loaner cars while in service

jbinbi · 09-30-2011, 11:52 AM

Just realized that there is no general thread, so I figured I would post in the forum with the most activity.

Just wanted to see if my situation with my dealer was normal.

I purchased my car used from a dealer about 1:15 away from me (they had the car I was looking for).

The nearest dealer, who i use for service is about 20 min from me.

When I inquired about a loaner, he said they only give loaners to those who purchased from them. I sort of understand that policy, I am just looking to see if this is the normal situation. Thanks.

Bumer · 09-30-2011, 12:06 PM

Yes, sounds like standard situation.

Are there any other BMW dealers within 30-50 miles radius? Try calling different dealerships. Try to talk to SA and tell him (her) that you really cannot wait for the car, or have nobody to pick you up, and it would be great if they could arrange loaner for you. Just talk nicely to them.

Also, are you planning on brinnging the car for minor (oil) or major maintenance? If it's something like an oil change, you can forget about loaner.

fdriller9 · 09-30-2011, 12:10 PM

All the dealers I have gone to at least offered a shuttle service to and from where I needed to go.

Last time I was taken in a new F10.

ibarry92 · 09-30-2011, 12:15 PM

I'm live in MD, bought my car in NJ. I asked my SA told me that when I bring the car in for service, they will give me a rental. I always get a rental when I bring my car in to the dealership that is 15min away.

drewh130 · 09-30-2011, 12:15 PM

I use three different dealers in my area and they all give me loaners every time no questions asked. X5 5.5, 335is, 335d, 135i verts, and lots of 328s

Rookie83 · 09-30-2011, 12:40 PM

The past few times ive had mine in for service they gave me a 328 sedan, 2nd time was a 135 (alot of fun to drive), and this past time a 335 sedan. i didnt buy the car from this dealer either

bimmer_335 · 09-30-2011, 12:46 PM

Its not how the dealer i go to does business. Remember most of them are independent dealers and as I understand they have some flexibility when it comes to loaners.

jbinbi · 09-30-2011, 12:56 PM

One issue might be that I bought the car CPO, so I don't pay for service , though I assume the dealer get's reimbursed by bmw and this shouldn't be a consideration. I understand not for an oil change, but I do need a bit more work than that and this means that i need to get my wife to drive me back and forth, wasting 3.5 total man hours.

He told me that unfortunately he has quite a few loaner cars that are 100% utilized by clients who did purchase from him. Don't know if this is the case, but sounds believeable.

I am looking to supplement my 128 with an x3, but have a nagging thought in the back of my head to go to another dealer. Of course, the next dealer is 30 min away, not 20, so I am not making my life any better....

Bmwguy11 · 09-30-2011, 01:35 PM

I never bought any of my cars from my bmw dealer, and they always give me a free loaner. I've even gotten a loaner Z4 before.

witeagle · 09-30-2011, 01:37 PM

This sounds like Open Road BMW's policy. One reason I would never bring a car there for service again.

I go to Princeton BMW in quakerbridge, NJ and they give me a loaner without question. Circle BMW in Eatontown, nj would also!

I purchased my car in Maryland!

joshtradomus · 09-30-2011, 01:50 PM

I've heard of dealerships not giving loaners to people who didnt purchase a car from them.My dealership does regardless.

I'd just look for the next closest dealership and try them.

USC2000 · 09-30-2011, 02:16 PM

My dealer is limited on loaners, so I need to request one about two weeks in advance if I want a BMW loaner. If not, then I just get a Hertz loaner from the dealership.

AddictedToBavarian · 09-30-2011, 02:22 PM

That's a negative. I purchased my car at Park Ave in Maywood here in Jersey and have been offered BMW loaners at other dealerships no questions asked.

Motastic · 09-30-2011, 02:45 PM

they lied to you about that, you can go to any dealership

5tony · 09-30-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewh130

I use three different dealers in my area and they all give me loaners every time no questions asked. X5 5.5, 335is, 335d, 135i verts, and lots of 328s

Which dealers? Nalley gives me a loaner if I arrange service well ahead of time even though I didn't purchase from them. Didn't have very good luck at Global.

JPK89 · 09-30-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbinbi

Just realized that there is no general thread, so I figured I would post in the forum with the most activity.

Just wanted to see if my situation with my dealer was normal.

I purchased my car used from a dealer about 1:15 away from me (they had the car I was looking for).

The nearest dealer, who i use for service is about 20 min from me.

When I inquired about a loaner, he said they only give loaners to those who purchased from them. I sort of understand that policy, I am just looking to see if this is the normal situation. Thanks.

bullshit...i bought my BMW in SoCal from an owner...i live in Atl...every time i take it in the give me either a 3er or a 5er..almost made me trade and buy a 550i

EYE4SPEED · 09-30-2011, 03:25 PM

Is your car still under original or CPO warranty? Did you buy from a BMW dealer or indy?

If under either warranty, any OE dealer should give you a loaner based on availability. I do know that you will tend to get better "good will" at the dealer you purchased from.

psc87 · 09-30-2011, 04:18 PM

Take this with a grain of salt - I think I read that it is not mandatory for dealerships to offer loaners when you take your car in for service. But as a courtesy, most dealerships do offer loaner cars. I don't know this as a fact but did read it quite a few times on the forum.

Higgs1 · 09-30-2011, 04:51 PM

bought my car at a BMW dealership in a town across my state. Take it for service to a BMW dealership closer to my home and 90% of the time I get a BMW loaner 3 series, and if none are available they give me a rental. Love the way they do their loaners though, my SA explained that they give you a loaner based on your car, 3 series gets 3 series, 5 a 5, etc. so you always get a similar car as your own.

AddictedToBavarian · 09-30-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psc87

Take this with a grain of salt - I think I read that it is not mandatory for dealerships to offer loaners when you take your car in for service. But as a courtesy, most dealerships do offer loaner cars. I don't know this as a fact but did read it quite a few times on the forum.

In all the paperwork when purchasing my car, one of them was a document stating that in the event of any service BMW will provide a loaner car during the repairs. I even had to sign it.

Eric335 · 09-30-2011, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328xi0wner

In all the paperwork when purchasing my car, one of them was a document stating that in the event of any service BMW will provide a loaner car during the repairs. I even had to sign it.

dido. i remember seeing that, but it was on a little flier in the "signing room"

John 070 · 09-30-2011, 08:25 PM

imho the non-competitive dealerships can do anything they want, like stick you with a Mini or Neon or Kia. And if you say that's ok, you are a captive audience.

When it is competitive, like a BMW dealership every 15 miles, then all you need is a pulse to get a loaner. But the last one I had, I caught a stipulation--only 150 miles, and if you don't get it back to them within so many hours of your car being done....

150 miles? I once put 800 on a loaner.

09-30-2011, 11:52 AM	#1
jbinbi Private First Class 38 Rep 109 Posts Drives: X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NE USA iTrader: (0)	loaner cars while in service Just realized that there is no general thread, so I figured I would post in the forum with the most activity. Just wanted to see if my situation with my dealer was normal. I purchased my car used from a dealer about 1:15 away from me (they had the car I was looking for). The nearest dealer, who i use for service is about 20 min from me. When I inquired about a loaner, he said they only give loaners to those who purchased from them. I sort of understand that policy, I am just looking to see if this is the normal situation. Thanks.
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09-30-2011, 12:06 PM	#2
Bumer Comrade Vlad 16 Rep 212 Posts Drives: 1999 M3, 2006 325i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (1) Garage List 1999 BMW M3 [9.00] 2006 BMW 325i [10.00]	Yes, sounds like standard situation. Are there any other BMW dealers within 30-50 miles radius? Try calling different dealerships. Try to talk to SA and tell him (her) that you really cannot wait for the car, or have nobody to pick you up, and it would be great if they could arrange loaner for you. Just talk nicely to them. Also, are you planning on brinnging the car for minor (oil) or major maintenance? If it's something like an oil change, you can forget about loaner. __________________ 1999 E36 ///M3 Convertible MT Silver / Silver (99.99% stock) 2006 E90 325i
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09-30-2011, 12:10 PM	#3
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	All the dealers I have gone to at least offered a shuttle service to and from where I needed to go. Last time I was taken in a new F10.
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09-30-2011, 12:15 PM	#4
ibarry92 Second Lieutenant 44 Rep 249 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 328xi Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: North America iTrader: (0)	I'm live in MD, bought my car in NJ. I asked my SA told me that when I bring the car in for service, they will give me a rental. I always get a rental when I bring my car in to the dealership that is 15min away.
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09-30-2011, 12:15 PM	#5
drewh130 Private First Class 9 Rep 170 Posts Drives: AW 135i vert Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (2)	I use three different dealers in my area and they all give me loaners every time no questions asked. X5 5.5, 335is, 335d, 135i verts, and lots of 328s
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09-30-2011, 12:40 PM	#6
Rookie83 First Lieutenant 15 Rep 380 Posts Drives: 2009 335i 6mt cpe Join Date: May 2011 Location: DFW iTrader: (1)	The past few times ive had mine in for service they gave me a 328 sedan, 2nd time was a 135 (alot of fun to drive), and this past time a 335 sedan. i didnt buy the car from this dealer either
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09-30-2011, 12:46 PM	#7
bimmer_335 Major 177 Rep 1,123 Posts Drives: 540 mSport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: In the middle of nowhere, TX iTrader: (1)	Its not how the dealer i go to does business. Remember most of them are independent dealers and as I understand they have some flexibility when it comes to loaners.
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09-30-2011, 12:56 PM	#8
jbinbi Private First Class 38 Rep 109 Posts Drives: X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NE USA iTrader: (0)	One issue might be that I bought the car CPO, so I don't pay for service , though I assume the dealer get's reimbursed by bmw and this shouldn't be a consideration. I understand not for an oil change, but I do need a bit more work than that and this means that i need to get my wife to drive me back and forth, wasting 3.5 total man hours. He told me that unfortunately he has quite a few loaner cars that are 100% utilized by clients who did purchase from him. Don't know if this is the case, but sounds believeable. I am looking to supplement my 128 with an x3, but have a nagging thought in the back of my head to go to another dealer. Of course, the next dealer is 30 min away, not 20, so I am not making my life any better....
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09-30-2011, 01:35 PM	#9
Bmwguy11 Lieutenant Colonel 1252 Rep 1,760 Posts Drives: 2016 YMB M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (1)	I never bought any of my cars from my bmw dealer, and they always give me a free loaner. I've even gotten a loaner Z4 before.
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09-30-2011, 01:37 PM	#10
witeagle Private First Class 7 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 14 BMW Z4 2.8i * 10 BMW X3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	This sounds like Open Road BMW's policy. One reason I would never bring a car there for service again. I go to Princeton BMW in quakerbridge, NJ and they give me a loaner without question. Circle BMW in Eatontown, nj would also! I purchased my car in Maryland! __________________ '08 335i Coupe / 6MT / Sport / Premium / Nav / Cold Weather Pkg / Space Gray / Black Dakota Leather & Aluminum Trim '10 X3 SAV / Premium / Nav / Cold Weather Pkg / Alpine White / Sand Biege Nevada Leather / SAV Pkg
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09-30-2011, 01:50 PM	#11
joshtradomus New Member 0 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	I've heard of dealerships not giving loaners to people who didnt purchase a car from them.My dealership does regardless. I'd just look for the next closest dealership and try them.
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09-30-2011, 02:16 PM	#12
USC2000 Lieutenant Colonel 127 Rep 1,604 Posts Drives: F30 328i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: El Paso, TX iTrader: (10)	My dealer is limited on loaners, so I need to request one about two weeks in advance if I want a BMW loaner. If not, then I just get a Hertz loaner from the dealership. __________________ 2014 Alpine White 328i M Sport \| M Performance Exhaust \| M Performance Front Splitter \| M Performance Carbon Fiber Spoiler \| M Performance Grills \| M Performance Pedals[/SIZE] ______________________
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09-30-2011, 02:22 PM	#13
AddictedToBavarian My other ride is a Bianchi Infinito 96 Rep 2,767 Posts Drives: Miss my E92 but love my E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (2)	That's a negative. I purchased my car at Park Ave in Maywood here in Jersey and have been offered BMW loaners at other dealerships no questions asked.
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09-30-2011, 02:45 PM	#14
Motastic Major 85 Rep 1,356 Posts Drives: E92 335! Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arlington, TX iTrader: (4)	they lied to you about that, you can go to any dealership
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09-30-2011, 03:25 PM	#17
EYE4SPEED Ex-Diesel Driver 63 Rep 2,000 Posts Drives: Audi SQ5 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: West Coast... of Michigan iTrader: (22)	Is your car still under original or CPO warranty? Did you buy from a BMW dealer or indy? If under either warranty, any OE dealer should give you a loaner based on availability. I do know that you will tend to get better "good will" at the dealer you purchased from. __________________ FS: HRE Center Caps http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...post13972317l]
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09-30-2011, 04:18 PM	#18
psc87 Private 3 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 2014 F30 335i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philadelphia PA iTrader: (3)	Take this with a grain of salt - I think I read that it is not mandatory for dealerships to offer loaners when you take your car in for service. But as a courtesy, most dealerships do offer loaner cars. I don't know this as a fact but did read it quite a few times on the forum.
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09-30-2011, 04:51 PM	#19
Higgs1 Lieutenant 43 Rep 434 Posts Drives: 2020 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (7) Garage List 2020 Tesla Model 3 [0.00]	bought my car at a BMW dealership in a town across my state. Take it for service to a BMW dealership closer to my home and 90% of the time I get a BMW loaner 3 series, and if none are available they give me a rental. Love the way they do their loaners though, my SA explained that they give you a loaner based on your car, 3 series gets 3 series, 5 a 5, etc. so you always get a similar car as your own.
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09-30-2011, 08:25 PM	#22
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	imho the non-competitive dealerships can do anything they want, like stick you with a Mini or Neon or Kia. And if you say that's ok, you are a captive audience. When it is competitive, like a BMW dealership every 15 miles, then all you need is a pulse to get a loaner. But the last one I had, I caught a stipulation--only 150 miles, and if you don't get it back to them within so many hours of your car being done.... 150 miles? I once put 800 on a loaner.
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