|
18 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 62
|
|
BMW Service
anyone have any experience with BMW in Guatemala or Panama. I need some warranty work on an oil leak on my 2010 F650 GS twin.
|
19 Dec 2012
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SoOrange NJ USA
Posts: 296
|
|
No personal experience, but dealers are here:
Bavaria Motors, S.A.
6 Av. 4-54, Zona 4 , Apartado Postal 651, 01901 Ciudad de Guatemala
+502 2384-8000
info@bavaria.com.gt
BMW Motorrad
and here:
Bavarian Motors S.A.Edificio BMW
Calle 50 y 65, San Francisco , Apartado 0819-06630 El Dorado Panamá
+507 301 5400
gbriceno@fasa.com.pa
BMW Motorrad
(any/all BMW dealers worldwide are available from the corp website:
BMW Motorrad International)
|
19 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 62
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CourtFisher
|
Thanks for the information. I already have a list of dealers. Just trying to find out if one is better than the other. Received an email from the Panama dealer.They seem efficient and have already checked my vin. I will service there. Will let you know how good they are in a week or so. Thanks again for your reply.
|
19 Dec 2012
|
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Posts: 343
|
|
I used the dealer in Panama for my '07 F650GS single in 2010. They were quite professional when doing my 40,000km service but seemed to take quite a bit longer than the time they told me it would take.
While I managed to do everything in Spanish, there were English speaking service folks around as well.
I wasn't entirely happy with their work. They failed to test the brakes after replacing the brake fluid. I ended up crapping my pants in Panama City traffic when nothing happened when I applied the front brake. They were subsequently fine for the rest of the trip. I suspect they had pushed the pads in to get the wheel off and failed to squeeze the lever a few times to get them back where they belonged after they were finished ....or whatever. Also, 4 weeks later my battery was bone dry while in some small mountain town in Mexico. There are definitely all kinds of reasons that could happen in 4 weeks but I suspect that they never checked it as part of the 40,000km service. I failed to check it as well, so there you have it :-)
That was my personal experience and others may have had a different experience. Having said all this, I've actually had much worse service in the US and I'd consider Panama to be in the "average" range for BMW service.
...Michelle
|
19 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 62
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrabblebiker
I used the dealer in Panama for my '07 F650GS single in 2010. They were quite professional when doing my 40,000km service but seemed to take quite a bit longer than the time they told me it would take.
While I managed to do everything in Spanish, there were English speaking service folks around as well.
I wasn't entirely happy with their work. They failed to test the brakes after replacing the brake fluid. I ended up crapping my pants in Panama City traffic when nothing happened when I applied the front brake. They were subsequently fine for the rest of the trip. I suspect they had pushed the pads in to get the wheel off and failed to squeeze the lever a few times to get them back where they belonged after they were finished ....or whatever. Also, 4 weeks later my battery was bone dry while in some small mountain town in Mexico. There are definitely all kinds of reasons that could happen in 4 weeks but I suspect that they never checked it as part of the 40,000km service. I failed to check it as well, so there you have it :-)
That was my personal experience and others may have had a different experience. Having said all this, I've actually had much worse service in the US and I'd consider Panama to be in the "average" range for BMW service.
...Michelle
|
Thanks Michelle!
I hope they have improved since then but will double check all their work and mention what you experienced to them. Pretty damn scary when your brakes don't work.
Clive
|
19 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
Posts: 368
|
|
I used the BMW dealers in San Jose Costa Rica. They were very friendly and helpful.
|
19 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: calgary canada
Posts: 126
|
|
I used the dealer in Panama city for my 07 f650gs in 2009 after a buzzard tried to kill me at 60mph near Yaviza
Broke my windshield in 3 pieces and my headlight, they got me fixed up the next day by stiching the windshield with wire and glue thickened with baby powder. Did the light and an oil change and I was on my way. Seemed a very reasonable price also!
Cheers
|
20 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 62
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lonesome George
I used the BMW dealers in San Jose Costa Rica. They were very friendly and helpful.
|
Thanks, Time costraints now after taking my sweet time means I will have to service in Panama.
|
20 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 62
|
|
[QUOTE=Calvin;404642]I used the dealer in Panama city for my 07 f650gs in 2009 after a buzzard tried to kill me at 60mph near Yaviza
Broke my windshield in 3 pieces and my headlight, they got me fixed up the next day by stiching the windshield with wire and glue thickened with baby powder. Did the light and an oil change and I was on my way. Seemed a very reasonable price also!
Cheers[/QUOTE
Guess he was hungry but picked the wrong target. Thanks...looks as if I will service there.
|
6 Jan 2013
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 62
|
|
Panama BMW...Excellent
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast103
Thanks, Time costraints now after taking my sweet time means I will have to service in Panama.
|
I took my bike to the BMW dealer in Panama City...Bavarian Motors Panama S.A. Calle 50 y 65 in Panama City. I had spoken with and exchanged emails with Roberto Pinto ( speaks English) the director of service at this dealership. I expained that I was from Canada and was riding to South America. Roberto had checked my VIN and had assured me the problem would be fixed under my warranty. He had alao requested some pictures of where the leak was.
I arrived at Bavarian Motors on Jan.2nd at 2pm and was met by both Roberto and Isael Urriola the technichan who was going to work on my bike.The dealership is as big and professional as any I have seen.
I also wanted my brakes checked and left both front and rear pads with them.
I left my bike and was driven back to my hotel. I received an email the following day saying my bike was ready. Once again they provided transportation from my hotel.
The oil leak was fixed under warranty. The front pads were replaced, the rear pads were okay, the bike was washed and cleaned,the chain lubed and the clutch lever adjusted. it was a like a new bike. I was charged $30.00. ( Thirty dollars).
Impeccable service. It is dealers like this and Motohaus BMW in Leon, Mexico that make it a pleasure to ride a BMW.
My experience with these two dealers and their employees has been exceptionally good. Absolutley no complaint.
|
7 Jan 2013
|
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Posts: 343
|
|
Glad to hear you had a good experience.
....Michelle
|
9 Jan 2013
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 62
|
|
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrabblebiker
Glad to hear you had a good experience.
....Michelle
|
I had to go back...for something different. I stopped at a vulcanizing place for air. Somehow in putting air in the rear tire the guy actually cracked the stem on the wheel. This also has the the tire pressure monitor and temperature sensor.This was in Chepo on my way to Carti on Sunday. So back to Panama City. This was on Sunday. Monday was A holiday. Today...Tuesday I arrived at BMW bright and early. They had the stem/sensor in stock. Replaced it in a short while and I was back on the road. Same great service and care. Once again Roberto, was exceptional. Knowing I was travelling he got a technician on my bike immediately. Labour was extremely reasonable...the sensor expensive of course. BMW...Bring More Wallet! The price we pay for riding a damn good bike.
In future I will be the only putting air in my tires!
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2024:
- California: April 18-21
- Virginia: April 25-28
- Germany Summer: May 9-12
- Québec: May 17-19
- Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
- CanWest: July 11-14
- Switzerland: August 15-18
- Ecuador: August 23-25
- Romania: August 30-Sept 1
- Austria: September 12-15
- France: September 20-22
- Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3
2025:
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025!
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- France: September 19-21 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
HUBBUK: info
See all event details
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.
"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™ 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!
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.
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.
|
|
|