Chicago BMW Motorcycle - Doomed?

[chibbert]

Ordered some parts for my ride from this joint about a month and a half ago. Order was placed online. No reference to parts not being in stock when I ordered. Credit card got billed IMMEDIATELY - I assumed parts would be soon coming. Waited a few weeks, and emailed requesting information on my order - no response. Waited a few weeks longer emailed again - no response. Called this morning - was asked "Harley Davidson or BMW?" - I answered BMW - was told "Let me transfer you". I waited 10 minutes on hold - the receptionist returned - says "Sorry for your wait - I am still trying to transfer you". I waited another five minutes and gave up.

If they're not going out of business, I wish it upon them. That's about the poorest form of customer service I have ever encountered.

[Boxer]

Sorry to hear about your problem with them. They have been one of the less expensive places to buy parts with the 20% discount, but I have heard mixed reports the last few years. Cyclerob says he gets parts quickly. I have had the same experience as you on several occasions and only after telephoning and asking about my order, was it shipped. Sounds like an internal stocking/ordering issue that has gotten progressively worse.

Due to expensive parts and quality degradation with BMW motorcycles the last few years, I'm almost certain my next bike will be of Japanese origin.

[ron prior]

Sorry to hear about your problem with them. They have been one of the less expensive places to buy parts with the 20% discount, but I have heard mixed reports the last few years. Cyclerob says he gets parts quickly. I have had the same experience as you on several occasions and only after telephoning and asking about my order, was it shipped. Sounds like an internal stocking/ordering issue that has gotten progressively worse.

Due to expensive parts and quality degradation with BMW motorcycles the last few years, I'm almost certain my next bike will be of Japanese origin.

I've heard others say the same thing. Newest I've owned is an 04,[Montauk] now a Roadster.
Didn't keep the Montauk long enough to have a problem [uncomfortable for me] & i just bought the Roadster.
But both do seem to be "cheaper" made, than even my 99/RS,..& much more so than my 70s & 80s models??

[If] it's so?...sure hate to see it happen.

I also have two Kawasaki Vulcans, 99 & 00....some of the Vulcan group say the quality of the newer Vulcans is also deminishing?

For that and other reasons?....many have gone to Honda G/Ws, & various others.

I have been considering a Victory,...never owned one. They are pricey...but what the heck isn't ??

Ron

[rdsmith3]

I have not ordered from them in a long time, but my experience is that they are slow. Phone orders seem to get processed faster than internet orders. Plan ahead for next Spring's maintenance -- order now.

[towerworker]

Seems to me that if a brand has a small dealer base then some consideration needs to be given ways to keep their customers coming back. For most of us the choice to own and ride BMW's is not one of convenience, but of choice. It is all to easy to own any one of a half dozen other makes and truth of it is----they are all less expensive, predominately more reliable and if service is required, a heck of a lot easier to find.

So someone please remind me..................why do we ride these machines?

[Biff's R]

The point of the thread was that Chicago BMW sucks at processing their orders. I agree.

The last thing that I ordered from them were my handguards. It took at least 6 weeks to receive the parts, and multiple phone calls. In the end I was also charged more than I was quoted. I would have rather paid more, and gotten the parts within days by buying them at one of the local shops.

As to whether BMWs of today are better than they were 30 years ago, I dunno. I'm not that old.

[sweatmark]

The point of the thread was that Chicago BMW sucks at processing their orders. I agree.

Afraid my experience has been similar: slow delivery times, and no information available to check order processing status.

For my Rockster rebuild, I compiled a list of needed parts in Excel, with a column for Chicago BMW's discount, and another column for retail (my local BMW shop's policy). Added up both columns and compared... noted the difference as about $150, and brought the list to local dealer to buy parts. Told them that I wanted to support my local BMW shop inspite of the retail parts pricing - and they thanked me for the business. Not sure if that will be worth anything in the long haul, but I did get my parts quickly.

So someone please remind me..................why do we ride these machines?

Because - at least for me - the R1150R possesses a unique blend of character, utility, performance, history, simplicity, wrenchability, and toughness that I have not yet found in another motorcycle. Splines, QCs, wire ties, final drives, and crappy Rockster paint be darned.

[Railbender]

It is well known that Chicago BMW is S L O W with parts orders but does offer some of the best prices. If you want cheap you order from them if you want fast order from Max or A&S. I used to get parts from BMW of Lynchburg, they were cheap and fast. They are gone now.

[towerworker]

It's my understanding a new BMW/Triumph store will be opening in the Roanoke, Va area near end of 2011.

[chitownrbike]

I have been doing biz with Chicago BMW for over 25 years although I have not been up there in a couple of months. They are one of the bigger retailers in the country owned by the same folks who have the HD franchise>>> I do not believe they are going out of business. The parts guys are nice enough but they are hardly top flight in customer service. My only suggestion is to order by phone and follow up. I have seen the containers the parts come in and they are full of all kinds of stuff that has to be sorted.

[eduardobelmonte]

Sorry to hear about your problem with them. They have been one of the less expensive places to buy parts with the 20% discount, but I have heard mixed reports the last few years. Cyclerob says he gets parts quickly. I have had the same experience as you on several occasions and only after telephoning and asking about my order, was it shipped. Sounds like an internal stocking/ordering issue that has gotten progressively worse.

Due to expensive parts and quality degradation with BMW motorcycles the last few years, I'm almost certain my next bike will be of Japanese origin.

I haven't seen anything indicating about the 20% disccount you indicate.
Could you please ( or anyone other ) advise about it?
How do you go about getting it?
Any conditions to be satisfied?

Thanks a lot.
Eduardo.

[slowtorque]

I just received a small order from them and received it on time as expected. I started to get concerned after reading some of these posts. No trouble this time.

[eduardobelmonte]

I just received a small order from them and received it on time as expected. I started to get concerned after reading some of these posts. No trouble this time.

Did you get a 20% discount as stated possible with Chicago...
Thanks

Eduardo.

[slowtorque]

I could have gotten the parts (cam chain tensioner upgrade) for a little less thru Beemer Boneyard so I suspect not. I was not shopping for price just got online and ordered this set. When I order my system cases from them last year, I recall something about a discount, but I don't recall it being as much as 20%.