[ak3086]

Hi, Need some help or suggestions.

I have a service appointment next week for 2022 x5 recall and I chose Valet pickup. Is it safe or is it better I take a loaner from them as it going to take 4 -5 hours for them to return the car? Usually I try to avoid driving loaner cars etc just so I don't have to deal/worry in the event of anything unfortunate /accident etc. Appreciate any thoughts/inputs if you have used valet pickup option for service or heard from anyone.

[BMWCCA1]

I don't like anyone driving my BMW, but I don't mind driving someone else's BMW!

[Westside Guy]

There are two separate issues here.

1) Valet pickup and delivery from your dealer.

2) Loaner cars.

I've never had valet pickup and delivery service from a dealer for my cars as I don't want anybody else to drive them.

If my car is going to be tied up overnight or longer I will not hesitate to take a loaner car. I always inspect the car along with my service advisor and shoot a video with him included in it to document any damage such as scratches or dents.

[ak3086]

Thank you @westside guy.
I guess I will do the same most likely. I guess it is better to have it in my control and not trust them entirely.

[ak3086]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

I don't like anyone driving my BMW, but I don't mind driving someone else's BMW!

Thank you for your response.

[snareman]

2 issues as mentioned...

My dealer is almost 30min away so even if I was to take it for a simple oil chance its a large time expenditure for me if I go any wait. I could take the loaner, but its just enough time to get home and drive right back.

I've never had an issue with my dealers valet drivers and the minimal risk of them driving it is worth saving several hours of my day driving and sitting at a dealer.

On the loaner, I have a second car so I generally don't take the loaner if they are valeting it. If I drop it off at the dealer for some reason I'll take it though.

overall, I've never had a problem with either. I've heard of some dealers on here having more exciting loaners. I usually get something like a base model 330 or X4.

[billnchristy]

I've never done the valet but had a pretty wide gamut of loaners:
X3,X2,530e,340i,and a 430.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by billnchristy

I've never done the valet but had a pretty wide gamut of loaners:
X3,X2,530e,340i,and a 430.

I have not done the valet either (dealership is only a couple of quick miles away) and I have used loaners as a way to test out different BMWs.

[ZL9M2]

I would never use a valet service. I drop off and take a loaner or bring my laptop with and work out of one of their offices if necessary.

[unfoundnemo]

My dealer doesn't technically offer valet, so when I have had it done, it was my trusted SA picking up and dropping the car off himself.

For a larger dealer... unless they have a dedicated valet staff, they likely just have their recon guys doing the pickup/dropoff as their normal duties could wait more than any other staff in the building. I'd imagine they have a good system for covering seats and such, and they're in enough cars every day that I wouldn't worry about a joy ride unless you had something special, but you're talking about a low-wage employee that might curb a wheel, drag a rough boot across your door sill, etc.

I would worry about those little things more so than potentially getting in an accident. Insurance will cover any real damage, but it's hard to prove that the dealer gave you some curb rash, and you're the one that will have to live with it in the end.

Granted, I don't like driving loaners myself... mainly because my servicing dealer doesn't have a ton and I don't want to be driving around in a stripped down X1 or so. If I'm in a pinch, I'll see if my SA has time to swing by, otherwise, my dealer happens to be 1.5 miles away from my house, so I'll just drop it off and go for a walk or something.

[BobBMWX3]

I had my cars valeted for years without issue. The dealer was the same one, which was easy because we had a trust level. It was Infiniti and Volvo, but this is really just based on the dealership. They used drivers that were retired sales reps, so very professionally done.

They typically drove a car down to me, left that one, and took mine for the service. I preferred this valet option over having to take my vehicle to the dealer. It was a 45 minute drive one way. If they ran into issues getting it completed in that service, then I had the dropped off car to drive.

I did not worry about driving the dropped off car. You are insured and they are. So, the worry is in how they car for your car. If you are taking your car to a dealer that trust is an issue, I would look to somewhere else. A careless worker can damage your car even if you drive it up to the door.

I was disappointed to learn that the dealer no longer offers the valet service. I had the Volvo serviced last week. Took all day. I had to do my job from their waiting room. Ugh.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Seems like my dealer always has new BMW loaners. Just yesterday, I got a 2022 M440 xDrive Gran Coupe. About a month ago it was the coupe version of the M440 xDrive.