Casey BMW - Newport News, VA -- Review

[danewilson77]

Let me start off by saying I H8 the dealer. My Dad sold cars for 30+ years, and I vowed to never follow in his steps, after learning some of the shady stuff thy pull. This is a problem I have that I need to deal with. It is not necessarily the dealer I hate, but the insane $130.00/hr price they charge, and the high price they charge for some of their repair parts.

I have had one item and only one item addressed at the dealer. For this I am proud of....knowing that I have always maintained my cars.

I took the ZHP in for an alignment. The appointment was scheduled. The service tech always takes care of me. There is a salesman there, that I always strike up a conversation with, that likes my car. The alignment was $130.00......and the thing that struck me as odd, is, I had to drive my car, with the tech in tow, to Casey Chevrolet, to get it aligned. Apparently, the alignment machines at BMW will only work on BMW rims....you know....with the holes...

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/ALY59432U-1.jpg

Anyways.....Casey Chevrolet is where they have their Tech School, and is where "the better alignment machine is anyways"....or so I was told.

The instructor of the school, helped the BMW tech align my car and got everything to come into spec. Very courteous, and professional.

The only thing I noticed (after the fact) was that they didn't ballast the vehicle. I don't know if this is car (BMW) dependent or alignment machine dependent? Car runs like a top. So my one and only dealer experience was a good one.

Eye candy for the pic whores.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMG_20101201_172252.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMG_20101201_171906.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMG_20101201_164518.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMG_20101201_164306.jpg

[Johnmadd]

I've had bad experiences with casey dealerships in the past, both end up with me walking out and them telling me that we can work it out, they could not or they would have earlier in the process, they are a dealer that just tries to keep you there as long as they can and hope to break you.

[danewilson77]

I've had bad experiences with casey dealerships in the past, both end up with me walking out and them telling me that we can work it out, they could not or they would have earlier in the process, they are a dealer that just tries to keep you there as long as they can and hope to break you.

Thats why I get in....and get out.

[billschusteriv]

I also got my e30's alignment done at the dealer. Haven't taken the e46 in for an alignment yet. No issues with the service on the e30 and the price was right - $99.

Both cars have factory wheels so I dunno about needing to take it to another machine.

And I have heard about the ballast they are supposed to use... Which is why I took it there... So it would get done right.

[danewilson77]

I also got my e30's alignment done at the dealer. Haven't taken the e46 in for an alignment yet. No issues with the service on the e30 and the price was right - $99.

Both cars have factory wheels so I dunno about needing to take it to another machine.

And I have heard about the ballast they are supposed to use... Which is why I took it there... So it would get done right.

At Casey?

[Johnmadd]

In and out, that's good to hear though.

[BlackNTan]

Not a great experience with Casey with my previous ride, a Z4. I bought the car from Casey last year so I was looking forward to the "special" treatment bringing my car in for service with my original dealer.

The R rear bushing needed replacing, I needed a new rear brake light and a 40k service. Took it in Day 1 with promise for 2-day try around. Day 4 came and after calling the dealership, I was informed that there had been a minor accident moving my car... Turns out someone had rear ended the car backing into a wall. They assured me they would take care of the repairs, paint the bumper and it would be perfect.

As it turns out, I went back 3 times to pick up the car. The first 2 times I was told the car was ready, but the bumper was not aligned to the car. Even my wife, who is not a car person, saw there was a problem. Casey is 40 minutes from my house and a trip through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel which can be a bear. Needless to say I was not impressed. I decided to try Checkered Flag BMW (which was in someways worse). See separate review for Checkered Flag.

Any suggestions for a good BMW mechanic in the Hampton Roads area would be appreciated (closer to Norfolk / Va Beach please). Dane?