BMW of Louisville

I took my 330i in for scheduled service (oil change and inspection). It was still under warranty and I had the maintenance plan as well, which I told them when I scheduled the appointment. I dropped it off inspection). It was still under warranty and I had the maintenance plan as well, which I told them when I scheduled the appointment. I dropped it off in the morning and after 6 hours and not having heard anything, I called to find out what was going on. They said that I needed new brakes/rotors, along with new front control arms, and a couple belts were worn and should be replaced. The service advisor quoted me $1800 for this. When I asked about this being covered under the warranty/maintenance plan, he acted like he didn't know I had this and said he would have to give me a call back. 30 mins. later he calls back and says it will be about $750. The brakes/rotors aren't covered due to excessive rust, which he said was caused from sitting undriven for extended periods of time. That's an environment issue and therefore isn't covered under the maintenance plan. I said that I put about 25k miles on it a year so it doesn't sit undriven for long, and 20k miles ago the rear brakes/rotors were replaced under the maintenance plan by another dealer. He still said it wasn't covered. I asked about the control arms which he said were never covered as they were just standard wear and tear items. That's interesting since the maintenance plan is supposed to cover wear and tear items. It needed to be done so I said to go ahead and do it. He wanted to know if I could leave it overnight as it was supposedly a 3-4 hour job (it had been there for 7 hours now) and I said that I really needed it that night but could wait if absolutely necessary. He told me he'd see what he could do and call me right back. After 30 mins. and no return phone call, I call back. He tells me that it will be ready in an hour. When I go pick it up, I'm socked with an $1150 bill! I was given no explanation for the discrepancy between the quoted $750 and the actual cost. It was just an "estimate." As many brake jobs as they do and control arms that they replace, they can only get within $400 of the actual price? Furthermore, the other recommended maintenance items that should have been done at this inspection per the maintenance manual were spark plug replacement and automatic transmission fluid flush/replace. I was told that it didn't need it. Funny, the book says that if it's not done, then the warranty is void. I contacted BMW NA as they didn't contact me like they usually do after a service appointment. I explained what happened and the rep said he would contact the dealer to try to resolve it. He called me back the next day and said he had talked to the dealer. He said that the dealer had provided a more detailed explanation to him about the brakes/rotors. They had "pitting" from rust and therefore would not be covered as that was not normal wear and tear. Again, I told him that it doesn't sit undriven for any length of time but he could only go with what they told him. As for the control arms, he couldn't verify if they were a covered item or not, but according to the dealer they weren't. I guess BMW NA doesn't know what their own maintenance plan covers? As for the transmission fluid and spark plugs, he repeated the same thing about it not being needed. Weird, because BMW's maintenance book specifically says that it is. They had never been replaced before so I don't see how it wouldn't be needed. Regardless, the warranty and maintenance plan had just expired so they couldn't cover it now anyway. I'm sure they didn't plan that one! Bottom line is, don't go here unless you're sure everything is covered under warranty. If they say it's not, check with someone else or go to another dealer. Even if it is, I wouldn't trust them after this incident. That was my first and last time at Sam Swope. I will be using an independent shop from now on as there are several good ones in the area. I also found out that they would have only charged half of what Swope did! More

I've been taking both of my 3-series in for service for the past 7 years and have been very satisfied with the service department, and Edwin Thomas in particular. the past 7 years and have been very satisfied with the service department, and Edwin Thomas in particular. More

When I bought my M3 they wouldn't give me European delivery, so I just drove to Lexington where they were happy to take my money. Customer service takes forever because they don't seem to carry a delivery, so I just drove to Lexington where they were happy to take my money. Customer service takes forever because they don't seem to carry any stock. An O2 sensor took 3 weeks to arrive, SMG parts are at least a week or two of waiting, nearly any part must be ordered. I expected daily status updates but did not get this. Until recently they were not open on Saturday. Swope Honda dealership has better service hours! I have had 3 repairs performed that have had to have more work after the fact. SMG hydraulics leaked after their repair. Replacement of door seal left the sill plate unattached. Sun roof shade has had to be repaired twice (they were kind enough to perform the second under warranty). Getting a loaner takes divine intervention. The guys that work in the service dept are exceptionally nice, but it's a shame they aren't backed up by a decent dealership. I know at least 3 other BMW owners that take their cars to Indy for service instead of dealing with SWOPE. More

I have tried to deal with the sales side of this dealership on three occasions over the past 19 years and have encountered nothing but lies, incompetence, and just plain ignorance. They are the onl dealership on three occasions over the past 19 years and have encountered nothing but lies, incompetence, and just plain ignorance. They are the only local BMW dealership and have a lock on the local market. They are nothing short of incompetent. In light of the premium product that they are selling, the sales people should be nothing short of knowledgeable and interested; they are simply the opposite. On two occasions in the past when I tried to deal with them in obtaining a new vehicle, the salesmen did nothing but lie to me, repeatedly. At the latest encounter, the salesman was obviously ignorant regarding the BMW 5 series coupe, and gave me a lease price that was way higher than I could obtain from a dealer several hundred miles away that I have dealt with in the past.<br>On one occasion, about nione years ago, I went on a test drive with a salesman. Everytime I asked a question, he had to refer to the "book" that he brought with him for the answers to my questions regarding the technical aspects of the vehicle. What do these guys do in their spare time between sales contacts? Obviously not learn about the premium vehicles that they are trying to sell.<br><br>This dealership should have its license with BMW North America revoked!<br><br>However, service is fine. I have had BMW's serviced there for the last nineteen years, and they are reasonably competent. They are light-years better than their sale counterparts. Service is OK!! More

Our family has been going here for years since the time that my father's father worked for them, and we will likely continue to go due tot he sad fact that they are the only BMW dealer in the area, but we that my father's father worked for them, and we will likely continue to go due tot he sad fact that they are the only BMW dealer in the area, but we have had nothing but bad experiences here. From part availability when a car is in for repair, to lack of follow-up from the serivce department and sales, Sam Swope BMW has been nothing short of the most miserable automotive experience I've had. It's a shame, too, as more people in the area would likely drive BMW's if it weren't for their lock on the market. More

I bought a preowned 740i from this dealership. At delivery I was told (and shown on the warranty paperwork) that all inspections had been done. I had a minor paint issue one month later. The servi delivery I was told (and shown on the warranty paperwork) that all inspections had been done. I had a minor paint issue one month later. The service manager refused to repair the spot, he said that I didn't pay extra for a "visual inspection" upon delivery so we won't fix it. I had my lawyer call and talk to them, all of a sudden they were very nice and even gave me a loaner..... This car had a known defect in the ngine (Nikasil) cylinders that erroded with Kentucky gas. BMW had a campaign to replace the entire motor free if the car failed certain tests. My car was still inside the window for replacement and getting near failure. I asked the dealer to replace the motor under the BMW recall. They said "No, you don't have this type engine". So, I got the effected serial numbers from BMW, got under my car and wrote the serial number of the engine down. When I showed it to the service manger, they said, "Well were not fixing it" That pretty much sums up the service dept. As for the sales department, the last time I went in there to test drive an M3, the salesman said "I'm going to need $500 towards a purchase order to let you drive the car" If you decide to buy you can apply it towards the price other wise you loose the $500" That pretty much sums up the sales department......<br><br> More