BMW of Westchester

Review of Service Costs Original Post 10/12/2021 Review of Service Costs Original Post 10/12/2021 (Updated 12/14/2021). My original post is below. I drive a 2008 X3 and I needed a new starter. Review of Service Costs Original Post 10/12/2021 (Updated 12/14/2021). My original post is below. I drive a 2008 X3 and I needed a new starter. The service was completed yesterday and I have no complaints about it. The car works perfectly well. The dealership is nice and the employees are welcoming. It was a nice overall experience. My only complaint is the costs for parts and labor. I complained again about the pricing to Josephine in person. She was respectful, gave me her full attention and I felt that she was listening to my complaints. I also corresponded back and forth several times with a manager. I was pleased to see the dealership cares about their customer's experience. They tried to justify the pricing to me, but I am not convinced. Unfortunately, even though I received a small discount, I still feel I was significantly overcharged. Charges from BMW of Westchester: 1. Remanufactured Starter: $670 with a $200 automatically-applied rebate for returning the core charge. So effectively $470. 2. Gasket: $67.19 3. Aluminum Screws: $19.09 4. Labor: 5 hours at $183 per hour. **I received a percentage discount on the above prices, but it does not make up the difference. I was also given additional credit to use at the dealership. While I appreciate the gestures, I would have preferred being charged appropriately to start. The retail prices for the above parts (matching the part numbers), based on numerous certified BMW parts dealers were pretty standard: 1. Remanufactured Starter: $500, but effectively $300 after the core charge rebate. 2. Gasket: $33.79 3. Aluminum Screws: $9.74 4. Labor: I was not able to find the BMW Flat Rate Manual that specifies the labor hours that are standard for replacing a starter. I asked the dealership for the information a few times, but did not receive a response. Overall, I liked the service and the service team at BMW of Westchester. But ultimately, the feeling of being overcharged soured the experience. I probably should have educated myself earlier on pricing and looked for alternative options. ****** From 10/12/2021******* My 2008 X3 was towed to BMW of Westchester, and is still there as of this post (10/12/2021). The service rep that I am dealing with is nice, respectful, and responsive. However, the prices quoted for parts and labor seem very high, and I feel taken advantage of. After raising the below concerns to the rep, I was offered a small discount on the price, but it does not make up for being overcharged. Unfortunately, there are other reviewers who have expressed similar complaints about overpriced service. Below are the details, so you can decide for yourself. After running a diagnostic, I needed a new starter. I am being charged over $500 for the starter and 5 hours of labor at approximately $183 per hour. $183 per hour is very high, but it is a BMW dealership, so I am okay paying a high hourly rate so long as the service is being performed at a level commensurate with the high rate being charged. At the very least, I expect the technicians to be highly skilled and fluent in repairing BMWs. My research showed that a Bosch starter for my car ranges from approximately $150 to $300 depending on the vendor. My research also showed that there are two ways to install a starter. One is it lift the car up and install from the bottom for easy access to the starter, which should take about one (1) hour. Alternatively, the technician can remove the air manifold to access he starter and then reinstall it after. I read that this takes two (2) to three (3) hours. So I am being charged more than double the price of the part plus I am being charged a high hourly rate for more than double the standard amount of time it takes for this work to be done. I will be sure to post an update after the service is complete. More

While the people here are friendly and efficient, I must say that their prices for services are out of the park say that their prices for services are out of the park More

Was very honest of the service they were going to provide. Offered me a nice seat upon waiting and when upon completion my truck was washed and cleaned which made me very very happy. And yes I woul provide. Offered me a nice seat upon waiting and when upon completion my truck was washed and cleaned which made me very very happy. And yes I would come back again More

I purchased my BMW at this dealership, and have usually gotten service done there. I brought my car for service 3 times over the past 2 years. I am still having the same issues that were allegedly repair gotten service done there. I brought my car for service 3 times over the past 2 years. I am still having the same issues that were allegedly repaired. Each time I have gone for service, they make sure the bill is at least $2,000-3,000. They are commission-based, so they are motivated to inflate the bills---the more they charge you, the more money in their pockets. There is no way you can trust anything they say. Several months ago, I had service done there costing $3,000. Right after that service, the control panel indicated a problem with the system that they allegedly replaced. I brought the car back and was told the problem was fixed. It wasn't fixed, and the control panel keeps showing a problem. I brought the car back again, and lo and behold, they say there's something else wrong with the system that's going to cost hundreds more to fix. I can say with certainty that service at this dealership cannot be trusted, and just wants to get as much money out of you as they can. I was going to buy a new BMW there, but since the service department is so bad, I will not buy a new BMW. In addition, this dealership is owned by Ray Catena, and I will never buy any vehicle from any dealership owned by Ray Catena. More

Hands down , BEST dealer!! In New York.. Joey Raus , Hands down , BEST dealer!! In New York.. Joey Raus , Best Manager!! Very helpful goes out of his way to help u. Thank you Joey /staff! Hands down , BEST dealer!! In New York.. Joey Raus , Best Manager!! Very helpful goes out of his way to help u. Thank you Joey /staff! More

Have been dealing with BMW of Westchester for 11 years no problems whatsoever,always get a loner when needed,if I wait for service it’s not long. Everyone is always courteous and friendly. Five Stars. I do m problems whatsoever,always get a loner when needed,if I wait for service it’s not long. Everyone is always courteous and friendly. Five Stars. I do miss Joe Puleio though, he was the best. More

We had an excellent experience at this dealership. Sales representative Emon Ferdinand was extremely helpful, always available and went above and beyond to make this a very positive experience. Manager Joe representative Emon Ferdinand was extremely helpful, always available and went above and beyond to make this a very positive experience. Manager Joe was equally accommodating, very willing to work with us and ensure we were completely satisfied. We left completely satisfied and will definitely highly recommend the team we worked with. And of course very happy with our new leased car. More

This place has horrible service. They are too busy now and doesn't care about your business. I had to take my car in over twice over the span of 6 weeks and still didn't get service. First time, dropped i and doesn't care about your business. I had to take my car in over twice over the span of 6 weeks and still didn't get service. First time, dropped it off first thing AM, said I needed it over the weekend. The rep calls hours later and said they don't know when they can fix it. Might need parts, takes weeks. So I take the car back, make another appt. This time waited 3 weeks so I can get a loaner. When I got here, they said there is no record of me asking for a loaner, despite having a specific conversation about it. And to "accommodate me", they are willing to give me a random enterprise car. I have a baby and an elderly, I can't drive around a random car not knowing what it is for weeks and not knowing if the car would fit a car seat, stroller and wheelchair. Not to mention I had to take these things in and out multiple times now to try to get help fixing the car, plus its a brand new car with 4k miles on there which should not have an issue to begin with. The worst part of all this, is that yes some of this is out of their control (timing, running out of loaner car etc), but it was the way I was treated like I never asked for a loaner, not apologetic and acting like this is my fault. When I said you guys have bad service, the rep literally said we don't have bad service, just too busy. Maybe this place was good in the past, but their service definitive has deteriorated because they got too busy. Busy doesn't mean you forget customer service. I rather drive a little further now, will never take my car here again. More

I’m disappointed that I have to write this review. Initially, I wrote a five star review because I had a great buying experience. I’ve realized now that this dealership sold me a damaged car. Last Initially, I wrote a five star review because I had a great buying experience. I’ve realized now that this dealership sold me a damaged car. Last Saturday, I bought my 2018 540i xDrive sedan, a beautiful car I thought was “like-new” with only 14k miles on it. After driving it on the highway, I realized there was something terribly wrong with the car. The steering wheel began to shake violently, (something I didn’t notice during my test drive because I didn’t take it on the highway then). I brought my car to my local BMW dealership, (I’m from Long Island) and I was blown away at what they discovered. Three of the rims on the car were badly bent, which is a major safety concern. It’s unacceptable to me that Ray Catena BMW of Westchester would sell me a car in this condition. The car was also sold to me with a scratched front bumper. When I called the dealership, I spoke to Eric Goldstein about the bumper. He told me, “it’s a pre-owned car, that could have happened anywhere.” (At this point, I didn’t know about the bent rims on the car yet). He told me they could try to buff it out, but what it needs is a new front bumper. I failed to notice the bumper when I picked up the car as I was blinded by excitement. Luckily I had taken a photo of the car in the showroom that shows the damage was there. I’m not even going to bother contacting this dealership to resolve the rim damage because I’m sure they’ll give me a similar response to when I called about the bumper. I especially feel taken advantage of as I traded in my old 5-series which was in showroom condition. I should have kept what I had, which is never the feeling you want to have after buying what you thought was your dream car. Now I have to pay thousands to fix this car. I hope this review helps other people with their car-buying decision, please don’t buy from here. More

I went for schedule service. As you know when you come at the dealership they look to see what else you need. However it is disgusting when you see they just want to add things for you to do. Not the first t the dealership they look to see what else you need. However it is disgusting when you see they just want to add things for you to do. Not the first time this happens but this is the first time I dealt with the service advisor. I notice this dealership aims to make each service appointment from 1K-2k per visit and remember that the industry average they pay on service advisor is roughly 20%. My visit this week was no different. Not only I didn’t need extra parts added to the brake job but I may have some type of “leakage”. I had my vehicle inspected before the visit because I notice this dealership tactics . I also seen advisors running back and forth telling their customers “ we found something”. Now some may be legit but others I highly doubt it because BMW and dealerships got in some scandals which is no surprise. There is a difference between this part is totally gone and need a replacement Vs it’s good but it’s up to you. Now I notice I was in my gym attire and not a suit so maybe they think they can pull a fast ones also because my zip code? Again this is not the first time and couple of years ago I sent the GM an email but of course never got to me because I got charged for an oil leakage but I was able to drive normal and to the dealership. No sign of it and of course the bill came up to 2K. I bet if you look at your service payment bills it wouldn’t be a coincidence they aim to get everyone at this dollar amount. It’s really disgusting but the car industry will get disrupted soon so we hope that companies like Tesla will change the biz model and the buying experience. Always have a second opinion because this dealership does great when they service the car because it’s trained technician but with my last experience in here I wanted to give them another shot but it just low from my expectations. When I lease there was always a loaner available. Now it’s like the service suck and on top that I told the service advisor Jorge I got the discount emailed and sent to me by mail he had the audacity to tel me find it. Why? Maybe because I reduce the actual job I needed and didn’t go with what he plan. On top of that he went to the manger office for “approval”. If this dealership is worried about us using the discount and giving us a hard time when we tell advisors we have it then why send it? Is this the service that we expect with BMW of Westchester? For the meantime I will get my car inspected and see if everything is where it supposed to be. That’s why I tell everyone to verify that you actually need it and not just let these advisors add a la carte to make the ticket bigger than what it should be. Also for a Valve cover gasket job they quoted me $800 for labor when the industry average is different. There are more complicated jobs and is not at this price. Things could happen to any vehicle but when they continuously throw “jobs you may need” it’s kind of hard to not doubt they are intentionally trying to add more cost to visit I took my car for service and you could see my review on how that went but the real intention is to get my car appraised so I can entertain the idea of getting a new vehicle. I have asked for quotes via email but like all car sales people don’t want to give you quotes because they want “ control” of the process with other old school sales tactics. I’ve caught how they change their prices in the past but I said maybe things can be different. However they are the same. It’s always expected they will lowball and give 100 reasons why your car is not so perfect but when they do receive the car and you on the other side they will tell you it’s better than slice bread. I dealt with Earl and he is a nice guy but not nice enough to give you a decent deal. Of course he has to listen to his manager and I don’t know who the manager that appraise my vehicle but again they give you the impression that they stereotype. They think you don’t know how things work so they try their tactics on you. Things could change the end of the month, I need to see what vehicle you want so I can give you actual numbers , etc. people they only tell you that so they ca. Gauge how much profit they will make and of course what they can get away from. I only became a customer in that dealership because of a salesperson no longer with the company. Otherwise other salesperson just treat you like nothing unless you tell them it’s ok to give them your wallet and let them choose how much you should pay. If they lowball a car when they know it’s going to be a used car market but don’t want you to know or think you don’t know how dealerships profit then you will overpay. Always know what you want and if they are hesitant to give you what your asking for them maybe it’s time to visit another dealership. You think in these times they would want to earn your business but like I mention this industry will get disrupted. I am pretty sure other customers get treated different which is why I am writing this review. Again don’t entertain these games the dealership play and if they don’t want your business then some other dealership will want to hit the manufacturer bonus/incentive. It’s just incredible to see how this dealership is run maybe if they become proactive and nicer people will do business but they want to act like things are “biz as usual”. More