My Cooper-S

[Zul]

I just want to share my Cooper-S dream...My initial dream was to drive a BMW. In early 1999 I went to BMW dealer in Melaka to have a look at e36 328i. My first experience with them was not good. The salesman didn't even come to see me. I have to walk to him and ask the questions. So after that I just walk out from the showroom. May be that is God way to tell me to wait. I realised it when the e46 was launch in end of 1999. I went again to the showroom and make sure that I will not see the same salesman. Met with another guy and after that put a booking and make sure the 1st salesman knows about it. So in after that I received my e46 328i with all the options which include aerodynamic packages, 18" rims, white light and PDC. Was very happy with it except the chrome door trim on the driver side keeps coming out after about 8 months. Was replaced 3 times but still the same problem. In October 2002 the 325iSMG edition was launch. Had a chance of sitting in it while a BMW guy from Glenmarie drive it for a demo. Put a booking for it after that and the car was delivered in November 2002. Have been enjoying it since then. Spend a lot on AC Schnitzer accesories on the car which include 18" Type III Racing wheel and about 6 months ago 19" Type IV.My dream for Cooper-S started during my BMW Advance Driving Course (already attended one course in year 2000) when I saw it. It was a dark silver colour driven by Chippy. Really admiring it at that time. I think it was in 2003. After thinking about it for some time then finally I put a booking for it in February or March 2004, can't really remember. Since Mini is under BMW so to reduce my problem I put the booking with the Melaka BMW dealer.After that the whole process of waiting for the car to arrive. In June 2004 it was announced in Mini International Website of new facelifted Mini which looks better in appearance and also performance. In July 2004 I was informed a shipment have arrived but found out that it is not the facelifted version. Told them that I'll wait for the facelifted one and to put a booking for it with Hyper Blue colour and if possible with sunroof.Waiting again since then... Been calling KL every now and then since then. Finally got to know that a shipment of the facelifted Cooper-S have arrived in Port Klang early last month. That was even before the advertisement in the newspaper. Immediately call the BMW Dealer in Melaka to make sure my booking is there. Been calling KL almost every week since then. Invited for Convertible Mini launching at Shooting Valley in Glenmarie last month. Saw the Cooper-S convertible, looks awesome. Worth it waiting so long for the facelifted version.During the F1 promotion I had a close look at e60 530d. Test drove a e60 530i with my family since there is no 530d test drive unit. Was very happy with it. My plan then was to get the Cooper-S 1st and then to change my SMG to e60 530d.Was invited for e90 pre-launch preview at Avenue K last week. Another car to consider to replace my e46 325iSMG. Had a discussion with my wife and she also agreed to get the e90. Was ready to put a booking for e90 330i. After that went to Mini showroom in Bukit Bintang. Met a lady there and asked her regarding Cooper-S. Was told that there is 4 units of Cooper-S, 3 unit of Hyper Blue and 1 unit of Balck-eye Purple. Only left with the Black-eye Purple colour. Checked with her on the booking list but my name is not there, not even BMW Melaka dealer name. Quickly call the BMW Melaka dealer asking them to have a look at it. That was on Sunday. On Monday (11 April 2005) at around 12.00 noon I called the BMW Melaka regarding the car but they could not give me the answer. Finish my work at 4.30 pm and went straight to see the Manager of BMW Melaka. His respond was that the car is still not available. I told him that the car is already fully booked. He called Chippy at Mini in Bukit Bintang and after told me there is no Hyper Blue colour and they only have Black-eye Purple colour. I immediately told him that I know the 3 units of the Hyper Blue was already booked left with Black-eye Purple colour.I then told him to forget about it and to return my deposit. I also told him that I will never buy any car from BMW Melaka anymore. If I still want to buy the e90 I will then go to KL. I left after that. Soon after that the salesman which have become close friend to me call and we have a sit and discussion in his office at another shop. He apologised for it and told me that Chippy told them that the 3 units of Hyper Blue colour was booked earlier than me which is unacceptable to me. As far as I could remember I put a booking in July 2004 and again remind them to make sure the booking is there the moment I know the car has arrived in Port Kelang even before the advertisement in the newspaper.At the moment I'm waiting for them to returm my deposit. They call me again this morning offering me again the Black-eye Purple colour which I told them I'm not interested with that colour. I'm not sure of my future car. I still love BMW that I feel is the Ultimate Driving Machine and for the Sheer Driving Pleasure but my experience with the local Melaka dealer is not a pleasure to me. If I still want a BMW as my future car then I prefer to go to KL but then I will still see them each time I send the car for services. Otherwise I'm eyeing at either Mercedes Brabus D4 or K4 or Porsche Boxter-S. Only that the Brabus will be more practical for a family then the Boxter-S. If I still want the Cooper-S in Hyper Blue colour then I will have to wait till July/August for the next shipment but as it is now I'm fed-up.I'm just sharing my experience and feeling. WIll be happy if any of you can get me an email address of BMW Malaysia/Germany/Mini for me to put forward my complaints. Thanks for reading my experince till now. As I said earlier I believe anything happened is planned by God. There will always be good thing behind it that I will see later.Warmest regards.-Zul-

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Golly, I consider you're a valued customer of BMW in Malaysia and they should really be a lot more earnest in handling your orders. Seriously!

 

[Zul]

Update...

Called Chippy just now. I think those who attended the BMW Driving Course will know him. Nice person to talk with. I have confirm with him now that the problem is with the Melaka BMW Dealer.

Anyway he asked me to wait for one week to help me sort out the matter.

The local dealer also call me just now. They are asking me to wait for another month and will get me Hyper Blue Cooper-S automatic with paddle-shift gear/steptronic. The only problem is it will be grey importer so as good as no warranty. So I told them Thank You.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Zul - Smart choice. Deal with Chippy directly and forget about grey importers. Let us know when you're collecting the car so we can all drop by and...... test drive, hahahaha!!

 

[affan66]

Zul,
nice experience. I hope I have a money printing machine to do just that. Not sure if you have one, but if you have, don't forget me.

What Zul has experienced here indicates how passionate he is with BMWs, and NEW BMWs, too. Bought from the authorized resellers or dealers and not gray importers. I hope BMW Malaysia gets notice of his posting and takes action if they are serious in getting honest buyers like him. Malaysia's CRM seriously needs a revamp, no matter if you are from an international company.

Zul, good luck in your journey and hope you have lotsa fun.

 

[Alvin]

Zul

Why dont you post this in the official BMW Malaysia Website. I think you will get a response quite quickly. Will also see if can get you a number for you to call.

 

[Alvin]

JPB

Can you forward this to you know who at BMW M'sia?
Thanks

 

[willie]

BMW dealer in melaka??? is it Seong Hoe????? i got very bad experience with them also...... i went there to ask them to check for my car's high water temp last time, no one CARES abt me, i waited for 1 hour...... what the heck!!!!

 

[JCKL]

I was at Mini showroom on Sat & was told that only the Black Eye Purple (what a horid name for a Mini colour) was available within a month. New bookings would have to wait 3 months from the date of booking. Pretty much i n line with what Zul has posted.

How could the Melaka dealer (SH?) made such a boo-boo was beyond me, as Zul is their repeated customer. As in D Trump famous line : "Someone will be fired!"

 

[Zul]

Thanks for all your support guys.

I've already posted it to BMW. Hope will get their reply.

SH is the only dealer in Melaka. I generally get a good service with them after few times of bad experience and complaints with my previous e46 328i. I am a repeat buyer and have recommended or persuaded at least 6 buyers that bought a BMW from them in the last few years - one e39, one e46 325i, one e46 318i and 4 e46 318i 2.0l.

FYI, the shipment came with only 4 units of Cooper-S, 3 units of Hyper Blue and 1 unit of Black-eye purple. All the units taken till few days ago when the guy who booked the Black-eye Purple change his mind and booked the Convertible. BTW, the convertible will only arrived in July 2005. Only 2 units of Cooper-S convertible will come and one unit is already for BMW left with one unit for public. The hardtop I was informed another 3 months.

Chippy have asked me to give him one week to help me. So I decided to wait for his action.

Sorry Affan, I don't have money printing machine. I worked 7 days a week and can be call at any time even at night. That is why it is difficult for me to attend all the function in KL. Driving the UDM is what I enjoy most. I consider it a a reward for me working so hard.

 

[affan66]

zul,
respek!!!

 

[Fuhrer]

i am amazed at how patient you have been throughout this process..most of us would have prolly bought the first cooper S we see or able to get! hehe..
i sokong going the Brabus or Porsche route mate..teach this fellas a lesson if they even care!

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Originally posted by Alvin@Apr 12 2005, 03:49 AM
JPB

Can you forward this to you know who at BMW M'sia?
Thanks

I can certainly make mention of this. I just met Natasha Karim last Friday. But, there is clear separation of roles between BMW Malaysia and their distributors lah and the relationship is also quite sensitive. Nonetheless, I know Chippy and I hope he can sort it out for Zul.

 

[c-square]

Dr. Zul..... aiyoo, you ditching the Cooper S already-kah? Don't lar

 

[faisal1]

Zul,

Forget abt Cooper S , I'm ditching both my Cooper and E39.

Pishal JB.

 

[adliz]

wah.. i can imagine the frustration.. i would be so pissed too if these were to happen to me... just tell them if this didnt get sorted out soon, you'll go to the press or something.. hehe..

p/s: e60 530d, e90 330i, brabus, boxter-s, wah... :unsure: :unsure: i can only wish.. excellent taste bro zul..!!

 

[mnk]

elo guys...

fren of mine just strike lottery from coca cola contest
he strike mini cooper prize after his son open the coca cola can...got
singing ones.......his son so surprise and panic.....
this weekend hhis coming down to kl from kuantan....now planning
to sell his mini cooper at discount.....brand new otr rm171k...
any offer can let me know...
:nyehehe:

p/s:tis mini cooper no ass

 

[Zul]

Update...

The salesman called yesterday evening. The matter is now under Mr Roland from BMW. They will let me know of the outcome by today. I told them they have one week to settle it because that is what I promise to Chippy.

Thanks guy for the support. It just that I feel bad after scolding somebody but this is too much.

 

[soorian]

Take it Easy Zul..sometime somebody needs kick in thier Arse...

 

[Alvin]

Zul

I dun thk you need to feel bad about it dude. I would have been also. I dun thk i can wait more than 3 mths