Houston guys: SA recommendation @ Advantage Midtown?

[BCA]

I've used Momentum on 59 since 2004 and had a great SA there (Shef) but I have had some bad experiences (caused by the techs) and when they botched my 1200-mile service, that was the last straw. Advantage Midtown is close to where I live, so I plan to try them the next time I need service. I won't be getting free loaners anywhere in Houston anyway since I bought my car in Ft. Worth.

For those of you that have used Advantage Midtown, who is your Service Advisor and would you recommend him/her? I saw Frank's recommendation of Honza and I guess I'll try him unless someone else has someone that they use and like. A friend of mine recommended Al. Anyone used him?

Thanks!

[Golgothar]

That sucks man and Shef IS awesome.

Good luck with Advantage but i used to use them when i lived downtown and i had some HORRIBLE experiences with them as it seemed everytime i took my vehicle there it was always delivered to me waaay later than promised.

Worst part was no one ever bothered to call me to tell me it was going to be late! I mean i can totally understand that they are small and would get swamped but have the courtesy to call and tell me your running late dont waste my time

Eitherway good luck and hope you find someone you like there!

[JC919]

I use Brian King b/c my dad has used him for years. He's not the best at calling back, but all in all he's worked really hard at getting BMW to approve warranty stuff that I want done (ie, new rotors and pads).

Having said this, I've had some infuriating issues with Advantage techs. They cracked off the black plastic on the front bumper and put the wrong fluid in my dad's M5 tranny (big issue).

I don't get a free loaner either, b/c I got my car out of state. So lame that your treated differently for finding a better deal.

[BCA]

Thanks for the suggestions. Man, it seems like you can't get reliably good service anywhere. It sounds like Advantage is no better than anywhere else and the late delivery issues could be big in my case because I'll likely be paying for a rental/loaner while my car's in shop. Hmmm. I'd be tempted to just stick with Momentum if I hadn't gotten so pissed at them (Svc Managers were involved) that I fear someone would abuse my car if I took it back there now.

[Golgothar]

Originally Posted by BCA

Thanks for the suggestions. Man, it seems like you can't get reliably good service anywhere. It sounds like Advantage is no better than anywhere else and the late delivery issues could be big in my case because I'll likely be paying for a rental/loaner while my car's in shop. Hmmm. I'd be tempted to just stick with Momentum if I hadn't gotten so pissed at them (Svc Managers were involved) that I fear someone would abuse my car if I took it back there now.

I understand 100% how you feel. To be honest ive had some "issues" with Momentum SW service as well (had to take my car there 2 times to get them to replace my i-pod cable and to upgrade my DCT software..annoying) but those have been annoyances not major issues imo and the reason i stay with them is simple:

1) My SA always calls me if my vehicle is completed early or late.
2) My SA treats me great when im there, always has a loaner if he thinks it will take more than the day i drop off the car to complete the service etc.
3) My SA is Jerry Baker so feel free to try him if you decide to go back to Momentum SW. Feel free tell him Mike with the 08 Sparkling Graphite M3 recommended him if you like!

In the end the price the dealership gives you on your M is nice (Though on a new M the price is usually very close from dealer to dealer) but imo NOT the reason you chose a dealership, for me it's about how they treat you and your car AFTER they have your money/make the sale.

Best of luck with whomever you chose to go with!

BTW the one dealerships service department i would recommend staying away from is BMW West (Katy Freeway) i live like 5 minutes from them @ Memorial and Hwy 6 but i drive to Momentum SW for any/all issues regarding my BMW.

[Nawaaz]

I hate dealerships.....Period.

[BCA]

Originally Posted by Nawaaz

I hate dealerships.....Period.

Seriously...me too! Now I need to schedule an appt (got DSC/engine malfunction twice over the weekend on cold starts) and don't know where to go. I'm worried that I may be "blacklisted" at my old dealership but am hesitant to go anywhere else. Crap.

[Swinn]

I had the same DSC malfunction also and took my car to Momentum West. They did fix the idle valve but then I had a strange noise from the engine, which they said it was the air pump. Either way, I do have a good SA and he does take care of me. His name is Huy Nguyen and tell him Steve, with the white E90 M3, sent you.

[BCA]

Thanks again for the suggestions. I'm going back to Momentum SW...made an appt today and my SA is giving me a loaner. He said I'm definitely not blacklisted for my angry rant and also mentioned that the tech who overfilled my engine at the 1200-mile service was suspended for a week afterwards. That seems fair...I didn't want to get the guy fired or anything.

Originally Posted by Swinn

I had the same DSC malfunction also and took my car to Momentum West. They did fix the idle valve but then I had a strange noise from the engine, which they said it was the air pump. Either way, I do have a good SA and he does take care of me. His name is Huy Nguyen and tell him Steve, with the white E90 M3, sent you.

Thanks for the info. Based on what I've read, the idle control valve seems most likely to be the culprit. If not that, then the intake hose or the fuel rails. Hopefully they'll get it fixed on the first attempt and that'll be the end of it.

[stybun]

Hey guys... apologies in advance for the blatant thread jacking (just registered and can't use the PM system yet). I've got myself in a situation where I need to get my windshield replaced pretty quickly on my e46. I saw your previous posts, and it looked like you might know someone that will do a quality job in Houston. I really love my car and I just want it done right!

When I've had to go to the dealership, I used Advantage in Clear Lake and my SA was Zeke. He was really nice, but that didn't seem help with getting my alternator and starter replaced for a resonable price, lol. That's my attempt at something relevant to the thread.

Thanks for any help you can offer on my windshield!

[BCA]

You could try calling a guy named James at 713-922-3404. I think his business name is Sunshine Glass. He has replaced several BMW windshields for me and does work for many of the dealers around town including Momentum BMW on 59 (that's how I found him). He used to offer "come to your home or office" service but he told me a couple years ago that he's too busy to do that anymore, so you might have to go through the Momentum service dept. I still use Shef there but for just a windshield replacement, any SA should be able to help you.

[///M Ryder]

Originally Posted by BCA

You could try calling a guy named James at 713-922-3404. I think his business name is Sunshine Glass. He has replaced several BMW windshields for me and does work for many of the dealers around town including Momentum BMW on 59 (that's how I found him). He used to offer "come to your home or office" service but he told me a couple years ago that he's too busy to do that anymore, so you might have to go through the Momentum service dept. I still use Shef there but for just a windshield replacement, any SA should be able to help you.

Bump for James...he changed my window on my 650i and did a great job. Came to my home and did it........Phil

[tinpot]

This is a revived thread but I'm going to stick to my guns: I hate dealerships

For the past year I've been getting all my work done at Driver Source including simple work such as oil changes.

[Kayani_1]

I have had great experience with Juan.

[TxFeatFan]

Originally Posted by tinpot

For the past year I've been getting all my work done at Driver Source including simple work such as oil changes.

Do they give out free loaners?

[frankzlin79]

Originally Posted by tinpot

This is a revived thread but I'm going to stick to my guns: I hate dealerships

For the past year I've been getting all my work done at Driver Source including simple work such as oil changes.

That's because you don't want the dealer to wipe out your tune ha! I love(d) getting free oil changes and free maintenance.

[trick000]

I had someone named Chris at advantage midtown and he was awful. I think he got fired though. My new SA seems good. His name is Dennis.

[BCA]

It's amazing how this old thread has been revived. I started it about a year ago. No need for additional responses but feel free to chime in if you want...

I ended up going back to Shef at Momentum SW. I've been there a few times in the last year (for idle valve replacement, A/C issues and oil change), and all is well. The work of the techs still may not be perfect but that's out of Shef's control and he is as good as an SA can possibly get, so that helps a lot.

[TxFeatFan]

Originally Posted by BCA

It's amazing how this old thread has been revived. I started it about a year ago. No need for additional responses but feel free to chime in if you want...

I ended up going back to Shef at Momentum SW. I've been there a few times in the last year (for idle valve replacement, A/C issues and oil change), and all is well. The work of the techs still may not be perfect but that's out of Shef's control and he is as good as an SA can possibly get, so that helps a lot.

I've learned to ask for Tech#200 (last name of Martinez, I think). He's done some fabulous work on my E36 M3.

[WWONG]

+1 for Huy Nguyen @ Momentum West. Nice gentleman. One of those few SAs that don't act obnoxious because you're young and think you shouldn't be driving around in a BMW *cough*David @ Advantage*cough*

[Wingman335]

Sorry to bump up a fairly old thread- but I am looking for a good SA as well. I do not drive an M3 yet- I have a 335i.

I bought my car from Advantage Midtown, and the last experience with the SA there was very lacking. I really do not want to take my car there anymore. I had asked for a quote on installing BMW stainless steel pedals. They kept my car for 6 hours, and still couldn't come up with a quote! No one cared to look at the car.

I know Momentum SW's sales is not very nice, but I've heard good things about their service. Based on this thread, I should ask for Shef- right?

Thanks!

[///M Ryder]

Originally Posted by Wingman335

Sorry to bump up a fairly old thread- but I am looking for a good SA as well. I do not drive an M3 yet- I have a 335i.

I bought my car from Advantage Midtown, and the last experience with the SA there was very lacking. I really do not want to take my car there anymore. I had asked for a quote on installing BMW stainless steel pedals. They kept my car for 6 hours, and still couldn't come up with a quote! No one cared to look at the car.

I know Momentum SW's sales is not very nice, but I've heard good things about their service. Based on this thread, I should ask for Shef- right?

Thanks!

You'll be better off putting the pedals on yourself. If you can drill a hole you can install them. They even come with a template to guide you. I hear Shef is a good guy. I've never used him personally but I know he's been there for 10+ years..................Phil