General topics » Main Dealer

I needed new tyres back in 2019 and decided that my local BMW Motorrad dealer would get my business.
Whilst dropping the bike off I asked the service manager if they’d fit an Optimate cable to the battery. The service manager couldn’t have been more helpful, he said they do it FOC. I like FOC, so when I picked the bike up sure enough there was the Optimate plug with neat cable ties holding it in position as well as new tyres. Happy was I.
Fast forward to March 20 and lockdown. Bike wasn’t out as much as I’d expect it to be so I was pleased I had the Optimate connected and occasionally I’d turn the power on for a day to charge the battery. But lo and behold, it was always showing CHARGE and when we got some freedom late in the summer the bike was slow to turn over and eventually refused to start. I decided a new battery was required and purchased one. The quick witted reader might know where this is going now …….upon removal of the old battery I found the Optimate had never been connected to the battery terminals. Ok. Was the battery really dead ? I’d just spent £60 on a new one and certainly couldn’t return it so I just had to swallow that. Also, they’d done the job FOC so I didn’t really feel a complaint was morally right. Move on.
New tyres fitted last month. Fitter says’ you’ve done well to get 11,500 miles from a set of tyres’ I reply ‘ that’s its third set you’ve just fitted, they were changed at 6,500 miles - why did you think they were the factory fitted set?’ He then said ‘because the front axle was devoid of grease’
Oh dear. Not only did they fail to connect the Optimate but they also failed to grease up the axle. Bad workshop practices.
Now I was annoyed and felt an email to the dealer was warranted. I outlined exactly what had taken place and waited for the reply.
At the risk of identifying the dealers, the reply basically said ‘sorry, we’re not that firm anymore and I can’t see the job cards from then so I cannot say who worked on the bike’ it was an apology, but no offer to tempt me back to them for any future work.
I’ve now decided that it won’t be worked on at main dealers anymore. I’m keeping it long term so trade in value etc doesn’t bother me at all.
I just point this out to fellow members of this forum for their own safety and peace of mind.
Annoyed of Rutland.

We live and learn.

Some faster than others.

I'm not digging at you - the cynic in me and the fact that I don't have much (grey) hair left simply means I long ago lost trust in almost anyone trying to sell me something.

And top of the list is anyone selling any kind of motorised vehicle and all that goes with it thereafter.

I was once told by an old engineer friend of mine, "always trust but verify" to confirm, its helped me over the years!

Zitat von Rutland Rider im Beitrag #1

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At the risk of identifying the dealers, the reply basically said ‘sorry, we’re not that firm anymore and I can’t see the job cards from then so I cannot say who worked on the bike’ it was an apology, but no offer to tempt me back to them for any future work.
I’ve now decided that it won’t be worked on at main dealers anymore.

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I'm not sure about the expectation to 'grease up the axle'. The front wheel bearings are sealed and have no provision for being greased.

If that’s the case I’d have expected the service manager to rebut that complaint in his reply. The fact he didn’t do so tells me all I need to know.

Zitat von Sanemancured im Beitrag #6

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I'm not sure about the expectation to 'grease up the axle'. The front wheel bearings are sealed and have no provision for being greased.

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Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #8

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Zitat von Sanemancured im Beitrag #6

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I'm not sure about the expectation to 'grease up the axle'. The front wheel bearings are sealed and have no provision for being greased.

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The axle should be lightly greased when reinserted after wheel removal to keep corrosion at bay. But that is all the grease does.

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I bought some bar risers for my RS. Realised that most sellers advise re-routing clutch hose. Called in at above dealers on way back from daughters for clutch fluid, just incase. Parts person was unavailable straight away so asked service for the fluid. Away he went and returned with xxxxxxx DOT 4 brake fluid. Luckily I know thats wrong. Then the parts person arrived and when I told him what I wanted was then told that they don't stock it. Sealed for life He said. That's the main Dealer. Yes it can be ordered but its the sort of thing that surely they should stock for maintenance or repair to a bike. Could easily have a couple of bottles on the shelf. I actually never needed it but was prepared to put a bottle on MY shelf for emergency. If the engine was removed the pipe would be disconnected. And if I had put the DOT 4 in there would have been a lot to replace. Dumb F.

I've generally found independent shops do a superior job as their return business depends on the job being done right instead of covered by warranty or what looks best for resale, but often times finding a good independent wrench is harder than a good OEM dealer. [mumbles] something something right, do it yerself [grimace]