BMW of Sarasota - Service Center

Stop!! Step away from this dealership!! This is the most unethical and least customer-centered BMW dealership I have ever worked with. They manipulate trade-in values, they sell BMW Certified Pre-Owned most unethical and least customer-centered BMW dealership I have ever worked with. They manipulate trade-in values, they sell BMW Certified Pre-Owned vehicles without completing the necessary inspections, they use bait-and-switch techniques when quoting for service prices, and worse ... they are totally arrogant and insensitive to the concerns of their customers. I currently own four BMWs and have owned at least twenty in the past thirty years. I have never had problems with a BMW dealership, until now. When this dealership was named Southpointe BMW a few years ago, they weren't great but they weren't horrible. When the franchise was purchased and renamed BMW of Sarasota, the business began a downward slide that has taken it to depths of disorganization, arrogance toward customers, and deceptive business practices that I could not believe were possible with a BMW dealership. They tried to sell me a CPO car that had a cracked windshield and when I suggested that they replace it before selling it to me, they proposed that I buy it "as is" and then report the windshield to my insurance company two weeks hence ... no harm, no foul. What's up with that? A month ago, I brought one of my cars in because a brake-wear light was on. I was originally quoted $900+ for a complete front brake job (which included new rotors). It wasn't until the front was finished that it was discovered that it was the rear brakes that was causing the brake-wear light to illuminate. Then they quoted an additional $900+ to complete that work. And this was just the latest in a string service-related snafus that had been occurring at BMW of Sarasota. I stopped at the dealership three times to attempt to discuss my concerns with President Victor Young in person, and even though he was on the property, he did not have time to talk to me. His subordinates, at least six of them, sat in a closed office with their cups of coffee and never came out to see me either. Apparently they were having too good a time shooting the breeze. I also wrote three emails to Mr. Young and never received a response. I eventually registered complaints with BMWNA and the auto-group that owns BMW of Sarasota (Morgan Auto Group of Tampa). Mr. Morgan expressed concern but then delegated it back to Young, who by now had devolved into a passive-aggressive state. I knew there was no possibility for rational discussion at that point. What a mess!! Naples and Germain BMW ... here I come!!! More

Caution: If you are thinking of buying a certified BMW better have the wheels and tires checked before you purchase. Better yet go buy a Lexus or any other luxury vehicle. Otherwise you may end up as I better have the wheels and tires checked before you purchase. Better yet go buy a Lexus or any other luxury vehicle. Otherwise you may end up as I did. Paid almost 60K for a 328i with 13.1K miles. At 17.9K (4K miles later) I am told I need 2 new front tires at a cost of over $1200. Mgr says no tires are fine just get an alignment and bring back in 6 month to have alignment checked; you will be fine. Yeah!(was really a kiss off). So I bring it back in 3 months (because I had taken a +2K mile trip). So now the odometer is reads approx 19K miles and I am told that I need not two tires but all 4 tires. Mgrs, Asst Mgrs, Used Car Salesmen were all going to get involved nada, nothing. Service rep called and said what do you want to do about the tires DUH was no one listening! When I told him my speel I was told me BMW does not certify the tires, so buyer BEWARE. I would have been glad to pay my prorated share of the wear and the alignment wasn't looking for something for nothing. Also the computer system went down. Brought it in rep says we can tell there was a failure but don't know what module, said just bring it in when it happens again. Told him I don't live around the corner. Well for he next week or two it was out 99% of the time. This time it was off but all it needed was software updates. WHY PRAY WASN'T THAT CHECKED THE FIRST TIME! To top it off the rental is a little Mazda 3 with no automatic "safety locks" and when you step on the gas the a/c blows hot air! This was my 2nd and last BMW and I would not recommend South Pointe BMW of Sarasota (FL) to any More