BMW of Wilmington

Best Experience I've Ever Had At A Dealership Where to start, hmmm. Well, I'll start by prefacing my review with the fact that over the 20 years I have lived in Wilmington, I have visited the BMW Where to start, hmmm. Well, I'll start by prefacing my review with the fact that over the 20 years I have lived in Wilmington, I have visited the BMW dealership here many, many times (all of which were when it was still Schaeffer BMW). I'll admit that most times when I did visit the lot (especially when I was younger) I was just "window shopping" and really just admiring most of the "out of reach" models. But, there were also quite a few times I was actually in the market for a new car when I visited the lot. No matter the circumstance, I was never impressed with the overall feel I got from the salespeople. Rarely was I ever approached, and if I was, I got the strong feeling that I was being brushed off or I was "wasting the salesperson's time". Almost as if I was never taken seriously as a prospective buyer. In fact, I got this feeling so much that a few years ago when I was in the market for my last car, I traveled over two hours to Raleigh to visit the BMW dealership there instead. I had pretty much written off Schaeffer BMW as a dealership to never do business with. This all changed for me when Schaeffer BMW was sold to a group out of SC recently and renamed to BMW of Wilmington. I had just started the process of shopping around for my next car, being that I had 5 months left on my current lease. Unbeknownst to me that the dealership had just changed ownership, I took a ride over to the lot on a rainy Saturday to take a look at a couple M235i's that I saw in their inventory online (I had researched thoroughly online, but wanted to see the car in person). Oddly enough, when I arrived I was actually greeted (odd because in past years I could count on two fingers how many times I had actually been acknowledged by staff while on this lot). Immediately the salesperson, Brian Smith, made me feel like I was actually important, and not like I was an inconvenience to his day. Immediately I could tell he was passionate about his job and about cars. And not only cars, but BMW's in particular. His intricate knowledge showed out almost right away. I made it abundantly clear to Brian right from the get go that I was NOWHERE near ready to buy or lease a car and that I just wanted to see the M235i in person. This information didn't prevent him at all from showing me the car, going through almost all of the features and finer points of the car, and even going for a test drive (Not to mention the one I test drove was fully loaded and well out of my price range). Keep in mind that at this time I was 5 whole months away from the end of my current lease (which was not a BMW, which meant no "pull ahead" program was possible). Maybe I'm just simple, but to me this spoke volumes about the kind of professional he is. After that Saturday visit (September 12th, 2015 to be exact) Brian kept in touch and followed up which led to a plan for me to special order an M235i once the dealership got an allocation for another one. This would give me a month or two of time before I could order it, and another two months before the car came in, which would have been perfect timing almost for the end of my current lease. I won't go into the finer details of the deal, but basically he and his new gm worked such a great deal that I wound up leasing an M235i exactly a month from the date I test drove it (yes, even with 4 months left on my current lease). The whole process was as easy and painless as I have ever experienced while buying/leasing a new car (for the record, this is my 8th car, 5th lease). I can't say enough about Brian and his professionalism as well as his passion for cars and the brand he is representing. From initial contact all the way to the signing on the dotted line and even after the sale, I cannot be any more satisfied with my experience. I'm pretty positive that as long as BMW keeps making cars I like (and can afford haha), I won't be going anywhere else in the future for a new car. More

Service expenses are way more than where I bought it Repainting a front or rear bumper to repair road rash was $300 each at the dealership where I bought my car. $450 at Shaeffer. Seems like there's only Repainting a front or rear bumper to repair road rash was $300 each at the dealership where I bought my car. $450 at Shaeffer. Seems like there's only one mechanic at Shaeffer most days because it's always a full day to get an oil change. Last week I dropped my car off at 7:15 am, third car in line, at 2:00 I get a text that it won't be done until end of day. Obviously it's not first come first serve. I have never been offered a loaner, Never. I almost always got a loaner with my old dealership, the only exceptions, when I waited for the oil change to be done or tire to be installed. Shaeffer has kept my car overnight a few times too, for minor work, because they didn't get to it. I feel like a second class citizen. More

Highly Professional, Efficient Sales Experience I found the exact car I wanted at Schaeffer BMW on the internet. The dealership is 3 hours away, so I wanted to negotiate the deal on the phone. Eddy I found the exact car I wanted at Schaeffer BMW on the internet. The dealership is 3 hours away, so I wanted to negotiate the deal on the phone. Eddy Solis, my salesman, was very professional, handled all my questions, and offered a fair price on the new car and the trade in based on pictures. I arrived, we inspected each others vehicles, I signed the papers, got the overview of the car and was on the road in less than two hours. I have bought many cars and that was a new record turn time. John Andrews, who handled the financing, did a great job as well. Thanks to the pros at Schaeffer BMW! I highly recommend them. More

Just Wonderful Service I drove 3 hours to Chapel Hill BMW as they had the 335i car on the lot that I was interested in. Local Schaeffer BMW had only 328i cars which did not I drove 3 hours to Chapel Hill BMW as they had the 335i car on the lot that I was interested in. Local Schaeffer BMW had only 328i cars which did not interest me. Took delivery, drove home in the rain 3 hours and began finding things not right at delivery, mostly electronic and programming difficulties. New 335i had terrible throttle response except in Sport mode. Schaeffer went to bat for me with home office of BMW, got the M Performance Kit (2000.00 installed price) installed on my car for NOTHING, got my issues resolved over the course of five visits and eight months but now the car is straightened out and it is a delight to drive. After a 10 hour drive to kids homes in PA and MD I am MUCH less fatigued than in making the trip in my previous Acura TL Tech car....and the 335i making 320 hp is a ROCKET and got 36+ mpg for the trip of about 1200 miles first time out before it was broken in. On subsequent visits to Schaeffer BMW I found a 135i Convertible and bought that for my wife and she loves that car too. It has the same N55 engine as in my 335i but has the 7 speed Dual Clutch Automated Manual Transmission as compared to the 8 speed ZF torque converter transmission in my 335i car. Both work perfectly. 135i is faster but gets 3 mpg less on the highway due to higher rpms at speed. Shaeffer handled a factory recall recently on my 135i car and I got the car back in a day, washed and vacuumed, and ready to enjoy. That is my usual experience with Schaeffer and I would recommend them highly with absolutely no reservations at all. Sales Mgr Larry is a delightful guy to work with, and the service people are top notch. Greg Mays is my usual service director and he calls me on my cell when the computer indicates one of my cars is due for a service. It is like having a personal auto valet all to myself. I am absolutely delight with my overall experience with Schaeffer BMW. More

Service Advisor - Greg M. On my first visit to Schaeffer BMW, while visiting Wilmington, my Service Advisor has been Greg M. Greg has been "Outstanding" in his service and sup On my first visit to Schaeffer BMW, while visiting Wilmington, my Service Advisor has been Greg M. Greg has been "Outstanding" in his service and support to me and the family. He has definitely gone above and beyond to meet the satisfaction of my request as a customer. I have dealt with numerous BMW Service Advisor over the years, because, we have own BMWs for over 25yrs. Greg is number one for "Customer Care and Satisfaction." You are the "Best" Service Advisor, I have ever encounter in all my dealings with a BMW Dealership. You are a "Top Notch" professional in customer care. Overall, the other advisors working with Greg, have been very professional and nice to me, as well. Larry D, you have put together a fine staff of Service Advisors. Thank you. GD More

Bob has been my dedicated service contact since I moved to Wilmington. He is very professional and friendly, but more importantly goes the extra mile to give exceptional service. I'm very happy with the q to Wilmington. He is very professional and friendly, but more importantly goes the extra mile to give exceptional service. I'm very happy with the quality of the service department, but Bob really makes the experience great! Thanks so much! More

Throughout the service process Schaeffer's service department was diligent in solving my problems. They provided wonderful service during my recent visits. After having new windows installed in my c department was diligent in solving my problems. They provided wonderful service during my recent visits. After having new windows installed in my car there were several adjustments that had to be made to the windows so they did not cause wind noise while I was driving. It took two adjustment visits after the initial installation, but the service department was patient and understanding and extremely helpful. Bob Barfield provided beyond excellent service and was a pleasure to work with on each of my visits. He made my experience exceptional and was a great liaison with the gentlemen performing the service. I cannot thank Schaeffer enough for everything they did. As a new customer to BMW they have certainly set the bar high for future experiences! Thank you! More

I met these great folks under not so great circumstances. While driving on I-40, I had about 4 warning lights come up on the dash. I called BMW Roadside Assistance, and they patched me in to Schaeffer's se While driving on I-40, I had about 4 warning lights come up on the dash. I called BMW Roadside Assistance, and they patched me in to Schaeffer's service department, who offered me an appointment in an hour, which was about how long it took us to get to Wilmington. When we arrived, the folks in the service department made every effort to make us comfortable. When it became clear that the car would need to stay overnight (and there was no loaner available), Greg explained Trip Interruption coverage, and encouraged us to rent a car and go on to the beach (which we did). While we were away, he kept in touch by email and phone. When we returned to Wilmington 2 days later, we learned that the technician had not only repaired the problem we brought in; he had also found a problem I didn't know I had. A part was shipped overnight and installed the next day. We came back from the beach and found the car repaired, reprogrammed, washed, vacuumed, and waiting for us at the door. A few days later, the service manager called and offered to contact Roadside Assistance for me, to help arrange reimbursement for the rental car. It doesn't get much better than this. More

After an accident, Brett Lee helped me navigate the insurance world and saw that my car was returned to original condition in record time. It was my first such experience, and of course I was upset an insurance world and saw that my car was returned to original condition in record time. It was my first such experience, and of course I was upset and uninformed, but he schooled me from the estimate to the adjuster to the repairs. And his staff did an excellent and efficient job. Soon after I got my car back, one of the low beam light bulbs died, and I went by. He found one and installed it while I waited, and I couldn't have been better served. I recommend Schaeffer BMW! More

I have read about the overpriced service at Schaffer BMW. My daughter bought her first car after graduating from college and thought she was doing the right thing by buying the best maintenance plan she cou My daughter bought her first car after graduating from college and thought she was doing the right thing by buying the best maintenance plan she could buy. The car wasn't purchased from Schaffer BMW. She took her car to be serviced after the engine light came on and was told she would owe $250.00 after insurance with what was supposed to be a $50.00 deductible. She was also told her insurance company wasn't paying it all, and not knowing what else to do she told them to go ahead and fix it. Well, what they didn't tell her is that the maintenance plan authorizes a certain amount of time for a labor charge and it turns out they were charging two and a half times the allotted time and my daughter had to pay that herself. I see the connection: MORE LABOR TIME = MORE $$$ Larry the service manager basically told me that they can charge whatever they want, but in a nice way of course. Eric was very nice and helpful, but his hands were tied, and I noticed he didn't return my call after I talked to the rep from the maintenance plan. There are good reputable, HONEST car repairmen in Wilmington and I promise you we will find one!! More