Sytner Service
Discussion
What do people think.
I took my BMW in for a brake fluid service.
I received the obligatory health check video stating that my car was “spot on” except pads were getting low and would need to be replaced soon.
Then service advisor says when I get my car back that I need a KDS alignment. I state I’ve recently had all 4 tyres replaced and everything feels spot on. I ask why they feel it needs this and I’m told that they put it through a “machine”. Eh, what machine where are the readouts I think but dont say.
I’m also told that a front suspension bush is perished and needs replacement and I ask why it’s not mentioned on the video? I’m told it will be raised with tech. I ask for everything to be shared with service manager and suggest I’ll take it for an independent assessment.
I took my BMW in for a brake fluid service.
I received the obligatory health check video stating that my car was “spot on” except pads were getting low and would need to be replaced soon.
Then service advisor says when I get my car back that I need a KDS alignment. I state I’ve recently had all 4 tyres replaced and everything feels spot on. I ask why they feel it needs this and I’m told that they put it through a “machine”. Eh, what machine where are the readouts I think but dont say.
I’m also told that a front suspension bush is perished and needs replacement and I ask why it’s not mentioned on the video? I’m told it will be raised with tech. I ask for everything to be shared with service manager and suggest I’ll take it for an independent assessment.
No usually just go to Sytner because it’s dead easy to get through and as car is 9 years old their prices are very similar to local indies. Took my previous car to an independent and not that impressed. I also get my work done as I wait for the car but might have to look at Indy route again
Had to go in to local dealers (Vines of Gatwick) to have an EGR fault looked at (product recall issue). They did a health check and said brake pads needed to be replaced urgently at a cost of around 300 quid. Took to my local indie who said there's another 5K miles on those. As a result I'm VERY sceptical of dealer servicing...
djbunker8 said:
Took to my local indie who said there's another 5K miles on those.
Do they know how the car is driven?Like tyres, brake pads can wear quickly on a hard driven car. Sytner are avoiding you blaming them when the pad warning light comes on halfway through a driving holiday abroad.
I-am-the-reverend said:
Do they know how the car is driven?
Like tyres, brake pads can wear quickly on a hard driven car. Sytner are avoiding you blaming them when the pad warning light comes on halfway through a driving holiday abroad.
It’s more like the classic upsell from the service advisor (who are targeted with it).Like tyres, brake pads can wear quickly on a hard driven car. Sytner are avoiding you blaming them when the pad warning light comes on halfway through a driving holiday abroad.
Sytner tried it when my wife’s 125i was in for the airbag recall - your service is due soon we can do it today at a cost of £450 or whatever it was. After I declined that, it was a new first aid kit because the one in the car was out of date. That was declined too.
It’s not about the brake pads I can accept that.
It’s why do they think the tracking is out when they have done no checks
4 new tyres 4 weeks ago, even wear, no issues
Suspension bush now defective. Wasn’t when they had the car in April the video then says all was hood. The video they sent me this time makes no mention of it and specifically states that the car is “spot on”
It’s why do they think the tracking is out when they have done no checks
4 new tyres 4 weeks ago, even wear, no issues
Suspension bush now defective. Wasn’t when they had the car in April the video then says all was hood. The video they sent me this time makes no mention of it and specifically states that the car is “spot on”
doc261 said:
It’s not about the brake pads I can accept that.
It’s why do they think the tracking is out when they have done no checks
4 new tyres 4 weeks ago, even wear, no issues
Suspension bush now defective. Wasn’t when they had the car in April the video then says all was hood. The video they sent me this time makes no mention of it and specifically states that the car is “spot on”
Sounds like bIt’s why do they think the tracking is out when they have done no checks
4 new tyres 4 weeks ago, even wear, no issues
Suspension bush now defective. Wasn’t when they had the car in April the video then says all was hood. The video they sent me this time makes no mention of it and specifically states that the car is “spot on”
ks; there’s no way they’re checking the alignment as part of a basic check, especially given how much they’ll try and charge for a KDS alignment.I said similar about wheel alignment at the same dealer network. Someone shared a link to a machine that does drive over alignment checks for dealers. It collects reg and looks up alignment, flags it to dealer.
Massive money maker as they check every car.
In my case I asked the dealer for the measurements read versus factory settings and they couldn't provide - so still unsure if the dealer I went to has it, or if they just don't store the info and instead say pass/fail.
They did however try to upsell me everything else (Aircon, brake fluid etc.), and came back with a higher price than quoted (which I did get reverted back with a little discussion).
Massive money maker as they check every car.
In my case I asked the dealer for the measurements read versus factory settings and they couldn't provide - so still unsure if the dealer I went to has it, or if they just don't store the info and instead say pass/fail.
They did however try to upsell me everything else (Aircon, brake fluid etc.), and came back with a higher price than quoted (which I did get reverted back with a little discussion).
Edited by boombang on Tuesday 20th June 18:35
Court_S said:
Sounds like bks; there’s no way they’re checking the alignment as part of a basic check, especially given how much they’ll try and charge for a KDS alignment.
Nope, just like a number of dealers, Sytner use a system called Fastlign which measures the basic toe of the vehicle as it drives through the system. This then produces a PDF which gives a red/amber/green for whether the car is in spec (has a registration reader and check against the manufacturer recommendations).ks; there’s no way they’re checking the alignment as part of a basic check, especially given how much they’ll try and charge for a KDS alignment.It’s actually a brilliant idea and gives a customer a quick, free check to see if there are any potential issues. Nobody is under any obligation to agree to further checks, but what a great way of getting a quick steer on how your car is set up?
Where they have it wrong in this instance is not sharing the results of the PDF with the customer for clarify on understanding.
Cogito Ergo Sum said:
Nope, just like a number of dealers, Sytner use a system called Fastlign which measures the basic toe of the vehicle as it drives through the system. This then produces a PDF which gives a red/amber/green for whether the car is in spec (has a registration reader and check against the manufacturer recommendations).
It’s actually a brilliant idea and gives a customer a quick, free check to see if there are any potential issues. Nobody is under any obligation to agree to further checks, but what a great way of getting a quick steer on how your car is set up?
Where they have it wrong in this instance is not sharing the results of the PDF with the customer for clarify on understanding.
Or even just explaining it as you have done It’s actually a brilliant idea and gives a customer a quick, free check to see if there are any potential issues. Nobody is under any obligation to agree to further checks, but what a great way of getting a quick steer on how your car is set up?
Where they have it wrong in this instance is not sharing the results of the PDF with the customer for clarify on understanding.
There is also the mystery of the perished suspension bush which was not mentioned on techs video and for which there doesn’t appear to be any video evidence
Sir your service is done but we found a screw in your tyre we can replace it at.....£££££
Oh thats interesting as the video the technician sent me with the car on the ramp says the tyres are all fine, so its happened either in your workshop or your car park whilst your staff have been driving it on your property.
Oh let me speak to a manager.
5 mins later oh its ok we have had another look and it was a very small tyre we have removed it and the tyre was not punctured
Can i see the screw - erm oh erm ive thrown it in the scrap metal container did not think you would want to see it
Strangely whilst sat there another service advisor was giving the same load of crap to a customer on the phone !
Roofers and builders who charge for unnecessary work get charged with Fraud by Misrepresentation... about time some dealership staff did
Oh thats interesting as the video the technician sent me with the car on the ramp says the tyres are all fine, so its happened either in your workshop or your car park whilst your staff have been driving it on your property.
Oh let me speak to a manager.
5 mins later oh its ok we have had another look and it was a very small tyre we have removed it and the tyre was not punctured
Can i see the screw - erm oh erm ive thrown it in the scrap metal container did not think you would want to see it
Strangely whilst sat there another service advisor was giving the same load of crap to a customer on the phone !
Roofers and builders who charge for unnecessary work get charged with Fraud by Misrepresentation... about time some dealership staff did
Cogito Ergo Sum said:
Nope, just like a number of dealers, Sytner use a system called Fastlign which measures the basic toe of the vehicle as it drives through the system. This then produces a PDF which gives a red/amber/green for whether the car is in spec (has a registration reader and check against the manufacturer recommendations).
It’s actually a brilliant idea and gives a customer a quick, free check to see if there are any potential issues. Nobody is under any obligation to agree to further checks, but what a great way of getting a quick steer on how your car is set up?
Where they have it wrong in this instance is not sharing the results of the PDF with the customer for clarify on understanding.
Still skeptical given that the cars are supposed to be weighted when aligned. It’s actually a brilliant idea and gives a customer a quick, free check to see if there are any potential issues. Nobody is under any obligation to agree to further checks, but what a great way of getting a quick steer on how your car is set up?
Where they have it wrong in this instance is not sharing the results of the PDF with the customer for clarify on understanding.
I know how I want my car set up and it’s a long way from what BMW would suggest hence using the likes of String Theory to do my alignment. Sytner did a s
t job on my M140i a few years ago. doc261 said:
What do people think.
I took my BMW in for a brake fluid service.
I received the obligatory health check video stating that my car was “spot on” except pads were getting low and would need to be replaced soon.
Then service advisor says when I get my car back that I need a KDS alignment. I state I’ve recently had all 4 tyres replaced and everything feels spot on. I ask why they feel it needs this and I’m told that they put it through a “machine”. Eh, what machine where are the readouts I think but dont say.
I’m also told that a front suspension bush is perished and needs replacement and I ask why it’s not mentioned on the video? I’m told it will be raised with tech. I ask for everything to be shared with service manager and suggest I’ll take it for an independent assessment.
Doesn't need gauges ...I took my BMW in for a brake fluid service.
I received the obligatory health check video stating that my car was “spot on” except pads were getting low and would need to be replaced soon.
Then service advisor says when I get my car back that I need a KDS alignment. I state I’ve recently had all 4 tyres replaced and everything feels spot on. I ask why they feel it needs this and I’m told that they put it through a “machine”. Eh, what machine where are the readouts I think but dont say.
I’m also told that a front suspension bush is perished and needs replacement and I ask why it’s not mentioned on the video? I’m told it will be raised with tech. I ask for everything to be shared with service manager and suggest I’ll take it for an independent assessment.
https://pro-align.co.uk/product/hunter-quick-check...
There is one for tyres too.
G-wiz said:
Vee said:
I must admit Sytner High Wycombe have been 10/10 for me over the past 8 years I've been using them for our cars.
Never bought a car from them, only used for servicing.
Not been tempted by a BMW specialist?Never bought a car from them, only used for servicing.
With Sytner I like the idea of service whilst you wait and the cars have mainly had service packs.
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