealer as well as dropped it into 3 different ones.

All of them "hand washed" and hoovered it and they all did a terrible job, and some of them actually damaged the interior trim of the car. Outside of the car just looks like they wet it.

And most of them let the premium selection cars go out the door in a terrible state, just a quick hoover and wipe with damp cloth :eek:

None of them have a clue when it comes to valeting or detailing.

Fair enough, can't say I've much experience of them valeting my car to be honest, in fact other than a couple a free washes with a service I have no experience!

Stallingrad

I came across the 'valeting bay' at a main dealer recently, the power hose brush was resting face down on the ground. They are not all bad but why chance it?

v10

the valeting part is not mandatory anyway guys !

I personally get my car washed about every fortnight by some local power wash guys (so that's about €17 without interior clean) and haven't had any issues, I don't know but didn't think my dealer would be any worse.

But anyway what about the other features of the offer ?

PGE1970

OP, I wouldn't let a valeter at my car either! Basically, anyone using a sponge, a blade, one bucket, someone else's dirty water or a product that might strip my car of wax, LSP etc is not welcome!!

Regarding the rest of the offer:

Monthly exterior hand-wash and monthly interior vacuum at any BMW Dealer for free. Already well dealt with!
• For each BMW Service choose between pick-up and delivery or replacement vehicle free of charge. Is a replacement car not usually given?
• In-depth leather care and interior cleaning with original BMW cleaning products included. - A bottle of Gliptone leather cleaner is under a tenner. Dakota leather is already treated with a protectant so doesn't breathe like natural untreated leather. Only needs cleaning and not conditioning.
• Drive a BMW model of your choice for 3 days a year for free - It's not free - it's €600!
• Rent a roof box or bicycle holder for your vacation for free. - If you need it.
• We take care of your scratches and dents up to an amount of € 100.00 / year. - :eek:
• 10% discount on toll road expenses (up to € 100.00 / year). Might be of use if you are a regular user not exceeding €1000 per annum.
• Get 5 cents on each liter of fuel at partnering petrol stations. Depends on mileage I suppose and if a partnering station is close to you and is not more expensive than a closer competitor.

As a driver of a 3 series, I wouldn't be tempted!!

bazz26

What a waste of €600. There is no way you would be given a M or i model once, not to mind up to 3 times a year. Realistically more like a 116d/316d or whatever trade in is taxed out back.

JoeA3

All in all, this is comically bad value for money.

I'd categorise it with the ludicrous insurance policies Currys try to push on you if you whether its a USB key or a telly you're buying :pac:

v10

bazz26 wrote: »

What a waste of €600. There is no way you would be given a M or i model once, not to mind up to 3 times a year. Realistically more like a 116d/316d or whatever trade in is taxed out back.

I did speak to them (they called because I registered interest) and asked this question and they did say an M or i model would be available, I also asked could the 3 days be taken separately and was told yes that's not a problem.

The fuel and toll parts where the only other that I thought might be useful but again depends on an individuals usage.

They are giving the first 6 months half price as an introductory offer so year 1 would be €450, but still over priced for what you're getting imo.

mikeecho

Their washing technique will leave you with more than €100 worth of paint damage over the course of the year.

€600 would also allow you to rent a bmw for more than 3days.

I've never needed a roof box

I don't spend anywhere near €100 on tolls, let alone €1,000.

I already get 4￠off a litre of fuel.

v10

mikeecho wrote: »

Their washing technique will leave you with more than €100 worth of paint damage over the course of the year.

€600 would also allow you to rent a bmw for more than 3days.

I've never needed a roof box

I don't spend anywhere near €100 on tolls, let alone €1,000.

I already get 4￠off a litre of fuel.

Yeah and I think that would be the general opinion, but could I rent a M or i series BMW for less than €600 ? Where ? (genuinely curious)

mikeecho

v10 wrote: »

Yeah and I think that would be the general opinion, but could I rent a M or i series BMW for less than €600 ? Where ? (genuinely curious)

Here, http://www.autoeurope.ie/luxury.cfm

Or you could head to BMW Welt, and take a car out for a day.
Daytime autobahn blasts, and night time steins of beer.

JoeA3

v10 wrote: »

Yeah and I think that would be the general opinion, but could I rent a M or i series BMW for less than €600 ? Where ? (genuinely curious)

If you're a good customer of the dealer and they know you well, getting the keys for a "test drive" shouldn't be too difficult. Maybe not for 3 days though.

v10

mikeecho wrote: »

Here, http://www.autoeurope.ie/luxury.cfm

Or you could head to BMW Welt, and take a car out for a day.
Daytime autobahn blasts, and night time steins of beer.

Best car available there for this weekend is a 5 series (and I'd a assume a 2L diesel) for €330, a long way off an M or i series.

JoeA3 wrote: »

If you're a good customer of the dealer and they know you well, getting the keys for a "test drive" shouldn't be too difficult. Maybe not for 3 days though.

I would consider myself 'a good customer' but anymore than an accompanied test drive doesn't really seem to be an option from my experience, maybe some dealers would be different though.

quadrifoglio verde

v10 wrote: »

the valeting part is not mandatory anyway guys !

I personally get my car washed about every fortnight by some local power wash guys (so that's about €17 without interior clean) and haven't had any issues, I don't know but didn't think my dealer would be any worse.

But anyway what about the other features of the offer ?

If you're in Dublin, I highly recommend going to Ian in elite autoclean. For 20 Euro, your car will be washed to a completely different level than a power wash guy.
The after result speaks for itself.

If you pay 17 Euro already to have your car washed every 2 weeks you clearly like keeping it clean.
Itd be a shame to miss out on the condition Ian would leave it in for an extra 3 quid

bmwguy

v10 wrote: »

I was just emailed details of a new service being offered by BMW .. what are your thoughts on it ? ...


Basically for €49 per month you get :

• Monthly exterior hand-wash and monthly interior vacuum at any BMW Dealer for free.
• For each BMW Service choose between pick-up and delivery or replacement vehicle free of charge.
• In-depth leather care and interior cleaning with original BMW cleaning products included.
• Drive a BMW model of your choice for 3 days a year for free
• Rent a roof box or bicycle holder for your vacation for free.
• We take care of your scratches and dents up to an amount of € 100.00 / year.
• 10% discount on toll road expenses (up to € 100.00 / year).
• Get 5 cents on each liter of fuel at partnering petrol stations.

€600 per year .. what do you think ?

Monthly wash - put a value of a tenner on this same as a garage wash
Free pick up/delivery or replacement vehicle for each service - zero value to me as I wouldn't get it serviced in dealers
Leather care - maybe worth something
BMW model.of choice for 3 days - ok deal if you could get something exotic, i8, m car, convertible and take on a weekend down the country but can't see them honouring it. 116d from Tuesday to Thursday maybe.
Roof box or bicycle holder- no interest
Scratches and dents - not much for 100 euro. Might put it towards an alloy refurbished if allowed. Car currently has no body scratches
Toll roads - would not save me much maybe a euro a month.
5 cent a litre fuel - save me about a fiver a month at most

Overall, nothing much to see here. Getting a top notch car to drive for 3 days about all that is here. Insurance could be a killer.

r3nu4l

OP, I thought you said that they would give you an M car or an I car, if they were available?

What do you think the chances are of one being available to any old Tom, Dick or Harry that asks for one? Do you really think a 23 year old 116 driver with a whiff of 'just out of college and in his first real job' coming off him is going to get an M car for three days? More likely he'd be told it was 'unavailable'. I'd say that would be reserved for the current owner of a higher end BMW.

v10

r3nu4l wrote: »

OP, I thought you said that they would give you an M car or an I car, if they were available?

What do you think the chances are of one being available to any old Tom, Dick or Harry that asks for one? Do you really think a 23 year old 116 driver with a whiff of 'just out of college and in his first real job' coming off him is going to get an M car for three days? More likely he'd be told it was 'unavailable'. I'd say that would be reserved for the current owner of a higher end BMW.

I only know what they told me, I drive a 2015 6 series so would have no interest in anything less than that so I asked the question, I specifically asked if I could take an M or i series for 3 separate days and was told no problem. I didn't ask about insurance admittedly, so not sure how that's done.

PGE1970

OP,

You're in a 2 year old 6 series and you have it down the local garage for a wash😨😨

Get yourself up to Ian in Elite asap. You won't recognise it after he's done!

Whilst you're there, pop over to Detailing Shed and stock up. Dave there is a good fella and has a beemer himself so will recommend products to match your paint, colour etc. Soon, you'll be driving by the local garage tut tutting at the queue!

Lovely car by the way.

v10

PGE1970 wrote: »

OP,

You're in a 2 year old 6 series and you have it down the local garage for a wash😨😨

Get yourself up to Ian in Elite asap. You won't recognise it after he's done!

Whilst you're there, pop over to Detailing Shed and stock up. Dave there is a good fella and has a beemer himself so will recommend products to match your paint, colour etc. Soon, you'll be driving by the local garage tut tutting at the queue!

Lovely car by the way.

Unfortunately, I don't be in Dublin too often so Elite is a bit too far for me!

As for stocking up on product, I'm far too lazy to clean my own car

Thanks !

Blazer

v10 wrote: »

I'm far too lazy to clean my own car

Thanks !

A fairly new 6 series and you don't wash it yourself?? Blasphemy!!!!!!

PGE1970

Blazer wrote: »

A fairly new 6 series and you don't wash it yourself?? Blasphemy!!!!!!

Don't tell the lads in the Detailing forum!!!:P

Blazer

PGE1970 wrote: »

Don't tell the lads in the Detailing forum!!!:P

It would be like that episode of Friends where Monica called to Ross's ex to clean her apartment as it was so dirty.

J.pilkington

bmwguy wrote: »

Monthly wash - put a value of a tenner on this same as a garage wash
Free pick up/delivery or replacement vehicle for each service - zero value to me as I wouldn't get it serviced in dealers
Leather care - maybe worth something
BMW model.of choice for 3 days - ok deal if you could get something exotic, i8, m car, convertible and take on a weekend down the country but can't see them honouring it. 116d from Tuesday to Thursday maybe.
Roof box or bicycle holder- no interest
Scratches and dents - not much for 100 euro. Might put it towards an alloy refurbished if allowed. Car currently has no body scratches
Toll roads - would not save me much maybe a euro a month.
5 cent a litre fuel - save me about a fiver a month at most

Overall, nothing much to see here. Getting a top notch car to drive for 3 days about all that is here. Insurance could be a killer.

You are admitting yourself that you are not their target market(not interested in BMW aftercare) so I don't think they will be too bothered about your lack of interest.

They are launching a new product, obviously not going to appeal to everyone but I'm sure it makes economic sense to plenty of their customers

Blazer

J.pilkington wrote: »

You are admitting yourself that you are not their target market(not interested in BMW aftercare) so I don't think they will be too bothered about your lack of interest.

They are launching a new product, obviously not going to appeal to everyone but I'm sure it makes economic sense to plenty of their customers

If you could get the i8 for 3 days I'd be seriously interested. Others would be a m car, anything else and I wouldn't bother with it

callaway92

v10 wrote: »

I was just emailed details of a new service being offered by BMW .. what are your thoughts on it ? ...


Basically for €49 per month you get :

• Monthly exterior hand-wash and monthly interior vacuum at any BMW Dealer for free.
• For each BMW Service choose between pick-up and delivery or replacement vehicle free of charge.
• In-depth leather care and interior cleaning with original BMW cleaning products included.
• Drive a BMW model of your choice for 3 days a year for free
• Rent a roof box or bicycle holder for your vacation for free.
• We take care of your scratches and dents up to an amount of € 100.00 / year.
• 10% discount on toll road expenses (up to € 100.00 / year).
• Get 5 cents on each liter of fuel at partnering petrol stations.

€600 per year .. what do you think ?

Ow my brain. . . . . .

Henry Ford III

I can see where BMW are coming from with this - premium brand and they want to offer a premium level of service.

The product needs to be right though.

mikeecho

So if I pay my €588 for the year, then demand an m7 for three days, and they can't supply that car, can I reclaim that 588 back ?

galwaytt

mikeecho wrote: »

v10 wrote: »

Yeah and I think that would be the general opinion, but could I rent a M or i series BMW for less than €600 ? Where ? (genuinely curious)

Here, http://www.autoeurope.ie/luxury.cfm

Or you could head to BMW Welt, and take a car out for a day.
Daytime autobahn blasts, and night time steins of beer.

You could. But it's in München. ....gonna cost you a lot more than €600 when you tot that up.....

v10

mikeecho wrote: »

So if I pay my €588 for the year, then demand an m7 for three days, and they can't supply that car, can I reclaim that 588 back ?

Well I was told on the phone that I could but I would make sure to have a record of a call or get it in an email before I signed up, and would look for a refund if they didn't deliver.

Clareman

Sorry for bumping an old thread but I was looking for the website to sign up for this and this thread popped up.

I signed up for this on my old BMW, it was 1 month free and it was brilliant, got the car cleaned and the wipers replaced, I think the wipers cost €35 on their own, my new car needs new wipers so I'm going to sign up again and get the car dropped off for a clean in a week or so. At €20 a month I find it worth it just to get it cleaned, I do a lot of motorway travelling so it gets dirty quickly, and before anyone says "you'd get a lot of buckets for €20", I've 2 smallies at home so the chance of being able to wash the car myself is next to impossible.

MarkN

I got the mail myself last year and I didn't take much notice of it. From time to time they do offer some clever stuff such as replacing xenon bulbs free of charge to get you into the dealer but both times I had bulbs done on a 2004 325ci I had, there was no hard sell, just free bulbs

Seth Brundle

Clareman wrote: »

got the car cleaned and the wipers replaced, I think the wipers cost €35 on their own, my new car needs new wipers so I'm going to sign up again and get the car dropped off for a clean in a week or so.

Were the wipers "free" under this package?

v10

They made big changes to the 'BMW First' package they were originally touting. As you see from the original post, they were offering free rental of a BMW model of your choice for 3 days a year, free rent a roof box or bicycle holder for your vacation, free minor scratch repair etc but the cost was to be €49 per month. When it actually launched what they actually offered was a Mini Valet, Wiper Blades, Light Bulbs, Health Check, Fuel Discount for €19 per month which is a very different offering.

What I don't understand now is that they offer the free first month and cancel anytime so after signing up and availing of your free Wiper Blades, Light Bulbs and Health Check you are then effectively paying €19 per month for a Mini Valet and a Fuel Discount ? Nothing wrong with that but the Wiper Blades, Light Bulbs and Health Check are not going to be something you get very often ..

I might sign up and get the few bits during the free month and then cancel ?

v10

kbannon wrote: »

Were the wipers "free" under this package?

from http://bmw-first.ie/faq/

How do I avail of new wiper blades?

For wiper blades there is no need to book an appointment at your chosen retailer. Refer to your BMW FIRST subscription at the welcome counter and a parts advisor will see to it that the right wiper blades are fitted swiftly to your vehicle (subject to parts availability).

Is there any additional cost when I get my wiper blades or lightbulbs changed?

There are no additional charges for changing the wiper blades or lightbulbs. Additional charges may only apply if you wish to receive additional services or repairs during your visit.

mooseknunkle

I thought all dealers would be doing this but looks like only a handful are participating

Clareman

kbannon wrote: »

Were the wipers "free" under this package?

They were free with the free month's trial, after this it'll be €19.99 a month

lawred2

v10 wrote: »

I was just emailed details of a new service being offered by BMW .. what are your thoughts on it ? ...


Basically for €49 per month you get :

• Monthly exterior hand-wash and monthly interior vacuum at any BMW Dealer for free.
• For each BMW Service choose between pick-up and delivery or replacement vehicle free of charge.
• In-depth leather care and interior cleaning with original BMW cleaning products included.
• Drive a BMW model of your choice for 3 days a year for free
• Rent a roof box or bicycle holder for your vacation for free.
• We take care of your scratches and dents up to an amount of € 100.00 / year.
• 10% discount on toll road expenses (up to € 100.00 / year).
• Get 5 cents on each liter of fuel at partnering petrol stations.

€600 per year .. what do you think ?

that's hilarious

Clareman

v10 wrote: »

They made big changes to the 'BMW First' package they were originally touting. As you see from the original post, they were offering free rental of a BMW model of your choice for 3 days a year, free rent a roof box or bicycle holder for your vacation, free minor scratch repair etc but the cost was to be €49 per month. When it actually launched what they actually offered was a Mini Valet, Wiper Blades, Light Bulbs, Health Check, Fuel Discount for €19 per month which is a very different offering.

What I don't understand now is that they offer the free first month and cancel anytime so after signing up and availing of your free Wiper Blades, Light Bulbs and Health Check you are then effectively paying €19 per month for a Mini Valet and a Fuel Discount ? Nothing wrong with that but the Wiper Blades, Light Bulbs and Health Check are not going to be something you get very often ..

I might sign up and get the few bits during the free month and then cancel ?

Yeah, you are pretty much paying €19 a month to have your car cleaned inside and out, Conlon's in Limerick has lovely coffee so you get a free coffee as well My car is only 2 years old so warranty and the service pack covers most things but the cleaning is handy, I also work close to the garage so I just drop it off on my way to work

Kaizersoze81

Sorry to bump this, looking at an offer now of €4.90 per month for Bmw first.
https://www.bmw-first.ie/home?ds_c=BMW+%3E+AfterSales+%3E+Service+%3E+Brand&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3uLA77af3AIVRbvtCh0C4wIJEAAYASAAEgJizfD_BwE

Covers “free”
Health check and diagnostics
Wiper blades
Bulbs
20% discount on service and repair

I can’t see a catch here. There’s one month free and you can cancel at any point. I’m due a service next month , which I’m anticipating will be approx €500. So I can save €100 on this, get free wipers which I need and then cancel without costing me a cent. Anyone used this 20% service discount before?

Stallingrad

Kaizersoze81 wrote: »

Sorry to bump this, looking at an offer now of €4.90 per month for Bmw first.
https://www.bmw-first.ie/home?ds_c=BMW+%3E+AfterSales+%3E+Service+%3E+Brand&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3uLA77af3AIVRbvtCh0C4wIJEAAYASAAEgJizfD_BwE

Covers “free”
Health check and diagnostics
Wiper blades
Bulbs
20% discount on service and repair

I can’t see a catch here. There’s one month free and you can cancel at any point. I’m due a service next month , which I’m anticipating will be approx €500. So I can save €100 on this, get free wipers which I need and then cancel without costing me a cent. Anyone used this 20% service discount before?

Yes, signed up, got free wipers and an oil change for €140. 20% off, no questions asked. Very happy with that.

Kaizersoze81

Great. Seems to be a no brainer. Wonder what they get out of it. Surely the majority of people cancel after taking the benefits. Makes a change to get something back off them

Harcrid

Same here. Signed up before event service and got my wipers and discount. Dealership had only just received their training on it so not all dealers may be fully up to speed on it yet. No brainer if you ask me.

Wailin

Stallingrad wrote: »

Yes, signed up, got free wipers and an oil change for €140. 20% off, no questions asked. Very happy with that.

"Free" wipers? Didn't you just buy a bmw? Which should have come fully serviced and roadworthy?