I know there have been plenty of posts regarding bad experiences with various dealerships, especially Long Beach. Overall, it sounds like every dealership has had it's share of problems (except perhaps Nick A).
I bought my MCS from LB in March, and have had great experience with them. I had a crack in the windshield the day after I picked my car up, and I immediately took it back. They said it wasn't a defect in the window, but they replaced the windshield free of charge anyway.
When my husband broke my car in April, I took it to Brecht, where my experience was AWFUL, and the estimate of 9 days turned into 36 days, and my insurance didn't even cover a rental car for that entire time. Not to mention the fact that 3 days after I picked the car up, the molding was popping off! After 36 days, they still didn't fix all the problems. Anyway, they were rude, treated me like an idiot, and took way too long. Needless to say, I don't want to go back to the Appearance Center again. Perhaps the service dept is better though.
I am taking Fitz in for the first oil change on Monday to LB, and now after reading all the posts I am hesitant. Then again, I am willing to give it a shot, and evaluate after this first appointment. After all, I need the service, and I have not had a bad experience there.
Any thoughts?

 

I have had much better service at LB than Brecht. I have actually had people come up to me and say they would get a MINI, except for the fact that the only San Diego County location for service is Brecht.

 

ep, Give Long Beach a chance. I found their sales department to be superb, but their service department was lacking. Still, they want to be well-reviewed, so it's worth giving them a chance. As horrible as it is to suggest, be sure to have a male with you when you discuss your situation and needs. I think they really don't understand how to deal with women customers.


Cheers!
Clover

 

From what I've read, the people that have the best and happiest service from LB MINI are those that actually bought their cars there. This would be true of any dealer I think. Nick Alexander offers perks for their customers. But to all the California dealers, I'm second rate cause I bought mine out of state.

Nick Alexander in general has decent service, but recently they overlooked and even forgot to put back some parts--even left some parts broken--only for me to discover several weeks later.

I agree with Clover, give LB a chance--esp. since you bought your car there.

Richard

 

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the advice. I will let you know how it goes. (And yes Clover, my husband wants to go, so hopefully that will help as well--though I shouldn't HAVE to have him there!)
ep

 

Hon, of course you shouldn't HAVE to have your hubby there, but being real, these service departments really do not take women seriously. I mean, I purchased TWO MINIs from Long Beach, and still, I had trouble being taken seriously there in the service department. Thus, my suggestion to bring along a male. Sad, but true....sometimes it works!

Clover

 

I know this too. But yes, I couldn't get a straight answer about anything while my car was at Brecht until Jay called. So frustrating! But the way of the world!! :smile:

 

Just thought I would let you know that the service was fast @ 1.5 hours, and they were very friendly. Several people came and checked on me throughout the wait. There was also a recall on something, which they went ahead and performed them, so I didn't have to come back in.
Again, thanks for all the comments and help!
Elizabeth

 

I guess it must be hit or miss at these dealerships. We've been to Brecht twice for service and it was outstanding both times....:smile: We did have to wait several weeks the first time to get an appointment, but that seems to be the norm here in CA.... The second time it seemed to be a more serious service issue and they got us in the same day.

We've not used any of the other dealers so I've got nothing to compare with but so far, knock on wood, Brecht has made us happy...

Chow!

Donna

 

You could always just do what I've done...do all sorts of mods so that the car is probably out of warranty in every department and then you don't have to have the stress and worry about whether or not they'll be nice, treat you right, and do the work properly. I just don't go in anymore.

 

I am just happy I have one dealership that I had good service with. I will be thankful for that, and hope everyone finds at least one! :smile:

 

I've dealt with Asseal and Universal so far for warranty work and upgrades.
Got my car at Asseal, they've done the 10k oil change, fixed a dash rattle, window squeal, bad latch on the boot and JCW and Dinan suspension installs. The only problem I had with them is that when they completed the JCW kit, the tech didn't secure the ground wire on the battery and a week later it came loose disabling the car. Not being mechanically inclined myself, and unaware of the loose cable, it was towed to Universal to be checked. They determined it was the starter and replaced it 2 times without finding the cable problem. Then they made me feel that they were doing me a favor by not charging me for the starter installs. When returning my car, I could hear the porter laying rubber all the way up the ramp to the waiting area. When confronted, he acted like he couldn't understand me. Overall, they were somewhat patronizing and busy to the point that it affected customer service.
Next time, I will pay to tow my car to Asseal before returning to Universal.

 

While I was waiting to get my 10,000 mile service in Las Vegas this summer, one of the valet drivers/porters layed rubber in an M3. The service writers saw it, paged him and read him the riot act. Something along the line of "you ever do that again and you are out of here..."