Stephen James BMW Reviews 152

Update: I have now been contacted by their Manager Brian and received an apology. I accept the apology and in view of this, have raised the stars to 4

Took my car in for a recall on Wednesday, reg ends in XFN Model 520D. Was met by a guy called Danny, tall slim guy with glasses. I actually mentioned that I had a slight creak on the dashboard on the passenger side and he quoted me approx. £250 just to diagnose it! he tried to justify the costs by all the tests they have to carry out. Is it any wonder that customers are moving away from main dealers when they get crazy quotes like this. I actually fixed it myself by tightening a few screws. When I went to collect the car I straight away noticed a dark stain on the passenger side which wasn't there when I dropped it off. I managed to clean it off with a cloth, but didn't bring this up. Once I started the car up I noticed it was in Tyre Reset process, thought this was a bit odd why they left it like this. So once I started the driving the car I noticed that the tyre readings were not registering even though I drove over 2 miles if you count my journey back to BMW. Normally they register in about 500 yards. So I took the car back and went back to see Danny. To be honest I found his attitude a bit patronising and bordering on rude, he would not accept that the re programming of the car had anything to do with the delay with the tyre re set taking so long. He just kept saying I had not driven it long enough and would not accept my opinion on 3 years of ownership that it only takes about a couple of minutes for the readings to register. I found it really poor that BMW were already trying to bat the problem to me if it turned out there was problem because of the recall. You would expect a company like this to be a bit more re assuring and say they would sort out any problems if something had happened. Anyway I had to drive the car for at least 4 miles before the readings showed on the tyres. Therefore I made a point of testing the reset button the next morning and hey presto the readings were showing within a minute. So I find it really poor that he said the tyre re set process being slow had nothing to do with the re programming of the car. So either he was trying to fob me off or he doesn't know as much as he thinks he does about BMW's. So my suggestion is if BMW want to test out the tyre re set button, they complete the test before they dump it back to the customer, I left the car with them with no faults or messages on the dash board, therefore I expect to pick it up in the same state. Also preferably with my MP3 player plugged back into its USB slot. I actually went back to see Danny but lucky for him he had a day off, I wanted to point out to him his attitude was not good and he is lucky I have mellowed in my old age as I would have given him some home truth's but not worth the hassle and keeping my cool makes me feel better as I was able to write this review without anyone accusing me of being rude. This is the second bad experience I have had with them in a year. The other one being when they advised me order certain parts for my 3 series which included duplication and at first they did not want to give me a refund as they could not return the parts to Germany. Luckily that was resolved after I wrote a review. I now hope after these two experiences I never have to return to Stephen James Enfield. 14/12/22 A week on and still no sign of an attempt of an apology. Sad to see a brand name like BMW associated with class being dragged down by these guys who are running this place like a back street garage with no sense of class. I guess it only takes a few arrogant members of staff to shape the culture of the whole business.

One of the most difficult and unprofessional companies I have experienced. (The exception being the girls on the front desk and the delivery drivers.) An accident repair - insurance company funded - two years ago was undertaken in a clumsy and unprofessional manner by SJ Bodyshop using a bonding compound to 'glue' parts on the vechile rather than the approved BMW techniques. When the repair failed I was informed that the repair "was not done here' - despite their work record and evidence including their propriety number plate branding. After a difficult dialogue with the Bodyshop staff where they claimed that they were not responsible for the defective work I contacted BMW UK where their customer service staff were exemplary. SJ reconsidered (!) and agreed to cover the labour cost for the remediation of their defective work. (The subsequent remediation was flawed and delayed but eventually I got my vehicle back.) The whole experience has coloured my view of the BMW brand and personally I would avoid Stephen James Enfield Bodyshop.

Service department is terrible. They claim an hour of diagnostic is £200! Extortionate pricing. Supervisor doesn’t care that no one is able to be contacted. You can’t get a hold of anyone, and when you do they aren’t very nice.

We found the after sales to be very good.
Would recommend.
MINI EXPERTS UK

BMW Stephen James Woolwich Service team is exceptional. They care for their customers and they are ready to go an extra mile to have their clients satisfied. And I am writing this not on the base of a single experience.
Special thanks to Paul and Sam!

Do not... I repeat... DO NOT take your car to Stephen James BMW, the bromley branch in particular. People like Charlie Taylor and Lucy Llewelyn, well! They're unprofessional... they don't understand what customer service means and they shouldn't work in a role that involves having to communicate with others. Charlie more so than Lucy to be honest, I personally don't think putting the phone down on a customer should be allowed, even if they are shouting... yes I was doing the shouting but I had good reason too.

I believe it was miscommunication with the my ex warranty company and that branch... if the two had communicated correctly then things would have gone a lot differently and I wouldn't be out of pocket. It was a case of being stuck in the middle between two parties and having to speak to both and them not speaking to themselves correctly to get the job done.

I wish I read the bad reviews from trustpilot before taking my car to them, the evidence shows they are bad!

This is a lesson learned!

Went to mini in stephen james ruxley for a winter check i spoke to the man at mini reception regarding a service and said i had only done 2000 miles since last service when he spoke to me he was very rud and said it would cost me 700 pounds so i complaind and was told to take my car to halfords there is no way i would ever go back to bmw ruxley

I visited the Stephen James Ruxley Sidcup showrooms along with my wife and daughter with an open mind regarding whether to purchase a new car or not. We were impressed with the Countryman and were given the freedom without any pressure by Ian Elmore the Mini Sales Executive to inspect the different models available and ask any questions. We found Ian to be friendly, open, unobtrusive and professional and decided to go ahead and order. It was a refreshing experience to find a salesperson who was not pushy or pressurising in his approach. He stated that he would be available throughout the course of production to give updates as necessary and to discuss any worries that may arise. We can only hope that the production and delivery schedules run as smoothly and trouble free as the purchasing experience. Many thanks Ian for an enjoyable and painless transaction, and thank you Stephen James for an hassle free experience in comfortable and welcoming surroundings .

Phoned up for a quote for a bi-annual, so-called 'major' service for a 1-series car. Quoted 750 GBP with a glib remark that that was probably a bit more than I might have expected but its about quality! And it could be more eg if my brake fluid needed a top-up!!! SAME service quoted by another BMW dealer 18 miles away for 470 GBP!!!

Updated 08/08/22: Stephen James customer service reached out to me to explain that an error had been made with the £750 quote supplied and agreed to match the quote I received from the other BMW dealer. That said, when I dropped off the car at Stephen James, their front of house staff seemed to think that the normal price was in fact £803, leaving me somewhat bewildered as to Stephen James' actual price and method of quoting prices to potential customers. Credit is due to their customer service manager and front of house staff for their subsequent helpful engagement with me.

But please do your homework and shop around for quotes before committing with Stephen James.

After receiving great service at the Enfield dealership I was saddened to see so many poor reviews, so far I am pleased with the low mileage high spec M4 I purchased from them, Dervis and his manager were laid back and pleasant to deal with. It is still early days but i'd recommend paying them a visit

Purchased a part over 8 months ago, had to take time off work and go in and pay as they don’t take payment over the phone, so lost 2 hours of work .BMW didn’t tell me it arrived for over 8 weeks. Had to call 4 times over 2 months to check, they couldn’t even confirm on their systems it had arrived for over a week. Eventually it arrived, counter person on phone was having a bad day, seemed very stressed, extremely rude for no reason had to email his manager and speak to him who then apologised, he said part would be delivered. BWW claimed a part 3 cm by 2cm was too big to be put through a standard letter box door. Been waiting 8 months and unresolved. They’ve kept my £25 and not delivered so couldn’t do repair. Complained to head office BMW who were even worse. Have sent over 15 reminders, engaged 4-6 hours of time on emails to get a £25 part when I otherwise deal with serious and urgent work which impacts others considerably. They took 1 or 2 or 3 months to reply to a single email, now no reply for over a month. Very poor and arrogant level of service, no doubt a very corrupt structure within their organisation hence poor service. Absolutely shocking, have to engage hours now have to issue proceedings to get my £25. Why should they keep it and my money after all this? Dealt with thousands of companies in the UK last 30 years, BMW is Stephen James possibly the worse in UK but like the govt and others, they just don’t care as they seem so to have a monopoly over the brand here. Absolutely disgraceful.

The response from BMW below typifies their argumentative and difficult nature, not to admit very poor service or tell the truth. I did not refuse delivery elsewhere, I first suggested the part which was 2 cm x 3 cm put in another envelope/bubble wrap and put through a standard letterbox, three months later they hadn’t replied - I had to chase nearly 8 times by email for a response. As there was no response, I obtained the part from elsewhere. 2 weeks ago, for the first time, their manager said stainless steel part would get scratched damaged in bubble wrap put through letter box. Simple matter is they didn’t contact, deliver, resolve the sale of the part in reasonable time, and have not given a refund so profited from their terrible service. Which company keeps both the part and your money after 3 months of no response - that's unheard of, and of all companies Stephen James BMW! I engaged over 15 emails, over 7 hours of working time over many stressed out months on hold on phones, the loss to my working time is significant and they now want me to remove a very accurate review before they give me a refund so others can't be made aware. It should be blatantly obvious to everyone what sort of company this truly is. Keeps the part, doesn't reply fort months, wants you to remove review for a £25 part after causing me hundreds in loss. Absolutely disgraceful, as if I don't have better things to do than argue with unprofessional, very poorly trained company reps. The structure of BMW is in my firm view blatantly corrupt like most other places who hold a monopoly type hold in certain areas hence why they think they can treat customers like this. Kept my money, and my my part after 3 months of no reply to 8 emails during that time asking for a reply - unbelievable! I intend to pate this review on every other forum sight to spread awareness and will send it head office in Germany as they have incurred more of my time and insulted me suggesting I have not been truthful.

Very bad customer service when You buying used cars in Enfield branch, very rude and arrogant, looking down on people when ask about finance…they definitely need staff training. Don’t wont to process finance check without deposite which is completely incomprehensible and when You start asking them why is like that and that other car dealers first check finance availability and is approved taking deposite, which is logic they finish conversion with You saying that “manager don’t wont to carry on with You finance” LOL

The guys at Woolwich branch of Stephen James BMW are a great bunch. I have serviced my car there before and this time round i brought a new car of them and they have been nothing short of amazing. From picking up the order of another (not so bothered branch ) and making sure me and my family were looked after well. Kept us in the loop throughout and helped out with a loan car when necessary I mainly dealt with Andy and a few times with Jim who both are both an asset to BMW but I have to say all the guys in woolwich were very friendly and welcoming. I visited a fair few times and the service from them is by far the best in the London. I would highly recommand anyone looking for a BMW to go see these guys - they won't let you down from both buying a new or used car as well as getting a great deal on part exchange. Thank you guys.

Booked my car in for a small service online and was quoted £209.phone call day after from bmw enfield say the service will cost me £340 plus.eventually they agreed on the online price of £209 while at the same time making it sound as though they were doing me a favour by giving me that price..The day came for service,so I took the car.BMW serviced it call me to pick up..I go to pick car up and notice tyre is really low,so I go pay for service and tell them tyre Is low.someone comes out has a look at it agrees it’s low and takes it in to put air in it.2 months previous I had that same tyre changed..(brand new)I get on my way and before I get out of main road I get message flash up on dash that tyre is very low and needs immediate attention.i turn round and take it back.i go their see the service manager and he wasn’t having it even saying the brand new tyre was patched up before..by this time I was fuming as they were not budging..I take my car for service and come out having to fork out go get my new tyre repaired.disgusting service from BMW ENFIELD..won’t be recommending and won’t be going their again..

Stephen James Woolwich. Very good at selling you a car, but probably the worst dealership I have experienced in 30 years at after sales.
If you use this dealership, just pray that you don't need any work doing or want to speak to anyone there (or return calls), it will not happen.

Fantastic service centre with customer-centric staff. Panayiotis from the service team looked after my car and kept me updated while the car was at the service centre; he was very helpful and professional. Ed and Mickey from the technical team were excellent; they immediately identified the issue with the car and spoke to me in person to explain the problem, what was causing it and the solution. Very knowledgeable and customer-focused team.

My Family & Myself have been customers of Stephen James for a number of years!!
Outstanding service!! Gary Franks & Vince Source are an absolute pleasure to deal with.
Highly Recommended!!
🙋🙋

Took my mini electric for a recall to update of the electronics and to polish my alloys under the insurance bought to them.

Very good attention to the customer, especially Paul Dawes who listened to my needs and did his best to meet them all.

It is always a delight bringing the car to Stephen James in Woolwich because of the excellent customer care of the service team and their professionalism. Rare in these times!

Thank you team!

Dr Cabot

Just got my BMW X1 service today at Stephen James BMW (Woolwich) and so happy with the service. The team done the great job, specially Mr Panayiotis Theodorou looking after my car. He done a good job and kept me informed of the job.
After picked up my car I was so happy and then treated myself by bought 2 scooter BMW made and they are great toy for my kids.
One again thanks Panayiotis and looking forward to see you next service and of course recommended to all BMW lover.

Once again a first class service by Stephen James BMW... in this case a Service where Paul Dawes simply made the whole experience seamless and efficient. Car serviced, cleaned, time taken to update the customer on work done and overrall reassurance.

Paul Ballard's stewardship absolutely unwavered!