BMW Service, the Good and Bad

Not all dealerships are alike. I bought a used 1997 BMW a year ago when I moved to SW Florida and have had terrific service at the Naples, FL dealership. Unlucky for me, there is another dealership that is closer to my work so I took my car there. Only 36,000 miles so the low mileage performance is all there.

I took my car to the "other" BMW dealership for a simple oil change and because the airbag light was on. They also replaced a $40 bulb in the tail light. The total bill was over $700. Whaaaaaat???
So they call me and said my car was ready. I went after work to pick it up and waited and waited and ... a half hour later they said if I could just wait a bit they would also wash the car. WAIT a bit??? Wait even more??? Just bring my car.

I jumped in my car and saw the "check engine" light was now on. I returned and the not-so-friendly advisor said to bring it back in a few days if the light was still on. Huh??? I would call that unsafe, maybe careless or dangerous. What do you think?

I drove home and found fluid leaking from under the car. I imagined it was just some oil that dripped off. WRONG!!! I dropped off the BMW again at the same dealership and there is a broken transmission bracket and a severed transmission line. Plus, they want to replace another part that MIGHT cause a problem. For $1,000! I assure you that I baby this car and did not hit anything. Who do you think damaged my car?

BMW has failed, big time!!! I can't wait to get the bill so I can post a mega-rant on http://www.skidmarkoftheweek.com/.

Just to make things worse for them, I will not fill out the comment cards or surveys they send. Let the owner figure out on his/her own why they are losing business.

They can't really think I would trade-in my car on another BMW after this. Maybe they don't care.

I am Rob G. asking you to DriveLikeMe.

Tell your friends and neighbors to be cautious. I learned the hard way. That's all I can say.

Personalized License Plates

Many drivers in SW Florida display personalized license plates to show a bit of personality and sometimes humor. Today the Naples Daily News listed a few and I will share some with you:

BN BOATN
HU CARES
IMLATE
N SUR U
FLU BYE (ON A FERRARI)
PARADYZ
RL NAUTI
MI401K
LOOAVUL (HINT: IT IS A BIG CITY IN KENTUCKY)
OL HIPPE
SR RITAS

Have fun and enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!

This is Rob G. asking you to DriveLikeMe.

Turning Left Across Traffic

SW Florida can be a challenging place to drive. Teaching an AARP Driver Safety Class in Bonita Springs, FL allowed me to teach the participants as well as learn from their experiences. To get the right image, picture that drivers are turning left into a shopping plaza on your left while oncoming drivers uses the same break in the median to turn into a plaza on your right.

Ed and Louise debated how to turn left at a break in the median when oncoming cars were pulling into the same median break. They debated whether to turn in front of the oncoming cars or to pull in behind them, looping around them.

Ed made a good call when he insisted he will turn left before he reaches the oncoming car and will not loop past the car before turning left. He said oncoming cars could pull in front of him and block his turn. Good point.

I think turning left before you get to the oncoming car will allow smoother traffic flow and a safer traffic pattern. Note: if this advise conflicts with local traffic laws or signage, loop around as instructed. Use your best judgement to avoid a crash.

This is Rob G. asking you to Drive Like Me.

Tell drivers over 50 to attend an AARP driver Safety Program to help drivers improve their driving skills. Find an AARP Driving Course at www.AARP.com/driver.

Allow them to Change Lanes

Watching my son drive in Seattle was a much different experience than driving in SW Florida. My son proved to me that putting on his turn signal caused any gap in the next lane to dissolve. Amazing!

When changing lanes in Naples or Fort Myers, FL, we put on our turn signal and the gap actually widens. Better drivers make room for the lane-changing car. We need to spread the word across the nation.

I suggest that Seattle drivers go back to driving school and get some driving tips on how to change lanes safely. Closing up gaps is dangerous and forces drivers to hide their intentions and eliminate lane-changing turn signals. Bad idea and not very safe.

When a driver sees the turn signal please back off and let the other driver merge in front. Give that driver enough buffer to get in safely and quickly. Restore your normal following distance and enjoy the feeling you are making the roads safer.

This is Rob G asking you to Drive Like Me.

Worst States to Drive are not a Surprise

Driving in SW Florida can be a challenge or a pleasure. The difference depends largely on the season. Snowbird season in Naples makes the roads more crowded with drivers who do not have the same courtesy and safety habits as our year-round residents. It seems many of the drivers have not recently been through driver safety training. Come to my AARP Driver Safety Course and I can give you some tips. Find a class near you at www.AARP.com/Driver



Florida is not the worst state in which to drive. Forbes listed the worst states to drive within the United States, based on gas prices, safety, insurance, infrastructure, and legal protections. California was the worst, followed by:



Illinois

New York

Michigan

Alaska





South Carolina was rated the best state for drivers, followed by:



Nebraska

Missouri

North Dakota

Mississippi



I like driving in the Carolinas and Florida best of any states. Read the Forbes article and tell me if you agree.

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1542/the-best-and-worst-states-for-drivers/



This is Rob G asking you to drive like me.

Rent a Car Before You Buy?

AARP Driver Safety Courses cover a broad range of driver safety tips. One tip that can keep you safe for years is to get a car that properly fits YOU. Larger people in a tiny car and smaller people in a massive car are obvious mismatches. But there are more things to consider.

Newer vehicles have a vast array of options available to help drivers. Hearing impair drivers may choose a device that picks out sirens and car horns, then gives a visual indication to help the driver. Other safety devices like rearview cameras and backup proximity sensors let the driver know that it is safe to proceed.

Choose a vehicle that seems to fit you and your personality. Then rent that model with similar features for a week or weekend to make certain the fit is good. This gives the driver time to check the fit and to think about the purchase.

This process may not work as well for used cars as a great deal can be lost by waiting. Get a good idea of what you want by renting very early in the process.

Best of success in your car search!

This is Rob G asking you to Drive Like Me.

Right Turn on Red? Look Twice!

SW Florida typically has very good drivers. There are a few busy intersections that challenge even the best of drivers. Here is an advanced driving tip to help the drivers in Naples, FL and surrounding areas avoid this situation.



Today I saw a car stopped at a red light drive right into the back of the car in front of him. The woman driving the car in front drifted and started to turn right on red. The car behind thought the woman continued to go and hit the other car. Crash! Call the insurance company!



Pointer for turning right on red: Please watch the car ahead totally clear the intersection before looking left for oncoming cars. The driver must insure that all cars ahead have gone before checking for traffic on the left. The driver may accellerate into that small gap only to look up and see a stopped vehicle in front of them. Embarrassing at best and worse if a pedestrian crossed between the cars.



Tell your hot rod drivers to read this post at http://www.drivelikeme.com/.



Rob G. asks you to Drive Like Me.