BMW of Catonsville

Amazingly easy appointment scheduling - and always on the day I want (which is a Saturday); great communication on car service needs; work is done quickly while I wait! This is my 3rd vehicle purchased from day I want (which is a Saturday); great communication on car service needs; work is done quickly while I wait! This is my 3rd vehicle purchased from Russel Automotive Group (2 BMWs and 1 Toyota) and they always take care of me with my purchase and service needs! More

I highly recommend Al Horowitz for new car sales and Russel BMW for a new car sales experience. I recently purchased a 2011 BMW Z4 from Russel BMW with Al as the sales rep and I'm completely satisfied Russel BMW for a new car sales experience. I recently purchased a 2011 BMW Z4 from Russel BMW with Al as the sales rep and I'm completely satisfied with the experience, to include the financing interaction. Al was upfront on all costs for the vehicles and the finance agent diligently went through all the costs and figures to ensure a thorough understanding and clarity of the purchase. Absolutely a top notch job by the pair. As a background, I have been researching a Z4 for over a year...I have been looking to purchase in earnest for the past three months...I have talked with quite a few dealers during the course of my search, encountering salesman that hid costs and one in particular attempted a classic "bait and switch"...however, all previous concerns were completely covered by Al during the buying experience. He was professional, upfront, and diligent in making the sale. He took approximately 45 minutes after all transactions were complete to sit in the vehicle and review all the various options and functions of the vehicle. Within two days he provided a follow-up call to check to see if all was good. Absolutely a phenomenal performance by Al. A couple of other points: I used the USAA Car Buyer's program...absolutely a terrible program, as none of the dealers agreed with the information USAA provided about their dealership; as in they didn't agree to the discount relative to invoice price USAA placed on the certificates USAA mailed me. However, although Russel BMW also disagreed with the price USAA listed on the certificate, Russel BMW, without hesitation, agreed to honor the price listed. The only dealer of the four or five I encountered that agreed to do this. With regards to Russel BMW overall, my limited experience with the sales section (I arrived by train to Baltimore for sole purpose to purchase vehicle, so only spent a few hours physically at Russel BMW) gleaned an impression of an open, friendly, and warm work environment. Very positive atmosphere. Good luck in your car search and I highly recommend Mr. Al Horowitz, Russel BMW, as a sales representative for a new car purchase. More

We've purchased our X5 from another state and just moved here in MD. We took it to Russel for an oil change. As expected, they found a bunch problems and recommended costly repairs. Plus since they have rem here in MD. We took it to Russel for an oil change. As expected, they found a bunch problems and recommended costly repairs. Plus since they have removed the steering wheel and not have the parts, they have to keep it for the weekend. We agreed to a have them go ahead with the steering wheel repair since it was gonna be covered by warranty. BUT wait ... there's more ... they said the 'Check engine' and 'check gas cap' lights was showing so that needs fixin' as well. Anyways, they went ahead with the repair and we paid (more that amount they gave on the phone) it with our hard earned money. The 'Check engine' and the 'gas cap' lights showed up again the next day and we've been trying to get hold of them for service and WILL the service adviser hasn't called yet. WILL he call today or WILL he not ... I don't know the answer. We'll just charge it to experience and never return to RUSSELL again. More

After taking my 2009 BMW 335 to Russell for the 4th time in 18 months for service, I picked my car up and noticed that it had extra miles on the odometer. The sat radio was being serviced but the service m in 18 months for service, I picked my car up and noticed that it had extra miles on the odometer. The sat radio was being serviced but the service manager explained that they sometimes need to take the car for ride to ensure all is well. He explained that they had a 3 mile course they follow. The problem, is that my car had 9 extra miles. Looks like they were either joy riding or running errands for the dealership. They had no justification for the additional miles. DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR THERE since they fail to track how the cars are being driven. In addition, they acted bothered that i even asked the question. Horrible customer service and I'll take my business to another dealership! More

After paying a RIDICULOUS price for new battery ($183 for battery and $210 installation) & tune-up ($25/plug + $85 installation) in Dec., my 2004 X5 (69K well maintained miles) breaks down on me ONE MONTH la battery and $210 installation) & tune-up ($25/plug + $85 installation) in Dec., my 2004 X5 (69K well maintained miles) breaks down on me ONE MONTH later. Defective part is right next to the ($25/per) spark plugs. I'm told the "cyclone seperator" broke and oil spewed all over the sparks plugs, causing engine to stall. Hmmm, coincidence? Probably not. So that repair totals $1,078 ($813 labor + $265 parts) Part of that repair included 2 quarts of motor oil @ $7.35/quart. An hour later the same day I picked it up from Russel, I get an indicator that I'm low on oil. I had to pull over at an auto parts store and add a whole quart of oil! So, even with an elite extended warranty, two trips to this "joint" in one month still cost me $3K out-of-pocket for "German Engineering." Google BMW cyclone seperator. Major defect in '05 & prior vehicles, which BMW discovered after many issues and resolved starting with '06 models. What's even more interesting is the survey the dealer ALWAYS tells you about and begs for "10s" as this is supposedly how they're evaluated and dealt with by BMW. Well, it wasn't mentioned at vehicle pick-up, nor did I receive it as I did the previous 15+ visits to this dealer over a 4-yr period. Coincidence? Probably not! We bought the X5 from friends when it was only 3 years old w/33K miles. They kept it maintained based on manufacturer recommendations and had all the documentation to prove it. We did the same after we acquired it. So, in the 4 years we owned this "Ultimate Driving Machine," it spent more time at the dealer than ALL the previous 7 Toyotas over a 24-year period I owned COMBINED! Just sayin'. More

I went to purchase a 2011 335d. I had test-driven the 335i before and was impressed, but not impressed enough to lay down $45k on a toy. After a quick test drive of the 335d, I was ready to purchase. H 335i before and was impressed, but not impressed enough to lay down $45k on a toy. After a quick test drive of the 335d, I was ready to purchase. However Russel almost killed the deal. I asked about DEF as I'm aware that VW doesn't use a DEF tank on their Jetta TDI. I was told that the 335d did NOT use DEF and instead used a catalyst system (as the Jetta TDI does) to take care of emissions. When I questioned the dealer about the DEF filler cap on the drivers-side of the rear bumper, he informed me that was "just something the manufacturer puts on there for access". I asked if that's where the DEF is filled, he informed me that the vehicle did not have a DEF system (2nd time he stated that fact). All of these snipets are flat-out lies. The sales droid had no idea about the particular variant of vehicle he was selling me. Instead of stating he didn't know, he lied to me. HORRIBLE sales practice. Fast forward to the deal. I was going to pay cash for my vehicle. This is a simple transaction. I give a check for certified funds for the vehicle, I get the keys. No credit checks, no fuss, no muss right? Nope, the "sales manager" (lets use that term loosely) wanted me to fill out a credit check form. I said there is no way I'm filling out a credit authorization form as I'm not financing the vehicle. Cash for keys, right? He argued that they would accept me filling out a portion of the form for "government regulations" and my credit wouldn't be run. Well guess what... there's a ding on my credit from "R H-Russem BMW via CREDCO IMS". This particular dealer sees fit to violate federal laws two times. Fast forward to my first service call. The low DEF light (999 miles to no-start) comes on at 6000 miles. This is why I asked about the DEF system. I scheduled a service call and asked the "service advisor" two times if the DEF refill would be covered under the BMW service plan. She verified with her manager and called me back. I was assured the DEF refill would be free. Well 5 hours after I dropped the car off, I was informed that no, I would have to pay for the refill. $50 later, I found out they refilled a 6.1 gallon tank with a 1/2 gallon bottle. How on earth is a 1/2 gallon bottle going to refill a 6.1 gallon tank? Please, do yourself a favor and do NOT make a sales nor service call at Russel BMW. The sales droids will lie to you, the sales manager will force financing upon you, the service advisers will lie to you, and the techs will not perform the service which is required. On the plus side, the showroom looks very clean and I received two free key chains (one of which came out of the box broken). More

Constantine was amazing to work with, he was honest and to the point and did not hassle me one bit like more sales people do at car dealerships. He also was very friendly and made sure all of my questions to the point and did not hassle me one bit like more sales people do at car dealerships. He also was very friendly and made sure all of my questions were answered. I definitely would recommend his services to others because the service I received was beyond satisfactory. More

I LOVE my new car. I don't know that I've ever lived driving any car as much. Your staff has done nothing but Wow me. I met nearly everyone working this day, many just came buy to congratulate me - like driving any car as much. Your staff has done nothing but Wow me. I met nearly everyone working this day, many just came buy to congratulate me - like I did something spectacular. I think BMW did the spectacular thing, I just recognized it. I've told every one I know about my experience. From Elyza, the day I drive it home to the way I was treated when the front bumper and skirt were taken care of, to my first trip to Service. I was in and out in 20 mins and on my way to work. I was in and out of Finance with Andrew in record time and he made the sticky part of the paperwork, interesting and I learned several things about my new car I never would have known to ask. Maybe I've been lucky or maybe this us how you operate everyday. No matter, I can at say that this is the best car buying-owning experience I've ever had and this is my 11th car. About 15 years ago I swore off buying from dealerships after some horrible experiences with Toyota and Chrysler. Carmax gas been my choice, until now. I will be a loyal Russel BMW shopper and I actually look forward to going there. I am going this weekend just to get my car washed and to say "hello" to Elyza and team. I have gotten so many compliments on my new car and have shared with all of my friends what a great experience it was for me. The Manager spent so much time talking to me that day, just sharing an experience with me that really helped. My day went from walking away from a car at Carmax; I was on my way home and by chance drove to the lot to ask what had changed on the new 3-series cars that would make the one I was driving (a 2003 330xi) so different from a 2011 328xi on the Carmax lot. Elyza spent her day with me, answered my question and showed me the differences. She seemed so young to have a wealth of knowledge, but not once did she waiver. She knew more about BMWs than I did and I have been driving one for 7 years. If you are thinking about buying a car, start here, you won't need to go anywhere else. Thank you and your team. Janet Jenkins 2010 More

My experience with Russell was ver pleasant. Mr. Asangong was very professional and he helped out in every way possible. He also kept our daughter entertained during the entire process. I will definitely be was very professional and he helped out in every way possible. He also kept our daughter entertained during the entire process. I will definitely be recommending friends and family to purchase from Russell BMW. More

I worked with Elyza in purchasing a used BMW. Although a new sale consultant, her knowledge and work ethic far exceeded what I expected. With Elyza's help, it was a painless straight forward process with me new sale consultant, her knowledge and work ethic far exceeded what I expected. With Elyza's help, it was a painless straight forward process with me being in and out in a few hours including the test drive. I recommend this dealership and Elyza based on my experience. More