BMW of Riverside

Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of BMW of Riverside:
I was in the market for pre-owned 5-series (an upgrade from my 2000 328I). I researched, called and visted several BMW dealrships from San Diego to LA. After concluding my research and visits of BMW dealerships, my wife and I stopped by BMW of Riverside. Sal, my sales associate was very knowledgable, professional and answered all of our questions. Sal stayed with us from start to finish, personally taking us through financing, etc. also ensuring our "new" car was clean with new floor mats. Cece, the finance guru explained everything in detail. Very friendly and professional staff. There was one minor problem with our front seats, but before we drove off the lot, an appointment was made to ensure we were 100% satisfied with our purchase. I have also dealt with the service department and I have say....Rebecca is wonderful!! She is so patience, polite and a knowledgable professional. Amy, my service advisor is excellent. She called to inform me that my part had been received and an to ask when would be a convienent time for my service appointment. Before we decided to vist BMW of Riverside, I read all reviews on this and other sites. Unfortunately they don not paint a pretty picture, but my wife and I went in with an open mind, and we are very glad we did. Overall my experience was, and continues to be excellent with BMW of Riverside. I would reccommend this dealership to a family member or friend.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (New)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of BMW of Riverside:
I live in the metro-Detroit area. Since the beginning of 2009, BMW has been running a very aggressive lease program on the 2008 BMW M3 to clear out its inventory before the 2010 refresh hits. I was about the pull the trigger on a FULLY loaded e93 M3 (M3 convertible with MSRP of $79K), but it lacked an automatic transmission. Because I wanted to avoid compromising on this, I started searching for vehicles on autotrader.com. It is Sunday so the only dealerships that are open are in California (I am unaware of the reason for this). I shoot an email over to Tanya Tague over at BMW of Riverside about a $74K automatic e93 M3 explaining that I already have an amazing deal and I'm willing to pay something similar for a less loaded car because it supposedly has the auto transmission. About 3 hours later she emails me that "Our sales manager AJ Huxhold has been trying to contact you about the deal. Please call him as soon as possible."

So naturally I think this guy wants to make a deal. I am already approved by BMW Financial Services and so ready to make a deal right then, that second. Just respect me enough to give me a somewhat reasonable deal and you're got my deposit, I think to myself.

Right when I start talking to AJ I realize they guy has a few screws missing. 2 minutes in, out of nowhere, he asks me if I want to export the LEASE out of the country. And he asks if I am involved in some kind of devious M3 export ring. What the heck is this guy talking about? Oh I get it... I have a Middle Eastern name, although I have no accent (born in the US), this guy automatically assumes I'm sending this LEASE (which has to be returned in 3 years mind you) to Afgahnistan or something. Well, who needs the Department of Homeland Security watching the border when you're got car dealer extraordinaire AJ Huxhold making sure I don't export BMW M technology to the Germans. On a more serious note - I happen to know that people purchase cars and have them shipped to other states in the Union very, very regularly (it usually has to do with a cheaper price or an available option). I also told him the exact reason I was calling Cali - because only California dealerships are open on Sunday and I want to try to get an automatic as I am about to send my deposit and close on the other deal on Monday. I'm aware there is a non-export contract that people sometimes sign (all people, not just Arab-Americans) when buying cars, but why bring this up in the middle of our discussion about the car's options? The most ironic thing is that AJ himself has an accent. Moving on...

Next the guy refuses to send me any of the options, MSRP, or other details about the car we're discussing. This is after 3 phone calls asking him to immediately send this info for my review please. Each time he says he will do it "immediately".

In the meantime, during our multiple phone discussions over about 3 hours, he tries to claim that the money factor on my particular lease is .00015 higher because I'm not a returning BMW leasee. I know this is an outright lie (source: leasecompare.com) so I politely ask that he email a copy of the memo from BMW Financial Services claiming that. He claims that his dealership does not have a scanner and he is unable to comply with my request. He then backtracks and corrects himself a bit although he still raises the MF by 0.00007. I ignore this because I really want that supposedly automatic transmission. I'll let this guy have the $500 bucks off that sneaky move I say to myself.

Next, after AJ goes incommunicado for about 1 hour (during which time I am still waiting for all the car's options so I can calculate the car's invoice price), I call his number very miffed. Why did this guy have his agent send me that email if he didn't think he could deal? I had sent all the info and options about my deal in the original email. If the guy didn't want to match the price or even reasonably approach it ( on his vehicle that is 5K cheaper), then don't send an email stating that "he's trying to contact [you] about the deal"

So eventually this guy realizes I know how to compute the price of a lease (using MSRP, cap rate, money factor and residual) and gives up the charade about having some semblance of honesty or ethics.

He tells me that California isn't feeling the recession (false: California has the second highest unemployment rate in the US) and that he can sell his seven 2008 M3s for much more than I am willing to pay. Interesting...if that is true, why are they sitting on your showroom floor costing you thousands of dollars a month in flooring costs? We are currently halfway to the 2010 model year which will likely refresh the car and destroy the value of his beautiful, unsold M3s.

Finally, he tells me the M3 I'm interested in isn't even an automatic (likely a lie). He does the whole, "oh let me check", but really just cups his hand over the receiver and counts to 30. He then confirms that the M3 is "unfortunately"

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Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of BMW of Riverside:
Do your self a favor and stray clear of this dealership, they are crooks. I bought a certified pre owned 5 series and it has been in the shop more in the 5 weeks I have owned it, than on the road. The latest incident has a $6,000 bill attached to it and the are telling me that it is not there problem, and I need to report it to my insurance. They can not tell me what has caused all the damage, only that they are not responsible for the damage. I am sick to my stomach with BMW, I met with the GM about the car, sent emails to corporate, which they replied that since the dealership is privately owned they cannot get involved (though had it been a new BWM I purchased, they would be happy to investigate things.)I have filed a greevance with the Bureau of Automotive repair, and the Better Business Bureau and am awaiting they're response. The salesman who sold it to me assured me that they would stand behind their product, but I have yet to see anything of the sort. He did tell me that business is slow, and since money is tight, the dealership would do anything to keep from taking a loss on the vehicle. At this point I am going to take their advice and report it to my insurance company, and ask only that another dealership does the work on the vehicle, at which point I will file legal action against the dealership for the damages. I have spoke with another dealerships service mgr and he says this is typical practice from BMW of Riverside, and that they have been in trouble before for selling lemons and then not making good on them. If you have any questions or are even thinking of possibly purchasing a vehicle from them DON'T, the bitter taste of bad service will last much longer than the notion of a good price..... You can contact me at riograyson@gmail.com and I will be happy to share my whole story with you. By the way I love the car, when it runs it is great, so I do want my car, hell I saved $12,000 up to be able to put down so I may afford the payment on it. This dealership is a true and accurate example of the used car sales stereotype.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (New)

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of BMW of Riverside:
This dealer is located over 100 miles from my home, but we consistently return here to purchase our vehicles and for major service to our vehicles, despite the fact we live within 5 miles of Valencia BMW. We have purchased or leased 9 vehicles from this dealer and continue to refer them to friends and family.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of BMW of Riverside:
Don't go here! they are scam artists! make sure you read the contract at the end because they sucker you in, and then try to make more money at the end by adding "things you need" like protection kit, etc... They should really understand that they could have potential to be on higher grounds, but they are really the lowest of the low.
When we tried to refuse the extra add ins on the end, the financial lady started to get very condascending, and rude and very pushy. they make you feel like you don't have a choice. In the beginning pretending you are family, only to find out that they turn the tables on you when it comes to stripping you out of your money.
DON"T TRUST THEM!
BUYER BEWARE!

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of BMW of Riverside:
this is true story! this is a place of con-artists! They tried to con us, and con the people even before us. It was unbelievable experience. They really try to trick you. You must make sure you look at the contract at the end, because that is when they try to change it up on you. Don't fall for it! They pretend to offer you the best deal. They even have 4 people playing good cop bad cop. Gamg up on you, pressure you & even get mad and angry if you don't want to spend more money!. Truley the worst place ever. NEVER AGAIN WILL WE EVER RECOMMEND BMW TO ANYONE> AVOID THIS DEALERSHIP AT ALL COSTS.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of BMW of Riverside:
i took my 3 series in for inspection II. The cost was 600$ which i agreed to as i thought this included sparkplug service.

It turns out that inspection II for a 2001 330 consists of an oil change and 1 filter replacement.

Not to mention that the supervisor said he would get back to me with information and did not.

Now, not 3 weeks later my check engine light is on as is my oil change indicatore peridocily.

I need to find a BMW mech in riverside california.

If you have a 3 series DO NOT pay for Inspection II. Get an oil change and filter replacement instead.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of BMW of Riverside:
I went to BMW of Riverside to check out and possibly purchase a BMW 328i coupe. ON first arrival I could not get a salesperson to approach me, so I had to walk inside and go to the reception desk to request a sales associate. I would have been better off leaving the lot and going somewhere else than having to deal with the sales associate I received. After the test drive in a model similar to the one I would want to purchase (They had very little selection of the car I wanted and couldn't find an exact match on the vehicle configuration I wanted in all of SoCal.) We proceeded to find something similar to what I wanted, but at a higher cost than I had planned to spend because of added options I did not want. Long story short, they would not deal with me, tried to lowball me on my trade in and would not budge, which may be the case at all dealers, but the way in which they handled it rubbed me the wrong way. The smug pompous laughing and eye rolling from my sales associate when requests were made by me such as giving me fair market value for my car as given to me by KBB among other things sealed the deal that I would NOT be buying a car from this man even if he gave me the deal I wanted on this "very in demand car that is marked up most other places and we are doing you a favor by not applying the market adjustment since it wasn't marked up on the lot for whatever reason."

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of BMW of Riverside:
DO NOT EVER GO HERE. We've been customers of BMW's for over 10 years and have multiple vehicles, we switched to this dealership as it was local to family and based on the dealerships history it seemed like a great place and what a nightmare. This place top down is plain horrible. How do I know? I took the vehicle into another dealership because I didn't trust the work they did, as problems never went away. Turns out they did practically nothing to the vehicle which made even the service manager at the other dealership we went to apologize for the problems and mis-diagnostics done to the car. This place is down right horrible and if you complain to management, they don't care, such a horrible experience. It's family owned and run as such, a very bad one. What a shame to destroy the family legacy that it was built on, David Franklin you should be ashamed.

You will get better service from a local mechanic. We're under BMW ultimate maintenance also, STAY FAR FAR AWAY. The treatment you will get is BAD. It's night and day if you go to any other BMW dealer, drive the extra miles to get treated right. Riverside BMW is horrible and from what I find out from talking to the neighbors that place is a joke.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of BMW of Riverside:
My mom bought a new X3 from Riverside BMW last year. We dealt with Steve in sales. He is friendly, and a pretty good salesman, but some of the other sales staff acted a bit arrogant, but you can probably find this at just about any German car dealership, excluding VW. In the end, the overall experience met my standards, and nobody got screwed. The whole process didn't take very long, and at my parents' request, there wasn't a lot of sitting around time (unlike most cases at dealerships), and they got us out of there with the car pretty quick. The dealership itself is very nice, too.

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