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My experience with Whitebear Acura Subaru....totally awesome customer service
Well this was quite unexpected to be honest with you so lets get down to the details.
I took my Subaru in for an engine overhaul due to seal leaks and excessive piston slap a few months ago and all has been well up until the last week when I started smelling antifreeze. I did some basic investigation and found that the upper rad hose was dripping coolant onto the head so I tightened it down about half a turn and it stopped... so I thought...
Yesterday morning it started to leak again and since it was going in for an oil change I decided to let them look at. I talked to service advisor Joshua and asked him to give me an estimated cost to fix it....
So they take the car and I go into the waiting area... about an hour later Joshua came back and said I was all set. I asked him what happened and he said that they found a leak in the upper radiator hose due to it not sealing and they replaced it and bleed the system and it is good to go. I asked him how much it was and he said that they picked up the tab on that and the oil change...
Now these guys should have charged me to replace the hose and I said that I really should pay for the repair or at the least parts... He said and I quote "you just spent a lot of money with us and it was the least we could do to take care of you"
I know a lot of people complain about dealers so I thought I would share one of my experiences with Whitebear Acura Subaru. They really do good work and they really do provide customer service that is second to none and this is why they have been my shop of choice since 2006 when I got my Acura...
for major work it is worth the drive to see them. I went into Buerkle Acura once and I will NEVER go back. I wanted them to do the recall that was open on my 02 CL-S and they said 1+ month. called Whitebear and they said come and see us tomorrow and I did and the rest is history.
Funny thing is that Buerkle Honda is quite good...they used to service both my 94 accord and my 98 accord...
Last edited by YeuEmMaiMai; 12-02-2014 at 08:59 AM.
Well this was quite unexpected to be honest with you so lets get down to the details.
I took my Subaru in for an engine overhaul due to seal leaks and excessive piston slap a few months ago and all has been well up until the last week when I started smelling antifreeze. I did some basic investigation and found that the upper rad hose was dripping coolant onto the head so I tightened it down about half a turn and it stopped... so I thought...
Yesterday morning it started to leak again and since it was going in for an oil change I decided to let them look at. I talked to service advisor Joshua and asked him to give me an estimated cost to fix it....
So they take the car and I go into the waiting area... about an hour later Joshua came back and said I was all set. I asked him what happened and he said that they found a leak in the upper radiator hose due to it not sealing and they replaced it and bleed the system and it is good to go. I asked him how much it was and he said that they picked up the tab on that and the oil change...
Now these guys should have charged me to replace the hose and I said that I really should pay for the repair or at the least parts... He said and I quote "you just spent a lot of money with us and it was the least we could do to take care of you"
I know a lot of people complain about dealers so I thought I would share one of my experiences with Whitebear Acura Subaru. They really do good work and they really do provide customer service that is second to none and this is why they have been my shop of choice since 2006 when I got my Acura...
That's great, but admittedly you have spent a decent amount there recently. Maybe you are the automotive equivalent of a casino "whale."
Originally Posted by SamDoe1
If only I lived closer... Buerkle Acura won't even check brake pad wear during oil changes.
I think this is becoming more common as they have to pay the tech to remove the wheels to properly inspect the brake pads.
That's great, but admittedly you have spent a decent amount there recently. Maybe you are the automotive equivalent of a casino "whale."
I think this is becoming more common as they have to pay the tech to remove the wheels to properly inspect the brake pads.
They have done other things through out the years but yes, they are the major player when it comes to heavy maint issues.
the tech does not have to remove the wheel to inspect brakes, they can slide in a dentist inspection mirror and see them quite well. I do this all the time when I inspect mine... there is an open oval in the top of the caliper for this purpose.
I only mentioned taking the wheels off as that is what I was told at my dealership. They do the routine "safety inspection" to see what they can charge me to fix. One of the last times I was in they said it was something like $29 to do a brake inspection because the couldn't see the inside pads without taking the wheels off. I told them I would pass..............
for major work it is worth the drive to see them. I went into Buerkle Acura once and I will NEVER go back. I wanted them to do the recall that was open on my 02 CL-S and they said 1+ month. called Whitebear and they said come and see us tomorrow and I did and the rest is history.
Funny thing is that Buerkle Honda is quite good...they used to service both my 94 accord and my 98 accord...
Does WB Acura offer free loaners? If so I think I'll go there for my next big service. I still have 60k to go before the next timing belt but I'm due for a B service next.
The reason I like Buerkle is that they have free loaners so I can drop off in the morning on the way to work and pick up the next morning on the way to work. I'd have to go pretty far out of my way to get to WBA.
Originally Posted by NBP04TL4ME
I think this is becoming more common as they have to pay the tech to remove the wheels to properly inspect the brake pads.
Eh, they pay the tech to stand there and wait for the oil to drain too. Why can't they check out the brake pads in the mean time? I feel that it's just another way to get you to part with your money. The fvcking Honda dealer checks the pads, why can't the Acura?
Eh, they pay the tech to stand there and wait for the oil to drain too. Why can't they check out the brake pads in the mean time? I feel that it's just another way to get you to part with your money. The fvcking Honda dealer checks the pads, why can't the Acura?
Does WB Acura offer free loaners? If so I think I'll go there for my next big service. I still have 60k to go before the next timing belt but I'm due for a B service next.
The reason I like Buerkle is that they have free loaners so I can drop off in the morning on the way to work and pick up the next morning on the way to work. I'd have to go pretty far out of my way to get to WBA.
Eh, they pay the tech to stand there and wait for the oil to drain too. Why can't they check out the brake pads in the mean time? I feel that it's just another way to get you to part with your money. The fvcking Honda dealer checks the pads, why can't the Acura?
Yes they offer loaners... typically you get what is available from a ILX to a MDX, I have never seen a RL as a loaner. Unfortunately due to too many self entitled asshats abusing the loaners, they require a credit card to be on file and that you bring the car back with a full tank.
WBA will hand you an invoice and an inspection sheet that will let you know what is coming due. They top off all fluids as well if needed. They don't look as NICE as Buerkle they treat you WAY better
On the Subaru side it typically is a forester or outback
Last edited by YeuEmMaiMai; 12-02-2014 at 12:01 PM.
Wait, they sell Acuras and Subarus under the same roof? Oh, this brand is so screwed up.
Yeah, all of the Acura dealers in the MSP area (other than one) sell both Acura and Subaru. The one in Bloomington even shares the same showroom. Ever wanted to cross shop a TLX and a Subaru Legacy? Not a problem there!
Wait, they sell Acuras and Subarus under the same roof? Oh, this brand is so screwed up.
Its probably more the dealer than the brand although I don't know how much influence/approval Acura exercises in these scenarios. All of the local Acura dealers around here are stand alone. There is one that has Hyundai next door, but not under the same roof.
Its probably more the dealer than the brand although I don't know how much influence/approval Acura exercises in these scenarios. All of the local Acura dealers around here are stand alone. There is one that has Hyundai next door, but not under the same roof.
I'm pretty sure the brand has a significant amount of say over other brands being sold on the same floor. That Acura would allow this indicates one of two things (IMO): 1) This particular dealer moves a lot of volume and has some serious influence to get this kind of exception; or 2), Acura, as a brand, has really lost its way if it lets its cars be sold along side a "lesser" brand like this.
I'm pretty sure the brand has a significant amount of say over other brands being sold on the same floor. That Acura would allow this indicates one of two things (IMO): 1) This particular dealer moves a lot of volume and has some serious influence to get this kind of exception; or 2), Acura, as a brand, has really lost its way if it lets its cars be sold along side a "lesser" brand like this.
There are two Subaru/Acura dealers in the Minneapolis area and one Acura only. I'm not sure which moves more cars but I'd bet they aren't all too far apart from one another.
Doesn't matter. When a manufacturer gives a dealer the go ahead to sell their cars, they have a say in everything from how the space is designed to what furniture they have to the colors on the wall not to mention what other brands are sold at the same dealer. That's why you don't find a Ford/Chevy/GMC/Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler dealer all in one (however nice that would be). Acura most definitely has a say in what other brands are sold at the same facility.
Example, the Lexus dealer in Wayzata is owned by the Chevy dealer next door. They do not share a lot, a building, a service center, anything because Lexus says so otherwise I'm sure it would be far more cost effective to consolidate. There's a chain that wanted to build another Lexus dealer on the south side of the metro area but Lexus said no to the proposed site because it was too close to the Toyota and Honda dealers. They wanted more space in between to differentiate the product.
^ they have been around from the 1950's and I am pretty sure that they picked up Acura when they came on the scene so.... the Whitebear Acura has been around for quite some time and their building shows it... (It screams mid to late 80's construction) Their Service/parts department is consolidated in the larger building where the Acura sales floor is. I doubt that Acura or Subaru really cares because they move a CRAPLOAD of cars despite having a very small sales floor compared to the other dealers in the area...
There are two Subaru/Acura dealers in the Minneapolis area and one Acura only. I'm not sure which moves more cars but I'd bet they aren't all too far apart from one another.
I'm guessing option 2 is more likely.
Doesn't matter. When a manufacturer gives a dealer the go ahead to sell their cars, they have a say in everything from how the space is designed to what furniture they have to the colors on the wall not to mention what other brands are sold at the same dealer. That's why you don't find a Ford/Chevy/GMC/Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler dealer all in one (however nice that would be). Acura most definitely has a say in what other brands are sold at the same facility.
Example, the Lexus dealer in Wayzata is owned by the Chevy dealer next door. They do not share a lot, a building, a service center, anything because Lexus says so otherwise I'm sure it would be far more cost effective to consolidate. There's a chain that wanted to build another Lexus dealer on the south side of the metro area but Lexus said no to the proposed site because it was too close to the Toyota and Honda dealers. They wanted more space in between to differentiate the product.
Correction, brands have some say but definitely not everything for the franchise dealerships. It's in the T&C's which some are protected by NDA/CDA's as well. Also older dealships have different T&C's and some are grandfathered in with non-time or long term limits. They also modify the terms over time as well. When Acura first started, no Acura dealership owners could also own a Honda dealer. IIRC that restriction was dropped.
Some of the stuff is common sense (required training for staff), OEM parts, but some dealerships don't always use the OEM fluids either. And sometimes dealership facilities were change brands.
There's a civil law case for MBUSA probably going to Supreme Court this year involving MB policy of dealers directing sales to a closer dealer (along the way) in NJ. Involves the complicated MBUSA business agreements.
Correction, brands have some say but definitely not everything for the franchise dealerships. It's in the T&C's which some are protected by NDA/CDA's as well. Also older dealships have different T&C's and some are grandfathered in with non-time or long term limits. They also modify the terms over time as well. When Acura first started, no Acura dealership owners could also own a Honda dealer. IIRC that restriction was dropped.
Some of the stuff is common sense (required training for staff), OEM parts, but some dealerships don't always use the OEM fluids either. And sometimes dealership facilities were change brands.
There's a civil law case for MBUSA probably going to Supreme Court this year involving MB policy of dealers directing sales to a closer dealer (along the way) in NJ. Involves the complicated MBUSA business agreements.
Largely agree but that's more typical for lower end brands. If you go to higher end brands, you'll find that the dealerships are pretty close in terms of decor, colors, amenities, etc because that's what's in the agreement to sell cars with the manufacturer. The best example is Lexus. I've gone to a Lexus dealer in 4 different states and all the facilities look like carbon copies of each other in terms of decor and amenities. I know it doesn't matter for other makes (Ford, Chevy, etc) but for the luxury dealers, it certainly does. Both BMW dealerships in the MSP area look exactly the same even though they are owned by different companies. The MB dealers look very similar and the Audi/Porsche dealers look identical.
Largely agree but that's more typical for lower end brands. If you go to higher end brands, you'll find that the dealerships are pretty close in terms of decor, colors, amenities, etc because that's what's in the agreement to sell cars with the manufacturer. The best example is Lexus. I've gone to a Lexus dealer in 4 different states and all the facilities look like carbon copies of each other in terms of decor and amenities. I know it doesn't matter for other makes (Ford, Chevy, etc) but for the luxury dealers, it certainly does. Both BMW dealerships in the MSP area look exactly the same even though they are owned by different companies. The MB dealers look very similar and the Audi/Porsche dealers look identical.
In Maryland Russell BMW in Catonsville, looks nothing like NorthWest BMW in Reistertown which is different than Towson BMW which is different than Annapolis BMW. They are all different in facility shape and size. It's not practical especially when considering zoning and building codes and laws from different states. Add in cost of land which is why Lexus Manhattan looks nothing like Lexus of Denver.
Originally Russell BMW of Catonsville was a Toyota/BMW combo dealership when I was growing up in the 70's/80's.
It's not practical to dictate the same type of facility, brand may want certain amenities, color schemes in the facility along with logo's but as to how it's laid out they vary quite a bit, even for luxury brands like BMW, MB, and Lexus.
12-02-2014, 05:46 AM
However he does have four Honda dealerships.
