Specialist Cars Reviews 

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Review:
Took my 4 series for a service at Berkhamsted dealership having been advised on the phone that the cost would be around £380 as it needed an oil change. On arrive told that it need some additional items which was going to cost another £300 on top. I don’t appreciate being ambushed. If the true cost had been discussed then I would have spoken to a few main dealers before booking in. No major parts needed, but it appears it cost over £200 to change 4 spark plugs! To top it all the car didn’t even get cleaned! Small discount as an apology. But on arrival home noted they’d charged us to reduce the excess on the courtesy car when we’d expressly said we didn’t want to. Won’t be going back.

Excellent, friendly and professional service from Ellie, starting from initial inquiry over the phone until the very end when we picked up our new X3 M sport.
Ellie managed to make it a very special experience, despite having to follow all the new strict Covid19 health and safety restrictions.
We recommend BMW Specialist Cars Luton, and we will be going back for our next car purchase.

Given the wrong information for something that should be fairly basic, purchased a 430d with a 5yr/60k service pack.
Was advised service cannot be carried out due to the vehicles I-control stating it isn’t due, although vehicle mileage is fairly close to 60k I then get told if your vehicle goes over 60k I will have to pay for the service ( what is the point in having a service plan in that case)??
Spoke with an advisor who said if I booked the car in with them for something else they would be able to get around the servicing issue to which I thought great news!
So today 11-01-2021 car goes in as planned all be it I was advised the car would be collected first thing in the morning between 8am and 8:30am only for me to call and chase and the car not to be collected until nearly 10am.
I then get a phone call mid day to advise me that they cannot now carry out the service as the vehicle isn’t due and that they cannot find a fault with my brakes to which was the additional work that needed to be carried out.
After today I would not use this garage again to get my vehicle serviced as the communication so far has been poor from a premium brand.

Booked a service over two months in advance, left the car with bmw Stevenage at 9am at the opening time. 4pm I get a call, oops we are running late hence you havent heard from us yet, if you wish your car will be ready tomorrow. No, I want my car ready today not tomorrow, which is why I booked well in advance and told you I need it back the same day. 17:30 still no call back, and considering they shut at 6pm I got my wife to drive me there. My car still on the ramp and nobody knows why its not ready. Wait here I am told, only to be sitting there another 20 min with nobody as much as trying to tell me what is going on. Come 6pm, some staff start leaving the stations so I walk to the receptionist and demand to know where is my car, 10 min later its finally appearing outside, at which point I am told, sorry we cant print your invoice, our printer doesnt work. I have been avoiding this dealership for number of years due to similar incompetence I received from them back then. I see nothing changed, lazy, incompetent, unhelpful customer service which I will sure to keep myself and my cars away from!!!

Terrible experience when buying a new car. The service I received was terrible. Very poor communication and expectation setting with lead times. Terrible communication between Mini Finance and Specialist cars - so bad, that I ended up resolving it myself! I emailed afterwards to complain and no one even acknowledged my complaint! I would not recommend Specialist Cares Stevenage.

The response provided by the company clearly demonstrates that they did not read my email of complaint as the issue was nothing to do with a test drive or related to COVID in any way. Just another example of the poor customer service delivered by this company.

Specialist Cars Tring, excellent service, collected and dropped off car. Kept me updated with progress and when I should expect the works to be completed.

Specialist Cars Stevenage:
I took my wife's 3 seires in for a wakeup check and MOT the car was sluggish and would struggle to accelerate, they did the wakeup check and MOT passed then they proceeded to identify parts that had nothing to do with acceleration issues and £600+ bill and a month later I collected the car in a worse condition than when I took it in. The acceleration problem remains, the power steering has now stopped working and christmas has come early as the cockpit is lit up like a christmas tree. They are hopeless at diagnosing issues and the goto repair is to replace the battery in the first place.
Having seen the standard responce from Specialist Cars Marketing on previous reviews I had emailed them prior to posting the review so do not be fooled in thinking they have responded they have not it is a ploy to have the last word which seems sympathethic.

Bought 2 cars at Stevenage BMW in 3 years, not appropriate return business. Bought a new car and is now under 2 years old, battery drained flat. Was blamed driving too many short journeys, and won’t cover under warranty. Too many excuses used. Courtesy car taken back before my car fixes, left me no car and inconvenience. Made complaint but no further response. Such an arrogant business, premium price offered poor services.

43% bad ratings I see and a new one from me today to add to the growing list for Specialist Cars Luton.
After negotiating on APR and then on cost, I was told the I3 I was buying had two types of charging cables and in immaculate condition, even sent a video to prove that!
I was then made aware it was a mistake with the two charging cables coupled with scuffs on the alloys which were originally not on the video.
To make the customer journey even better, I recieved a call from a very arrogant chap called Rob who asked me why I was buying a vehicle from them if it wasn't satisfactory and that I had choices. He actually told me not to but it?!
I asked him if that is how he treats all his customers to which i had no reply. I reminded him the car was immaculate in the video and all of a sudden its not so why would I pay the same amount and to repair the magically appeared damage. Nope, they did not want to entertain this and made me feel as if I'm in the wrong.
I have made a formal complaint to BMW head office and do not reccomend anyone to do business with a franchise who says one thing and then does/delivers another.

Specialist Cars Stevenage - Warranty Check
Very poor communication prior, during and after booking. Wrong information given, concerns mainly ignored. Car at dealership 2 hours, in service bay 19 minutes.
I completed the BMW survey noting some of the problems and put in a complaint to BMW UK. No response from dealership for complaint but a call today regarding the negative survey.
On discussing some of my issues I was told BMW UK only allocate 12 minutes for the warranty check. The poor information I was given was based on some training issues as a result of lockdown. The check and erratic recording on my brakes and tyres are based on the check being done with wheels off on main service and on during warranty check. My concern was that my brakes and tyres appear to be growing tread and pad thickness.
One of the agreed warranty issues was to replace badges on boot and bonnet. I requested the parts as I have no confidence in the dealership fitting them. Dealership stated this could not be done as BMW UK insist the work is carried out in the dealership. The gentleman I spoke today was polite and acted in a professional manor, but I'm not convinced with the explanations.
I wouldn't go to this dealership for screen wash, so the thought of the possibility of a trainee with a sharp object trying to beat the dealership time record on badge removel doesn't really appeal.

Specialistcars - Tring

Wow so they requested I pay for a warranty job and claim the money back from the original dealership I purchased the car from.

Is this really the way BMW want the franchises to operate? Will not be visiting again or buying another BMW if this is the case.

Still haven’t received a refund from the other dealership (stratstone-Derby)

Not happy I am the one doing the legwork here for a refund.

This was our second visit to Specialist Cars and I can only recommend highly the customer service. The latest transaction was a replacement car and it was dealt with professionally and in a very friendly manner.
Having dealt with corporate franchises in the past who do not want to know you once you've paid up this was a very refreshing experience. Thanks Umesh!

Cannot recommend Lee Wadsworth from Stevenage branch Highly enough. Fantastic customer service! Sorted me a brilliant car that I thought I couldn’t have as previous messages to colleagues that I didn’t think I would be able to upgrade my car and stay with BMW were dismissed!
Few teething problems with car but all being sorted and nothing too much trouble for Lee.

Firstly, I would like to thank 'Ellie' who was one of the BMW Sales Executives in Luton for working so hard to allow me to get the car I thought I would never have. Combined with a wealth of knowledge, professionalism and genuinely a lovely person, Ellie was a star throughout the whole process. From the moment I walked onto the forecourt of 'Specialist Cars' in Luton I was greeted with smiles. Within 5 minutes of browsing I found the car that I wanted. However, it was a little over my budget but nevertheless I couldn't stop looking at it. I was approached shortly afterwards and asked if I needed any help. I stated that I really liked this particular car but the price was too high me. However, I couldn't walk away and stood there trying to workout the finances in my head to somehow make things happen. I was asked if I wanted to have a look around the car and take it for a drive. I accepted the offer and off I went. After the drive I was now adamant that I had to have this car. Even though I thought I couldn't justify having this car, Ellie worked out away for me to financially afford the car, pay less monthly and eventually own it. I was very impressed with the whole setup at Luton and the professional conduct of all the staff. I was treated very well and couldn't fault their service. Well done to all at 'Specialist Cars' Luton and thank you.

My past experience with car dealerships and particularly after sales care has been pretty poor over the years. However I bought my BMW from Specialist Cars in Tring 3 years ago and I have to say everything from the initial purchase right through to coming in for service and any other issues since then has been excellent. Feels like a tightly run ship with a good service culture. First time in 30 years of buying cars that I can say that so credit where it’s due!

Awful experience. They will do everything for you until you become a customer and then you try to get hold of them!! Won't happen.
I spent £80k + on my new BMW X5. The digital key (card) never worked from day 1. I went to the Stevenage showroom from where I bought my vehicle, I was told they will speak to the relevant department and will get back to me and they never did that. After 2 reminders they replied to my email and by that time they had taken 2 months. Now I am relocating and I have to start the process again with the showroom close to me.

AND this is not the only instance, immediately after buying my vehicle I had requested Advanced Car Eye dashcam fitting but they never paid any heed.

The same thing happened when I had reported technical bugs in the car where some features of connected apps were not working, and it is still not working.
I don't want to spend more time writing about these people.

Usual good service fell apart this time - tried to phone service 3 times without response and resorted to calling 'new car sales'!
Other than that, all fine.

My manual E92 BMW M3 coupe is my pride and joy.
I bought it new in 2008.
My car has only been maintained and serviced by Specialist Cars in Tring.
I have completed over 207,000 miles.
The environment and the team, from reception to service, parts and sales are unfailingly polite, friendly, knowledgable and professional.
I had experienced warning lights come on indicating 'engine temperature is too high' and to drive moderately until seen by a dealer.
In 2019, I had the same warning message. I was still on the original battery and alternator!
They gave up the ghost and everything was sorted.
This time, after removing the gearbox, they discovered some coolant pipes were broken.
The job of removing the gearbox is a significant one.
James and the Team could not believe that the clutch and flywheel were original!
it made sense to change these items and my car was restored to rude health.
Thank you guys for treating me with courtesy, respect, professionalism and friendliness.

Went to view a car at Kirkcaldy Specialist Cars, which was a three hour round trip, to find they had stuck another £2000 on the price.
The car had been advertised on both their own website and Autotrader at £9995 for 4 days when it came to my attention.
I spoke to Carly the evening before the viewing, when it was still £9995, she didn't mention any price change. On the morning of the viewing she called me to confirm the viewing, knowing i was coming a considerable distance, again no mention of the price going up £2000.
A disgrace. Waste of time, money and reputation down the pan.