Bob Smith BMW

Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Horrible experience at Bob Smith BMW, service dept. I'm so dissastisfied, I wrote a blog dedicated to this dealership. http://boycottbobsmithbmw.blogspot.com/

They basically lied to me when I had an accident with their loaner vehicle as my car was in service. My insurance carrier quickly paid for the repairs, less my $1,000 deductible. I did not have the $1,000 at the time so Bob Smith BMW (John Brison) said no problem! Just pay it when you have it. "Howie" Brian Howard, asst. manager of the service dept. made payment arrangements with me of $250/ mo til the $1,000 is paid off. Next thing you know, an attorney is calling me requesting over $4,000 in loss-of-use charges because Bob Smith's body shop took 56 days to repair the vehicle. I was never told about these add'l charges. Long story short, Bob Smith lied and I ended up paying WAY more than my $1,000 deductible. Check out my blog! AVOID BOB SMITH BMW

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
I leased a lemon. A BMW X3 that was a demo off the lot. Had 15,000 miles on it and they said it was in excellent condition but they forgot to mention the horrible noise that came out of the engine when you start it. The customer service I have received thus far is far more worse then the rating I have given due to the fact that I CAN'T CHOOSE A LOWER RATING THEN THE ONES THEY HAVE OFFERED ON THIS WEB SITE.
I took the car in and they said it is in perfect condition and the noise when you start the car is normal and happens to all the X3's. Well they finally took it after my second attempted to take it to service and the service lady agreed and said that is not normal. They still have my lease car and this is the 12th day with them. They told me it would be ready in 3 more days. wow that's 15 days 1/2 a month that they have kept my lease. The only reason why they will have it done in 3 more days is because I called BMW headquarters and sure enough the BMW center called me right away to let me know corporate called and said it will be ready in 3 days. Sure they loaned me a toyota corolla for a few days until I complained that it wasn't equivalent to what I am paying on the lease. So they loaned me another X3 bottom of the line. Sure enough this drives better than what they originally leased me and guess what? no engine noise when you turn on the car. These guys are a bunch of jokes. My next car will be a Toyota Camry I am through with getting screwed by BMW.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Purchased a BMW from Bob Smith. We discovered that a $450 item we purchased was never provided to us. When we asked about it, we were put off, ignored, and given the run around. We were then told that it would be looked into. When we called again after 6 weeks had elapsed, we were told that since we didn't call them back, they assumed we didn't want to follow up on it. Since that phone call, we still haven't received anything from Bob Smith even though we emailed the service person's supervisor and contacted BMW of North America. There were a few other issues as well which are not worth going into. We had been really happy with Bob Smith until this happened and planned on buying another car from them. However, customer service appears to be such a low priority it makes no sense to go there again. We are reasonable people, but being completely igonred after paying so much money for a care is unacceptable. Note that a recent experience with Santa Monica BMW was the complete opposite. We were treated with respect and excellent service.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Be careful, tricky salespeople, they take a long time to answer phone calls. They do not like to help the customer after the sale. If you buy from them, be very weary and get everything in writing.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Be careful, tricky salespeople, they take a long time to answer phone calls. They do not like to help the customer after the sale. If you buy from them, be very weary and get everything in writing.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Since they moved to Calabasas, the dealership is so buzy, everything takes longer. My 325I could not be serviced as scheduled because one tech called off sick !! Then I had to wait 4 hours for the shuttle to pick me up. Come on, this is unaccceptable. Get a second shuttle car and driver, hire more techinicans, and do not close the shop at 5pm. They advertise on TV, but cant handle the extra business! I'd rate the service employees at 5 (great people, overworked though!) but Bob Smith BMW get a 1 . My next car may not be a BMW.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
I had a great experience at Bob Smith. My salesman, Jeff Kline couldn't be better, he and had all the pricing done before I got there and I was out in 1 hour. I have checked pring since and I got a great price on my new 335i. What a super car and very fast.

I asked him about this review below about the C changer and he told me that the customer in question was never happy no matter what and the CD changer, worked perfectly and was only thrown in because of the customer's consistant whining. There was nothing that coulld be done to make hime happy. I believe him and would recomment Jeff to anyone.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Went to Bob Smith looking for an '06 M-3 with SMG. Didn't have an '06 on lot but drove an '03. Seemed in mint condition and offered to buy it. Up front I said I wanted a CD changer included. Salesman said, sure, no problem. A lot of games were played during the negotiations: warranties that were mandatory were offered as concessions, inclusion of the CD changer was assured, price didn't budge. Stupidly I caved. Paid full price. Paid cash. When I went to sign contract, no CD changer. Was told "wink wink" I'll get one for you. Drove car off lot. Days later salesman said I've got it. I drove back to Calabassas to pick it up. It was a battered changer yanked from an X-5 turned in on a trade in. Didn't look like it would fit. Salesman Kline said he would yank another one out of a car on the lot. Apparently there's a lively trade in CD changers sniped from BMW's on the lot. Salesman then bought an M-3 himself and took the changer for his car. His car! Then I was told the X-5 CD changer would fit. It had marks on it that looked as if someone had tried to pry the drawer open. Too bad I was told by Jeff Kline, you're stuck with it. Nice car, bad experience.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
I went in to get the back passenger rear window and windshield wipers fixed. After about two hours they called me and told me that the rear window is working but still working on the windshield wipers. The wipers would not stop when started. After another hour they called me that it was a fuse that needed to be replaced that controlled both the window and wipers. I asked as any BMW owner does how much and can the part be fixed. The service adv. said it had to be replaced. So labor and parts totaled $928.00 for a fuse/labor. Also by the way you need to change the two drive belts in your 7 series, radiator flush and do a brake flush. I thought how weird since I just had done a complete brake job that included that, changed the radiator 3 months prior that changed the fluid/temp gauge and changed the two belts drive belts. I keep my 7 series in good shape, per wife’s/ kids car. She said, “well it seems that your vehicle must need it again, I will double check”. When I got there she told me that my key isn’t working and had to be replaced. I insisted that it was working when I gave it to them and expect it to be working when given back. I then took my key to the technician that worked on my vehicle and he got it working. The key had to be reprogrammed per they disconnected the battery to change the fuse, that’s all. I asked if the fuse could have been fixed? He told me all that had to be done was to be grounded again that it was loose. But the service adv told him to replace it. I also questioned the time spent 3.5 hrs fixing a fuse. The service adv told me that it was complicated. I was so upset I chose not to yell just to take my business elsewhere. So I have. I went Cutter in Santa Barbara and they agreed that it should have been .5hrs max for the installation and the 1hr inspection time only. Per everyone has to pay 1hr inspection. I have never felt so taken advantage of in my life before my visit. I wanted to share my story to make sure if you take your vehicle there please ask questions why and be familiar what your vehicle is in need of. BOB SMITH will take all of your money offering you unwarranted maintenance on your vehicle. We already pay too much for the services that why they up the warranty to 50k. My next vehicle will be a Mercedes or Lexus.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
We had a very bad experience with Larry. He did not seem interested in selling the car, on asking he if he would negotiate for the price, his reply was that he would if he thought we were interested, even though in reality, we wanted to buy the car the same day!
They had a particularly bad service, and I am surprised that with this kind of customer care, they are in business at all.
The only good aspect of Larry was that he did not waste any time, talking useless stuff, neither did he bad-mouth any competitors, but overall, he was not trying to sell atall. If you don't want a great deal, and don't care for customer service, I would recommend this, but if you are looking for a overall pleasure experice, avoid them. They are in Calabasas now.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
After a previous not-so-wonderful experiennce with Bob Smith BMW, I decided I would try them out on a softball of a service job.

I brought my BMW in at 9:30 per my appointment to have the tire pressure indicator light checked out. I sat around for at least 20 minutes while Brent talked to some soccer mom about who knows what. Then waited around for a shuttle that never showed. Then, about 5 hours later, I got a call that they have not even looked at my car yet. When I called back an hour later, still no answer. A simple tire pressure check and check of the sensor and they could not complete it in a day. I would only recommend going there to grab a cup of coffee and a muffin, otherwise, stay clear of the Bob Smith Service Center.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE with “Bob Smith BMW” management. I bought a “demo vehicle” BMW less than one year old. The next day I’ve noticed the low coolant light ON. Later, before starting a longer trip, I verified if the spare wheel is inflated. To my surprise I found it completely deflated with a nail stuck in. Third thing, the side mirror covers could slide out since I first brought the car home. I thought this may be the way the car is built, but later after one felt down and broke I went back to “Bob Smith BMW” (the place that sold me the car) and found out that the covers are supposed to have some plastic latches that were broken in my car. The car was in factory warranty but they refused to cover this problem even when I brought this problem up to the service manager, Catherine Smith, part of the family that owns the business and referred by the personal as “a Smith”. She said that they check the cars before selling them. What about my car? How did they miss the low coolant, the nail in the wheel, the mirror covers? When I asked if there is any level above where I can complain she shacked her head and said NO. The SMITHS own the business and they are on the top of the pyramid. What the SMITHS don’t know is that YOU, THE BUYERS are above their family business pyramid. I don’t recommend anybody to buy from BOB SMITH BMW.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Bought my third BMW from Bob Smith, first at new location. The new building is fantastic. The sales staff is knowledgeable and doesn't play games. During the summer their inventory was very low, but when the new cars came in they really started to sell. I ordered the first 650i to come into L.A. in July and it was delivered in mid October. I tracked its progress on the BMW website and was at the dealer as the car carrier drovwe up and dropped it off at 4:30 p.m. Bob Smith got the car ready for me in 90 minutes. It has also been responsive to inquiries, service questions (no service yet) and purchase of parts (license plate frames, hat and touch up paint). Over all an excellent dealership.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Excellent experience. Have bought 3 Bimmers from them, one at their old Topanga location the other two from their new Calabasas location. They are very helpful and courteous. I would definitely recommend them for pre-owned ( 2 of 3) or brand new car purchases (my newest baby). Great selection and very helpful in getting BMW FS to give you good rates.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Dropped my car in for service. After the minor fix was done, the service technician asked me to ride with him to make sure everything was okey to me. I told him everything was okey. He dropped me off the front area and said that he will add some freshener. Another person took the car back in front and I noticed that between the time I was dropped off and the time the new guy delivered the car to me, they took my coins from the coin dispenser.

The small change doesn't matter but the fact that they would steal items from a customer's car is just unbelievable and inexcusable! That was my first and last visit.

GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER BOB SMITH!

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Very slow and/or reluctant to recognize customer's specific interests(type model, options, etc.). Takes forever to respond to negotiation offers and inquiries..... I waited in Mr. Watkin's cubical for 25 to 35 minutes on two separate occasions for him to take my offer and questions to his supervisor for any kind of response. On two other occasions, Mr Watkin took anywhere from ten to fifteen minutes to obtain answers and/or responses from his supervisor. Throughout our sales negotiation Mr Watkin tried to sell me alternate vehicles that I was not really interested in. Upon stating my complete disinterest ( after two hours of mostly waiting for answers), Mr Watkin became very sarcastic and acted in an unprofessional manner.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
I've been to Bob Smith aprx 5-6 times in the past 4 years to look at a car for sale and have always been disappointed by their poor sales service and treatment. IN addition, the used cars I looked at and drove had issues that they were apparently attempting to cover up, ie suspension issues, service problems on an early M3, etc. I couldnt buy from them nor do I take my cars there for service. I find Santa Monica BMW to be excellent based on my latest trip and ym coworkers experience. Nothing beats Bev Hills though IMHO.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Had a very friendly, helpful salesperson over the phone that gave extensive advice on equipment availability as well as very good deal that I would have taken- had I not found an even better one. When I mentioned the possibility of a better deal, however, he tried to justify his price by limited availability of the vehicle and said that he got the feeling I was shopping around. Is this a crime? I have no experience with the service department.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
Bought a M3Cic from this dealer. That process was painless, nice sales people and made a good deal, which is hard to find on SMGII M3 Conv in Southern Cali. Service they have screwed up a bit. The forgot to order the parts, so a trip out there for nothing. I yelled and they ended up coming out to my work to fix everything (30 Min away) Gave a BMW Loaner also. So overall not bad. You might have to yell though.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Bob Smith BMW:
100 of BMW's dealers in the L.A. area, there is no specific reason I chose this one over the others, other than the fact that it is 5 miles from my house. Their currnet location is a dump on Topanga Canyon by the Topanga Plaza Mall. Their moving to a brand new nicer facility in Calabasas, and will also be a Mini dealer. Word is the old Bob Smith lot, is going to be an IN n' OUT! Overall Bob Smith is good, gets the job done well, and with a smile.

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