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| - This review is primarily of the service department, and will then move to the management at Chapman BMW.
I dropped off my 2007 335i with an erratic oil temperature gauge. They called me to inform me that my 2 month old battery was bad and needed to be replaced, along with an IBS sensor to get a good computer scan. I informed them my battery was only 2 months old and they basically said it was still bad. I said that was strange since I have never had a slow crank or any symptoms of a bad battery, and they provided no battery test evidence. I told them if that was the case I would have to get it warrantied. They removed my battery which I took to Autozone and they said it was low at 11 volts, and to come back in 45 minutes for a test. The test came back good at 13 volts and they unfortunately could not warranty a good battery.
I took this battery back to the dealership the same day with the paperwork of the actual testing performed, not just the word of Autozone. Chapman BMW then called me back to tell me that they had put the battery back in and performed a scan, I now needed a water pump, thermostat, and low fuel pressure sensor. I asked how any of that related to my oil temperature gauge and they said the water pump was making my oil temperature gauge erratic.
The costs for the repair were getting out of hand so I decided to retrieve my car from Chapman BMW. At this point I discovered that they were intent on charging me for the misdiagnosis of my battery. I called and spoke with the service manager who told me "we don't charge batteries, we replace them", as well as "at the end of the day my techs gotta get paid". There was much more to the exchange but it was laughable. Obviously I realized my mistake of taking my vehicle to Chapman BMW after the we don't charge batteries we replace them exchange.
Unfortunately pursuing any legal action would end up costing more than to pay for the misdiagnosed repairs, even though I did not receive a new battery. I ended up paying all the charges, and it was an exchange that was nothing but headache. I also never had a loaner vehicle.
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