BMW North America Announces Best Dealership Awards 2018

[ASAP]

South florida takes the cake for the absolute worst dealers...

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by Haywood

Damn. Both of the dealerships in VA and MD that were on the list in 2017 didn't make this list.

that's because the years of our complaints have finally been heard... j/k, I was actually really happy with my servicing at BMW of Alexandria, and BMW of FFX was my go-to parts dealer (pro tip, you can order online, and do free pick up, their pricing is very competitive)

[Flying Ace]

a common theme is that small market dealers have better control over their processes than many large market dealers. Yes, I recognize there are a ton of LA, SF, Boston, I-95, Chicago area dealers on this list, but check out these small market dealers:

Anchorage, Buffalo, Toledo, Idaho Falls, Albuquerque, Medford... these are places where off-road trucks are more likely to been seen than any BMW on the local roads.

[BarlasaM]

Originally Posted by DE Urlaub

M guru, CA: Aatir Barlas, from Cincy North! Well done/well deserved! I am certain your contributions are the reason your dealership won this award!

Thank You for the shout-out...It's hard work, dedication and team work...and yes my contributions of course

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

One in Texas (and that one in a single-dealer market: Austin), where two of the top five by-volume U.S. BMW dealers are.

My bet is that BMW of Grapevine changes that in 2019. Sewell runs a tight, customer-focused ship.

I bought my M6 from BMW of Grapevine (remotely). Sales experience was so-so.

Manager called me after I told BMW NA of my so-so experience. He claimed that they're too new and trying to tighten up their processes. I actually wish I was able to do the deal in person and also live in the area to allow them to service my cars. Nothing beats a brand new espresso bar, food and clean waiting area.

[shameson]

Originally Posted by Taran.J

Zero in the PNW. makes sense

The showing was pretty strong for 2017. BMW Portland, Kuni BMW (Beaverton, OR), BMW of Spokane, and BMW Northwest all made the list.

[oolas3]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

This remind me of a time when bmw sales guy told me "I'll send you a survey but only if you'll give me an absolute 100%, if not then I won't send it"

I said don't send it.

The survey process is a complete joke. Hard to believe that BMW actually cares about the customer experience with a survey system so easy manipulated and statistically invalid.

[psuibmw]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

that's because the years of our complaints have finally been heard... j/k, I was actually really happy with my servicing at BMW of Alexandria, and BMW of FFX was my go-to parts dealer (pro tip, you can order online, and do free pick up, their pricing is very competitive)

In MD, I dealt with both Passport and Silver Spring. While they seem better than the VA ones, they are going down as well

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by oolas3

The survey process is a complete joke. Hard to believe that BMW actually cares about the customer experience with a survey system so easy manipulated and statistically invalid.

I agree with parts of this comment, though I'm not sure what you mean by being statistically invalid.

People who buy and service their cars at BMW are constantly getting pushed to complete the surveys. My service adviser always follows up after a service to seek feedback before sending the survey. I don't see this as manipulation. I see it as good customer service. Instead of giving someone a cold multiple choice questionnaire to fill out, calling them to address any concerns makes for good customer service. Then having them fill it out after any concerns have been address is totally appropriate.

Now what I don't like was in the past with other dealers, they would call and email and always pester me with filling it out AND on multiple occasions write/comment how important an 100% rating from my experience was...basically pressuring me to give them the top score. But to be honest, if I have nothing to complain about, then why wouldn't I give them a top score?

[BoosTonian]

glad to see herb chambers BMW In Sudbury, MA make it!!

[yaymitch]

Originally Posted by Taran.J

Zero in the PNW. makes sense

There's Medford BMW if that counts.

[wesleyan92]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

One in Texas (and that one in a single-dealer market: Austin), where two of the top five by-volume U.S. BMW dealers are.

My bet is that BMW of Grapevine changes that in 2019. Sewell runs a tight, customer-focused ship.

100% agree; I have been going down south to BMW of Beaumont to my cars because the DFW dealers sucked so bad. So glad BMW of Grapevine opened up - run by Sewell. Bought my wife's X5 this January and LOVED the experience.

I detest Classic BMW - they have never been able to fix the simplest of issues there. They kept my M5 for 5 days to look at rattles on the dashboard and returned my car "fixed" where all the rattles magically re-materialized within 48 hours

[JMAN1111]

BMW Gainesville... what a joke

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by drew_larson

Awesome, my local dealership is #1 (Encinitas)

Yeah not bad right... I cant say that about the one in San Diego... they suck big time!

[atown88]

Originally Posted by Taran.J

Yup I'm back at Rolf's for my service needs since Oscar is working their now.

BMW NW lost me as a customer and the brand itself. Ran me back to MB

That's crazy. I went to comment on how NW was better than Seattle but it looks like ya'll had opposite experiences. I think before the remodel I definitely appreciated the service at Seattle more than NW, but post remodel, NW has been outstanding the past few times.

Limited sample size, and really only related to service.

[MrOhnoez]

Originally Posted by claykin

Yup

Luckily I work for BMW of Ocala the Satellite store of BMW of Gainesville.
Unfortunately when it comes to awards we are considered 1 dealership.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

that's because the years of our complaints have finally been heard... j/k, I was actually really happy with my servicing at BMW of Alexandria, and BMW of FFX was my go-to parts dealer (pro tip, you can order online, and do free pick up, their pricing is very competitive)

Steer clear of Sterling BMW. I agree Fairfax is pretty good. Never been to the Alexandria dealership.

[Taran.J]

Originally Posted by atown88

That's crazy. I went to comment on how NW was better than Seattle but it looks like ya'll had opposite experiences. I think before the remodel I definitely appreciated the service at Seattle more than NW, but post remodel, NW has been outstanding the past few times.

Limited sample size, and really only related to service.

My family never had a problem with BMW NW since 1995 that was the only BMW sales and service I went to as well.

But the last year or so it's been falling apart internally. I don't know if you know the people there personally but every time we're out there just not happy themselves.

[Arcades]

BMW OF MONROVIA?!

WHAT?! This is a freaken joke right?

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

I bought my M6 from BMW of Grapevine (remotely). Sales experience was so-so.

Manager called me after I told BMW NA of my so-so experience. He claimed that they're too new and trying to tighten up their processes. I actually wish I was able to do the deal in person and also live in the area to allow them to service my cars. Nothing beats a brand new espresso bar, food and clean waiting area.

Originally Posted by wesleyan92

100% agree; I have been going down south to BMW of Beaumont to my cars because the DFW dealers sucked so bad. So glad BMW of Grapevine opened up - run by Sewell. Bought my wife's X5 this January and LOVED the experience.

I detest Classic BMW - they have never been able to fix the simplest of issues there. They kept my M5 for 5 days to look at rattles on the dashboard and returned my car "fixed" where all the rattles magically re-materialized within 48 hours

noting that the only Texas dealer on the list appears to BMW of Austin.

Originally Posted by Viffermike

One in Texas (and that one in a single-dealer market: Austin), where two of the top five by-volume U.S. BMW dealers are.

My bet is that BMW of Grapevine changes that in 2019. Sewell runs a tight, customer-focused ship.

It will be interesting to see the effect that BMW of Grapevine has on the DFW area dealers (if any)

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by oolas3

The survey process is a complete joke. Hard to believe that BMW actually cares about the customer experience with a survey system so easy manipulated and statistically invalid.

I don't think surveys play much of a role in this award

Originally Posted by PeterKBMW

This isn't "who gives the best deal", there are many parameters that the stores are judged on. Sales is one, but there's also service satisfaction and multiple other items that they look at.

I was told the main thing dealers are judged on is loyalty now - did you return to that BMW dealer to buy another car? Did you get your car serviced there or go somewhere else.

I almost bought a car (ok, no wasn't close cause the sales process was such a joke) from a BMW dealer here in the burbs of Chicago - and instead picked one up down in St. Louis (where I have bought my last 5 cars). My dealer in St. Louis (Autohaus) said that if I had bought at the other dealer, it would have gone against him - and, the fact that I get my car serviced up here does go against him.

Thoughts here?

Originally Posted by Kid Eh

I'm Canadian but my previous BMW was an American vehicle which I imported here. I was still eligible for the free annual oil changes/maintenance, in the U.S. which is the one thing you lose when importing a car. In the U.S. this also includes brakes.

Not anymore Brakes (and other wear parts like clutch and the all important wiper blades) were removed starting in 2017

Originally Posted by uniqueMR

Niceeee
And no one won in Illinois ;(

Not a surprise. I've had some horrific experiences up here.

[bimmer456]

Several So Cal dealers on the list, sweet! The one I go to isn't on there but there's another one which might actually be closer to me that's on the list. Haven't tried them before, maybe I should switch dealerships. They have pretty good pricing on their site without having to negotiate.