Don't go to Mckenna BMW in Norwalk, CA!(long,more)

[bimmerboy]

The people there are very dishonest for the following reason:

1. They have a 2002 325Ci Titanium Silver listed on their website
http://www.mckennabmw.com/ that has been on that website for the
past 2 weeks, however they do not have the car in stock. I went in, asked for that car, and they said they had it. The sales advisor searched for it for about 30 min. and then came back and said the car has been sold. He told me that the financing for the car didn't go through so the owner had to bring the car back with 350 miles and that they sold it immediately after that, thus they haven't taken the car out of their computer database.

2. Then, they told me they have 2 cars coming in 2 weeks with the exact configurations that I wanted, one in orient blue and one in black. I call other dealers that same day asking for the same type of car. One dealer tells me he's checking in his DCS2000 and those cars must have either not been shipped, built, or is already sold because it doesn't show up in the DCS2000. I came in the next day and the sales advisor tells me that the blue one has been sold, but not the black one. I didn't wanted black.

3. Sales advisor tells me he will have the offer worksheet written up and the production number once I hand over the credit card for the $1000 deposit. I give him the credit card and he comes back telling me that he can't give me a offer worksheet, but he can give me the VIR with the dealer code and production number blacked out. Manager assures me that they have ordered this car and that they will honor $1600 above invoice. I asked him how he would remember what deal we discussd if it wasn't written down and he just kept on giving me the run around.

4. Manager told me that he couldn't give me the production # because of identity theft and he can't beak company policy for anyone. That just sounds very fishy to me.

Summary
It's interesting how I went in wanting a base model 325Ci with automatic only and they tell me they have a silver one, make me wait a long time, and tell me they can't find it on the lot because it's been sold. The car still shows up in the new inventory on the website. Then they tell me they have a base model with automatic and premium package, 2 of them coming in 2 weeks. I come in a day later asking for it, thinking I'll just settle for one with a premium package, and they tell me the car has been sold. Then they give me a big run around about the production number. "identity theft"? I don't understand. They also said other dealers can steal their production slot if I have the production #. Interesting...

[unleasHell]

yeah, I went there about a month ago to look at car colors, now I was not gonna buy from them, i I just wanted to see some cars in real life (instaed of on the computer).

The salesguy acted like I was bothering him, did not assist me at all and told me to go look around on my own. I did and left.

Hey B-Boy go to New Century BMW, I bought mine there and they were/are great, ask for Anthony (Yang?).

They have great service too.

[Kaz]

I got the same kind of attitude at Crevier and Sterling, and also bought my car at New Century.

[Plaz]

IIRC, McKenna was implicated in some shady dealings last December... I remember there being a warrant to search all their records and inventory... That told me to stay away.

[SONET]

I have had several friends buy from McKenna. None of them will ever go back.

One of my friends was literally yelled at over some trivial thing by her salesman after she signed the papers. He was yelling in her face with the finace guy standing right there, and the finance guy just watched. She left in tears and even left her new car on the lot. One of her friends finally went back and picked her car up for her because she didn't want to set foot on their lot again.

I don't see how they are still in business...

--SONET

[Jon S.]

I hear that Cutter Motors might be a good place to look...

:p

[Kaz]

I remeber hearing years ago that at least with McKenna VW, the owner was the head of a huge church in the area (Fullerton?) so all the parishoners would all be 'encouraged' to buy their cars from there or something. I don't know how true this is, or if this is still the case, but its a story I've heard from different sources over the years.

[bmw325]

SONET-

That story is unbelievable-- a sales guy yelling at the person they just sold a 35k car too? Absurd... :thumbdwn:

Jon S-
How do your fellow dealers manage to be such cretins and stay in business? Is customer service really such a hard concept for most people? I guess this type of attitude is good for your business though! I know if I lived anywhere near S Cal, I'd use you and your service dept. :D
While I've never been mistreated like the women in Sonet's story, I've experienced all kinds of poor service and rude attitudes. In your opinion, why is the car business so prone to this? I mean, I could buy a banana at the local supermarket and get friendlier service, or even a hamburger at McDonald's. What's wrong with your cohorts? Will Mr. Cutter consider opening an east coast operation to show some of these idiots how a business is supposed to run....

[toniarae]

bimmerboy it looks like you need to take your business elsewhere. There are way too many other dealerships that will not treat you like you are the criminal. From the other posts, this dealership sounds a little too shady to do business with.:yikes: Your best bet is to go elsewhere where you will be more comfortable with the situation and get the exact car you want and not have to settle.

[Chipster]

I got my car at Irvine. I knew a sales manager so I was treated with respect and got a fair price.

If/when I get another BMW I will certainly give Cutter a shot. They are about 100 miles North of me, but for what Jon does for the BMW community it would be worth the drive!

Santa Barbara ain't a bad place to make a weekend trip to either!:thumb:

[IndyMike]

Here is another tale of woe from the E46 M3 board at .org from yet another dissatisfied McKenna customer.

I only have two questions; (1) with BMW dealerships in the LA-LA land area being as prevalent as Jack-In-The-Box's why would anybody in their right or left mind do business with these dillwads, and more importantly (B) why do they still have a BMW franchise license!

Here's the thread:

http://forums.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46m3/forum.php?postid=409114&page=3

[scottn2retro]

Places I've bought BMWs -
Long Beach BMW, South Bay BMW (used to be Vasek Polak) & Rusnak BMW and I had a good experiences at all three. I was treated well by all personnel .
Places I've looked at/test drove BMWs and was treated well -
Cutter Motors (yeah!), Shelly BMW, Alexander Imports, Steve Thomas BMW, Crevier BMW. Places where I felt like a valued customer and not offended by pricing/markups or attitude.

Places that for one reason or another turned me off - Sterling BMW (high brow attitude - which is a shame, it's the closest one to me, but understood since they sell more 7s & M5s than 3 series), Harloff BMW in North County San Diego (same high brow attitude, but then again when half the cars going by are Ferraris)

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by Jon Shafer
I hear that Cutter Motors might be a good place to look...

:p
Very humble approach Jon:thumb: :D

You need to open an east coast franchise to help the rest of us out;)

[Reed]

Not BMW but same type of dealer BS that is out there:

I went to pick up my 4Runner from the dealer and the whole front of the car had all kinds of little chips in the paint, chrome, headlights and windshield! I was pissed....the "asst. service manager" said it looked like a car that had 113K miles on it and that it didn't happen there. The guy was really rude, had no clue what he was doing and basically said I was wrong. I had detailed it myself about a month earlier and it sat in the driveway until I took it to the dealer because we were going to sell it. I followed my wife in her car and she had none of the same chips so I'm sure it happend on their test drive after the work was done. I left the truck there and went home.

That monday the service mgr called and told me they are not assuming responsibility. My wife called back and talked to the same svc mgr and got the story again and then asked for the Gen. Mgr's name and number and Toyota Corp's numbers. She called and left a msg for the GM and basically said that she wanted to discuss the matter as well as the issue about how we were treated. So, she gets a call back from the GM (another woman) who basically starts yelling at her about how they are not at fault and it didn't happen there. My wife had to tell here to calm down and try to act like an adult. The GM went off about how the car has 113,000 miles on it and that is just normal wear and tear and it was impossible it happend on the test drive after the maintanence. Also brought up my request that it not be washed (I like to do it myself and didn't want them to screw it up in their wash, also the antenna was broken and I didn't want that bent). Went on about how they are not responsiblie and that we'd have to contact our insurance company.

The funny thing is that it is not all that bad...a few chips and whatnot. I'm was concerned about the windshield and headlight cracking. So to get all this BS is nuts! We bought a Sequoia from them last year which doesn't count for much it looks like.

[scottn2retro]

Reed - tell us the dealership and maybe some others that have dealt with them have stories - or better yet, avoid them.

[Reed]

Bingham Toyota / Isuzu in Fresno. The fleet manager was really great when we got our Sequoia, too bad the GM ruined his chance for another sale.

[Patrick]

Originally posted by IndyMike
Here's the thread:

http://forums.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46m3/forum.php?postid=409114&page=3

Why was this thread closed at the .org? :dunno:

Anyway, all of this sounds like nightmarish stuff. Shocking as well.

Patrick

[scottn2retro]

Earlier in the thread I had said Sterling BMW in Newport Beach was one of the places where I had not had a good experience. Here is a more recent experience:

There is a small (I believe from factory) defect on my left rear fender. I took the car to 3 of the closest BMW dealers to see about getting it taken care when I go in for the 1200 mile service:

1) Crevier BMW in Santa Ana - a guy came out and looked at the car, but wasn't sure if they could take care of it. Suggested that someone else (but who?) would have to evaluate it. :dunno:

2) Irvine BMW - a guy came out and looked at it, then sent me to their body shop (only a couple of minutes away) to have it evaluated. The guy at the body shop said it looked like it could have come from the factory that way. Went back to the service dept. with that opinion, but the service manager suggested I come back another day when a factory rep. was on site. :confused:

3) Sterling BMW - Service manager came out, looked at it and said, "Not a problem, we have our own body shop, let us know when you're ready to come in." :thumbup: Even though I didn't buy my car there, a loaner car is no problem if the appointpment is scheduled in advance. (Maybe I'll try an X5 if they have one)

The odd thing is, when I walk in the showroom area, I still get the feeling that nobody acknowledges your presence, but maybe that is their approach. Leave you alone and if you want to buy something, then you'll let them know. When I do go and ask someone a question, they are friendly enough and helpful.

The personnel in the service and parts dept. were more 'outgoing' and I was treated very well there. So Sterling is where I'll go for my 1200 mile service - update to come later.

[Lansing]

I am doing my due diligence trying to get my car and I went into Assael today and spoke to Calvin.

I could buy a car off the internet, but expect some value-add from dealers in terms of service, knowledge, and counsel. Here's what I got:

1) Says NO differences whatsoever between 01 and 02 330cis. (we know there are minor cosmetic and other differences)
2) Said HK was ALWAYS offered in 01...dunno, but don't think so
3) Says all 01's had clears (he had a used on the lot with clears and said it was standard)
4) When asked about 03's, said that they aren't available until late December but that the 03's would be the SAME, too....(now either he knows what no one else does, or he's feeding me BS)
5) When asked for a price on my config, gave me full retail and said that "they don't take even $1 off retail."

Enough said. These guys are worthless. Even more, they are insulting to the BMW community, prospective buyers, and a disservice to all of us who hold BMW in high esteem. I got much more professional and courteous service at Lexus, Audi, and even Infiniti.

Maybe just an isolated bad experience. I actually had a decent meeting with the guy at McKenna and also Cutter!

Thanks,
Lansing

[kenratboy]

Christ!

My locad VW and BMW dealer are slow (as in pacient) and friendly. You walk in, they ask what they can do to help you, and you are on your way. If you just want to "look around", they leave you for ~15 minuites and ask kindly if you have any questions or want to see a car on the lot (locked ones.) If you wish, they will leave again and you can keep looking.

It's pretty good considering it is the only VW and BMW (they are compleatly seperate, not together) withing 100 miles of here, so they have a monopoly.

The Subaru dealer is also top notch. Actually, everything in town is decent+ to great.

Reno is a very carish town, so there are 2002 745i's, Audi A8's, Mercedes-Benz S's, Porsche's, Itallian stuff, Jags, etc. Oh, F'ing HUGE pickups EVERYWHERE! Like 50X more than the Bay Area. We have one, so does our neighbor, friends, everyone actually...

[usc_aztecgoddes]

I can't believe it !!!! This Thread was started back in 2002, it is now 2005 and I am also currently having a terible expience with McKenna BMW! I am acually having a problem with their service department I have been going back and forth with them for about a year and a half to fix my X5 which started to malfunction when they lost my key and had to change my ignition and reprogram the computer. Of course they don't admit to that and tell me that the reason my X5 will sometimes not start is because I don't have any gas in it. Now People how stupid is that... I wonder where the $60 of gas I pump ito it goes when the piece of sh...t truck leaves me stranded at the gas station. I was soooo mad the technition sid that to me . I just want to tell you all one thing don't go to McKenna!!! THey are incompetant, rude, unprofessional, untrustworthy and discourteous If I hope I never have to step into that dealer again and I recomend to you all never to do so either. Please spread the word and if you have any friends or family considering BMW in the So. Cal are steer away from McKenna

[Patrick330i]

Leave it to a USC guy to resurrect something that is 3 years old. :rofl: Seriously, I guess McKenna really sucks, huh? Welcome to the Fest!

[bmw330pp]

I can't believe it !!!! This Thread was started back in 2002, it is now 2005 and I am also currently having a terible expience with McKenna BMW! I am acually having a problem with their service department I have been going back and forth with them for about a year and a half to fix my X5 which started to malfunction when they lost my key and had to change my ignition and reprogram the computer. Of course they don't admit to that and tell me that the reason my X5 will sometimes not start is because I don't have any gas in it. Now People how stupid is that... I wonder where the $60 of gas I pump ito it goes when the piece of sh...t truck leaves me stranded at the gas station. I was soooo mad the technition sid that to me . I just want to tell you all one thing don't go to McKenna!!! THey are incompetant, rude, unprofessional, untrustworthy and discourteous If I hope I never have to step into that dealer again and I recomend to you all never to do so either. Please spread the word and if you have any friends or family considering BMW in the So. Cal are steer away from McKenna
I live right by you, and go there also. Who is, or was your SA? There is some girl there that doesn't know sh!t in the service dept. It's all about speaking to the right person and kissing ass sadly. :tsk:

[SergioK]

Back in '99 my sis was considering a P-car. Went to McKenna and the sales guy wouldn't tell us the asking price for a used one on the showroom floor. After about 15 minutes, we said f-this p-car crap and she left. Ended up buy a MBZ over the phone from Fletcher Jones. :D

[bmw330pp]

Back in '99 my sis was considering a P-car. Went to McKenna and the sales guy wouldn't tell us the asking price for a used one on the showroom floor. After about 15 minutes, we said f-this p-car crap and she left. Ended up buy a MBZ over the phone from Fletcher Jones. :D
Yup McKenna is one of the most cockiest auto centers I've ever been to. The only reason I go there is because its the closest bmw dealer to me for service. And I'm kinda cool with two of the SA's there(sadly after a little a$$ kissing :tsk: ).

[scottn2retro]

Leave it to a USC guy to resurrect something that is 3 years old. :rofl: Seriously, I guess McKenna really sucks, huh? Welcome to the Fest!

Hehe, though the times change, it's good to know some things are still the same :D

I think we could resurrect this thread again in 5 years and we'll still know which dealer not to go to. :)

[Frank Rizzo]

Leave it to a USC guy to resurrect something that is 3 years old. :rofl: Seriously, I guess McKenna really sucks, huh? Welcome to the Fest!

Uh...yeah. See SC gives you the business sense to think on yer feet, rather than the ability to weave baskets .......:rofl: :D :rofl:

And methinks it a girl....................(godess?)

[bmw330pp]

Uh...yeah. See SC gives you the business sense to think on yer feet, rather than the ability to weave baskets .......:rofl: :D :rofl:

And methinks it a girl....................(godess?)
That would be correct. :thumbup:

[SergioK]

Yup McKenna is one of the most cockiest auto centers I've ever been to. The only reason I go there is because its the closest bmw dealer to me for service. And I'm kinda cool with two of the SA's there(sadly after a little a$$ kissing :tsk: ).

Isn't is sadly ironic... you want/need your car serviced and you need to kiss their asses to get it done. :tsk:

[doeboy]

I think we could resurrect this thread again in 5 years and we'll still know which dealer not to go to. :)

Make that plural... (Savage) :eeps:

[Patrick330i]

Back in '99 my sis was considering a P-car. Went to McKenna and the sales guy wouldn't tell us the asking price for a used one on the showroom floor. After about 15 minutes, we said f-this p-car crap and she left. Ended up buy a MBZ over the phone from Fletcher Jones. :D

Buddy of mine gave up his MB because he hated Fletcher Jones' service department. I got him into a 330ci, but I don't know how much of a dealer upgrade he got as he bought from Irvine BMW. :angel:

[bmrboy2008]

Well, here I am three years later and I can't say that I've had a bad experience at McKenna. I used to take my 2005 525i there for maintenance. Never had a problem. I worked with a guy named Terry in the service department who seems to be very experienced, knowledgable and honest. He told me he left there a year or so ago because he couldn't get along with the Service Manager. After the Service Manager was replaced, he returned to McKenna. Maybe that was the problem. Whenever I have a problem, I always call Terry first. He always seems to steer me in the right direction.

[milobloom242]

I got my car at Irvine. I knew a sales manager so I was treated with respect and got a fair price.

If/when I get another BMW I will certainly give Cutter a shot. They are about 100 miles North of me, but for what Jon does for the BMW community it would be worth the drive!

Santa Barbara ain't a bad place to make a weekend trip to either!:thumb:

Irvine, Long Beach, and Shelly are owned by the same guy. They're hit-and-miss.

[petener999]

I just purchase my 750i at Long Beach BMW and the service was great...

[djw521]

I may be misinformed but I believe Long Beach BMW is owned by the Autry (sp?) family and has been for many many years. There is not coowneship with the other dealers mentioned.

[JW_BMW]

I may be misinformed but I believe Long Beach BMW is owned by the Autry (sp?) family and has been for many many years. There is not coowneship with the other dealers mentioned.

Long Beach BMW sold their franchise to Sonic Automotive Inc.
SAI owns Long Beach BMW/Mini, BMW/Mini of Monrovia(formerly Assael BMW) and Beverly Hills BMW.

[JW_BMW]

Irvine, Long Beach, and Shelly are owned by the same guy. They're hit-and-miss.

Shelly Automotive Group owns Shelly BMW and Irvine BMW/Mini not Long Beach.

[Producer]

Long Beach BMW sold their franchise to Sonic Automotive Inc.
SAI owns Long Beach BMW/Mini, BMW/Mini of Monrovia(formerly Assael BMW) and Beverly Hills BMW.

Speaking of BMW of Monrovia... terrible CPO sales department. Awful. Too long of a story, but nutshell version, I was in there looking at a 2005 325ci, did a test drive, asked to see the CPO checklist. They couldn't find it. After literally 20+ minutes, I said, how about the maintenance/service history then? So they hunt that down, find it, but can't get it printed out of the computer. Finally they do, but the sales guy has disappeared (who has ADD and wasn't around much anyway), and as I'm reviewing the record with someone else, I see him leave for a test drive with a new customer. 10 minutes later he's back and says "The car's just been sold." What?? What an a**hole.

No, "Hey man, this other guy's interested in the car, what do you want to do since you were here before him?" Nothing. Just "The car's sold."

I wrote an email letter to the dealership (which got no response of course), but also sent a snail mail letter to Michael Antzas, presumably the manager of this dealership. No return response. No apology. Guess they don't give a sh*t about the $26k+ I was ready to spend there, in a bad economy. I'll never go back there.

[bmrboy2008]

Speaking of BMW of Monrovia... terrible CPO sales department. Awful. Too long of a story, but nutshell version, I was in there looking at a 2005 325ci, did a test drive, asked to see the CPO checklist. They couldn't find it. After literally 20+ minutes, I said, how about the maintenance/service history then? So they hunt that down, find it, but can't get it printed out of the computer. Finally they do, but the sales guy has disappeared (who has ADD and wasn't around much anyway), and as I'm reviewing the record with someone else, I see him leave for a test drive with a new customer. 10 minutes later he's back and says "The car's just been sold." What?? What an a**hole.

No, "Hey man, this other guy's interested in the car, what do you want to do since you were here before him?" Nothing. Just "The car's sold."

I wrote an email letter to the dealership (which got no response of course), but also sent a snail mail letter to Michael Antzas, presumably the manager of this dealership. No return response. No apology. Guess they don't give a sh*t about the $26k+ I was ready to spend there, in a bad economy. I'll never go back there.

++1.

I would never ever buy a BMW from Assael BMW, or whatever they call themselves now in Monrovia. Last December I contacted their Internet Department ready to pay cash for a 2008 528i. The Internet Sales Manager refused to discuss or quote me a price on a car I found in their inventory. He was very condescending and insisted I come to the dealership. He was obviously having a bad day, perhaps because he was not selling any cars. I subsequently contacted New Century BMW in Alhambra and was treated like royalty by their Sales personnel. Later that day I went to their dealership, upgraded to a 2008 535i and drove it off the lot.

Needless to say, Assael threw my business away. New Century BMW earned it!! I hope someone from Assael reads these forums to find out what a lousy sales job they really do, and get rid of that poor excuse for an Internet Sales Manager unless they have done so already!!!

[Producer]

Needless to say, Assael threw my business away. New Century BMW earned it!! I hope someone from Assael reads these forums to find out what a lousy sales job they really do, and get rid of that poor excuse for an Internet Sales Manager unless they have done so already!!!

Based on my experience there a month ago, I highly doubt it! Who knows, maybe they sell tons of cars, even when we're in a recession?

[Peda330i]

Stay away from McKenna. Went to get a 550i and the guy had the nerves to ask me if I could really afford the car. (so, I look young, but he knew I had leased 3 bimmers before this one) Then after wasting my time getting all my info, he calls the sales manager (since the guy had no clue on OLP credit and other numbers) and the manager comes out and tells me that they don't want me as a client and I need to leave. (I'm not joking) Seems like I insulted him by asking him for OLP credit and nav credit that was available on 550i.
I have never been treated this way in all my years of buying cars. And, this after having bought my first bimmer from them and leased 3 bimmers so far. I was shocked to say the least.

I know a guy in mckenna service dept who is really cool and I TRY to go to him for any service related issues. But, since they don't offer any loaners, I always find myself going to Shelly, even though I have had issues with them in the past.

Are there any other dealerships that provide free loaners? (even if you didn't buy the car from them?)

[JRob37]

Are there any other dealerships that provide free loaners? (even if you didn't buy the car from them?)

South Bay BWM, loaners and respect...

[blunderbus]

My e34 M5 died. I had it towed to Shelly BMW, who said it needed a new DME computer at about $3,000, parts and labor.

So I towed it to Crevier, who found it needed a cam sensor and charged me $600 parts and labor!

Thank you Crevier.

Blunderbus

[soupcon]

Stay away from McKenna. Went to get a 550i and the guy had the nerves to ask me if I could really afford the car. (so, I look young, but he knew I had leased 3 bimmers before this one) Then after wasting my time getting all my info, he calls the sales manager (since the guy had no clue on OLP credit and other numbers) and the manager comes out and tells me that they don't want me as a client and I need to leave. (I'm not joking) Seems like I insulted him by asking him for OLP credit and nav credit that was available on 550i.
I have never been treated this way in all my years of buying cars. And, this after having bought my first bimmer from them and leased 3 bimmers so far. I was shocked to say the least.

I know a guy in mckenna service dept who is really cool and I TRY to go to him for any service related issues. But, since they don't offer any loaners, I always find myself going to Shelly, even though I have had issues with them in the past.

Are there any other dealerships that provide free loaners? (even if you didn't buy the car from them?)


same experience with mckenna... never going to buy there.

[scottn2retro]

My e34 M5 died. I had it towed to Shelly BMW, who said it needed a new DME computer at about $3,000, parts and labor.

So I towed it to Crevier, who found it needed a cam sensor and charged me $600 parts and labor!

Thank you Crevier.

Blunderbus

Sad to say, but I don't think this is unusual - My impression is that there is a wide range of talent of the service techs across all dealerships.

[Christian915]

Crevier is the WORST!!!!

[tmba2002]

South Bay BWM, loaners and respect...

Respect yes! Overall a good dealership, I received all my warranty service from them and would recommend their service dept to anyone. I did not buy my car from them, but the only way I got a loaner was if I made an appointment way in advance .... about a month in advance.

[bmrboy2008]

Stay away from McKenna. Went to get a 550i and the guy had the nerves to ask me if I could really afford the car. (so, I look young, but he knew I had leased 3 bimmers before this one) Then after wasting my time getting all my info, he calls the sales manager (since the guy had no clue on OLP credit and other numbers) and the manager comes out and tells me that they don't want me as a client and I need to leave. (I'm not joking) Seems like I insulted him by asking him for OLP credit and nav credit that was available on 550i.
I have never been treated this way in all my years of buying cars. And, this after having bought my first bimmer from them and leased 3 bimmers so far. I was shocked to say the least.

I know a guy in mckenna service dept who is really cool and I TRY to go to him for any service related issues. But, since they don't offer any loaners, I always find myself going to Shelly, even though I have had issues with them in the past.

Are there any other dealerships that provide free loaners? (even if you didn't buy the car from them?)

I've never purchased a car from McKenna. Based on the foregoing, I never will. However, I still say Terry Reames is the best SA in the So Cal San Gabriel Valley area. If you have a problem and you need service in this area, call Terry Reames at McKenna. He'll do you right!!