Sam Swope BMW

3 Swope Autocenter Dr
Louisville, KY 40299
(502) 499-5080

You know the feeling you get when doing a job well done? Or, perhaps, the warm fuzzies that overtake you by knowing that you've put in a honest day's work?

Yeah, the crooks at Saw Swope BMW don't either.

My car ("The B") is 22 years old. She is an old-school BMW (325i). She has seen me through road trips, auto accidents, caravanning, job changes, new schools, booty calls and the resultant coyote mornings. Despite my inability to wash her in a timely and regular manner, I have deep love for The B. I want the best for her.

During my last car trip back home for the holidays, my driver's side front door lock froze up. It's happened before. The tumbler is old and worn out. Usually, I can get by with greasing it and the problem's solved. This time, however, the lock wouldn't budge. I drove home getting in and out of my car like a Duke boy (ahh, those Kentucky stereotypes seem to always creep back into my life) and resolved to get the lock fixed before driving back. In addition, I thought my passenger side front tire looked low. My usual mechanics were closed for the holidays so, against my better judgment, I ventured over to the dealer (NOT where my dad bought The B) to get it fixed. After an hour and a half 'review' that cost me $141.11, the criminals at SS (draw your own conclusions) told me that I had a "big" problem.

"Big? How big?"

$1286.94. I kid you not. To open my car door would cost me $1200. I kept the itemized receipt. You see, not only would my door never open by mortal means, but everything about The B was failing - except for the tire. The tire was fine. Now understanding the meaning of 'gobsmacked', I paid $141.11 to SS for unlocking my car (but I couldn't relock it because it would freeze up again), filling my tire with air ("no puncture") and shocking the curl out of my hair. Freaked out, I contemplated putting in the big bucks. I drove back to Chicago and planned on contacting the local BMW dealer so I could get the work done. Thing is, I noticed my tire was low again. This time, it was nearly flat. I took it to a tire shop and discovered a 2 inch piece of hanger-wire (or something like that) which had PUNCTURED my tire. God watches over babies and idiots. I was cruising for a blow out. Incensed that the 'professionals' at SS let me get back on the interstate with a dangerous tire, I thought I should reconsider the $1200. I asked the tire guy if he knew of a good car place. He told me about a European import shop that "does everything and is staffed by no-nonsense (but honest) Europeans." That was all I needed to hear. I took The B to the shop and had my new best friend, Bob, check her out. He found the problem, ordered the parts, did the work and had her back to me in two days. Total cost (even with high-ass Chicago, IL tax): $222.46. I.kid.you.not. I thought back to a story told to me by the mechanic who worked on my car when I lived in Nashville. He told me that he had his car *towed* from Louisville to Nashville rather than have the SS BMW boys work on it. What does that tell you?

Either the dummies at SS BMW are *that* incompetent or *that* shady. In either case, you should give them neither your business nor your hard-earned money. I understand a little dealer mark up. It's expected. This? Is borderline criminal. For shame, SS! Complete shame! On YOU, sir(s)!