BMW of Austin

Took my 740IL in because it was sluggish and I smelled something burning. I was told that my manifold gasket was leaking and needed valves covers required replacement. I decided that the cost was too expe something burning. I was told that my manifold gasket was leaking and needed valves covers required replacement. I decided that the cost was too expensive and decided to do $2000 worth of work so that I could sell car without having to spend too much on repairs. Upon completion of work I noticed that drivers window wasn't working properly, radiator overflow was cracked and it still smelled of oil(neither was a concern with exception of oil smell). The engine was cleaned and supposedly new parts were installed. My neighbor is a mechainic who inspected auto and stated that parts charged for were not new and that old parts had been placed back on auto, they ripped me off. I went back to dealership to inquire and was blown off by service writer -- will never get another cent of my money. Very dishonest group, I noticed while sitting in service writers booth that the majority of service writers were selling the exact same service to customers -- coincedence, I don't think so? More

By far and away this is the worst car experience I have had and that says a lot as I owned an XR4TI. About one year after warranty two major failures occured within one week. One is a proprietary "comp had and that says a lot as I owned an XR4TI. About one year after warranty two major failures occured within one week. One is a proprietary "computer" malfunctions which can not be fixed except at a dealership, the other was a recall item that simply is not being honored by the dealership. When I droped off the car I did so with a diagnosis from a non-dealership mechanic saying that only the dealership has these parts and that they should, in his opinion, cover these items as they are manufacture failts. A week later my service advisor called and said they fixed the recall issue and said noting else was wrong -but had to go on vacation - oh and I'm not eligible for the recall as its voluntary -- next the new advisor calls and says there is a computer malfunction that requires "reprogramming of the entire car" which is a small part piece and over $1000 in labor. If not done, the car literally refuses to allow the lights to work. Imagine trying to use the car without brake lights and turn signals. I am in the tech business and this is a joke. Basically it seems like the car is programmed to malfunction to jack up proprietary costs. It seems the regular service for the 1st three years is a ploy to cover up the many faults these cars have. This was my second 700 series and I can tell you it will be my last. No BMWs for me, or my family for the rest of our lives. Oh, when the car went out of warranty I asked about buying an extended -- and they said that I could not, but I could buy a new car of course. A true lux car dealer would have fixed such design/recall issues gratis or for a parts only fee, these guys are BAD BAD BAD. More

had to deal with this dealership for two years before we finally had enough! yes bmw has a warranty that covers all maintainance but my wife and i could not keep the xxxx car out of the service department. finally had enough! yes bmw has a warranty that covers all maintainance but my wife and i could not keep the xxxx car out of the service department. What a pain! besides the fact that whenever my wife had to bring the car in they treated her with total disrespect but were fine with me. We hated this dealership so much we traded our bmw in to MB of georgetown and purchased a MB. wow now they know how to treat their customers. More

I live in Houston, and this is my third BMW in 4 years. I live in Houston, and this is my third BMW in 4 years. My first BMW was bought from a Houston dealer, and the experience was fantastic. With that in I live in Houston, and this is my third BMW in 4 years. My first BMW was bought from a Houston dealer, and the experience was fantastic. With that in mind, when a friend of mine decided to get an X5 in 2007, I went back the same dealership first- big disappoinment because the people I dealt with were no longer with that dealership. I searched all the dealers in Houston for a good deal but could not put up with their arrogance. As a customer, I do not have to take rubbish to give someone my business, and this seems to be a problem with the dealerships in Houston Called BMW of Austin and come to a working agreement over the phone. My friend got his X5 in 2007, and I got mine by year end in 2007. Fast forward to 2009, I just bought a new X6 from BMW Austin, and they were very respectively to me as a customer. The waiting room is by far the best I have being all in 8 countries, and the Sales person: Paxton Von Briggle, a sales man that believes in selling cars. Will I go back to BMW Austin- without a second thought, unless they decide to screw up. More

I have bought many vehicles over the years and this experience was the BEST ever! The day after we purchased our vehicle Chris telephoned us to say a new document was needed which required our signatur experience was the BEST ever! The day after we purchased our vehicle Chris telephoned us to say a new document was needed which required our signature. Chris gave us a wonderful rubber trunk mat for the trouble of driving 5 miles to the dealership the next day to sign this document. Chris even came to our house to program the garage opener. When the car needed service Chris always meet us at the service department to ensure things went smoothly (which they did of course). I look forward to the next vehicle purchase we need to make so I can buy from BMW of Austin, specifically Chris Markey! More

I wouldn't recommend this advisor. First, I call to make sure they have a loaner since I live 50 miles away. I show up, no loaner. So am I supposed to walk home or something? I could have accepted a ride sure they have a loaner since I live 50 miles away. I show up, no loaner. So am I supposed to walk home or something? I could have accepted a ride but a loaner was a much better option. Basically, this guy just shrugged his shoulders. I had to complain and have a manager take care of it. No to mention he isn't very friendly. There are better advisors, stay away from this guy. At least the facility and wait area is nice. More

The question should be "would you recommend someone else?". If you under warrantee, you'll have to pay. Money or travel time. John Roberts (may he rest in peace) did not run the previous dealership. He else?". If you under warrantee, you'll have to pay. Money or travel time. John Roberts (may he rest in peace) did not run the previous dealership. He only dealt with problems when they would not go away. He had others who's agenda was go bring in money. BMW of Austin (Penske controlled) has a whole different approach. Customer approval. The agenda however is purely to make money. Being a publicly traded company, they owe their stock holders that. For those of you who do not understand how a dealership operates: The technicians usually get a commission. For those of you who receive this type of pay, you understand that good service brings good money. There is nothing dishonest about commission, that is until the rates get whacked when warrantee work is done. Most manufacturers will only pay about 75% of what a dealer would pay (and charge) for customer pay work. When BMW introduced "free" (if you believe it's free you probably also think you don't pay property tax if you rent instead of own your own home and if that's the case, you will just be happy thinking you are getting free service) they started handling the "free" services as warrantee. When BMW dealerships complained of lost income from customer pay work BMW produced a service bulletin that stated "at least you get the work and the vehicles are kept out of independent shops". This was their plan - not to offer something for free but to keep the work from independent shops. It did relieve the new car buyer of the chance to complain (after all, if you didn’t pay, you can’t get a refund) about how much service was and the interesting this is that even though that price is included in the price of the BMW, NO ONE complains about the price of the BMW. They just buy it. Some shop around like kids looking for a cheep switchblade knife on the boarder of Mexico with disregard for the fact that profit helps pay for those fancy amenities they turn around and enjoy. The problem arises is that when there is NO competition for the service while a vehicle is under warrantee - it tends to have an effect on quality. As long as it goes unnoticed by the consumer and it not complained about - there is no audit to check whether or not it was even done. If a tech that tries to slip one past someone and they get caught, the tech takes the beating but if the techs don't get caught and they crank out enormous amounts of billable "hours" (to BMW and to consumers) they celebrate and enjoy the profits (if profit is an appropriate word in this case). Once dealership technicians figure out ways to beat the clock with warrantee work (to try not to loose so much pay) they learn the tricks and it seems to carry over to customer pay work. Now please keep in mind - this practice is common but consumers do not always loose as a result of it. There are some darn good dealer techs and they do care a great deal about the quality of their work but in general - it might be worth having a talk with your personal technician as you would your doctor. Once these guys see there is a person behind the paycheck - eye contact goes a long ways towards quality and honesty. Another consideration - dealership or independent - it is not customary to "tip" a technician with money but trust this message when I say appreciation goes a long ways to keeping a smile on a techs face. Ever consider a thank you card? Some folks do and you can bet, the next time that tech gets "your" car, they will probably take extreme care and kind consideration towards recommendations of what work is needed and the quality that goes into their work. If they don't, request someone else. The techs also get a boost when they get another’s techs "car". It's all fair. I'll wrap up CAR REPAIR 101 with the fact that independent shops do not, even if it's extended warrantee coverage, have what dealer techs have to deal with when it comes to manufacturer warrantee pay (pay reductions). If you find an independent shop or at least a technician that specializes in your brand of automobile you can usually be assured of personal attention and your appreciation will more than likely be rewarded - plus independent techs on average get paid 20% more per hour and the shop rates are usually 20% less than dealers. By manufacturer agreements with the EPA - they release ALL of the same information to independent technicians as they do dealership technicians. www.NASTF.org will have some interesting information for enquiring minds. Now - the next time you post a comment about any business, ask yourself - did you tip your service person with appreciation, and if you think they did not deserve appreciation - then go somewhere else - if it is because something went wrong - dealership or independent - you can probably bet that whatever went wrong was not intentional so give them a chance to remedy the issue and if you think it was intentional - once again - get a different personal to handle your needs More

A simple job takes them over a week - and is typically not done right even then. I've taken my X5 in for its oil change service twice now - and each time - not only have they kept it WAAAAY longer than th not done right even then. I've taken my X5 in for its oil change service twice now - and each time - not only have they kept it WAAAAY longer than they estimated, but in the end - left the job undone. Their typical pattern is calling you late evening - and leaving a voicemail about why your job could not be done - and some long winded explanation about the same. It looks like they are swamped - that much seems obvious - but I also think they are extremely inefficient (they order wrong parts - or they don't figure out the problem till very late into the week). I'll be happy to provide specifics - but the above seems to cover my experience on the last couple of visits (my only visits with my new X5) to this dealer. I wish there was another one in town - because this one is as good as non-existent! More

Great service, fair price, no hassles. I loved dealing with Chris Markey the Internet Sales Manager. I'll be back! with Chris Markey the Internet Sales Manager. I'll be back! More

Fantastic dealership for service. They really run a tight ship. The service manager and director strive for excellence and that is apparent in everything they do. Their lounge is also fantastic. Go tight ship. The service manager and director strive for excellence and that is apparent in everything they do. Their lounge is also fantastic. Go to this dealership. It will not disappoint. More