Santa Monica BMW - Service Center

I took my car to BMW Sta. Monica 3 times after moving to the Neighborhood. I could go on and on about how shitty the service is from all aspects, but if you read the other reviews here(also on yelp, Google the Neighborhood. I could go on and on about how shitty the service is from all aspects, but if you read the other reviews here(also on yelp, Google and city search) you get the idea. They are slow, unprofessional, their mechanics miss diagnose all the time (I had a MIDAS auto center correct me on a BMW Sta Monica diagnose) and expensive. Bottom line is: save a headache and drive a little further. BMW can be very tricky after 60k and taking to this dealer will make you hate the car more than you should. More

this concerns the service division. i will review in three parts (3 episodes) 1) brand new 135 convertible. 675 miles on it. had a MINOR problem with the start. crank seemed excessively long. worried i three parts (3 episodes) 1) brand new 135 convertible. 675 miles on it. had a MINOR problem with the start. crank seemed excessively long. worried it might develop into something more serious. took it in they attempted to replace software. car completely died. took them NINE DAYS to get a new car up and running. their explanation- every software attempt requires codes. codes are procured by email from regional BMW center. sometimes takes more than 24 HOURS to get a code in email. when i got the car back- THE SATELLITE RADIO OPTION I HAD PAID FOR WAS MISSING. After holding the car nine days. 2) took the car back to reinstall the Sat radio. they said they would get the codes (again the holdup) before the car came in so it should only be a half day. they held the car 2 days because they got the wrong codes. when i received the car back there was a crumpled receipt from a local 7-11. it was dated on the day i received the car and time stamped 20 minutes before they made the call to me to pick up the car. translation- an employee used the car to stop at the 7-11 enroute from their electrical repair center (19th & santa monica blvd) to the main center (12th & santa monica blvd) to stop and do personal business. they apologized profusely for their employees behaviour (so there was an admission of guilt). 3) bought a tire warranty with the car. when i tried to use it they said they would honor it BUT they would not release the car to me until the warranty company (which they are an agent of by virtue of the sale) had paid them in full for the work. (this was explicitly a non reimbursement warranty). this was never explained to me when i purchased the warranty. that was pretty much the last straw for me. More

I brought my BMW 2007 in for electrical problems. First, they told me there would be no charge a my car was brand new and under warranty. Then, a few hours later, they said they could not tell if the probl they told me there would be no charge a my car was brand new and under warranty. Then, a few hours later, they said they could not tell if the problem was under warranty unless I paid them a "diagnostic fee charge" of $435.00! I believed them and they obviously pulled a scam. Then, a month later, the car was doing the same thing-- electrical failures--no signals working, no windows opening, NOthing worked! They took it back again and didn't give it to me for days. THen, the transmission began breaking down as the car wouldn't go from one gear to the next AND the electrical problems began to happen again. I told BMW North American to please take the car back---it has 8500 miles on it! It's lemon! BMW told me to take the car bAck to Santa Monica BMW where they promised me a loaner car and then didn't have one! So they had to let me get one from Enterprise ----The next day, the same service guy called me and said I should come back and trade the rental car for a loaner BMW they "managed" to find----I said no, I had to work! they told me they couldn't find anything wrong with the car at all even though the transmission warning light came on when I was driving it with one of the service guys at the service station! SO ---I have been going to Santa Monica BMW for over 20 years and they have always been rude, impatient, and they lie. AND BMW North America would rather let me drive a dangerous car then take it back TWO months before the end of the lease and let me lease a new car! SO BMW People---all of you are greedy and could care less about your loyal customers of 23 years. You just lost me as a loyal, BMW car driver. I'm going to get an INfiniti, or Audi instead. More

After my experience with this dealership, I will not own a bmw again. I bought my car in Santa Barbara, but go to UCLA, so this is the closest place to go. I thought that would save on time, but I was w a bmw again. I bought my car in Santa Barbara, but go to UCLA, so this is the closest place to go. I thought that would save on time, but I was wrong. I made an appointment early in the morning so I wouldn't miss any class. After showing up, I was told to wait. I waited for 15+ minutes before the receptionist decided she could finally help me. It was instant attitude. How bad could her day have already been at 9am? I had leaked fluid on the street, so I considered the problem pretty serious, but I was happy to hear they would get back to me that night. That apparently meant they would talk to me after 2 days when I called them. Then they quoted $2400 for the repair. When I asked what was wrong, he brushed me off and told me it would be done the next day. I called ahead before leaving to pick it up, and they informed me it was worse, and I needed another part, but I could pick it up in the morning. When I picked it up in the morning, I realized they charged for 8 hrs of repair for the latest part. I okayed the repair at 6pm, and picked it up at 7am. I didn't think they worked all night on it, so I questioned the bill. The receptionist immediately told me nothing was wrong with the bill (how would she know) and that I had to pay that day to get my car back. After reading these reviews, I now know that is their scam. I payed the bill, but am speaking to a lawyer. When he went to take pictures, he said it looks like they did not replace the last part they claimed took 8 hours to replace. Do not go to this place! More

Service here is BAD. If you own a bimmer, avoid bringing to this dealer at all costs. I brought my 2006 BMW 325 in for a routine service, they had the brakes and a recall issue with the HVAC replaced. No pr to this dealer at all costs. I brought my 2006 BMW 325 in for a routine service, they had the brakes and a recall issue with the HVAC replaced. No problems there. But somehow, these guys managed to return the car to me with one flat tire, the tire pressure all over the place for the rest of the tires, and my oil levels one quarter lower than when I brought it in. Who knows what else they screwed up. I asked to have the flat tire replaced for free, but of course they rip me off, saying the moment I rolled the car out of the lot, it's my problem. I took it out for FIVE minutes before the TPM gauge came on, and I turned back to return the car. And already they make a hussle and say it's my fault, I could have driven over a nail within those 5 minutes. More likely they screwed up that tire while the car was in the shop the whole day. The air let out slowly and they blamed me for this. I also asked for a basic courtesy call to call me before 5pm so I know whether I should pick up the car that night. I don't get one, and the advisor had the nerve to tell me he's about to call me as I arrive at the lot at 6pm. Of course the car wasn't ready either. Please save yourself the trouble and take your car elsewhere for service. These guys stink. More

i dealt with this company since 8/05. numerous visits for the same problems that were supposed to have been fixed and paid for and charged additionally for diagnostic and repair again. the car is never for the same problems that were supposed to have been fixed and paid for and charged additionally for diagnostic and repair again. the car is never ready when they claim. the service advisers don't know much about the vehicles they service. the service managaer and service director are difficult to say the least to deal with. this last time they wanted cash money upfront before they would even touch my car, due to a charge back from my credit card company questioning a charge on my credit card 2 years ago. stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! More

I'm so glad there are these websites (a friend introduced me). To a certain extent, I felt like I was alone. My first experience owning a BMW - great car, but literally considered (really, really considere me). To a certain extent, I felt like I was alone. My first experience owning a BMW - great car, but literally considered (really, really considered) trading in because the customer service was so bad. When I first went to buy the car, the salesman so graciously told my father and I he wouldn't show us anything or give us a quote if we weren't buying anything "because there was no point". I kid you not when I say those were the exact words. Well, I finally purchased one anyways due to consumer reviews etc. Went to SM BMW. Where to start. They tried to charge me $35 just to pull into the garage. That's right - they didn't check anything yet, they didn't hear my problem yet, NOTHING...just wanted to charge me to even have it checked out, to which if there was a problem afterwards, they'd charge me more. Then there was the alignment and new tire charge for $500+. Now, I know I see other reviews for upwards of $9000, however, I'm still appalled at my own bill. The labor was about half hour (they charge me more though you know that one already). Let's get to another situation. My boyfriend took me to get it serviced (because as much as they tell you they have the best customer service or whatever it is, their transport service is garbage and they don't give you a rental car for the day). He was wearing sweatpants and a hat. The carpet to the dealership was rolled up, and he didn't see it, so he merely tripped over it. Don't you think that sounds normal? When he tripped over it, these two service men were talking about him loudly so he could hear. They said, "Look at this guy. What do you think he's doing". Right now that seems like nothing. Once my boyfriend came up to me, and the service guy realized that we were together, he came over and apologized because he thought my boyfriend was homeless. Are we in high school??? Is this what this town is about??? First of all, sweatpants do not equal homelessness. My bf was wearing "nice" sweatpants (not torn, not dirty, NOTHING). It's just unreal that BMW sales people and service men think they are above the world. I give sales people respect in regards to the people they deal with all day long etc., however in situations like this, I say, YOU ARE A SALESMAN. ONE WHO COULDN'T GET THIS CAR OTHERWISE IN SOME OTHER JOB. They are there to service customers and not give us nasty attitudes. Btw the reason why I say earlier I thought I was alone was because I had known a few people who owned the car. They loved it - it actuality they loved the car, not the dealer. Wish I knew it was this bad. It really is a deterrent to the car - if only the corporate headquarters knew that or cared. More

I am writing this for my father. He had his BMW serviced because it was stalling. AAA recommended SM BMW. Dad is 88 and very intelligent. Every service preformed was ok'ed by him, except 4 new tires and ali because it was stalling. AAA recommended SM BMW. Dad is 88 and very intelligent. Every service preformed was ok'ed by him, except 4 new tires and alignment. $4300.+ charge included tires. He said that Shelana called and mentioned all service items preformed and said the total charge. New tires were not mentioned via the phone. He reviewed the 4 page bill at home and discovered the tires were replaced and aligned. My father always buys his tires at Costco. He is frustrated and at his age I am not sure he will fight this. However, I will do all I can to make sure this dishonesty is exposed. My father is honest and has served his country and city. What a terrible way to treat a wonderful senior. Shame on you all. More

BMW OF SANTA MONICA. After looking at my BMW X5 for a coolant leak complaint the service advisor estimated repairs at $9500.00. (I'm not exageratting ). After declining the work I picked up the car and coolant leak complaint the service advisor estimated repairs at $9500.00. (I'm not exageratting ). After declining the work I picked up the car and took it to another shop. Upon opening the hood we discovered that BMW of Santa Monica had returned the car to me with all the plastic engine covers missing, the air conditioning hoses missing,the air filter pieces missing and a number of other original factory parts not returned to the engine compartment. When I brought this to their attention the dealership said nothing and ultimately at my insistence sent the parts over by messenger. The 2nd shop replaced the parts for free and repaired the coolant problem for $275.00. The car has been perfect for 9 months. BMW of SANTA MONICA. Robbers. Mike Weber Nov. 22, 2008 More

Service Advisor did not return any of my three phone calls, accused me of purposely not taking the shuttle when it was sent to my house (dealership later admitted to sending it to the wrong address) and calls, accused me of purposely not taking the shuttle when it was sent to my house (dealership later admitted to sending it to the wrong address) and told me to TAKE A CAB because he was not going to send the shuttle a fourth time. Did I mention my car was to be ready in the morning and was not ready until the late afternoon? No one could be bothered to give me an estimated time of completion and would only say "your service advisor will call you when the car is ready." Nice way to spend a day. More