I'm not going to debate the cars as the forum has done that several times. However, I haven't seen anyone compare BMW to Infiniti's service. If anyone has gone from a BMW to a Infiniti can you share your experience with BMW's customer service and how it compares to Infiniti's. I've read several post complaining about Infiniti's service, but no comparisons yet.

 

I've had poor customer service with BMW. My sister owns a bimmer and her service lights continues to pop up for no apparent reason. BMW simply states something is wrong with the light each time. I honestly can't vouch BMW's service generally. I personally like Infiniti's service better even though it's not that great as well.

 

I don't know from personal experience, but my bro and my parents have bimmers and there are a couple of dealerships close by their home that really suck @$$ and are very stuck up including the sales staff. My bro just got another BMW at a dealer further away and they were great. I guess it just depends on location.

 

I'm on G35X #2 and wife has an 04 530i. The only dealership in Indy sells both Infiniti and BMW (and VW I think). However, they have separate sales areas, service depts, service advisors, etc.

In general I've been very happy with the Infiniti service. They are always treat me like I'm a millionaire, Infiniti service advisor (John) always asks how my daughter is, if I'm having any issues, do I want a soda, is it ok if we wash your car when we're done, etc, and I only go in 2-3x/year. I bought first G35X from them, the second from their sister dealership in Indy, but they always give me loaners when possible (usually G35s, once an FX). Going to them is like going to fancy hotel where you are treated like a star. Of course, all of this is not free. 15K service + tire balance was $379 . . .

For oil changes, I am doing synthetic every 6K miles. started with Mobil 1; last one changed to German Castrol Syntec. Knock wood (or engine), no oil burning issues. I get these done at a local garage, mom-pop setup with excellent reputation, have used them for previous cars, buy my own oil and they charge something like $20?? (I forget, cuz usually I have them do something else as well - snow tires on, or something). No free soda, but they treat me well, ask about family, and let me in the shop so basically I spend 2 hours chatting with them and watching everything while they work on the car. THey're like a bed-breakfast that treats you like family.

sorry, got off topic. Wife says she is very happy with BMW service, and she is very picky. She had a scratch on the wood trim on her dashboard. (This when the car is 2 years old). She called them and they said if it was a scratch (by us), we could pay to repair or replace, but if it was workmanship, they would get head people involved,etc. and possibly replace. She brought the car in (for other maint stuff), and they buffed it out for free! Not only do the address even the tiniest requests, but they also treat her very well. They either give her a loaner or more often drop her and baby and stroller off at the mall in her car (no car seat issue then) and then pick her up when they're done. She's always impressed about how the service guy will help her with the baby and stroller and assorted gear.

Again, different service people/depts, but all in the same building. I think service experience is really dealer dependent, and we are lucky to have a dealer with excellent service.

Have not dealt with Infiniti service (like regional or national level), thank God. When the wife had the dashboard scratch, she posted on BMW forums and was contacted by national BMW service. National level person kept in touch over time with my wife, and when our daughter was born several months later, sent us a BMW baby bib and teddy bear! I have never seen such customer service anywhere!

hope this helps, Kash

 

I heard it really depends on the stealership. Infiniti has HORRIBLE customer service in my area.

 

I've had good and bad experiences with BMW dealerships. ie - the one near my house is crappy but the one near work is perfect. They even found ways to cheat the warranty even after the fact it expired. I only take my G' to one dealer and they've been pretty good so far.

 

Don't really know about the BMW service, but last Saturday before we bought the G35, we visited Elmhurst BMW and told the salesman we were looking at Infiniti also. After our offer for a 325i demo, he told us maybe we should go with the Infiniti. They wanted Invoice + 900 for a 2006 demo with 6k on the odometer and wouldn't negotiate.

 

Varies by locale. I can tell you the biggest Bimmer dealer in the Central Valley (CA) has scared off many potential or return customers. Others in the Bay Area have told me some suck just as bad. Have not heard any negatives about Fresno Infiniti.

 

south motors bmw/mini in Miami, FL has the worst service department in the world!!!!!!!!!!

 

infiniti @ cerritos, ca is almost the same as nissan, honda, or toyota service.
BMW is much better in southern california.

 

My local BMW dealer (Peter Pan in San Mateo, CA) is absolutely pathetic. Their salesman, customer service and auto care departments are ludicrously inept. My two local Infiniti dealers, however, are fairly good. I've heard the opposite many times though, so it really does depend on location.

 

my sister has a bmw and from what ive seen, bmw service is fairly terrible.

 

I think that statement sums it up. Both Infiniti and BMW are considered "premium" brands and thus strive for a higher level of service and satisfaction. However, it ultimately comes down to the people at each location. My last car was a Mitsubishi and the service department at the dealership I went to was very good. Luckily, my Infiniti dealer is also great and i enjoy all of the extra perks of it being a premium brand.

 

I have to admit, South Bay Infiniti in Torrance, CA isn't half bad. So far, they offered some perks when I didn't ask (free first oil change even though I bought mine at Glendale), they always try and make things right (especially if it is there fault). So far, they scratch my bumper (they repainted it and did a decent job and got rid of the rock chips), scratch my rim (fixed it and I can't even find the spot where they fixed it), free detail job for all the times they tried and couldn't fix my squeaky seat (they ended up replacing it and it is still a little squeaky when I get out of the seat), and even gave me a free bottle of water (Aquafina). All the same, they always made sure I got a loaner and at least a quarter tank of gas for the day or more if I have to keep the loaner longer. One time, they went out and filled it up to 3/4 full before I left. The Nissan dealership near me, well they aren't bad but I always seem to be waiting a long time for anything so having a loaner is a definite plus. I'm not saying they are perfect, but they do strive to make things pleasant and that is all I can ask of them.

 

I heard bad things about BMWs customer service.

My Mercedes service experience was good.

and my Lexus service experience was phenomenal, they would trump everyone in my book.

Infiniti was right there with Mercedes, they were good but not as good as Lexus!