Rasmussen BMW sold

GregW / Oregon · 04-17-2011, 06:23 AM

After over 60 years of family ownership, Portland's Rasmussen BMW & Mini, along with their two Mercedes dealerships (Portland & Wilsonville) have been sold to Lithia Motors. Hope their service doesn't go downhill. I bought my first new BMW from them 38 years ago.

Coast ghost · 04-17-2011, 07:46 AM

I was thinking the same thing, I hope the employees don't lose there jobs, I've had good service there for many years.

tha_good_life · 04-17-2011, 11:25 AM

oh my

mact3333 · 04-20-2011, 12:21 AM

I actually knew this was going to happen many months ago...someone I know works for Lithia and told me it was a done deal.

I too hope their customer service doesnt go downhill, esp since I just got back into a BMW yet again.

mact3333 · 04-20-2011, 12:22 AM

Greg,

Do you ever go to any car meets or trackdays?...would like to hear your Eisenmann Exhaust.

I also considered your Dinan suspension but ended up going with Ground Control kit as they have camber plates with it.

Ty Vil · 04-20-2011, 06:35 PM

We're all still here to provide the same experience you've been accustomed to receiving.

In many ways I see this as a positive.

GregW / Oregon · 04-20-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ty Vil

We're all still here to provide the same experience you've been accustomed to receiving.

In many ways I see this as a positive.

In what ways? More resources? I worry once control moves out of the area it becomes just one of a chain of businesses to the ones running it.

Ty Vil · 04-20-2011, 06:56 PM

Technical support, resources and a plethora of other things that come with working under a larger umbrella.

L4ces · 04-24-2011, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ty Vil

Technical support, resources and a plethora of other things that come with working under a larger umbrella.

Is Lithia based out of Oregon?

993 911 · 04-25-2011, 05:43 AM

Their first few dealerships were in southern Oregon.

L4ces · 04-26-2011, 10:01 PM

Thanks 933 911,
They started in Ashland, Or.

http://www.lithiacareers.com/OurHistory.htm

jeremyw · 05-25-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ty Vil

Technical support, resources and a plethora of other things that come with working under a larger umbrella.

Hey Ty!! It's great to have you there at Lithia.

GregW / Oregon · 05-25-2011, 08:58 PM

A longtime employee I spoke with today says he has reservations. The transition planning was not as organized as he was hoping for such a large organization.

lux.sh · 05-28-2011, 01:10 AM

whoa, Rasmussen is gone? I bought my first bmw(the one im driving right now) there. Such a great experience. Made me feel totally different about driving a "car".

I really hope Rasmussen still maintain its fame. They were doing great in sales too I believe?

GregW / Oregon · 05-30-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lux.sh

whoa, Rasmussen is gone? I bought my first bmw(the one im driving right now) there. Such a great experience. Made me feel totally different about driving a "car".

I really hope Rasmussen still maintain its fame. They were doing great in sales too I believe?

I bought my first new BMW there in 1973! We can only hope Lithia keeps the good people and don't interfere too much.

avalon652 · 07-20-2011, 01:14 PM

So much for not changing much.....

since they have taken over I have noticed the place has become a ghost town for much of the week (at least when I've been in for service) and I have overheard service telling customers they can no longer top off the oil for vehicles that are still under warranty/free maintenance (i can't wait to hear this myself as my wife's 2011 X5 50 takes a quart every ~750 miles)...I also just learned that my SA was "let go" if you can put that "nicely"....Kuni has never given me the time of day and now Portland leaves a pretty bad taste in my mouth...so where now? I guess I need to give them a shot to treat me right but the bridge is burning....

GregW / Oregon · 07-20-2011, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avalon652

So much for not changing much.....

since they have taken over I have noticed the place has become a ghost town for much of the week (at least when I've been in for service) and I have overheard service telling customers they can no longer top off the oil for vehicles that are still under warranty/free maintenance (i can't wait to hear this myself as my wife's 2011 X5 50 takes a quart every ~750 miles)...I also just learned that my SA was "let go" if you can put that "nicely"....Kuni has never given me the time of day and now Portland leaves a pretty bad taste in my mouth...so where now? I guess I need to give them a shot to treat me right but the bridge is burning....

They dumped the detailer they'd been using (Uptown Auto Detail) and are charging $60/hr for some kid to do it in house.

lux.sh · 07-21-2011, 12:16 AM

damn... so what we worried about is now the reality, correct?

How about SA and technicians and stuff? Are they all the same?

Rasmussen was such a nice little dealership. I guess I won't be getting my next BMW there.

avalon652 · 07-21-2011, 09:20 AM

I know I have seen new faces; I think they brought the service manager from Kuni....and I have heard of others that will be leaving...1200 mile service in a few weeks so we'll see

GregW / Oregon · 07-29-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lux.sh

damn... so what we worried about is now the reality, correct?

Rasmussen was such a nice little dealership. I guess I won't be getting my next BMW there.

Guy I work with says his SA that he's dealt with for years is gone.

upmba1 · 07-30-2011, 10:54 AM

I had a fantastic 10K mile check just last week. Not sure what you saw, but the lobby was hopping with clients and service staff. I was greeted promptly, had a great conversation with my service manager, got a brand new 335 coupe as my loaner and got my car back in perfect shape. Everyone there seemed happy and positive.

Maybe your visit was during a transition period as the new management team was transitioning in? During an acquisition there will always be changes as you assimilate the new entity... losing a few people and cost cutting measures are expected.

GregW / Oregon · 07-31-2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upmba1

I had a fantastic 10K mile check just last week. Not sure what you saw, but the lobby was hopping with clients and service staff. I was greeted promptly, had a great conversation with my service manager, got a brand new 335 coupe as my loaner and got my car back in perfect shape. Everyone there seemed happy and positive.

Maybe your visit was during a transition period as the new management team was transitioning in? During an acquisition there will always be changes as you assimilate the new entity... losing a few people and cost cutting measures are expected.

Good to hear. I will avoid posting hearsay until I have more experience with them.

04-17-2011, 06:23 AM	#1
GregW / Oregon Commander-In-Chief 2101 Rep 8,911 Posts Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR iTrader: (3) Garage List 2023 M2 Coupe [9.83] 2020 Mercedes GLE 450 [7.25]	Rasmussen BMW sold After over 60 years of family ownership, Portland's Rasmussen BMW & Mini, along with their two Mercedes dealerships (Portland & Wilsonville) have been sold to Lithia Motors. Hope their service doesn't go downhill. I bought my first new BMW from them 38 years ago. __________________ Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA 2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
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04-17-2011, 07:46 AM	#2
Coast ghost FoxRed/Extended/CarbonLeather/CarbonRoof/Comp/Tech 14 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2011 AW M3 Coupe Dinan Exh 6sp Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oregon Coast,02,330i,Mcoupe,03 Dinan S-2 M3 all sold iTrader: (1)	I was thinking the same thing, I hope the employees don't lose there jobs, I've had good service there for many years.
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04-17-2011, 11:25 AM	#3
tha_good_life Brigadier General 376 Rep 4,089 Posts Drives: 21 X6MC Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle iTrader: (22) Garage List 2021 BMW X6MC [10.00] 2010 BMW M3 [8.68]	oh my
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04-20-2011, 12:21 AM	#4
mact3333 Captain 121 Rep 876 Posts Drives: 16' YMB/Blk F82 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Portland Area iTrader: (1)	I actually knew this was going to happen many months ago...someone I know works for Lithia and told me it was a done deal. I too hope their customer service doesnt go downhill, esp since I just got back into a BMW yet again.
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04-20-2011, 12:22 AM	#5
mact3333 Captain 121 Rep 876 Posts Drives: 16' YMB/Blk F82 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Portland Area iTrader: (1)	Greg, Do you ever go to any car meets or trackdays?...would like to hear your Eisenmann Exhaust. I also considered your Dinan suspension but ended up going with Ground Control kit as they have camber plates with it.
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04-20-2011, 06:35 PM	#6
Ty Vil Captain 31 Rep 913 Posts Drives: ///M4 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Scottsdale, AZ (by way of Portland, OR) iTrader: (0)	We're all still here to provide the same experience you've been accustomed to receiving. In many ways I see this as a positive.
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04-20-2011, 06:56 PM	#8
Ty Vil Captain 31 Rep 913 Posts Drives: ///M4 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Scottsdale, AZ (by way of Portland, OR) iTrader: (0)	Technical support, resources and a plethora of other things that come with working under a larger umbrella.
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04-25-2011, 05:43 AM	#10
993 911 Captain 47 Rep 882 Posts Drives: Z3M, F31, G07 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	Their first few dealerships were in southern Oregon.
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04-26-2011, 10:01 PM	#11
L4ces Major 337 Rep 1,489 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Alpine White Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NJ - NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Thanks 933 911, They started in Ashland, Or. http://www.lithiacareers.com/OurHistory.htm
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05-25-2011, 08:58 PM	#13
GregW / Oregon Commander-In-Chief 2101 Rep 8,911 Posts Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR iTrader: (3) Garage List 2023 M2 Coupe [9.83] 2020 Mercedes GLE 450 [7.25]	Lithia transition A longtime employee I spoke with today says he has reservations. The transition planning was not as organized as he was hoping for such a large organization. __________________ Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA 2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
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05-28-2011, 01:10 AM	#14
lux.sh missing two turbos. 577 Rep 4,859 Posts Drives: fast around corners. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Curves iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 330i [0.00]	whoa, Rasmussen is gone? I bought my first bmw(the one im driving right now) there. Such a great experience. Made me feel totally different about driving a "car". I really hope Rasmussen still maintain its fame. They were doing great in sales too I believe? __________________ 06 AW E90 330i ZPP/ZSP/Step/Expired Warranty : Prior Design Front : ACS Rear : ACS Roof : BlackLines : Simota Intake : Carbon Fiber Interior Trim : : MTEC V3 : 24% Charcoal : V1 Hardwired : Solaris Invisibulbs/LED interior :
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07-20-2011, 01:14 PM	#16
avalon652 Private First Class 37 Rep 119 Posts Drives: Soon to be 2024 X7 M60i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	So much for not changing much..... since they have taken over I have noticed the place has become a ghost town for much of the week (at least when I've been in for service) and I have overheard service telling customers they can no longer top off the oil for vehicles that are still under warranty/free maintenance (i can't wait to hear this myself as my wife's 2011 X5 50 takes a quart every ~750 miles)...I also just learned that my SA was "let go" if you can put that "nicely"....Kuni has never given me the time of day and now Portland leaves a pretty bad taste in my mouth...so where now? I guess I need to give them a shot to treat me right but the bridge is burning....
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07-21-2011, 12:16 AM	#18
lux.sh missing two turbos. 577 Rep 4,859 Posts Drives: fast around corners. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Curves iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 330i [0.00]	damn... so what we worried about is now the reality, correct? How about SA and technicians and stuff? Are they all the same? Rasmussen was such a nice little dealership. I guess I won't be getting my next BMW there. __________________ 06 AW E90 330i ZPP/ZSP/Step/Expired Warranty : Prior Design Front : ACS Rear : ACS Roof : BlackLines : Simota Intake : Carbon Fiber Interior Trim : : MTEC V3 : 24% Charcoal : V1 Hardwired : Solaris Invisibulbs/LED interior :
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07-21-2011, 09:20 AM	#19
avalon652 Private First Class 37 Rep 119 Posts Drives: Soon to be 2024 X7 M60i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	I know I have seen new faces; I think they brought the service manager from Kuni....and I have heard of others that will be leaving...1200 mile service in a few weeks so we'll see
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07-30-2011, 10:54 AM	#21
upmba1 New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 e93 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	I had a fantastic 10K mile check just last week. Not sure what you saw, but the lobby was hopping with clients and service staff. I was greeted promptly, had a great conversation with my service manager, got a brand new 335 coupe as my loaner and got my car back in perfect shape. Everyone there seemed happy and positive. Maybe your visit was during a transition period as the new management team was transitioning in? During an acquisition there will always be changes as you assimilate the new entity... losing a few people and cost cutting measures are expected.
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