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On Fri, 4 Mar 2005 23:35:53 -0500, tech27 >
wrote the following to uk.misc:

>
> "pete" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Thu, 3 Mar 2005 20:13:52 -0000, "Julian Edge"
>> > wrote:
>>
>> ....... that when my BMW is replaced I shall not after all be
>> going for a 530d but probably a Ford Focus.
>> pete
>
> Good choice. Ford is well know for excellent service and quality built,
> reliable products.

The main one I remember is the Ford Edsel, particularly *that* radiator
grille.

mh.
--
Reply-to address *is* valid. "From" address is a blackhole.

"If you don't vote, you get morons in charge."
- Maurice Chavez (GTA Vice City)

In article >,
Steve Firth > wrote:
> > BMW dealers IMHO in the UK are a bunch of ******s and complain when
> > you call them that, rather than addressing your problems with them,
> > and BMW(GB) don't seem to care. Perhaps if their sales dropped off
> > they might.

> Too right. Going back many years, erindoors wanted a BMW against my
> better judgement. It was the BMW dealer that killed the deal.

When looking for my current 5 Series bought secondhand at a time when the
only real source was a main dealer, I visited all within easy reach. Ie 5.
Four of them treated me with total indifference. The last one I visited
was my local one which I'd had poor experiences with service wise. And
they were quite superb. Great salesman who knew his job and was keen to
deal - giving me a good price on the old car against *exactly* what I
wanted, although it was rather more highly specced than I'd intended.
Often the case with early examples of the model - they only sell them
loaded. It was ready for collection which included reg transfer days ahead
of the estimate. On collection, a nice little guided tour of the features
which were different from the old car. He really did know his cars.

But the service department were as bad as ever. Then they changed hand and
moved to new workshops. So I gave them another try. Still as bad. Then
they changed hand again. Worse, if anything.

The car itself has been a delight - quite the best I've ever owned or
driven, and reasonably free from problems. It still drives like brand new
with no rattles etc despite being 8 years old. I normally get a desire to
change after 4 years or so, but not in this case. I might run it 'till it
- or more likely me - drops. And it's seen it's last dealer service. I'm
doing it myself from now on.

--
*A snooze button is a poor substitute for no alarm clock at all *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Cockburn > wrote:
> "Peter Corlett" > wrote in message
[...]
>> I gather that cars generate more pollution in their manufacture
>> than they produce in their lifetime. So keeping a rustbucket on the
>> road (assuming minor repairs) makes good environmental sense.
> Indeed. Again I cry (excuse me) HUGE! WHERE'S THAT FEKKIN LINK?

http://bangernomics.tripod.com/ ?

--
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
- Benjamin Franklin

In article >,
Krustov > wrote:
> I've heard it said if you go into bmw dealership wearing jeans and a
> tee shirt they totally ignore you and wont even speak to you .

Went to my local dealer to get a spare part. A simple plastic grommet that
covers the access to the driver's door handle fixing. And breaks when you
remove it.

The guy in the stores was dressed in a suit. And hadn't a clue what I
required. Wanted to come and look at the car which was parked some way
away - since their carpark was filled up with 'their' cars, even the part
marked for stores customers - and I was the only one.

Told him not to bother - I'd find someone who knew about cars. And he
followed me out to the car, notepad in hand, sort of clucking. :-) I
pointed out the part I wanted and asked why he couldn't have just looked
it up on the ETK. He didn't appear to know what this was. So I left him
standing on the road.

Went to the Battersea dealer where the storeman was dressed in blue
industrial trousers and a BMW sweatshirt. Asked for the part using the
same description and he came straight back with it. The petrol to get
there cost more than the part.

--
*I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article >,
Grunff > wrote:
> > I'm personally surprised that BMW(GB) don't read this group and others
> > - and take note. Because no one on here - or elsewhere - has a good
> > word for them.


> I have a good word. Their parts departments are always polite and
> helpful, and parts prices are very good. Obviously I buy most parts from
> motor factors or G&S, but things like plastic mouldings etc I get from a
> main dealer.

They're certainly better than the servicing side. But my local one gives
*me* the impression they'd rather not be wasting their time dealing with
retail sales. The next nearest in Battersea are rather better, so far.

The prices have also been ok.

--
*A plateau is a high form of flattery.*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Peter Corlett" > wrote in message

> http://bangernomics.tripod.com/ ?

Dat de wan! Thank you, Sir!

"Grunff" > wrote in message

> Julian Edge wrote:

['96 318i]

>> I've had a ****ing ball driving it.
>
>
> Really?? Not driven many cars then?

Let's see, shall we?

BMW: 316, 318, 323(wonderful), 5 series and 7 series.
Ford: Escort, Capri, Sierra (the Sapphire was fun), Mustang (hire car, too!
One of the best weekends of my life!), Focus, Mondeo, Probe, Scorpio,
'Formula First'.
Vaxhaull: Viva, Cavalier, Corsa

(Jeez)

Alfa Romeo, Fiat, GMC, Mazda, Volkswagon, Volvo, Saab, Leyland, Honda,
Jaguar, Mercedes, Skoda, Lada, Mitsubishi, Lotus, Hillman, Jeep

I'd like to say Porche, but I've never had the pleasure, although my kid
bro; has broken a few laws in one - jammy git.

Anyhoo, my point is that if you really want to fully enjoy this medium then
you should at least try and contribute in some way, preferably in a positive
way, be it humour, advice, criticism or even the purging of your soul.

Many thanks to all (including you ya grumpy ghet but especially Jeff!) for
the excellent advice and for cheering me up.

"Adrian" > wrote in message

> Now, be fair. There was the 316 and the Compact below the 318 in the
> range...

It may not be true, but I was told that the new 316 is simply a 318 with a
governer.

I'd love to drive the same shape with a bigger engine, but the 318 lets me
**** of ******s and bomb through corners and there's a nice big gap in front
of it when I smash into people. Then there's the insurance to think about. I
really should do something.

It's a car, ferchrissakes. My beef is with the dealer who led me to believe
that we had a bond of trust greater than my expectations. All the
dealerships are just as bad as each other (see other posts in this thread)
and I think you'll find that there are arseholes[1] just as big as me
driving vehicles with badges from Alfa to Xantia.

I'll probably be able to afford a 'newer' car in about 12 to 18 months, or
my life might change in any number of ways such that I am in a position (or
my wife or kids might be) to buy a new car. That's when BMW will want my
money. I think that's a shame.


[1] US transl: Assholes

"pete" > wrote in message

> My car is a 535i and I often have to wait while parts are obtained
> from Germany:-(

You must drink a lot of their coffee. ;-D

Costing the net hundreds if not thousands of dollars, tech27 said:
>
> "pete" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Thu, 3 Mar 2005 20:13:52 -0000, "Julian Edge"
> > > wrote:
> >
> > ....... that when my BMW is replaced I shall not after all be
> > going for a 530d but probably a Ford Focus.
> > pete
>
> Good choice. Ford is well know for excellent service and quality built,
> reliable products.

....checks date. Nope, still March. Not April 1st for a while yet.

--
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