Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > SOUTH AMERICA > Repair Shops, South America
Repair Shops, South America RECOMMENDED Repair shops. List COUNTRY first in the subject to make it easier to find. Threads are sorted Alphabetically, NOT by date.
Be sure to check out the over 800 HU Communities for help anywhere in the world from travellers just like you. They WANT to help, so let them know you're coming.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Bike Parking up to one year, and Repairs in Montevideo Uruguay

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Nov 2007
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,175
BMW Porto Alegre - Brazil - The workshop of horrors!

I won´t put any address as you should give them a wide berth!

I will pass on their outrageous pricing and riping us off. I wouldn´t mind paying big bucks for outstanding work. No. I do mind when their work is so incompetent that they let me leave their workshop on a motorbike which was actually dangerous to ride! That, I cannot forgive!

After the theft of my bike I got it shipped to their workshop and asked them to check it. When I picked it up few days later, the forks where mis-aligned and the handlebar was bent in 2 places. As a result, the throttle would be "sticky" and I would have to close it up or it would stay stuck, if you see what I mean! I was horrified and rode the bike out. I didn´t want anything to do with them anymore! Richard, our host, took a look at the bike and told me the bike was too dangerous for us to continue until Buenos Aires. He took us immediately to a local workshop. For less than 25USD the lad there fixed my bike in few hours!
On monday I will be in BAs and the bike will be in the trusted hands of Javier!
I will never let a BMW dealer touch my bike again !Ever!
For details check my blog the Post "The day BMW tried to kill me" (I will post it in the next few hours.)
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Nov 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Moscow
Posts: 1,117
World of BMW - Its the same the whole World over!

I booked my Dakar in for a 10,000K service at BMW Autodom, Moscow Mkad earlier this year.

On arrival at 9am I found the usual white marble and glass palace full of smartly dressed people doing absolutely nothing - except avoiding eye contact with customers. 6 receptionists busy ignoring everyone by staring into screens. A further three guys on the 2 meter long counter for BMW exclusive bike cleaner, screenwash (?) and polish.

After 10 minutes someone foolishly looked up (probably she was planning to go to the loo!) and I dived in. It took half an hour to book-in the bike (despite a pre-arranged appointment) for the service and a tyre, I was told they would ring me when the bike was ready.

They were as good as their word here - they did ring. TWO DAYS LATER!

They told me the price was 18,000roubles (about (£350). I got there within an hour to be told the price mentioned was wrong and I would have to pay closer to £550.

I pulled out into the Mkad (sort of M25) to find the clutch slipping. I stopped and adjusted the cable myself as I just felt incapable of being polite with BMW people.

A prebooked, routine, interim service and a new tyre. Two and a half days. £550. Come on........

I am so glad labour rates in Russia are not as high as elsewhere.

The whole BMW experience always totally pisses me off. It has been much the same in the UK, Spain and Russia.

They make good bikes but behave as though no one else does (or even exists). Even in highly populated countries like UK they make you travel long distances to find an "authorised" bike dealer who, on past experiences, are often do incompetant work. Other makes are just as good, if not better, and they have spares and mechanics in just about every town in the World.

The wriggling over Warranty matters is truely out of this World! I have twice written to BMW UK but they just wriggle out of it even more. A helmet inner disintegrated when following their own washing instructions - not interested because I do not know the supplying dealer (It was a surprise gift from an ex-girl friend who I no longer wish to contact).

I could go on - and on - and on - but I leave it for others to recount their own stories.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
The truth about BMW Rider Equipment - and it´s not good! maria41 Equipment Reviews 74 14 Nov 2013 19:16
BMW dealers Brazil or around? maria41 SOUTH AMERICA 4 14 Aug 2007 15:26
Staying In Porto Alegre Brazil Wanderer_1 Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 6 Oct 2004 02:38
Porto Vehlo, Brazil jim stanley Repair Shops, South America 0 22 Dec 2003 20:30

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:20.