Beware Barcelona Chiang Mai!

[2wheels]

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My friend is too polite to post a thread like this, so I will.
Screw the consequences.

He has, for more than a year, been 'ripped off' by a young guy whose name begins with K at Barcelona Motors. (Apparently there are other victims also, but it seems no-one is prepared to come forward).

One trick is to take good parts off a customer's BMW bike and install them into another bike. Older parts from another victim's bike are then used for the original customer.

Rarely are accurate accounts kept of this work, but an exorbitant fee for new parts is charged.

Then there is the long wait for parts that 'are not available in Thailand'; meaning there is currently no customer's bike from which parts can be cannibalized. BMW Germany has been made aware of this, as has BMW Bgk. When informed the 'unavailable' parts arrived within 2 days!

And tonight I hear that this is a common practice with BMW servicing in a neighbouring country. Maybe it's not only BMW who do this?

There are probably local BMW riders out there who have positive stories to tell.
Good luck to them.
I now know of a negative story and have taken the time to share it.

Either way, this is one sad anecdote which has persuaded me to NEVER deal with Barcelona Chiang Mai.

[Captain_Slash]

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Six years ago when I bought my F650Gs new from there (it was then called VVP) I was warned by a Thai not to leave it there while I was back in England because of this problem but I certainly never noticed anything nicked off of mine

[nikster]

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Every time I hear something about Barcelona Motors CM, it's bad. Doesn't matter who I hear it from, totally unrelated people, foreigners, Thais, everyone.
A Thai friend of mine just bought a brand new VW. He was considering a new BMW but decided against it because of Barcelona...

[SilverhawkUSA]

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I have heard positive stories from one of my friends and I also receive good service when ordering Metzeler tires through them which my only direct contact. Personally, I have a problem with negative posts that are second hand information regurgitated from an anonymous, albeit apparently polite, "friend".

[TonyBKK]

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This thread should be deleted.

It's nothing but hearsay from a forum member who has never owned a BMW in Thailand...

There are dozens of GT-Rider members who have purchased motorcycles from BMW, Thailand. If one of them wish to share a negative experience that is their prerogative.

Shame on you 2wheels.

[Hoghead]

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I am waiting for Dave Caroll to chime in as he has first hand experience

[johngooding]

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I have purchased 3 new BMW motorcycles from dealers in Thailand. The last 2 from Barcelona Chiang Mai. I do know Rons friend, and he gave me a detailed written explanation of the problems that he had in Chiang Mai Barcelona, which led Ron to write this post. He is one of 3 people that have talked to me about their bad experiences with Barcelona Chiang Mai. Ron's friend asked me what he could do and my advice was to send all the information to BMW Germany. He did not wish to do this as he felt it was not going to rectify his problem.
The only comment I am willing to make from my personal experience with Barcelona Chiang Mai, is that despite the fact that my F800GS is only 1 year old and so still under warranty, I am now doing my own servicing and will not be leaving it with Barcelona anymore. If I do end up with a warranty problem, then I will probably go to BKK Bangkok, where I bought my first R1200GS.

[CBR250]

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I hope everyone with issues makes the problem known with BMW Germany, whether it rectifies their problems or not.

[Ozjourno]

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Perhaps the Moderator could email them a copy of this thread.

[Tom Forde]

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I will put my 2 bobs worth in here.

I have used Barcelona Motors for all my major services, even back in 2004 when it was VVP.

The service was excellant back then, my bike had only one week to go before the 2 year warranty would expire.

My rear shock had failed and was replaced under warranty within 2 weeks, mailed from Germany.

Since then I have had some nigling minor problems

1: breathing screw loose on left hand fork, leading to weaping fluid.
2: New tyres fitted, back wheel misalligned when rear wheel was reinstalled.

I now check my bikes thoroughly when they arrive back from warantee service.

Just a foot note, a recent trip back to Aust. confirmed my suspicions.

The local BMW/Triumph dealer had moved into brand new showrooms, much bigger than their previous shop.

The workshop was shown off through a glass wall for all the customers to see, a real sales point.

However it was the same size as the old one.

I asked one of the sales guys I know, 'why not a bigger workshop?'.

Answer, 'we make money from selling new bikes and clothes not services or warantee claims, people just have to wait!'

Cheers
Tom

[schackster]

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Sometimes its worth while hanging around whilst work is being done, then you can be sure whats been done or not done as the case may be

[mbox999]

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Sometimes its worth while hanging around whilst work is being done, then you can be sure whats been done or not done as the case may be

seconded!!.....best thing to do (if you have the time) , i often watch when things are done on my bikes but sadly not always have the time to do that.

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[monsterman]

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According to BMW in Munich,,,, Barcelona are not an APPROVED BMW dealer or importer anymore thay are getiing grey imports .

its not only motorcyle owners who have unfortunate service issues with Barcelona I know several people who have bought cars as well and have serious issues with Barcelona .one friend had a 535 which developed an gearbox fault after only 5 months and Barcelona attempted a warrany repair 4 times ,the car is now totally unreliable and has been sitting waiting parts for almost a year , my friend has now had the car towed to another BMW importers workshop shop for repair after he contacted Munich direct.
so much for a 4.4m baht car

The official Thai BMW importer is another company entirely .

[harrythefinn]

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So, Monsterman, don't be shy. Who is the official BMW dealer in CM????

[mbox999]

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kinda confusing ... if Barcelona Motors is not approved BMW dealer anymore they should also remove them from their Thai BMW website where they are found on the dropdownlist: http://www.bmw.co.th/th/en/general/l...ent_id_31.html

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[monsterman]

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So, Monsterman, don't be shy. Who is the official BMW dealer in CM????

Barcelona is not an importer and according to my info they have been downgraded by BMW in Germany to associate status ( whatever that means?) ,I have also been told that BMW Munich are not in control of the Thai points of service and cannot garantee BMW quailty of service from Barcelona that they have received numerous complaints from Car and motorcycle buyers of poor service and cheating re: parts and other nefarious practices .
I asked about the Website and apparently its run by marketing dept and not customer services ?

Its a bit like Fedex when i used to use them to import large quantities of parts for HDs into Thailand and was told by Fedex head office in Atlanta not to use the Fedex office in Thailand as it was not under their control , we had so many dodgy issues of whole shipments being stolen , lost and double charged on fees already paid in USA plus amomilies with Fedex Bangkok and the customs we lost 3m bahts worth of product.We changed to another Shipper UPS and the problems stopped .

An ex member of this forum has also shown me extensive communcations with BMW in Munich about a bike he bought new from Barcelona 2 years ago that has been completly messed up and has also had parts changed to inferior parts from other models whilst in Barcelonas care ,BMW told him not to deal with Barcelona any more for warranty as they cannot garantee the end result .He is now fixing the bike himself with aid from BMW and the importer its lucky he is a good technician .

[schackster]

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Sounds like not just hearsay to me after reading other peoples comments.

[Rustic Charm]

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Sounds like not just hearsay to me after reading other peoples comments.

I agree! Useful and valuable information. Good work 2wheels. And as the saying goes ' Don't let the bastards grind you down.

[CRM Barcelona]

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Dear BMW Riders,

Our attention has been drawn to the thread on GT-Rider, which has been the subject of internal investigations and subsequent discussions between Barcelona and BMW Thailand.

First of all, we would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused to you, and like to assure you that we are highly concerned to learn of your frustration with the service of Barcelona in Chiang Mai.

We are concerned that Barcelona customers have first class treatment at all times. It will always be necessary to first visit your nearest Barcelona dealership should you have a mechanical or warranty issue.

However, if you are still unsatisfied, and in order to facilitate your inquiries and complaints we have created a special unit, Customer Relations Management [CRM] Team, to resolve any outstanding issues. Please do not hesitate in contacting our Team if you have no success with our dealership.

Customer Relations Management [CRM] Team, Barcelona Motors
Phone: 02-938-6388
Email: crm2@dealer.bmw.co.th

Similarly, if there are persons who feel the need to question Barcelona’s standing as a BMW authorised dealership, they may call BMW Thailand direct, on 02 305-8888 to confirm Barcelona’s status.

Please be assured that the Barcelona Group follow closely the regulations applied by BMW Thailand and that we always endeavor to give good service to our BMW riders and customers.

We would like to thank those who have had problems for bringing them to our attention, as they will help us to serve you better in the future.

Sincerely yours,
Customer Relations Management [CRM] Team

[Davidfl]

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Dear BMW Riders,

Our attention has been drawn to the thread on GT-Rider, which has been the subject of internal investigations and subsequent discussions between Barcelona and BMW Thailand.

First of all, we would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused to you, and like to assure you that we are highly concerned to learn of your frustration with the service of Barcelona in Chiang Mai.

We are concerned that Barcelona customers have first class treatment at all times. It will always be necessary to first visit your nearest Barcelona dealership should you have a mechanical or warranty issue.

However, if you are still unsatisfied, and in order to facilitate your inquiries and complaints we have created a special unit, Customer Relations Management [CRM] Team, to resolve any outstanding issues. Please do not hesitate in contacting our Team if you have no success with our dealership.

Customer Relations Management [CRM] Team, Barcelona Motors
Phone: 02-938-6388
Email: crm2@dealer.bmw.co.th

Similarly, if there are persons who feel the need to question Barcelona’s standing as a BMW authorised dealership, they may call BMW Thailand direct, on 02 305-8888 to confirm Barcelona’s status.

Please be assured that the Barcelona Group follow closely the regulations applied by BMW Thailand and that we always endeavor to give good service to our BMW riders and customers.

We would like to thank those who have had problems for bringing them to our attention, as they will help us to serve you better in the future.

Sincerely yours,
Customer Relations Management [CRM] Team

Well done BMW Thailand - thank you for your response. I have been very uneasy with this thread.
Now for all the doubters out there about dealership & guys with bike problems in Chiang Mai, please contact the big guys in Bangkok.