Do you expect a complementary wash?

[brock landers]

Hi,

I just came back from getting my car serviced at Canbec BMW in Montreal. They had the car for 3 days and the repair bill was roughly $600. I was surprised that the car was not washed when they presented it to me. I was in a hurry so i did not have time to take this up with my service manager, but I'm curious if you would all expect your car to be washed after 3 days and a considerable amount of money spent at the dealership. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

BL

[Doc MyA]

If you have a 3-serie, Canbec will not consider you as a valued customer. Thay will start to consider you once you climb up the series-ladder.
This is exactly why a changed dealer and went to PArk Avenue after a recommandation from my partners...

[Paul Christian]

^^^they should 3 or 7 serie or not it is a BMW......

[Isa7913]

Don't be surprised, they do nothing for free. Even the coffee machine is not free ... (until I found out that at Canbec there's an other kind of waiting room, but more for kids and the tea machine is free). I have an X3 and they did not wash mine eather, but there was a bunch of other cars that was waiting in the garage for pick up that just came out all washed up ... but they paid for it.

[rehostman]

At BMW Laval, they ask me first if I want my car washed after servicing. The wash from the dealership never left any nasty marks or swirl marks. :thumbup:

Cheers.

[speedemn]

I am in Ontario... and at my dealer they wash the exterior and vacuum and wipe down the interior too - no charge.

There was one incident when they did not do it... but when I went to pick up the car they offered to take it through a touchless for me before giving me the keys. They were really backed up at the dealer that day.

[Isa7913]

Sounds like Canbec is the only one not to offer a free wash. :(

[nabhan007]

Poor form on their part. I've taken my car to BMW Mississauga and Towne BMW in Buffalo, for inspection II and an oil change respectively, and the car was washed and vacuumed both times at no cost. When I had my old Jetta, the VW dealer would wash the car after any servicing as well. Seems to me washing a customer's car is a small way to show your business is appreciated, and a sparkling clean BMW on the roads is essentially free advertising.

[speedemn]

Poor form on their part. I've taken my car to BMW Mississauga and Towne BMW in Buffalo, for inspection II and an oil change respectively, and the car was washed and vacuumed both times at no cost. When I had my old Jetta, the VW dealer would wash the car after any servicing as well. Seems to me washing a customer's car is a small way to show your business is appreciated, and a sparkling clean BMW on the roads is essentially free advertising.

Why did you take your BMW to Buffalo for the Inspection II?

[stiffy1]

Budds in Oakville almost always washes when I'm in for service. In fact (and I think they still do this), if you drop by on a Saturday, they'll run your car through the wash for you no charge.

Oh, and coffee and cookies are always available in their lounge, as is wireless internet access. I've used it many times. The only problem is no place to plug your laptop in.

[nabhan007]

Why did you take your BMW to Buffalo for the Inspection II?

You have it backwards- inspection II at Mississauga, and oil change at Towne. I actually was having the no-reverse problem and was trying to get my transmission diagnosed, but all the GTA dealers had at least a week-long waiting list. Towne was able to fit me within 2 days so I went there, but since the car was due for an oil change, had it done as well. FYI, labor is much cheaper in Buffalo ($100/hour vs $150/hour in the GTA), and you only pay 8.7% tax (vs 13%), so if you've having anything serious done, it might be worth your time to head down there.

[brock landers]

Hey guys, thanks very much for all your responses. Sorry for not replying sooner. I had actually forgotten that i had created this thread, as i had posted the same question in other forums as well - that will teach me to double-post!

The general consensus seems to be that a dealership will be happy to wash the car for you, even Canbec in Montreal, but that they have learned over time to only do so if the customer asks - the reason being that if a customer is very particular about the maintenance of his/her paint, they may not appreciate the swirl marks left by a dealership's less-than-perfect wash. I, however, am not so particular, and will know next time to ask for the wash.

Thanks again!

BL

[bythehour]

BMW Toronto, T&C and Parkview will all "wash" your cars for you when you bring it in for servicing. However, I have taken to making up signs that say "PLEASE DON'T WASH".

They use nasty old rags and grungy water. Mars the heck out of the paint....