Dealer overfilled my oil....

[mnnden]

It doesn't matter what you have serviced. A person with a little knowledge and a lot of desire (the owner) will always out perform a person with a lot of knowledge and little desire (service tech). It just a fact I have learned and accepted for years. I never go back to the dealer for anything service related. Not to service new cars and especially motorcycles. I tried to support my local dealer several times. Each time I go in the BMW show room I have yet to have a person say hi to me, let alone can I help you. So, I just go home and buy on line. Get the repair manual and learn to do the repairs yourself. If something major breaks under warranty, it's going to be a hassle anyway. Save all the fussing and fueding for that. Sorry about your troubles, but if BMW don't care..... well, then you are the only one and that won't get you far. YMMV RANT OVER

WELL SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Den

[vinman]

Unfortunately, this dealership has done more that one job for me and both were very poor. Its unlike any BMW dealer I have ever been to. They did finally make the first blunder right when the bike was almost new. As a last resort, I had to bark abit. That is never my first choice. As for the oil, I followed the song and dance...it does not make much difference, its so high, its coming out the airl box. I guess I am gonna need to drain it all, otherwise it would be a huge mess trying to plug it back up? Anyway, it good to have the feedback. its 3 strikes your out with me now.. Its not worth the anger energy, that is for sure. I am gonna pour myself a nice cold one.

cheers

-A

You should post which dealer it is that has done such poor work and damaged your bike. Surely others do not want to risk damage to their bikes and waste their money at that place. I believe this site should not only be used for sharing tech info and good experiences but also how to avoid bad experiences. I have seen other bad dealer experiences posted before on this site and others but don't understand why people don't say which dealer it was that they had the poor service from. It can only serve to help other board users to know how dealers in their area do business. Maybe it might even get some of those dealers to be more concerned with good service if they see that word gets around.

[ebiker]

Poor dealer performed maintenance on a motorcycle is not restricted to only BMW bikes. Several Harley Davidson forums have a section devoted to "stealers", err dealers, or Independent shops who perform overpriced or shoddy service work. And, there have been Honda GL1800 riders who share their experiences with the same complaint.

Ed..

[sjbmw]

This is true eb. It is more about the people than about the brand. I own a Honda automobile, and they actually call me (if I volunteer) to rate the service dept at my dealer.

Never had this with a motorcycle dealer, but it would be cool thing.

For the record, I am very happy with my BMW dealer.

[Silverr]

Lets just say that I live in the Cali Bay Area. I have great things to say about San Jose BMW. In my opinion, they do the best service work in the bay area and that is who will be doing all my work at this point.

[pjpockets]

Sorry but I must take issue as I feel Dwane has called my thinking on this matter as acting like an ass. Acting in a manner that protects your safety and investment in your bike is being responsible. If you act otherwise, then you are just being a fool.

[dwayne]

Sorry but I must take issue as I feel Dwane has called my thinking on this matter as acting like an ass. Acting in a manner that protects your safety and investment in your bike is being responsible. If you act otherwise, then you are just being a fool.

Being an Ass and acting like one are two very different terms, and I did mean the latter. Walking in demanding this or demanding that may work for some, but for most of us, it doesn't. Going to a dealership thinking that "hey; I pay good money for this service, they are going to do it right". Well, maybe. As a rider it is up to me to verify that my machine is safe to operate. If I had a tyre change I would have inspected the wheel in questoin and verify that everything is tight, in other words "due diligence". As for the original question and your response to it; I disagree with the approach. First it is your bike, your responsibility. Second if IF IF the dealership made a mistake, going to the dealership with an attitude will put the service person into a defensive posture, so instead of solving the issue, you've wasted energy on emotion. I'm not saying let the dealership walk all over you, what I am saying is be curteous (sp?) . In MOST cases you are dealing with professionals, and like you; they too do not want to be talked down to. IMHO.

[GeoffJ]

Just rode home from getting my 12k service done...Was very pleased at how unadjusted my valves are. Also, when I got home, just started inspecting the craftsmanship. Noticed a few nice scratches on my valve covers. Also, noticed that the oil was completely filling the site glass. The overfilled my oil and i checked the airl box plug and sure enough. There was oil inside. Any idea if there has been damage done. Does that box need to be cleaned out? Is it safe to ride back to the dealer on the bike so I can get them to fix things?

Thanks in advance.....

-A

1. Wipe oil from air box.
2. Loosen oil drain plug (do not remove) and drain excess oil.
3. Call dealer, explain damaged valve covers and politely ask for new pair.

These steps will take less time than it took you to write the above post.

[Deano]

This is true eb. It is more about the people than about the brand. I own a Honda automobile, and they actually call me (if I volunteer) to rate the service dept at my dealer.

Never had this with a motorcycle dealer, but it would be cool thing.

For the record, I am very happy with my BMW dealer.

I get a call from a third party survey firm after every scheduled service at my local BMW dealer. I thought they all did that. Hopefully that is part of the reason that I have never had a service issue. And yes, they always fill my oil to the top of the sight glass. And it always self-corrects within 800 to 1000 miles.

[pjpockets]

I have been very fortunate to purchase, and have my bike serviced buy a great store. The relationship I have with this business is respectful, and and complementary to us both. Dwane seems to be of the mind set that even though you are being cheated by a business you should be kinder and gentler. My personal opinion is poo!!!!! A person that pays there money for a service deserves nothing less then the best service possible, and not someones carelesness. I have had Harley dealers from my area put me through battles in trying to repair problems with the shops own work, and warrenty issues that Harley only sometimes makes public. Harley backs there dealers and not there customers. Money comes hard to many of us that work for a living. When I pay to have a job done it better be done well or I get my money back and never do business with that outfit again. If more people had the idea that they were not going to be victims of business, perhaps we would find more satisfaction in the service industries.

[dwayne]

Dwa(y)ne seems to be of the mind set that even though you are being cheated by a business you should be kinder and gentler.

That is the difference between you and I then; I have the frame of mind that everyone is doing the right thing, for the right reasons.

[pjpockets]

Oh my god! Your a liberal! Well, actually I knew it all along. See ya by.

[dwayne]

Oh my god! Your a liberal! Well, actually I knew it all along. See ya by.

Oh great, another person that cares not to know me!

[vinman]

So,.....why is it that the dealer isn't named?????

Is there some fear of litigation for naming a dealer than did poor work and damaged a customer's bike. I don't get it. What are people afraid of?