Poor French Dealership
Discussion
Disappointing service from French dealerships. Just got back from driving the Route des Grandes Alpes, and while up in the Alps got a puncher in my right rear tyre, the car is a Z4 and therefore has runflat tyres. Thought I might have some difficulty getting a tyre in the local small towns so phoned BMW and they gave me a number for an English speaking BMW help line in France. So I phoned that number only to find that nobody could speak any English. So phoned the UK BMW line again and asked them to find the nearest dealerships for me to go to get my tyre changed, they were very helpful and gave me a list of several, the closest being just outside Grenoble. So off I drove to Grenoble (45 miles away) with an odd sounding tyre. When I get to the dealership about 2pm, I explained (in understandable, but not perfect French) and showed the dealer the problem. He said that he doesn’t stock any Bridgestone runflat tyres (despite them being the standard tyre), so I asked if he had any brand of runflat tyre in that size to which he also said no. He then told me he could get two runflat tyres in two days time. Bearing in mind that I am on holiday and on my way down through the Alps to the south of France, I said that was no good and could he check the other BMW dealers. He called round three or four other dealers for me, who all said that they did not have any runflat tyres in that size in stock, and that it would also take them two days to get them in to stock. At this point I was not too happy to say the least. These were not an unusual size 225mm x 45mm x 17 inch (yes the French even use inches for tyre but call it the ‘gauge’
the standard for the Z4 and several other BMW’s. I decided that I’d take the risk and drive very carefully the final 250 miles on the main A-roads down to south coast as I thought they were more likely to stock them, but if not I was going to spend a few days there anyway. Just outside Grenoble, 5 to 10 miles into my journey I saw a ‘Roady’ (smaller French version of Halfords). So I called in just to see if they could help (now 4pm). They said that they didn’t stock the tyres, but made two phone calls. The manager then went off in a van and came back 15 minutes later with the two runflat tyres I had asked for and fitted them then and there, excellent service! and holiday back on track!
Firstly, why didn’t any of the dealerships stock a tyre that is a standard on several models? The whole point of the runflat is that you can drive with a puncher to a dealership to get it change, without needing to change at the roadside.
Secondly, why does it take them two days to get them in stock? Especially when the Roady down the road could get one in 15 minutes.
For anyone travelling through France and are unfortunate enough to get a puncher I suggest you go to a Roady if you want good service, and not a French shrug and an expression that implies they couldn’t care less. Rant over!
PS. If you get chance to drive the Routes des Grandes Alpes DO IT!!!!!
the standard for the Z4 and several other BMW’s. I decided that I’d take the risk and drive very carefully the final 250 miles on the main A-roads down to south coast as I thought they were more likely to stock them, but if not I was going to spend a few days there anyway. Just outside Grenoble, 5 to 10 miles into my journey I saw a ‘Roady’ (smaller French version of Halfords). So I called in just to see if they could help (now 4pm). They said that they didn’t stock the tyres, but made two phone calls. The manager then went off in a van and came back 15 minutes later with the two runflat tyres I had asked for and fitted them then and there, excellent service! and holiday back on track! Firstly, why didn’t any of the dealerships stock a tyre that is a standard on several models? The whole point of the runflat is that you can drive with a puncher to a dealership to get it change, without needing to change at the roadside.
Secondly, why does it take them two days to get them in stock? Especially when the Roady down the road could get one in 15 minutes.
For anyone travelling through France and are unfortunate enough to get a puncher I suggest you go to a Roady if you want good service, and not a French shrug and an expression that implies they couldn’t care less. Rant over!
PS. If you get chance to drive the Routes des Grandes Alpes DO IT!!!!!
I'd second the fact that French BMW dealers are poor (I had the misfortune of having to visit one in Orleans and another in Besancon this summer), but in my experience are vastly better than their British colleagues! The dealers on both sides of the Channel seem hell-bent on ruining the BMW driving experience.
Having done the Route des Grandes Alpes in my MX-5, I would love to have a re-run in my Z4. I have a sneaking feeling that whilst the '5 lacks the outright pace of the '4, its more nimble size and more responsive handling, together with a sublime tactile gearchange would make it the weapon of choice for this glorious run. I have posted many times about the Route on various PH forums, it really is one of the most challenging and enjoyable drives anywhere.
Having done the Route des Grandes Alpes in my MX-5, I would love to have a re-run in my Z4. I have a sneaking feeling that whilst the '5 lacks the outright pace of the '4, its more nimble size and more responsive handling, together with a sublime tactile gearchange would make it the weapon of choice for this glorious run. I have posted many times about the Route on various PH forums, it really is one of the most challenging and enjoyable drives anywhere.
My experience has been 50/50 so far. When I was re-registering the M5 I had to take it to BMW for a check before they'd issue the certificate of conformity (didn't have to do that with our Rover), they took 5 & 1/2 hours, charged 20 euro for the check and another 35 for a valet as they said it was their policy all cars were valeted before they left the workshop. After showing them the poor quality of the valet, streaks etc. they waived the fee. If possible steer clear of Bayern Auto - Bordeaux
The car developed an intermittent - but scary - problem whereby it'd just cut out with out warning while you were driving. It needed an inspection II anyway so I booked it into the BMW dealer in Angouleme. They solved the problem (cracked cable protector form alarma to immobiliser) turned the car around in a day - including cleaning the injectors. Staff were friendly & courteous unlike the stuck up mob in Bordeaux. Worth the extra 20kms each way for me.
The car developed an intermittent - but scary - problem whereby it'd just cut out with out warning while you were driving. It needed an inspection II anyway so I booked it into the BMW dealer in Angouleme. They solved the problem (cracked cable protector form alarma to immobiliser) turned the car around in a day - including cleaning the injectors. Staff were friendly & courteous unlike the stuck up mob in Bordeaux. Worth the extra 20kms each way for me.
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