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New(ish) Wunderlich supplier in Australia

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:22 pm
by Caroanbill
East Coast BMs - Mick Owen's operation in Canberra - is now supplying Wunderlich items.
http://www.eastcoastbms.com.au/

I used to get my Wunderlich bits (lots and lots) from Motohansa but sadly the service and attitude there is simply execrable. I spent $4,000AUD with them on the R1200R alone - suspension, etc.

My last straw with them was when I ordered the "MicroFlooter" lights plus the GS Adv switch block. Arranging a fitting time took about 4 weeks because they were pretty inflexible, but finally the day arrived - I'd pre-booked, was going in to wait while fitment was done, all sweet ... I even rang ahead to make sure on the morning. No problem, you'd have thought. Wrong. I arrived and put the bike in the service bay .. no-one greeted me or even spoke (sadly, that was not unusual for Motohansa). Walked up to the reception desk - staff look up and ignore me (sadly, that was not unusual for Motohansa). After about 10 minutes I get someone's attention. "We've just taken a K1200LT in on short notice - it'll be 4 hours before we can start on your bike - and we may not get to it today." HUH? The bay was empty when I got there - I go down and sure enough, they MOVED by bike to put the K1200LT in .. but there's still penty of space and another lift. back upstairs to remind them I'd booked this in a couple of weeks ago and had already told them I would have a child to collect in two hours. The K1200LT is a four to five hour service, so an extra hour while my booked fitting is done will make little difference, whereas they assume I can put up with going from one hour to six hours and maybe not at all ... "No, we're going to do the K, but you can take our loan bike (for $$ a day) if you like." I pointed out mildly that there was no way I could take these arrangements with a small child (no kids under 8 on bikes in Aus) .. "that's not our problem" ... I rode away to think about it, and then pulled into the forecourt of Frasers BMW, where Andy Cook (ex Motohansa) now works and who has given me great service on parts and gear ... pick up the phone and call Motohansa and decline the lights and installation (they are so disorganisated they never asked for a deposit - but I was a regular), and suggest the sale guy tell the boss (Rob) that they've lost a ten-year customer. No call back, no nothing - no attempt whatsoever to recover the relationship ...

I am guessing that Motohansa thought that any Aussie wanting Wunderlich has to get stuff they import since they supply most dealers .. so I have spent a while looking at other brands, especially those suppleid my Michael Wilson's excellent service www.motorradgarage.com.au - but sadly no Wunderlich there.

Now we have an alternative - and on the basis of past dealings with Mick Owen, I'd predict good and cheerful service.

Re: New(ish) Wunderlich supplier in Australia

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:14 am
by gibbo111
How often do you here this sort of reception nowadays. Its a wonder they can stay in buisness. Thanks for the other supplier i will keep the address

Re: New(ish) Wunderlich supplier in Australia

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:39 am
by qfman
I was considering Motorhansa for servicing due to Procycles habit of forgetting small things like stamping service book or resetting service light. Judging from your horror stories I think I'll keep heading to St Peters when services come around. Where do you get your servicing done? Worthingtons?

Tom

Re: New(ish) Wunderlich supplier in Australia

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:53 am
by dav
I too was considering Motorhansa for my next service & like Tom i might have to do a rethink.

So were do you guys from Sydney get your books stamped at?

Dav

Re: New(ish) Wunderlich supplier in Australia

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:35 pm
by Caroanbill
I've been thinking about giving Frasers a go - Andy Cook, ex Motohansa (he always looked after me) is there now doing spares and accessories.

I've had my moments with Procycles, but I've also had a couple of frank chats with the owner - when they stuffed up timing of my 10,000km service he gave me a loan bike and had a staff member deliver my bike (90 minute round trip from the Hornsby shop). Last service was St Peters and handled by Marcel - all fine and on time etc. I think the owner's main problem is people skills - he tends to lose good staff because he annoys them, and that leaves the slapdash staff. But I simply ask whter the bikes all fine, and try to gte a chat going - tells me pretty quickly whether anyone has paid attention!

Anyhow, I value the dealer stamp for resale while the bike is young, so I'm prepared to jolly the team along to get the services I want (more flies with honey, as Don E says).

I know Motohansa is tring to build up a western sydney business in service - maybe Rob sees that as a more secure cashflow and maybe he gives it some attention. It's too far and too difficult for public transport for me - and that's more evidence of a "who cares" philosphy (the customer can't get to work easily from there, but who cares). I'd be worried the service is similarly slapdash.

As for accessory fitting - Mick Owen (himself ex Pro-cycles) opens Saturday am ... charges $93 an hour .. has me thinking about a Snowy weekend for my 30,000km service ...

Re: New(ish) Wunderlich supplier in Australia

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 6:25 pm
by celticus
I will avoid them like the plague.

Mark

Re: New(ish) Wunderlich supplier in Australia

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 3:27 am
by MrChicken
I'm awaiting the result of my first Motohansa experience with some farkles on order. Rob seemed pretty helpful, though bits due last week still haven't arrived. We'll see...

I've never had an issue with Procycles St Peters on the service front, and Marcel seems like a good guy. Accessories are another story and it's not been the same since Julie moved to Hornsby. I've had some appalling service since, and prices aren't competitive. It also rankles me that I have to pay for an accessory before they'll order it in. Motohansa just took the order, no questions asked.

For accessories at Frasers, Andy is a top bloke and BMWTC member. Always helpul and competitive pricing (though you still have to pay up front). Problem is getting hold of him and often you just get a phone message when ringing accessories. For me, Frasers still have no clue about service, and I'd never let them touch the bike. Just getting a tyre repaired was drama enough for me.

Re: New(ish) Wunderlich supplier in Australia

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:54 am
by Caroanbill
update on East Coast BM - they will want a deposit for Wunderlich orders, but it's under 50%. For me this helps me spread my cost out so I can buy more farkles!