BMW Service in Ft. Meyers, Florida

[The Velvet Monkey]

Does anyone have any recommendations or critiques of the service department at BMW of Ft. Meyers?

Although an hour away, I'm thinking about giving them a go.

Thanks to all.

[Beemeridian]

87

[Sunbeemer]

Beemridian- If you dealt with the guys at Barney's in St. Pete, you should know they no longer are a BMW dealer, although I'm sure they'd fix one. Pretty ok folks, have bought some things there a time or two.
Velvet Monkey- Fortunately I have been able to do all the servicing necessary myself, or I probably would have taken it up to Odessa to BMW of Tampa. Bought some parts from them a few times -- good guys in the parts department at least, but like I said, I haven't needed to service anything there in two years (knock on wood!), so I can't vouch for their service department, yet.

[Beemeridian]

675

[12bar1]

I bought two bikes from the Ft. Myers dealership but have had all my service done at Hap's. They have been more than fair with me and the service work has been excelent. I traded in my wife's F650CS on an 05 R1150R at Haps and the sales team was great also. Everyone has different experiences and expectations with dealerships. Last year I was on a business trip in Ft. Myers and called to see if they could fit me in sometime in the next day or two for some new tires but they said no. I ended up going there anyway with my friend I had ridden down there with to look a used bike he was interested in. We spent about 4 hours there while he bought the used bike so I wandered into the service department to inquire about tires again. There were no bikes being serviced and none lined up for service so I asked if they had Z6's in stock and if they could mount a set while I was there. Their answer was yes they have them in stock and "naw not today". I kind of felt like after spending $20K on two bikes and bringing some one there that spent $8K they could have made time to sell me some tires. On the other hand I have shown up at Hap's on a Friday afternoon before a holiday with a nail in my tire and they took care of me. Maybe I have just been lucky with one dealership and caught the other on a bad day.

[Beemeridian]

546

[The Velvet Monkey]

Thanks for all your replies.

I've had good and not so good experiences at Haps. I became concerned about their service quality when I perfomed my 12k service, after I had them do the one at 6k. When perfoming my TB sync, I discovered that the throttle cables on both throttles were so tight that they were off their stops. I don't know how Haps could have performed a TB sync--although I paid for it--with the cables in this state. When I completed my TB sync, I took the bike for a test ride and almost cried--it was like a completely new bike. I had evidently ridden for 6k (possibly more), with horribly out-of-tune TBs, not knowing any different. I've also had good service from their technician Karl, whose since left, and been treated well by Bob, the service manager. But I never get over the feeling that at Haps, even although they sell BMWs, that I'm bringing my BMW to a Honda service department.

I bought my bike at Eurocycles of Tampa Bay in Odessa (great experience) but their service department always seems to be overwhelmed with business, particularly on Saturdays, my only day to make the trip. I highly recommend their parts department, which is staffed by excellent and knowledgable guys.

If Ft. Meyers had an excellent service department, I'd be willing to make the trip south as I really need to have my ABS brake system bled and whatnot. 12bar1's experience doesn't bode well and stinks of seriously poor (to no) customer service to a good customer. Nothing pisses me off more that wanting to give my business, and money, to a business that doesn't want or need it. Maybe I should tackle it myself and save a little green, although it seems like a complicated procedure. If I chicken out, it seems like Eurocycles is my best bet.

[12bar1]

I did not know Karl was gone, he was not the most talkative person but an excelent wrench. I have done a few minor service items to my bike like oil change and TB sync and would like to take on the valve adjustment one day but haven't gotten the nerve yet. If you decide to service the bike yourself and want company let me know. I don't have much experience but have found an extra set of hands usefull on ocassion.

[The Velvet Monkey]

Thanks a lot, 12bar1. I might take you up on your offer and I'll extend my own. I've done two valve adjustments on my own bike, so if you'd ever like to take that on, I can go through one with you. It's really much easier than you'd think--it's just tedious--and it makes such a big difference when you follow it with a TB sync.

[Parkblu]

Velvet Monkey,

I rode over from Fort Lauderdale to Fort Myers earlier this year because my local dealer was booked to the gills, and I was very happy with them.

Would I go again? Yes, certainly.

Let me know if you need more 411.

[The Velvet Monkey]

Thanks, Parkblu, I think I'm going to give a try.

[Parkblu]

Let me know how you fared.

PS: "Liesl" says hello to "Heidi"

(This morning I was thinking about a poll of sorts for S. Florida BMW shops, dealer or not, based on
* quality of performed work
* knowledge (get it right first time)
* cost
* ease of scheduling appointment
* friendlyness
I think I'll post that and see if we get any responses.)

[H8terboi]

Just moved to the Tampa Bay area and looking for the elusive Tampa Bay BMW Riders group. Tired of riding with the harleys that are so abundant down here. I heard that they meet at the Country Skillet for breakfast on Sundays. Anyone heard of them? Anyone want to start our own West Coast FL rider group? Email if you are interested "[email protected]"

Also keep me posted on where to take the bike for servicing as I will need to do my 6K in a couple of months.

[12bar1]

There are a couple of BMW riders groups in the area. The Sunbeemers are based out of Hap's Cycle sales in Bradenton and this is their web site http://www.floridasunbeemers.com/ there are other groups out of the Ft. Myers shop, Euro Cycles in Tampa and a club in St. Pete.

[RideandDrive]

I'm using Fort Myers right now to rectify my transmission leak problem. While not perfect, they are more personable to me than 441 cycle over in Plantation.

[RatBastard217]

I bought my bike from Ft Myers. My experience has been hit or miss with them. Mostly hit. I took my leaking gas line clamps to them twice and they didnt fix them correctly. I took it to Haps on the 3rd try and they didt get it either. On the 4th try I asked them to use the screw type. They did so. I dont know if it was authorized by BMW of not.

While going thru the fuel line fiasco, Ft Myers did replace my gearbox under warranty. The 1st leak had stained the case. Apparently its easier to replace the whole gearbox instead of the casing.