Mod Friendly SA in SoCal now that Charlie is gone

[CigarPundit]

Originally Posted by Charlie@McKennaBMWService

So I've gotten many DM's, PM's, emails, voicemails.

Yes I've returned to McKenna but to the South Bay(Torrance) location.

Awesome! That’s closer for me than Norwalk.

[Charlie@McKennaBMWService]

Originally Posted by CigarPundit

Awesome! That’s closer for me than Norwalk.

You could change the title of this thread now "Charlie has returned*"

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by Charlie@McKennaBMWService

You could change the title of this thread now "Charlie has returned*"

Why did you come back to BMW?

[Charlie@McKennaBMWService]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

Why did you come back to BMW?

BMW is home.

[THEROK]

Stopped going to Claudia (she's just not attentive enough for me) and just recently dropped it off at South Bay after calling Charlie to setup the appt.

Oddly, Charlie wasn't the service advisor at drop off. Didn't meet him at all at the new location. Instead, a guy named Alonso handled it. Luckily for me, I guess, Alonso was a no nonsense professional throughout the process and my car was returned in the same condition I dropped it off besides the coolant expansion tank that got replaced.

Learned that both South Bay and Norwalk locations are owned by Mr. McKenna.

[Charlie@McKennaBMWService]

Originally Posted by THEROK

Stopped going to Claudia (she's just not attentive enough for me) and just recently dropped it off at South Bay after calling Charlie to setup the appt.

Oddly, Charlie wasn't the service advisor at drop off. Didn't meet him at all at the new location. Instead, a guy named Alonso handled it. Luckily for me, I guess, Alonso was a no nonsense professional throughout the process and my car was returned in the same condition I dropped it off besides the coolant expansion tank that got replaced.

Learned that both South Bay and Norwalk locations are owned by Mr. McKenna.

Afternoon Ben,

Yeah brother I'm in management now and I believe you dropped off on Monday(I'm off most Monday's). I did however give Alfonso a heads up upon your arrival to anticipate a certain level of expectation that I formally provided during my stay at the Norwalk store.

You can always call me directly at 310-939-7368 if you have any questions.

[THEROK]

Originally Posted by Charlie@McKennaBMWService

Afternoon Ben,

Yeah brother I'm in management now and I believe you dropped off on Monday(I'm off most Monday's). I did however give Alfonso a heads up upon your arrival to anticipate a certain level of expectation that I formally provided during my stay at the Norwalk store.

You can always call me directly at 310-939-7368 if you have any questions.

Congrats, man. I take it Alonso's your protege? He did great as already shared and will def have my car worked on at SB again so long as the Kim regime reigns. Thanks.

[Charlie@McKennaBMWService]

Originally Posted by THEROK

Congrats, man. I take it Alonso's your protege? He did great as already shared and will def have my car worked on at SB again so long as the Kim regime reigns. Thanks.

Hahaha... Well I have a few protégés in the making, however he was someone that I already knew of before my arrival to the South Bay location. I definitely have a bigger team here at SB versus the Norwalk store so that's a plus.

You're welcome brother.

[jpy1980]

I messaged you awhile back regarding some odd sounds I was having in my car but no reply back. That’s cool though as I resolved those issues without needing to go to the dealer.

My question is regarding an aftermarket warranty. I have an aftermarket Easycare totalcare warranty. Have you dealt with this extended warranty provider? They basically said I can take it to any dealer and as long as the dealership contacts them directly before any work gets done to get approval, thats all it takes.

[Irishsig]

How can you find out if your car has been red flagged by BMW?
Several SAs at Center BMW always told me my mods would not be a problem unless that particular mod caused premature wear or damage that would usually be covered under warranty.
As always I took that reassurance with a grain of salt.

[Charlie@McKennaBMWService]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

I messaged you awhile back regarding some odd sounds I was having in my car but no reply back. That’s cool though as I resolved those issues without needing to go to the dealer.

My question is regarding an aftermarket warranty. I have an aftermarket Easycare totalcare warranty. Have you dealt with this extended warranty provider? They basically said I can take it to any dealer and as long as the dealership contacts them directly before any work gets done to get approval, thats all it takes.

Unfortunately if awhile back was during my stay at Porsche then I wasn't as active on this platform.

Easycare is arguably one of the better extended warranties, personally I've worked with them several hundred times in the past and yeah they're great.

[AW BMW]

Originally Posted by Charlie@McKennaBMWService

Hahaha... Well I have a few protégés in the making, however he was someone that I already knew of before my arrival to the South Bay location. I definitely have a bigger team here at SB versus the Norwalk store so that's a plus.

You're welcome brother.

Hey Charlie, so who do I contact for service at South Bay? Service is due in a few weeks as I am about to hit year with the f80 on October 1st.

[bank]

Just picked up my car yesterday from South Bay BMW. Charlie helped schedule an appointment and I was helped by SA Jorge. Everything went smoothly and they put a total of 1 mile on my car.

Thanks Charlie!

[Charlie@McKennaBMWService]

Originally Posted by AW BMW

Hey Charlie, so who do I contact for service at South Bay? Service is due in a few weeks as I am about to hit year with the f80 on October 1st.

PM directly and I'll get you situated first.

[lax01]

Looks like Charlie left *again* and went to Honda! Gotta find another SA! Any got any good options? Asking for the F87 side....

[BzsBimmer]

I guess he took “Civic” literally and went to Honda. Lol

[WESTCOASTTRADING]

there is no safe place lol, BMW NA will flag your car if dealership reports that your car has been modified - as simple as that

[papasmurf_m3]

I’m
Not modded yet just need to find a dealer SA who knows how to diagnose leaking intercooler, not just pressure test. I guess like Justin said I’ll
Try Israel
Or Claudia at McKenna
Brian Kim at crevier
Tomorrow.

[rjgrime]

Israel was really helpful at McKenna but he too is no longer there. When Charlie came back to South Bay Jorge was his person. He's my go to guy right now

[THEROK]

Originally Posted by rjgrime

Israel was really helpful at McKenna but he too is no longer there. When Charlie came back to South Bay Jorge was his person. He's my go to guy right now

I went to South Bay from the Norwalk McKenna location after having learned that Charlie made his return to BMW. Under Charlie's purview, I had a good experience with Alfonso at South Bay as he took care of a leaking coolant expansion tank (the bigger one). New tank installed, car came back as I had left it which is always a desired outcome.

I went back there post-Charlie's exit the other day to have my charge cooler expansion tank checked out as I saw white residue forming at the seam.

Alfonso sequestered the "shop foreman" to visually verify the residue in the service reception area. Dude immediately says if it's not leaking fluid, BMW is going to reject the warranty coverage. I pushed back since a cursory visual check doesn't constitute a true inspection. It may well be another slow leak just like the coolant tank that was replaced by BMW at his very place of employment, South Bay BMW service center. Begrudgingly, after Alfonso suggested that we pressure test it, the foreman agreed. Pressure test checked out OK.

This morning, I noticed they overfilled the charge cooler expansion tank. SMH

I can't stand sloppiness. What a waste of my time and energy. Surely I have had good experiences at dealerships, but the poor ones outnumber the good without question. I'm not sure I want to go back to South Bay, again.

P.S. Israel is a good dude.

[THEROK]

Originally Posted by lax01

Looks like Charlie left *again* and went to Honda! Gotta find another SA! Any got any good options? Asking for the F87 side....

Charlie was never a service advisor while at South Bay. IIRC, he managed a team of SAs.

[lax01]

Originally Posted by THEROK

I went to South Bay from the Norwalk McKenna location after having learned that Charlie made his return to BMW. Under Charlie's purview, I had a good experience with Alfonso at South Bay as he took care of a leaking coolant expansion tank (the bigger one). New tank installed, car came back as I had left it which is always a desired outcome.....

Sounds, at least, like Alfonso tried to take care of you...I have an appointment with him in May - will report back

Originally Posted by THEROK

Charlie was never a service advisor while at South Bay. IIRC, he managed a team of SAs.

Sure, my mistake - but same difference, it was someone we could trust to do things right