BMW of Austin

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

John Myrtle is a nice guy, but it is clear that BMW makes its' money at the Service Department - not in the Sale of their cars. I have 60K miles on my 2001 325i and my brake pad light came on. I was infor its' money at the Service Department - not in the Sale of their cars. I have 60K miles on my 2001 325i and my brake pad light came on. I was informed I needed new brakes = rotors and pads; and they had been replaced at 30K miles! He proceeded to tell me I needed additional work that totaled $3,500! I picked up my car without letting them do a thing; and found out from someone who REALLY knows cars that the sensor light must be out of whack, there isn't ANYTHING wrong with my car! It drives like a dream, gee, maybe that was my first clue that their service department isn't on the 'up and up.' IF YOUR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, TAKE YOUR CAR TO AN ALTERNATIVE - or you will be taken for every $ they can get out of you! More

Technician is way too arrogant and dishonest. The Director of Client Relation always tries to cover up things they do wrong. I'm deeply disapointed........and the work quality is poor....caused more Director of Client Relation always tries to cover up things they do wrong. I'm deeply disapointed........and the work quality is poor....caused more problems. More

Too many problems to list, but I will try: - Asked them Too many problems to list, but I will try: - Asked them not to wash car, they still did - Scratched my leather seats - damaged right front fender, Too many problems to list, but I will try: - Asked them not to wash car, they still did - Scratched my leather seats - damaged right front fender, hood, and bumper - advisors are careless, and are not knowledgible - have to come back for a re-work twice or more for almost every repair. Stay AWAY!!! Need more details, e-mail me at mishutam@yahoo.com More