Franchise vs BMW Outlet?

matt_320d · 11-19-2014, 01:30 PM

It's only recently come to my attention that there are two types of BMW dealers in the UK. Main BMW UK Outlets (Park Lane London?), and Franchised private dealers.

I assume the vast majority are franchised, but looking at the website, it's actually not obvious which are which.

Anyone know a definitive list? Are there other main BMW UK outlets apart from London?

ukbeemerboy · 11-19-2014, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_320d

It's only recently come to my attention that there are two types of BMW dealers in the UK. Main BMW UK Outlets (Park Lane London?), and Franchised private dealers.

I assume the vast majority are franchised, but looking at the website, it's actually not obvious which are which.

Anyone know a definitive list? Are there other main BMW UK outlets apart from London?

It's only Park Lane London that is owned by BMW.

Lorcan · 11-19-2014, 01:57 PM

To be precise, owned by BMW GB.

matt_320d · 11-19-2014, 02:15 PM

Can any one comment on the difference it makes to the buying experience?

My assumption is you get rubbish discounts....but maybe better service???

sahajesh · 11-19-2014, 02:43 PM

My leased car came from Park Lane, I guess because they give a higher discount - pity my BIK payments are on list price :-(

I didn't have much interaction with them beyond delivery and follow-up calls but they were pretty good.

Before taking delivery, I did pop into their showroom and spoke to one of the fleet guys, he said he knew my order due to the number of toys I had ordered!

He did say if I had any problems to let them know, mind you I live in Sheffield so unlikely to take back there - bedsides their service dept is in Wimbledon, it's just Sales in Park Lane.

I have heard they do good discounts on retail, I'd expect local buyers to ask for discounts.... :-)

....,,,,..,,.. · 11-19-2014, 03:18 PM

All dealings I have had with Park Lane have been excellent, whether it's simple phone calls or trip to the place.

Inside is rather nice as well, nice selection of high end vehicles.

Will be popping in on next london trip.

It's just a shame the area is pain to drive around in a brand new car lol.

F30Andy · 11-19-2014, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brigand

All dealings I have had with Park Lane have been excellent, whether it's simple phone calls or trip to the place.

Inside is rather nice as well, nice selection of high end vehicles.

Will be popping in on next london trip.

It's just a shame the area is pain to drive around in a brand new car lol.

Don't get me started on parking around there.

Nick the Greek · 11-20-2014, 05:07 AM

This is really going to be down to individual dealership and how it is run.

I'm sure we have all had experiences ranging from poor to very good with franchises. In the same way independent garages vary in customer service.

I'm old fashioned, in that if a garage looks after me, I keep going back.

gtsussex · 11-20-2014, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

This is really going to be down to individual dealership and how it is run.

I'm sure we have all had experiences ranging from poor to very good with franchises. In the same way independent garages vary in customer service.

I'm old fashioned, in that if a garage looks after me, I keep going back.

Yup, same here. Has stopped me buying another make time and time again. On car no. 7 (BMW/Mini) at moment and it would have to be a damn good car/dealer that will make me move. Same with Landie garage - not our local dealer these days but worth the extra 1/2 hour journey for their service.

shane_hants · 11-20-2014, 05:15 AM

My car was from Park Lane. Very good discount but I purchased via the uk police/forces program which runs from there.

Excellent service and enjoyable day to pick up the car. Just a pain driving home through central London!

JD6 · 11-20-2014, 05:15 AM

I had a pretty mixed experience with Park Lane Service Dept when I lived in London. Having now used about 8 BMW dealers, I would put Park Lane at or near the bottom of the list.

I took a 3 month old car in with a very obvious low speed scraping noise, which turned out to be a badly corroded handbrake drum. After driving their technician round for about 5 minutes I was amazed when he claimed not to hear it and went on to suggest it must be a characteristic of the car.

When I suggested that not hearing it might be a characteristic of his hearing, he had a major sense of humour failure!

11-19-2014, 01:30 PM	#1
matt_320d Captain 102 Rep 618 Posts Drives: 2018 640d GC M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kent iTrader: (0)	Franchise vs BMW Outlet? It's only recently come to my attention that there are two types of BMW dealers in the UK. Main BMW UK Outlets (Park Lane London?), and Franchised private dealers. I assume the vast majority are franchised, but looking at the website, it's actually not obvious which are which. Anyone know a definitive list? Are there other main BMW UK outlets apart from London?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-19-2014, 01:57 PM	#3
Lorcan The artist formerly known as AC Schnitzer UK 3609 Rep 4,518 Posts Drives: The Yellow Peril Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Norfolk UK iTrader: (0)	To be precise, owned by BMW GB.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2014, 02:15 PM	#4
matt_320d Captain 102 Rep 618 Posts Drives: 2018 640d GC M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kent iTrader: (0)	Can any one comment on the difference it makes to the buying experience? My assumption is you get rubbish discounts....but maybe better service???
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2014, 02:43 PM	#5
sahajesh Brigadier General 2294 Rep 4,451 Posts Drives: 2021 G05 X5 40i Tanzanite Blue Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Sheffield, UK iTrader: (0)	My leased car came from Park Lane, I guess because they give a higher discount - pity my BIK payments are on list price :-( I didn't have much interaction with them beyond delivery and follow-up calls but they were pretty good. Before taking delivery, I did pop into their showroom and spoke to one of the fleet guys, he said he knew my order due to the number of toys I had ordered! He did say if I had any problems to let them know, mind you I live in Sheffield so unlikely to take back there - bedsides their service dept is in Wimbledon, it's just Sales in Park Lane. I have heard they do good discounts on retail, I'd expect local buyers to ask for discounts.... :-)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2014, 03:18 PM	#6
....,,,,..,,.. General 6733 Rep 20,651 Posts Drives: xxxx Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: xxxx iTrader: (0)	All dealings I have had with Park Lane have been excellent, whether it's simple phone calls or trip to the place. Inside is rather nice as well, nice selection of high end vehicles. Will be popping in on next london trip. It's just a shame the area is pain to drive around in a brand new car lol.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-20-2014, 05:07 AM	#8
Nick the Greek Banned 2010 Rep 6,065 Posts Drives: M135i. I don't do diesel. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	This is really going to be down to individual dealership and how it is run. I'm sure we have all had experiences ranging from poor to very good with franchises. In the same way independent garages vary in customer service. I'm old fashioned, in that if a garage looks after me, I keep going back.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-20-2014, 05:15 AM	#10
shane_hants Second Lieutenant 33 Rep 209 Posts Drives: 318D Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: Southampton iTrader: (0)	My car was from Park Lane. Very good discount but I purchased via the uk police/forces program which runs from there. Excellent service and enjoyable day to pick up the car. Just a pain driving home through central London!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-20-2014, 05:15 AM	#11
JD6 Major General 4271 Rep 6,945 Posts Drives: 840i GC + Mini Electric L3 Join Date: May 2014 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	I had a pretty mixed experience with Park Lane Service Dept when I lived in London. Having now used about 8 BMW dealers, I would put Park Lane at or near the bottom of the list. I took a 3 month old car in with a very obvious low speed scraping noise, which turned out to be a badly corroded handbrake drum. After driving their technician round for about 5 minutes I was amazed when he claimed not to hear it and went on to suggest it must be a characteristic of the car. When I suggested that not hearing it might be a characteristic of his hearing, he had a major sense of humour failure!
	Appreciate 0 Quote