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South Bay BMW
Torrance, CA
1,227 Reviews
This rating includes all dealership reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
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1,227 Reviews of South Bay BMW
June 26, 2023
Unethical? I have purchased 5 new vehicles over the years, and South Bay BMW ranks worst among the dealerships I’ve encountered for their lack of professionali I have purchased 5 new vehicles over the years, and South Bay BMW ranks worst among the dealerships I’ve encountered for their lack of professionalism. A month after I took my car home, I received an alarming letter in the mail from South Bay BMW stating that my credit application had been denied. When I called the finance department at South Bay, they explained that there was a system glitch resulting in these letters to be sent to 90% of customers in the last 7-8 months. However, the main concern I discovered shortly after bringing the car home was the crooked and off-center front license plate, along with a damaged bumper resulting from the reckless hole drilling. This was upsetting because other dealerships allowed me to turn down front plate bracket installation, which I intended to do at South Bay BMW, but they did not give me the chance before performing the installation that ultimately resulted in damage. My wife reached out to our sales representative to address the issue. She sent him pictures and followed up with a phone call. He said that he was busy with a customer and would call back but never did. After a series of calls we were transferred to the Service Manager voicemail. We left him a detail message, but he never responded. After 2 weeks, I received a routine thank you card from the owner with his contact info. I decided to escalate the matter by emailing the owner directly. Only after this action did the service manager contact me and offer to tow my vehicle into South Bay BMW for repair, but couldn’t answer my questions as to what the repair would entail. I decided to get a second opinion from one of the most reputable professional auto body shops in OC. The repair specialist gave me an estimate and told me the whole bumper would need to be replaced and painted to match my white OEM bumper. If done improperly, the paint would peel in 1-5 years. Due to my experience with the front plate installation and lack of professionalism, I didn’t trust South Bay BMW to perform the delicate repair. In my subsequent email to the owner, I included photos of the damages along with a preliminary repair estimate, requesting him to compensate me to perform the repair at my chosen auto shop. The general manager and I then engaged in a two-week email exchange, where he insisted that I bring the car to the dealership for the sole purpose of fixing the "license plate bracket correctly," completely disregarding the bumper damage and refusing to consider my request for compensation. Frustrated with the dealership’s dismissive attitude, I informed the general manager of my intention to pursue arbitration as outlined in my vehicle contract. Here is the GM’s response: “I rarely have to go this direction with a customer as most clients have an ethical perspective of resolution. Please continue to Google consumer legalities and do what you need to do. I’ll be there to support our reasonable, professional, and ethical resolution offerings we have stood by to take care of you, our customer. If you need to proceed from a legal angle, this will conclude our dialogue. Do as you need to sir, I’ll see you there!” The GM’s implications that I am unethical is uncalled for. Though we did not agree on how to resolve the issue, there was no need for the GM to respond to my arbitration notice in a passive aggressive manner. It appears that once they make a sale, their commitment to customer satisfaction ends abruptly. Minus 1 star for installing the front license plate prior to asking me if I wanted it and installing it improperly while damaging the bumper. Minus 1 star for lack of follow up from multiple team members for 2 weeks Minus 1 star for the lack of formal response to a system glitch that caused a faulty credit decline letter to be mailed to me. Minus 1 star for the general manager’s unprofessional email, lack of patience and flexibility with a customer. His employees’ attitudes are a reflection of his example. More
by phdv98
Employees Worked With
Kyle Schulz, John Hall
June 14, 2023
My experience with this dealership has been extremely distasteful to say the least. Started with Daniel on the sales floor who immediately became distasteful once he found out I wasn't there to purchase distasteful to say the least. Started with Daniel on the sales floor who immediately became distasteful once he found out I wasn't there to purchase a new car, but to buy out my lease. Dishonest is my best way to describe him. Obviously these people don't care about the customer, but Daniel doesn't even put on a good game face. Alex in finance did the best he could to rectify the situation. Told me that I was basically, making a new car purchase and to clear out my car for a detail. When I got my car back they hadn't even wiped my dogs nose prints off the windows. I purchased the dent and windshield package, Alex in finance asked for me to give them another chance to make things right. Although, typically you would call and have a tech come out to you to remove the dents through the warranty, but he insisted they take care of it in house. Also, said give us another chance to detail your car. Jorge my service rep calls me back 2 MONTHS later to tell me that they need their loaner back and that they could not remove the 2 very small dents. Excuse me, I drive an X4 M40i, you have me in a basic xxx X1, you think this is my choice? Also, my car still wasn't detailed, nose prints are gone, but there are crumbs everywhere. Didn't even touch the center console. Also, my wheel trim is now popped out and doesn't stay secure. They gave me pushback on repairing it, so I just left out of frustration. This panned out to be about a 3 month process for me to find out that I purchased dent protection for no reason. More
by marcus.nichols
Employees Worked With
Daniel (sales), Alex (finance), Jorge (service)
December 21, 2022
I sent an inquiry to the sales department regarding a 2023 BMW M4 coupe. I received a call from a sales associate (I never got his name), asking me to come down to the dealership. I asked for the numbers 2023 BMW M4 coupe. I received a call from a sales associate (I never got his name), asking me to come down to the dealership. I asked for the numbers over the phone so I don't have to spend over an hour sitting in traffic driving down to this location. The sales associate rudely said "we don't give out numbers over the phone". I said, "that's fine." And he immediately hung up the phone. Extremely rude service. This is the only BMW dealer that would not give me any numbers over the phone (or email) and immediately end a conversation. He offered no other resolution, just ended the conversation immediately by hanging up the phone. More
by J3nn22
Employees Worked With
I never got his name
December 11, 2022
One sales consultant was extremely imperishable and a bit condescending, Greenberg was his name. Another simply would never follow through with communication, Josef. Literally trying to buy an SUV, full cash condescending, Greenberg was his name. Another simply would never follow through with communication, Josef. Literally trying to buy an SUV, full cash and immediate purchase, and they both couldn't have tried less or cared less. Josef went as far as to even say basically the dealership was doing me a favor and it depends on how bad I want the car for them to deal with me. Ridiculous service. More
by Bcharles330
Employees Worked With
Greenberg(last name), and Josef
November 22, 2022
Service Advisor Alfonso is top notch and will only suggest what is needed for your car to be in tip top condition. I trust him with all my service needs for the past 4 years. Thank you so much for you suggest what is needed for your car to be in tip top condition. I trust him with all my service needs for the past 4 years. Thank you so much for your Superior service! More
by marikagapuzz
Employees Worked With
Alfonso Quinones, Darryl Kwock, Willie Reyes
September 21, 2022
Things that were working fine stopped working after I had my car serviced, then they want to charge me hundreds of dollars to fix the issues. I feel like they jacked it up during the service but I don’t have my car serviced, then they want to charge me hundreds of dollars to fix the issues. I feel like they jacked it up during the service but I don’t have proof. They charge so much for every little thing I am really sick and tired of every visit costing me thousands of dollars. Yes I understand the parts are expensive and needed, but there are a few things that didn’t involve any parts and an early task while checking out the car, but they want to charge labor for it… so I’ll do it myself. It’s not at all a good feeling when they don’t try and give you great service. I would have just said Sure I’d be happy to help you do xyz!!! Easy!!!! But they make your experience a nightmare by charging you hundreds of dollars to do anything. And the BMW dealership in Long Beach is even worse it’s soooo shady what they did to me when I took my car in for a simple repair and service I will never even go close to it. Talk about nightmares do not go there for anything. I love my car I wish the services were a better experience. I dread every visit. They drain my bank account each time. My rep is very nice and he is just the messenger he is not the one making any price decisions and what to charge and what not to charge so I am not complaining about the rep at all. Don’t shoot the messenger… this dealership visits are just too expensive. Cost of labor is like the hourly wages of a neuro surgeon. More
by Redondogirl
Employees Worked With
Alfonso
August 13, 2022
Brought car in to change one flat tire. Took them almost 6 hours. Called service advisor for update and never received call back. This place is strongly not recommended. Took them almost 6 hours. Called service advisor for update and never received call back. This place is strongly not recommended. More
by cboriboun
Employees Worked With
Darryl Kwock
August 05, 2022
Another unhappy experience with the service department. Let me be clear, I love my service advisor. This is about the technician and or the valet. I picked my car up today 8/1/2022 and everything went smo Let me be clear, I love my service advisor. This is about the technician and or the valet. I picked my car up today 8/1/2022 and everything went smooth until the valet pulled my car up. I noticed a piece of paper on my dashboard so I took it down. To my surprise, it was part of my contract from another vehicle I recently purchased. I had it rolled up in my drivers door. Someone went through my personal papers and wrote the tag number on the back and stuck it in the window. I was absolutely furious. Along with that, the contents of my drivers door was thrown in the passenger seat including Kleenex someone used. I don't use Kleenex and had detailed my interior and exterior the day prior. The work was on the passenger door so I don't understand why anyone was going through my driver door throwing my things around. That added insult to injury as a few days prior, my three year old found a marijuana joint in the loaner car. What if he would have put it in his mouth instead of saying "Daddy I found a french fry?" I don't smoke, don't believe in drugs and question who cleans these loaners? Or did the joint come from the staff cleaning the cars. I received a very mediocre apology from the service manager and was sent on my way. I'm extremely disappointed as I have purchased numerous vehicles from here and so has my family. 15 within the last three years to be exact. I expected more. A very dissatisfied customer. More
by B530e
Employees Worked With
Technician / Valet
June 25, 2022
McKenna South Bay BMW dealership is #1 and the staff are awesome. You will walk out happy and satisfied with the deal you just made. I wanna thank John Hall and his team (Reggie Jones, Darrin, and Ms. E. Pe awesome. You will walk out happy and satisfied with the deal you just made. I wanna thank John Hall and his team (Reggie Jones, Darrin, and Ms. E. Perry) for their help today with my new 2022 330i M sports. This is my 5th BMW that I have purchased from McKenna South Bay and every time I purchase I’m a happy customer walking away. Thanks guys, can’t want to 🏎💨 around town this weekend I’m my new ride. More
by ladyjj32
Employees Worked With
John Hall, Darrin, Ms. E Perry, Reggie Jones
