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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > USA - Mid-Atlantic > Which dealership is better Sterling or Fairfax?



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      11-19-2006, 09:08 PM   #1
zendenwolf
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Which dealership is better Sterling or Fairfax?

Hello,

I have been reading this forum for a long time, i do not own a BMW yet but i will sooner or later.

I am wondering which dealership gives better deals the BMW of Sterling or Fairfax?


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James
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      11-19-2006, 09:25 PM   #2
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Sterling by far; Fairfax is the worst dealer in Virginia.
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      11-19-2006, 09:33 PM   #3
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Sterling, I've been to both.

better coffee/drink bar too btw...



EDIT ADD BTW:

btw also Passport can pick you up for sales or service with loaner car for in-warranty service work.
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      11-19-2006, 09:37 PM   #4
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If you're looking for better deals, you may want to try Passport and Tischer in MD. They gave me the best price quotes out of all the mid-atlantic dealers, and I e-mailed every one of them before I got my car. I went with Tischer ... and they also have a lower standard doc fee, and they threw in free valet door to door loaner drop off for service. Good luck.
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      11-20-2006, 06:37 AM   #5
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I went to sterling about 3 weeks ago and talked with someone about the new 335i and he said the only thing they are waving is the destination charge, but maybe it would have been different if i was serious about buying a car.
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      11-20-2006, 10:56 AM   #6
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The following "ranking" is completely worthless because I am not speaking from first-hand experience. However, this summarizes what I have read in many many many many (x1000) posts on various BMW forums about DC dealers. Best to worst for DC:

1 - Passport BMW in Marlow Heights, MD - best prices in the area; excellent CAs; decent customer service; service department is one of the best in the area although not everyone has good experience with them

2 - BMW of Sterling in VA - second-best prices in the area; excellent customer service; excellent service department; all-around a very good place to go

3 - VOB BMW in Rockville, MD - pricing is average for this area and not as good as the top 2 above despite it being the highest volume dealer in the area and one of the highest volume dealers in the country; good customer service; service department generally has a bad rep, although several seem happy with them

4 - MileOne Tischer Auto Park in Silver Spring, MD - pricing is average for this area; service department is hit or miss; customer service and CAs can be hit or miss, too

5 - BMW of Arlington in VA - generally more expensive than the others; service department used to be the absolute best in the area back in the day but quality may have gone downhill; customer service not great

6 - BMW of Fairfax in VA - reputation for being expensive; service department has more misses than hits, although they're building a new service area and maybe things will improve; customer service is average to below average

I hope this doesn't get me blacklisted by any of these dealers and I hope it is okay to post something like this here. To be clear, the above is not based on any of my own experience, so take it with a giant grain of salt. But this is what I see when I condense all I have read about the local dealers.

Bottom line - buy from either Passport BMW or BMW of Sterling. I bought from Passport and am pleased I did.

As an aside, I have seen a few positive reviews of some other local dealers, but not enough to form a "consensus" opinion. BMW of Towson in MD and Tate BMW in Annapolis, MD have some positive reviews online.
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      11-28-2006, 08:59 AM   #7
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My Thought on Fairfax

Price: Good (I bought there in late June, cash deal)

Service: Good (had one flat, drove straight there and fixed with in 2 hours at the end of the day)

Service: Good (Had Lojack & Clear Bra installed)


Customer Service: Disappointed with the fact that the loaner car I was given overnight for the 2 installs was a Ford Focus not a BMW.

Would I buy again: Maybe - Leaning towards not

Just my experience.

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      11-28-2006, 12:20 PM   #8
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I wanted to add that I've been to the service dept a few times at BMW Arlington (I bought at Passport BMW in MD) and I like them alot. They've got a master tech guy there named Woody who is really good. I'd recommend going to BMW of Arlington (at the Pentagon City place) for service.
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      11-28-2006, 04:00 PM   #9
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I bought at Sterling, and have had nothing but good dealings with them...
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      11-28-2006, 11:37 PM   #10
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ok that little rubber ducky with antlers is really starting to drive me nuts.
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      11-30-2006, 03:38 PM   #11
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Just a note - next week I'll be taking my car in to BMW of Sterling for its first oil change (on my dime). I'd go to Passport, but it's just too far away for something so routine. I'll let you guys know what I think of them.
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      12-03-2006, 12:29 AM   #12
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i was thinking of VOB and sterling but i guess i should go passport?

price comes first for me since you can go to different dealers for service.

thanks for info.
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      12-05-2006, 01:36 PM   #13
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Good Fairfax experience

Hey.

I bought mine through the Internet Sales Department at Fairfax. Manager is a lovely woman named Amber Williams.

She's awesome, and the dealing starts at $500 over invoice for anything -- on the lot, ordered -- doesn't matter. BMW of Arlington wouldn't do that for me.

I haven't experienced the service department yet, of course, but my dealings with Amber were fantastic and straightforward. No hassles. No BS.

I can't speak for other dealerships in the area. I'm sure they're all fair to good. Just thought I'd give my two cents since Fairfax has taken some heat.
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      12-05-2006, 01:50 PM   #14
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fairfax BMW

I have to say, i have not talked to anyone in person but bmw of sterling seems to be str8 up forward with me and when i decide to order one it will be through bmw of sterling.

Besides bmw of sterling is in my backyard

P.S. somone loan me 5k
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      12-05-2006, 07:57 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zendenwolf
I have to say, i have not talked to anyone in person but bmw of sterling seems to be str8 up forward with me and when i decide to order one it will be through bmw of sterling.

Besides bmw of sterling is in my backyard

P.S. somone loan me 5k
although they're nice, watch out for the $299 processing fee. They were willing to match the deal I eventually took from passport, but wouldn't budge on the processing fee...with me at least.
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      12-06-2006, 11:53 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BCI
although they're nice, watch out for the $299 processing fee. They were willing to match the deal I eventually took from passport, but wouldn't budge on the processing fee...with me at least.
yup! thats a standard bendover fee from virginia dealers. You wont find that in any Maryland dealers
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      12-07-2006, 08:08 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnjohn
Hey.

I bought mine through the Internet Sales Department at Fairfax. Manager is a lovely woman named Amber Williams.

She's awesome, and the dealing starts at $500 over invoice for anything -- on the lot, ordered -- doesn't matter. BMW of Arlington wouldn't do that for me.

I haven't experienced the service department yet, of course, but my dealings with Amber were fantastic and straightforward. No hassles. No BS.

I can't speak for other dealerships in the area. I'm sure they're all fair to good. Just thought I'd give my two cents since Fairfax has taken some heat.

I asked Amber for a price quote via email on a 335I coupe. She quoted me a price of $750 off MSRP. Not a good price at all!
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      12-07-2006, 10:17 PM   #18
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This morning I had an out-of-cycle oil change (at my expense) at BMW of Sterling. Nice place and they were courteous and quick with the oil change. That's the only experience I've had with their service department, but it was a good one. Barring some freak discovery like my oil filter falling off in the driveway tomorrow, they'll get all 5s from me.

Oil change was (gulp) around $120, which probably is slightly high compared to the other dealers, but it's around $100 everywhere.

FWIW - I have 4500 miles after 4.5 months of ownership, and this was my first oil change. I notice absolutely no difference in the drive from before the oil change, but I do feel better knowing it's been changed. I couldn't wait 19,000 miles.
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      12-08-2006, 07:59 AM   #19
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wow! $120
luckily I have access to a car lift at a military base and able to do it for $50 part and alittle sweat equity. That reminds me Im coming due for on my own 7500 mile change.
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      12-08-2006, 09:00 AM   #20
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ase - even at Passport, I recall hearing it is $95. That's the lowest I've heard.
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      12-08-2006, 01:11 PM   #21
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Passport is great. Just worked with Peter again to negotiate a lease on a 530xi for one of the other attorney's in our office.

BK or anyone else, what do you think the earliest should be for a break-in oil change. I intend to get it done... just whether now or closer to 3000. I am around 1800 miles right now. I will likely take my colleague out to Passport next Monday or Tuesday to pickup his 530xi. I was thinking I would try to schedule an oil change for the same time. I would have rather waited to at least 2500 but it would be rather convenient to get it done while I am there. Any thoughts?
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      12-08-2006, 03:07 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadlessChicken
BK or anyone else, what do you think the earliest should be for a break-in oil change. I intend to get it done... just whether now or closer to 3000. I am around 1800 miles right now. I will likely take my colleague out to Passport next Monday or Tuesday to pickup his 530xi. I was thinking I would try to schedule an oil change for the same time. I would have rather waited to at least 2500 but it would be rather convenient to get it done while I am there. Any thoughts?
Some will debate whether you need to do it at all. As for me, I feel more comfortable getting new oil after the engine has broken in. Certainly, there are no negative consequences from doing so.

I think 1800 miles is enough for a break-in oil change. As long as my engine is past break-in, I would prefer to change the original oil sooner rather than later. Avoids having a lot of stuff floating around in there for the next 15K+ miles: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=177375
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