loaner vehicle while serviced

angelbones · 07-20-2015, 06:08 PM

Had to relay my first experience driving a different BMW on an extended basis. Brought mine in for service so no surprise I got a base model as a loaner, which was a 320i. The reason for the post though is that I often see on these forums how much people prefer a no-option car. After driving one for just a few hours, you start to realize how many options you miss. Sure, I get the reasons to avoid loading up with options due to weight, cost, etc., but I tell you once you get used to certain things, you can't go back. First thing I noticed was no back up camera or sensors. I've had that option or standard feature on my last three cars. When you go without it, you realize what a nice feature it truly is. I've taken that for granted until today. Next, the seat was not power. Again, I know I sound "spoiled" but the power seats not only allow you to get in the exact position you like, but especially the memory seats are something that you just really get used to. Moved on to the radio. No Sirius/XM. Granted, I adjusted, but it is one of those things that when you go without, you realize it. Lesser things such as the moonroof, garage door opener also a bother, but maybe not as much. Then finally when leaving the car to go inside and returning, the lack of keyless entry drove me nuts. There's nothing like walking up to your locked car and being able to open the door easily even though you have your hands full.

I know this is more of a slight rant, but mainly wanted to post to say that while I don't begrudge a single BMW owner for going light on options, for me, (and apparently a fair amount of buyers), there's also nothing wrong with loading up on so-called creature comforts. Also I'm posting to say that after today's experience, it feels SO great to have my 2-series back and I don't see me changing anytime soon. (As a side note, if I were interested in a sedan, I'd save the 5k-7k and get a loaded Optima, Sonata, Accord, etc., etc., rather than get a 320i)

Cyberdemon · 07-20-2015, 06:19 PM

Agreed...you appreciate the bells and whistles once you get used to them. If my last car was from 2002 or earlier I would appreciate the "upgrades" in a base car like "Bluetooth" and "Automatic climate control". But going from a loaded car to a base car is very bleh, especially when missing basic things like the sport auto (what do you mean I have to pay more for sport plus?) and the smaller iDrive screen.

Smokester · 07-20-2015, 06:22 PM

Agree 100%. I've always referred to the Premium Package as "all those things that should have been standard"

BarryJI · 07-20-2015, 07:45 PM

The 3-Series loaner I got from the dealership was such a dog, I had no idea any BMW could be so poor. Admittedly it was a few years old and, to use an ancient English expression, had been "ridden hard and put away wet" but it also had a ten-degree steering offset, meaning that if I wanted to go straight, I had to point the wheel at two o-clock. I suppose this is a different version of why so many Mercedes are used as taxis in the third world; a "luxury" brand doesn't have to be luxurious everywhere.

OpenAir · 07-20-2015, 08:14 PM

I feel lucky, my loaner was an M-Sport 550! Sweet ride for two days, cruised on the highway like nothing I've driven before!

isthar · 07-20-2015, 08:53 PM

I got a 435xi convertible once as a loaner ;-)

SteveInfante · 07-21-2015, 06:26 AM

I used to ask for a nicer loaner than my current car I was getting serviced. If you ask in advance sometimes they will humor you.

G-Mann · 07-21-2015, 08:13 AM

Had mine serviced last week and got a base 328 and I might as well had been in a Camry. I definitely had a greater appreciation for my ride.

threepac3 · 07-21-2015, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OpenAir

I feel lucky, my loaner was an M-Sport 550! Sweet ride for two days, cruised on the highway like nothing I've driven before!

You lucky dog...! Best I've been given was a 2015 x5 35i xdrive which had a beautiful interior with Harmon Kardon stereo. Though the suspension was quite doughy compared to my car.

The worst by far I've been given was a base 328d.

alz0rz · 07-21-2015, 09:17 AM

Rolling in a 7 series diesel was interesting....

Killramos · 07-21-2015, 09:26 AM

lol my dealer "phased out" loaners.

We have the option to rent a BMW from enterprise for 24 dollars flat rate regardless of how long the cars in the shop.

A deal i cant take advantage of because I'm not 25

OpenAir · 07-21-2015, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isthar

I got a 435xi convertible once as a loaner ;-)

Nice! That would be my choice!

esp260 · 07-21-2015, 10:47 AM

Opposite for me. Dealer gave me a 328i GT as a loaner before my 228 arrived and it was almost fully loaded. I definitely missed the keyless unlock/lock feature when I got my car

07-20-2015, 06:08 PM	#1
angelbones Private First Class 43 Rep 193 Posts Drives: V.O. 228i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	loaner vehicle while serviced Had to relay my first experience driving a different BMW on an extended basis. Brought mine in for service so no surprise I got a base model as a loaner, which was a 320i. The reason for the post though is that I often see on these forums how much people prefer a no-option car. After driving one for just a few hours, you start to realize how many options you miss. Sure, I get the reasons to avoid loading up with options due to weight, cost, etc., but I tell you once you get used to certain things, you can't go back. First thing I noticed was no back up camera or sensors. I've had that option or standard feature on my last three cars. When you go without it, you realize what a nice feature it truly is. I've taken that for granted until today. Next, the seat was not power. Again, I know I sound "spoiled" but the power seats not only allow you to get in the exact position you like, but especially the memory seats are something that you just really get used to. Moved on to the radio. No Sirius/XM. Granted, I adjusted, but it is one of those things that when you go without, you realize it. Lesser things such as the moonroof, garage door opener also a bother, but maybe not as much. Then finally when leaving the car to go inside and returning, the lack of keyless entry drove me nuts. There's nothing like walking up to your locked car and being able to open the door easily even though you have your hands full. I know this is more of a slight rant, but mainly wanted to post to say that while I don't begrudge a single BMW owner for going light on options, for me, (and apparently a fair amount of buyers), there's also nothing wrong with loading up on so-called creature comforts. Also I'm posting to say that after today's experience, it feels SO great to have my 2-series back and I don't see me changing anytime soon. (As a side note, if I were interested in a sedan, I'd save the 5k-7k and get a loaded Optima, Sonata, Accord, etc., etc., rather than get a 320i)
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07-20-2015, 06:19 PM	#2
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1538 Rep 3,331 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	Agreed...you appreciate the bells and whistles once you get used to them. If my last car was from 2002 or earlier I would appreciate the "upgrades" in a base car like "Bluetooth" and "Automatic climate control". But going from a loaded car to a base car is very bleh, especially when missing basic things like the sport auto (what do you mean I have to pay more for sport plus?) and the smaller iDrive screen. __________________ Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
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07-20-2015, 06:22 PM	#3
Smokester New Member 1 Rep 29 Posts Drives: BMW 228i M Sport 6MT MG Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Annapolis area iTrader: (0)	Agree 100%. I've always referred to the Premium Package as "all those things that should have been standard"
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07-20-2015, 07:45 PM	#4
BarryJI Captain 424 Rep 980 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 228i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	The 3-Series loaner I got from the dealership was such a dog, I had no idea any BMW could be so poor. Admittedly it was a few years old and, to use an ancient English expression, had been "ridden hard and put away wet" but it also had a ten-degree steering offset, meaning that if I wanted to go straight, I had to point the wheel at two o-clock. I suppose this is a different version of why so many Mercedes are used as taxis in the third world; a "luxury" brand doesn't have to be luxurious everywhere.
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07-20-2015, 08:14 PM	#5
OpenAir Captain 432 Rep 887 Posts Drives: Enzo F23 228i Join Date: May 2015 Location: MD, USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW 228i [0.00]	I feel lucky, my loaner was an M-Sport 550! Sweet ride for two days, cruised on the highway like nothing I've driven before!
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07-20-2015, 08:53 PM	#6
isthar Second Lieutenant 61 Rep 273 Posts Drives: M235i xDrive Join Date: May 2015 Location: Boston, USA iTrader: (0)	I got a 435xi convertible once as a loaner ;-) __________________ //M235ix Alpine White
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07-21-2015, 06:26 AM	#7
SteveInfante NewFinishColumbia/detailer 604 Rep 2,096 Posts Drives: 2015 F31 xDrive Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Columbia, SC iTrader: (0)	I used to ask for a nicer loaner than my current car I was getting serviced. If you ask in advance sometimes they will humor you. __________________ 328 F31 xDrive/OSM/Venetian Luxury Line/Cold Weather/Premium/Driving Assist/Nav/Tech "Golden Goose" 78' Honda CB400A project http://www.instagram.com/steve_inf31
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07-21-2015, 08:13 AM	#8
G-Mann Captain 413 Rep 678 Posts Drives: M4CX Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Had mine serviced last week and got a base 328 and I might as well had been in a Camry. I definitely had a greater appreciation for my ride. __________________ 2022 M4 Comp X 2021 M440ix - Sold 2015 M235 - Sold
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07-21-2015, 09:17 AM	#10
alz0rz What goes here? 452 Rep 1,356 Posts Drives: 2019 G30 M550i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida Space Coast iTrader: (4) Garage List 2019 BMW M550i [0.00] 2021 BMW M3 Competi ... [0.00] 2019 BMW M5 Competi ... [0.00] 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 BMW M235i [0.00]	Rolling in a 7 series diesel was interesting.... __________________ 2019 G30 M550i GBNF: 2021 G80 M3, 2019 F90 M5 Competition, 2016 F80 M3, 2014 F22 M235i
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07-21-2015, 09:26 AM	#11
Killramos Captain 312 Rep 862 Posts Drives: '19 M2 '21 X5 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Calgary iTrader: (1) Garage List 2021 BMW X5 40i [0.00] 2019 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	lol my dealer "phased out" loaners. We have the option to rent a BMW from enterprise for 24 dollars flat rate regardless of how long the cars in the shop. A deal i cant take advantage of because I'm not 25
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07-21-2015, 10:47 AM	#13
esp260 Private First Class 53 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 228i Msport 6MT Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Opposite for me. Dealer gave me a 328i GT as a loaner before my 228 arrived and it was almost fully loaded. I definitely missed the keyless unlock/lock feature when I got my car
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