BMW Santa Barbara

Robert made my service visit as painless as possible--he was informative, respectful and friendly, kept in contact regarding service decisions, and made sure I was happy with the work done. I had compared p was informative, respectful and friendly, kept in contact regarding service decisions, and made sure I was happy with the work done. I had compared price for the job to be done, and the dealership was competitive and thorough. I really appreciated this service experience. More

The Santa Barbara Auto Group has always been accommodating, helpful and upfront. Before our most recent purchase we walked their different brands and test drove several, having many brands at o accommodating, helpful and upfront. Before our most recent purchase we walked their different brands and test drove several, having many brands at one location was really helpful in deciding which vehicle to select and saved a significant amount of time. The sales professionals at each brand were all very helpful and provided requested information and test drives. Jason Thompson was our leasing consultant and completed the most recent transaction. He was always available and answered all our questions, the entire process easy and simple by his attention. We will continue to use the Santa Barbara Auto Group in the future and will continue the recommend them to others. More

My last visit to the Santa Barbara Auto Group, and I do mean my last visit, I came in for a routine oil change and inspection. I dropped the car off in the morning and got a ride with a friend as the servi mean my last visit, I came in for a routine oil change and inspection. I dropped the car off in the morning and got a ride with a friend as the service desk informed me they no longer had a shuttle service for local customers. Hmmm.... that should have been a warning that things had changed at this dealership but I ignored that nagging warning in the back of my head. That evening when I picked up the car it was already twilight so I didn't really take a good look at my car and headed home. The next morning when I was removing all the greasy paw prints along the hood and fenders with some detail spray I was shocked to see a deep two inch scratch in the drivers side door. Greasy paw prints are one thing but a deep scratch from some sharp instrument, a screwdriver or something similar, was too much. I immediately drove over and confronted the service representative. He called over the service manager and they looked at my car and then offered a free oil change at the next visit. Needless to say I declined the offer and took my car to a reputable shop and had the scratch repaired. I took a copy of the repair invoice back to the service manager ($800) and asked what he was going to do. I should have guessed what he was going to do, which was exactly nothing and now I'm looking for new place near Santa Barbara to get my car serviced. BTW my car is a pristine 1999 M3 convertible that spends most of it's life in the garage under a car cover so I know where that scratch came from... More

Here is my letter to BMW Santa Barbara: When I Here is my letter to BMW Santa Barbara: When I purchased my car from Jason Thompson last April it wasn't the best deal around. Money-wise I could h Here is my letter to BMW Santa Barbara: When I purchased my car from Jason Thompson last April it wasn't the best deal around. Money-wise I could have purchased the same car for a better price in Camarillo. But, Jason convinced me that paying a bit more for purchasing a local car and getting service done at the dealership where the car was purchased was a good idea. I agreed and I've been happy up until today. Today (March 29th) I went in and spoke with Joe in the service department. I wanted to schedule the 4 yr 50K maintenance because it was that time and my brakes have been squeaking. I had been told by Jason that I could bring it in and have the scheduled work done on the car. With Joe I was met with a quick and rude reply telling me that a lot of people try to do this and it's not possible. I tried to tell him that I was told by my salesperson that it was possible. He shook his head and rudely said, "Not at this dealership you didn't." At this point I had given him my key, he ran it and said that nothing could be done unless the key said it could be done. OK, I understand that, but I asked if the brakes are making noise can't the brakes tell you they need to be looked at? I understand that BMW has a great system set up for maintenance, and issues with brakes are common with BMW's, but I was basically being called a liar at this point about my conversations with Jason and also that my car obviously didn't need any work because the key didn't tell him anything. Again, I understand that he sees many people each day and this is the routine, but he also must interact as an adult with people and his brash attitude made me want to leave. I took the keys off of the desk and decided to leave and speak with Jason about the situation. As I left the office Joe said, "Go find yourself another BMW dealer." This is not a joke; I am not embellishing. This is a direct quote. I have no reason to lie. After hearing this I let Joe know that he was rude, that I was not a moron nor a liar, and I asked him to apologize to which he said no, and told me the best he could was give me a brake fluid change and that he would take a look at the brakes and do the maintenance if needed (which is what should have been said in the first place and is what I expected). At that point it was too late. I will be taking Joe's advice, and as much as I liked dealing with Jason I will find another dealership not too far away for service and for my next purchase (I love my BMW; they’re great and I plan on getting another). It's as simple as that. I know this makes things easier on you. You don't have to do work on my car, you don't have to even talk with Joe (who is probably your buddy anyway and you're having a good laugh about this), and you don't have to apologize to a customer who is clearly not happy. But you will not be getting a repeat buyer and I regret that I pointed my friends your direction for buying cars. More