Russel BMW

Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Russel BMW:
I do not recommend the mechanic, too bad I don't know which one did the work.

I requested my headlights get adjusted on my 5 series as the passenger was too low. I was told no adjustment could be made because the adjuster was broke internally a new light assembly was needed. I approved the order for the $$$$$900+ headlight assembly.
It was installed and I requested the bad one. At home I looked over the bad one and sure enough one lamp was loose and the adjuster would not catch. So I held the bulb still and turned the plastic adjuster screw until it caught in the adjusting mechanism. Fixed! Someone had unscrewed it too far. Anyone who calls themselves a mechanic should have done this. I'm not one.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Russel BMW:
Based on one visit.
Customer Service/Friendliness :I have to give credit to management as they seem to have instilled politeness and courtesy in all those persons interfacing with the me, the customer. Specifically I give excellent marks to the person ansering the central phone line, the service advisors, the cashier*, the car loaner persons, and those that check the car out when bringing it into the shop. There was the one cashier one day that was more obsessed with her cell phone than me - that could be improved with some counseling/training.

The Quality of Work: I have had relatively minor service done and what was fixed is still fixed. So Quality of mechanical work is great.

The area of quality control could use some improvement. There is a disconnect somewhere. I only speak to the service advisor when dropping off the car or making the appointment. When I pick up the car I speak only to a service advisor. That person walks me to the cashier and then returns to their desk. I have to stop and say let me review the bill and mechanic comments. Finally, I have to check out the car myself. It is then I notice that one item I wanted repaired was not repaired. I also notice obvious dirt all over my car - possibly from some splatter and high winds. I have to go back and find an advisor to speak to. The point is, no one does a final checkout or just a quick scan/inventory of the car with me.

Other good stuff. The intake system works well and seems efficient. From the moment you get out of your car to when you get into your loaner you are indoors in a clean office or bay area.

The loaners. Oh how convenient this is! The loaners I had were 2008 BMW 3 series vehicles - very clean and a pleasure to drive. I only had to replace the gas I used - no other charge.

There is the potential for a 5 rating.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Russel BMW:
i took my car in for the 1200 break-in maintenance service. the reps in general are nice. however when i picked up my car, there added 7 unexplained miles on my car. i confronted the rep and she gave me the bs that the mechanic had to test drive my car and make sure it doesn't break. but any car enthusiasts know it as a fact that some low-life took the car out for joy ride. when i got home i took a good look around my car i found swirl marks all over my car!! i'm an expert in car detailing and my car had been swirl marks free until now! they thought they did me a favor by dry wiping all the dust off my car. yes that's right. dry wiping not car washing. any car lovers know that this is the same as using sandpaper wiping on your paint. i will not be going back again anymore. bottomline is if you don't care about the nitty things about your car too much, take your car there. othewise, stay away from them or tell them no car wash, no dry wipe, and no *test drive*.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Russel BMW:
I wanted a BMW X3 with Sport Package, Premium Package, and Cold Weather Package. BMW of Towson had a car with all of these features, just no the color I wanted. I found the car I wanted at BMW of Fairfax, but I wanted to deal with a Maryland Dealer. BMW of Towson said they would be able to deliver it to their dealer, but I would have to pay sticker price. I contacted Russel BMW, they said they would be able to ship it and give $2000 off sticker. The car came delivered on a flat-bed tow truck (which was free), wrapped in all the white plastic. I will use this dealer again for my next BMW purchase. The thing I like about Russel, that Towson doesn't seem to have is a down to Earth sales staff. It seems like everybody at Towson was snobby.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Russel BMW:
I had several problems with my car that Towson could not fix so I tried Russel. They were very nice, kept me informed and fixed both issues that the other dealer could not without any BS and under warranty. Very good experience.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Russel BMW:
Wanted to lease an '07 X3 and spoke with four different dealers. Ralph DiMarzo at RusselBMW worked the hardest for the deal, finding me exactly the car I wanted without taking up much of my time. He was willing to work with me on my own terms and never pressured me to "come in and talk about it." I found this dealer to be highly ethical and give great support during and after the sale.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Russel BMW:
Wanted to lease an '06 325xi or purchase a late model 325xi or 330xi. Test drove 2 used and 1 new vehicle from their lot. 1st used vehicle, was hard to start and was not running on all cylinders for about 3 minutes, 2nd used vehicle had a front end shimmy that made it difficult to hold onto the steering wheel. The salesman said "don't worry about it, it's just from sitting.." in both cases. Those vehicles continue to sit. Made 2nd visit to lease new 325xi, waited 20 minutes for saleman and lot attendant to find vehicle after telling me over the phone that it would be ready and waiting for me. Began negotiations for lease, asked for a copy of lease agreement to review, never received it. Nothing was put into writing so that I could see security deposit, mileage buydown or any terms of the deal. When I asked specific questions, I always got vague answers. My conclusion: a pack of evasive weasels. Plus: all vehicles were filthy on the exterior. Went to Carmax, got $2500 more for my trade in, got an '02 325xi for $4000 less than they wanted for '03 325i both 37K miles with similar options. Oh, and the engine wasn't sputering and coughing when I started it.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Russel BMW:
My wife went in to discuss scheduling the #II inspect on our first BMW. Ended up that one of the men in sales was yelling at her about how she didnt do all the other services in order...her and another sales rep there at the dealer informed him that the car tells you when it needs service...he stormed off and we ended up getting several apologies. Didnt matter to me though cause what they didnt know was that I was going there the next day to buy a M3 04'...bought it a few days later at a dealer that was over a hour away...lost a sale and also the sales of my co workers (760/745 and two 530i). Would reccomend that you also be careful not to tell them what you want to pay a month first...<br>

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Russel BMW:
I can't really speak to the quality of the work, but I imagine it was good. I brought my car in to see if the alignment needed fixing, and a tech took time out of his day to ride in my car with me, at Tom's request. He advised me that nothing was wrong with it. I decided to get it checked anyway, and my car was done within an hour. Arranging for a loaner through them was easy, too. Later, when I saw that my bill had &quot;disposal of toxic chemicals&quot; on it, Tom quickly removed it at my mere question. He was friendly, although very busy. My only gripe is that it was next to impossible to schedule an appointment. I called their service department for several days before finally getting through to a live human voice.

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