[Michaeljh2000]

I’d like to get a new 335i soon and am curious about experiences people have had with dealers around the DC area and/or whether it is worthwhile to use an online buying service like CarsDirect. Also, which dealers are friendlier to people who like to mod their cars. Thanks.

[hkkuf]

I don't know about mod friendly, but if you are looking for a dealership, I've found that Passport offers the most competitive pricing, at least in my case.
I'm not crazy about my sales guy however (gave me attitude about going back and forth with another dealership when I went to pick up my car), so if I were you I'd do some research on the buying experience forum and find a better sales guy (mine's pretty new and isn't mentioned there).
A lot of DC area people like Sterling as well.

[M3 Piotr]

I got my car at Russel BMW, and salesperson and manager were awesome. They usually close at 8pm, but I was testdriving e90 335i and e46 M3 back to back trying to decide ( I testdrove 335i for about 30min, M3 for about 45min just couldn't get enough of it). They stayed open until 11pm when I decided on 335i. Even when I got my 335i , I went back couple more times to drive the M3 because I was thinking of switching to M3. Either way decided that I dont want to do that since M3 wont' be practical for me and having a newborn baby. Overall, I was very happy customer and if I had a problem with the car, it got taken care of right away (minor stuff like oil sensor acting up, mismatched door handle lights). My sales person was Korey Matthews, just in case you want to know. I would highly recommend them.

[dce90]

Just yesterday I bought a 335xi from Steve George at Passport BMW. VERY HELPFUL sales person. The sales manager, Jim Redden, was also pretty nice and helpful. They made the buying experience simple and pleasant, plus I got a good deal.

Steve is relatively new to BMW. He was formerly in Infiniti sales and from what I recall in conversations with him he switched over to BMW because they are better cars. He is a super nice guy so I highly recommend you give him a call. Here is his contact info:

Steve George
Passport BMW
Direct: (301) 702-6417
Dealership: 301-423-2700
http://www.passportbmw.com

Happy shopping!

[FSTASNTZ]

If you were closer to the Raleigh/Durham area I would say go to Performance BMW and ask for Ray. I just bought my 2007 335i from Ray Friday, awesome guy. Originally from Germany and obtained his BMW training while living in Germany. His Customer Service Index is 100%.
As far as the dealership as a whole, they have been around for as longa as I can remember. Never an issue with them. The service department is constantly getting rave reviews.

[jwilburn]

Go to Fairfax for service. Though I have heard their sales dept isnt so great. If you want to buy CPO, the people at Arlington were nice. Other wise stay far far away from Arlington on all other accounts!

[adc]

For sales, try Passport, Tischer or Sterling. If you are considering Euro Delivery, there is truly only one way to go - Joern Esser at Passport.

For service, try Tischer or Sterling, I think they consistently get the best reviews. I service mine at VOB with great results, but I'm aware of mixed stories with them.

[BK]

Go with Passport or Sterling. Passport supported our last e90post meet, and they did a terrific job. They've been very friendly with those on our forum, and many of us bought our cars there. Excellent and knowledgeable CAs there. Peter Brizan or Yves Badji are the two many of us bought from. For European Delivery, ask for Joern Esser.

You might consider asking this on the Mid-Atlantic forum, which is dominated by DC-area people. Also, read through this thread for opinions on the various area dealers: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37063

[BKsBimmer]

Got mine at Tischer 18 months ago. My CA was Norman Weinstock, he's great. The service has been excellent. Lot's of folks here buy parts from Tischer because their prices are so great. They are also mod friendly.

[Michaeljh2000]

Originally Posted by adc

For sales, try Passport, Tischer or Sterling. If you are considering Euro Delivery, there is truly only one way to go - Joern Esser at Passport.

Interesting, I've never heard of the Euro Delivery. Can you explain or give me a good link to read?

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by Michaeljh2000

Interesting, I've never heard of the Euro Delivery. Can you explain or give me a good link to read?

Start with my most recent set of articles here

This describes my experience as the first customer to take delivery of a car at BMW´s new BMW Welt delivery center as well as an article about the opening of the Welt (it opened on 17. October 2007 and deliveries started with mine on 23. October).

Make sure to scroll down to see earlier articles (it´s about 7 or 8 covering the entire experience) plus slide shows.

Then try my article from march 2006.

The Bimmerfest European Delivery forum is an excellent online resource.

[BigDog]

Joern Esser from Passport BMW...

bought my 2nd e90 from him and it was a smooth transaction with no hassle.... price neg. took maybe 5 minutes...

Euro Delivery too

[Kuzoku]

I bought my BMW Z4 from Passport this past Saturday. I bought from Rob Link over there. Spoke with Peter Brizan, Dan Bowling and Yves Badji. They were all funny and nice. Over all, I actually enjoyed talking cars with these guys. Got a great deal on the Z4, knowledgable people and wouldn't recommend anywhere else. Just seemed like a bunch of people having fun. Plus, I'm only 23 and they didn't treat me like I couldn't afford the car. They're also moving into their new building in a month or two. Waiting on permits, re-paving the parking lot and stuff. I don't know how it will turn out, but driving by it, it is definately a improvement. Either way, they seemed to want to go in the right direction and they treated me better than 5 other local BMW dealers did. I don't think I need to say who, but obviously living in Annapolis and driving 35 miles away for service alone says something.

[sapperelite]

Originally Posted by Kuzoku

I bought my BMW Z4 from Passport this past Saturday. I bought from Rob Link over there. Spoke with Peter Brizan, Dan Bowling and Yves Badji. They were all funny and nice. Over all, I actually enjoyed talking cars with these guys. Got a great deal on the Z4, knowledgable people and wouldn't recommend anywhere else. Just seemed like a bunch of people having fun. Plus, I'm only 23 and they didn't treat me like I couldn't afford the car. They're also moving into their new building in a month or two. Waiting on permits, re-paving the parking lot and stuff. I don't know how it will turn out, but driving by it, it is definately a improvement. Either way, they seemed to want to go in the right direction and they treated me better than 5 other local BMW dealers did. I don't think I need to say who, but obviously living in Annapolis and driving 35 miles away for service alone says something.

I went to the dealership off Lee Highway to look at a second 335 and they treated my wife and I like we were trespassing. Granted my wife and I have three kids and look a little on the young side but around DC there are a lot of younger people who can and do buy these cars. I went to the dealerhip in Alexandria and the service was a complete 180. Unfortunately, the experience convinced my wife that she didn't want a BMW...

[Scottz71]

I deal with Sterling BMW. My wife and I are on the young side...and they were nothing but nice and open to having us as customers...sorry you got a bad vibe from wherever you went...keep the faith...

[pdjafari2]

whatever you do stay AWAY from Fairfax...

I got my e92 08 335xi coupe from Sterling for 1500 over invoice. Go talk to my man Ernest...really nice guy

[3rd3]

Stay away from BMW of Fairfax...they are crooks and have a poor reputation for customer service post sale (including with me).

This is sapperelite's Lee Hwy dealership and he is dead on...

[WeeMan335]

+1 on Passport!

[Highflyr]

+1 Tischer




of course I might be a biased...

[IDreamofBimmers]

I live VOB... they've been good!
better than Tischer (in my experience)

[1N54E92]

Originally Posted by 335i Piotr

I got my car at Russel BMW, and salesperson and manager were awesome. They usually close at 8pm, but I was testdriving e90 335i and e46 M3 back to back trying to decide ( I testdrove 335i for about 30min, M3 for about 45min just couldn't get enough of it). They stayed open until 11pm when I decided on 335i. Even when I got my 335i , I went back couple more times to drive the M3 because I was thinking of switching to M3. Either way decided that I dont want to do that since M3 wont' be practical for me and having a newborn baby. Overall, I was very happy customer and if I had a problem with the car, it got taken care of right away (minor stuff like oil sensor acting up, mismatched door handle lights). My sales person was Korey Matthews, just in case you want to know. I would highly recommend them.

Kory Matthews, No F%$$ing Way ! Read the following.

The dealership was Russel BMW in MD. The CA was Korey Matthews.. He called me on monday and asked my interest twice. I stated clearly twice that it was "my goal to purchase the car on Saturday".. The car was sold that same day. My CA was on vacation and I was on a vacation as well.. The understanding was that I was away and would return Saturday to buy the car. I found out on Monday that the car wasn't even held. The CA who sold the car foolishly admitted that making the phone conversation nearly moot to begin with.

J.

link

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ghlight=russel

[Digtlartst]

Originally Posted by BKsBimmer

Got mine at Tischer 18 months ago. My CA was Norman Weinstock, he's great. The service has been excellent. Lot's of folks here buy parts from Tischer because their prices are so great. They are also mod friendly.

+1 on Tischer and Norman Weinstock. I bought a CPO a few weeks ago and I'm happy with the transaction. After the sale, a couple of very minor mechanical issues came up and the service department picked up my car at home (I'm 25 miles away), left me an 09 loaner, fixed the car and delivered it. Is that typical? Also, their parts/goodies online ordering is efficient and fair-priced.