Charging For Loaners??

Fraggy · 03-19-2009, 09:00 AM

My dealership just started charging $25 for loaner cars. Is that a new trend, extreme, or even allowed?? Its the first time in 15 years of BMW ownership that Ive ever been charged for a loaner.

chazzz · 03-19-2009, 09:02 AM

Yes, it did happen to me. I was charged at their special rate of $35/day, but I get to drive a new Bimmer 328i.

canucklion · 03-19-2009, 09:03 AM

My dealership has a posted sign stating that "loaner vehicles are available for 25/day". But I either get a free loaner or a shuttle ride when I take my car in for service.

Perpetrator · 03-19-2009, 09:05 AM

When I used to have my E90 M3, I took it into the dealer I purchased from for the 1200 mile service. They offered me non-bmw beaters for free. For an E90 328, they wanted $10. I paid the $10 and used a smelly 328. Wasn't too thrilled about it.

GreenThree · 03-19-2009, 09:09 AM

Your lucky you even got offered a loaner. My dealer said they were booked for the next month for loaners, and only had the shuttle service.

nick6753 · 03-19-2009, 09:23 AM

Yeah, my dealer only offered a shuttle ride.

Aurora Bearialis · 03-19-2009, 09:45 AM

I reckon I'll find out tomorrow...

methodtim · 03-19-2009, 09:52 AM

I've taken two cars into two separate BMW dealerships for work in the last two months, with the most recent being two or three weeks ago. I didn't get a BMW loaner either time (grrr), but I wasn't charged for the Enterprise rental loaner (other than the stupid "upgrade" charge from a Dodge Avenger to a Pontiac Vibe).

This whole charging for loaners thing, while a bit distasteful, is not really surprising. The Enterprise guy at one of the dealerships told me that they were trying everything to cut back costs and that I would have to confirm with my SA daily whether or not the dealership was going to cover the rental for that day. It was a bit of a pain to confirm over and over that I wouldn't have to pay (one of the repair jobs took four days to complete).

canucklion · 03-19-2009, 10:07 AM

also, note that loaner policy is dealership and SA dependent. My SA hooked me up with a 323 loaner for an oil change. At another dealership, they only give out bimmer loaners to 'higher-end' clients, i.e. clients with Ms, 6s, 7s, and the lowly 3er owners get an Enterprise surprise car of the day.

mark1996 · 03-19-2009, 11:04 AM

My dealer provides free loaner cars(BMW of Seattle). My understanding is that the dealer is not required to provide loaner cars or a shuttle service. However, IMHO, charging a customer who forked over between $40k and $50k for a new car $25 or even $10 for a loaner car is just a bad business practice.

I am sure that some bean counter computer whiz at the dealer came up with the idea of charging for the loaner cars: "let us see, 100 loaner cars at $25 a pop equals..." If I owned the dealership, I would not want to be pissing off my regular customers. This reminds me of the thread concerning the new practice of some dealers now charging to top off your oil between service intervals. Are these dealers really wanting us to buy our cars from out of state over the internet or do they want us to think " my local dealer wants me to pay $500 more for the car but they have always in past treated me right."( free top off of fluids and new wiper blades between service intervals, free loaner cars, being able to simply drop by the dealer without an appointment to have a tech look at a problem).

TaTaToothy · 03-19-2009, 11:16 AM

My dealer always provides free loaners. They all seem to be stripped 328xis, which are not my favorite (no Sport package makes an enormous difference to the driving experience IMO), but they're free.

StoneCold · 03-19-2009, 11:17 AM

Oh wow......cost cutting everywhere

blue2fire · 03-19-2009, 11:19 AM

Yeah, i don't get charged but they should seriously consider paying me for hooking us up with an X3.

The Cleaner · 03-19-2009, 11:19 AM

Loaners are free at my dealer provided you purchased the car from them.

5050punk · 03-19-2009, 11:30 AM

I haven't had to pay for one, but they did give me a POS Toyota Yaris hatchback last week instead of a BMW loaner.

krispeee · 03-19-2009, 01:47 PM

crevier bmw in santa ana, CA gives you free loaners now. I'm currently on my 3rd loaner in 2 months.

Ray · 03-19-2009, 01:49 PM

sign of the times

Highflyr · 03-19-2009, 02:34 PM

Still free here

vAnt826 · 03-19-2009, 03:25 PM

I hate it when they give out bare 328i sedans with heated seats. No premium or sport.

methodtim · 03-19-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vAnt826

I hate it when they give out bare 328i sedans with heated seats. No premium or sport.

Yes, my Pontiac Vibe loaner and I can really empathize.

yomama69 · 03-19-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by methodtim

Yes, my Pontiac Vibe loaner and I can really empathize.

Could have been worse. They could have hooked you up with one of these bad boys...

blue2fire · 03-19-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yomama69

Could have been worse. They could have hooked you up with one of these bad boys...

That is okay, i am more scared of this contraption

03-19-2009, 09:00 AM	#1
Fraggy Brigadier General 193 Rep 3,469 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego iTrader: (11)	Charging For Loaners?? My dealership just started charging $25 for loaner cars. Is that a new trend, extreme, or even allowed?? Its the first time in 15 years of BMW ownership that Ive ever been charged for a loaner. __________________ 2016 Alpine White M3 (gone) 2019 Alfa Romeo Guilia (Totaled) 2020 Car-less 😁 (no more) 2020 M340
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03-19-2009, 09:02 AM	#2
chazzz Captain 116 Rep 712 Posts Drives: 2018 Chrysler 300S Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southern California iTrader: (4)	Yes, it did happen to me. I was charged at their special rate of $35/day, but I get to drive a new Bimmer 328i. __________________ SOLD - 2007 BMW 335i Sedan, Montego Blue with Lemon seats, AluFelgen CS7 rims & Continental DW tires CURRENT - 2018 Chrysler 300S, Crystal Granite Metallic.
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03-19-2009, 09:03 AM	#3
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	My dealership has a posted sign stating that "loaner vehicles are available for 25/day". But I either get a free loaner or a shuttle ride when I take my car in for service. __________________
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03-19-2009, 09:05 AM	#4
Perpetrator Lieutenant 20 Rep 407 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fullerton, CA iTrader: (4)	When I used to have my E90 M3, I took it into the dealer I purchased from for the 1200 mile service. They offered me non-bmw beaters for free. For an E90 328, they wanted $10. I paid the $10 and used a smelly 328. Wasn't too thrilled about it.
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03-19-2009, 09:09 AM	#5
GreenThree Colonel 210 Rep 2,110 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Your lucky you even got offered a loaner. My dealer said they were booked for the next month for loaners, and only had the shuttle service. __________________ 2015 335xi \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Black Dakota Leather \| NAV \| SportLine \| ZPP \| ZDA \| ZCW \| Munich Build Retired: 2008, 2011, 2013 328xi
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03-19-2009, 09:23 AM	#6
nick6753 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 227 Posts Drives: 07 335i Coupe Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southeast iTrader: (1)	Yeah, my dealer only offered a shuttle ride.
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03-19-2009, 09:45 AM	#7
Aurora Bearialis ¡Barça! 168 Rep 12,042 Posts Drives: Rainbow Sandals Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [0.00]	I reckon I'll find out tomorrow... __________________ Tate's chicken sucks!
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03-19-2009, 09:52 AM	#8
methodtim Brigadier General 374 Rep 3,883 Posts Drives: Audi RS Q8 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Darkness there, and nothing more iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Audi RS Q8 [0.00] 2021 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2017 Toyota Tacoma [0.00]	I've taken two cars into two separate BMW dealerships for work in the last two months, with the most recent being two or three weeks ago. I didn't get a BMW loaner either time (grrr), but I wasn't charged for the Enterprise rental loaner (other than the stupid "upgrade" charge from a Dodge Avenger to a Pontiac Vibe). This whole charging for loaners thing, while a bit distasteful, is not really surprising. The Enterprise guy at one of the dealerships told me that they were trying everything to cut back costs and that I would have to confirm with my SA daily whether or not the dealership was going to cover the rental for that day. It was a bit of a pain to confirm over and over that I wouldn't have to pay (one of the repair jobs took four days to complete). __________________
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03-19-2009, 10:07 AM	#9
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	also, note that loaner policy is dealership and SA dependent. My SA hooked me up with a 323 loaner for an oil change. At another dealership, they only give out bimmer loaners to 'higher-end' clients, i.e. clients with Ms, 6s, 7s, and the lowly 3er owners get an Enterprise surprise car of the day. __________________
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03-19-2009, 11:04 AM	#10
mark1996 Private First Class 13 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 2015 320i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Seattle iTrader: (1)	My dealer provides free loaner cars(BMW of Seattle). My understanding is that the dealer is not required to provide loaner cars or a shuttle service. However, IMHO, charging a customer who forked over between $40k and $50k for a new car $25 or even $10 for a loaner car is just a bad business practice. I am sure that some bean counter computer whiz at the dealer came up with the idea of charging for the loaner cars: "let us see, 100 loaner cars at $25 a pop equals..." If I owned the dealership, I would not want to be pissing off my regular customers. This reminds me of the thread concerning the new practice of some dealers now charging to top off your oil between service intervals. Are these dealers really wanting us to buy our cars from out of state over the internet or do they want us to think " my local dealer wants me to pay $500 more for the car but they have always in past treated me right."( free top off of fluids and new wiper blades between service intervals, free loaner cars, being able to simply drop by the dealer without an appointment to have a tech look at a problem).
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03-19-2009, 11:16 AM	#11
TaTaToothy First Lieutenant 11 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 2006 330i and 2002 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (1)	My dealer always provides free loaners. They all seem to be stripped 328xis, which are not my favorite (no Sport package makes an enormous difference to the driving experience IMO), but they're free. __________________ 2006 330i - 6MT - Monaco Blue over black and burl walnut - Sport, Premium and Cold Weather packages and Comfort Access 2002 M3 - 6MT - Jet Black over black leather - Xenon, power seats and H/K - no sunroof
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03-19-2009, 11:17 AM	#12
StoneCold Captain 13 Rep 623 Posts Drives: BMW 2008 328i Coupe, Pro 02/08 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vancouver, WA iTrader: (1)	Oh wow......cost cutting everywhere
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03-19-2009, 11:19 AM	#14
The Cleaner Thats all you need to know. 43 Rep 1,188 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 , 2016 X5 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (2)	Loaners are free at my dealer provided you purchased the car from them. __________________ - M2 2018 LBB / Black - X5 F15 2016 Mineral White / Black 1981 Delorean number 6489
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03-19-2009, 11:30 AM	#15
5050punk Private First Class 26 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2016 Golf R, 2009 335xi Coupe Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kirkland, WA. iTrader: (0)	I haven't had to pay for one, but they did give me a POS Toyota Yaris hatchback last week instead of a BMW loaner.
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03-19-2009, 01:47 PM	#16
krispeee New Member 0 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Arctic Metalic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Signal Hill, CA iTrader: (1)	crevier bmw in santa ana, CA gives you free loaners now. I'm currently on my 3rd loaner in 2 months.
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03-19-2009, 01:49 PM	#17
Ray Member 306 Rep 22,825 Posts Drives: three series Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: sfCA iTrader: (0)	sign of the times
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03-19-2009, 02:34 PM	#18
Highflyr Captain 49 Rep 704 Posts Drives: 08 335i E90 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (3)	Still free here
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03-19-2009, 03:25 PM	#19
vAnt826 Major 63 Rep 1,417 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle iTrader: (3)	I hate it when they give out bare 328i sedans with heated seats. No premium or sport.
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