[lo_cheng]

I haven't service my old BMW at dealer for many many years.
Today, I call to book first service for my M40i.
When I told them I would need to have a loaner car, they told me there will be $30 per day rental charge.
I was like, What??

Is this new?? They really going to cheap out of stuff like this?

[TheMooseMan]

Originally Posted by lo_cheng

I haven't service my old BMW at dealer for many many years.
Today, I call to book first service for my M40i.
When I told them I would need to have a loaner car, they told me there will be $30 per day rental charge.
I was like, What??

Is this new?? They really going to cheap out of stuff like this?

Which BMW dealer did you go to? BMW Toronto?
Some time ago I had to have my X3 serviced and was also charged but slightly less: $20 (if I recall it right). I was also surprised and although it's not the end of the world, I think it's just ridiculous to charge that.

[chicagofan00]

I got a free loaner when I had my M40i in the shop for a new tire and an oil change.

[lo_cheng]

Originally Posted by TheMooseMan

Which BMW dealer did you go to? BMW Toronto?
Some time ago I had to have my X3 serviced and was also charged but slightly less: $20 (if I recall it right). I was also surprised and although it's not the end of the world, I think it's just ridiculous to charge that.

BMW Richmond Hill service center, which is by Autohaus.
She just told me it will be a "Rental" for $30 a day.
My feeling is, it won't even be a BMW, I report back tomorrow.

It is really cheaping out, they are putting themselves in same level of Toyota / Honda.

[calintexas]

Where did you buy the car? it's not totally unusual (in my experience in the US) for the dealer that didn't sell you the car to not offer free loaner cars.

[suby01]

I took delivery of a 2020 X3 last week and I was told that at any BMW dealership I get a free loaner Im assuming this is withing the US. And if a loaner is not available I get a free rental car. So $0 cost here.

[M40iG01]

BMW Toronto charges an administrative charge. $25 + tax I believe I pay for a loaner any time I want one

[M40iG01]

to add to that ; it's always a BMW loaner and they are always brand new. Usually less that 1000kms

[02420X3]

It's been a few years since I last asked how many loaners my dealer had in inventory, but at that time they has 122 BMW loanersy. Considering how often a service visit has turned into a 2-day visit, I'm not surprised at the number. I've never paid for a loaner.

[lo_cheng]

I ask my friend who also own a BMW, he told me he take his car in for service about 2 months ago, he pay $30 and it is actually NOT a loaner, they just have car rental arrangement there and all he got was a Cruze.

This is just bad

[rem40i]

I put purchased my X3 from Mountain View BMW but take it to Peter Pan BMW for service. Ive always been offered a loaner car (2 oil changes, check engine light and 2 tire replacements).

[JoeyO]

Originally Posted by 02420X3

It's been a few years since I last asked how many loaners my dealer had in inventory, but at that time they has 122 BMW loanersy. Considering how often a service visit has turned into a 2-day visit, I'm not surprised at the number. I've never paid for a loaner.

Your dealership has 122 loaner cars??? Good lord. That’s ridiculous.

[pritchd]

I think the loaner is largely up to the dealer.

My local dealer has gone from 'would you like a loaner' to you have to ask, to now you have to request one when you make a service appt. They haven't charged yet. I was in another state once and had a warranty issue with my old 5'er and they were out of loaners and I got a Chevy IMpala from a rental place they had a deal with.

[AlteBMW]

Asking you to request a loaner at the time you make an appointment is common, and reasonable to allow them to manage their loaner fleet. As noted for a large dealership the loaner fleet can be very large. Even so, there could be times when they have allotted them all. In that case, either providing a free rental or transportation home seems ok.

Charging for a loaner is IMHO unacceptable for a BMW dealer.

[lo_cheng]

Want to report back how it go.
The charge is actually NOT for loaner. They just give me a special rate rental.
I got a KIA!

When I ask, they show me their policy:
- If I buy my NEW BMW from this dealer, they provide loaner for first 12 months. After that I can RENT a car at their special rate.
- If I buy a USED BMW from this dealer, they will provide loaner for first 6 months. After that I can RENT a car at their special rate.
- If I buy a 7 or 8 series from this dealer, they will provide loaner, no time limit. If I didn't buy from this dealer, No loaner.


I call another dealer, they have differ policy, as if I buy a NEW BMW from them, they will provide loaner if the job require 5+ hrs, for first 4 year (Car still have warranty). No limit of what model.

So, basically BMW stopped the loaner program and it is 100% up to what the dealer want to do.

[nvestr]

Unacceptable. Not a thing at my dealer.

This is my first BMW (only 3 months old, no services yet), but I brought my C43 AMG for a tire swap at the BMW dealer before I took delivery of my X3 and I was given an M5 Competition as a loaner .

Disclosure: I am very good friends with the sales manager - he knew I'd been eyeing an E63S as my next car after the M40i so probably looking to get me excited for an M5, but either way I don't expect to have issues with loaners.

[lo_cheng]

I find this is unacceptable for BMW as well, It make me feel like I am now driving a Toyota.

The way I see it, is all about Brand Image.

My mom have a 9 yrs old Lexus. She can bring the car back for service / repair and they will provide loaner (Lexus , not rental car) free of charge, no question ask.

BMW now put that on dealer to decide what to do, so for some of us that require the car to go around when the car is in service, we need to just do rental, or pick a dealer based on location instead of who give me better deal.