Driver Power 2011: Britain's best dealers

I have owned 3 Lexus and have recently tried BMW for a change - I feel like I've gone back 20 years in terms of the quality, reliability and dealer service. The BMW feels old and stale and whilst I'm sure it is technically advanced, this technology has caused me all sorts of issues with the car being off the road almost as much as it was on the road for the first 3 months. My Lexus never missed a beat and I never so much as replaced a light bulb! I did scratch the gear knob on my first Lexus (my fault) and they replaced it free of charge because they judged that it should have been more resistant to scratches. In short, it's well deserved by Lexus

By Tonka on 23 June, 2011, 8:03am

Sister company Toyota also impresses

I've never had a Lexus but I bought a car from sister company Toyota a few months ago to replace my (second) BMW.

Apart from one very pushy salesman, my experience with Toyota dealerships has been truly excellent - friendly, helpful, relaxed - I could go on all day listing complimentary adjectives.

With BMW I always felt like a tramp who had wandered into the showroom by mistake - I was very definitely not welcome - but the staff weren't quite rude enough to physically throw me out!

And if you have a cup of coffee while you wait because your BMW is not ready at the time promised, the coffee gets charged to your servicing bill.

By quintilian on 23 June, 2011, 2:08pm

For Years i have wanted to buy a Lexus or Toyota.
If only their designs didn't send me to sleep.
You have to love the car you drive.
I couldn't love a Prius!

By toycollector on 23 June, 2011, 8:02pm

Fall asleep??

toycollector,

Yes, you've guessed it, my Toyota is indeed a Prius. It does have a few niggles that irritate me. But I'd say it's by far the best all-rounder I've had in 40 years of driving. I love it.

Once inside, (where the steering wheel is kept) there's no way you'll fall asleep - it makes the star ship Enterprise look a little plain and old fashioned.

Once inside, I've no idea what the exterior looks like.

Once inside, I really don't care what the exterior looks like (I don't care much when I'm outside, actually)

Once inside, I don't give a tinker's cuss if other people fall asleep over the exterior.


Go on, buy one. Drink some strong coffee to stay awake if you must. It's well worth it!

By quintilian on 24 June, 2011, 12:08am

Not surprised Lexus & Toyota deathtrap car service is good.

It has to be good, to make amends for selling runaway death traps.

I bet most Toyota & Lexus owners are on first name terms with all their mechanics as their cars spend most of there time off the road on recalls being fixed.

Lot of Toyota showroom staff posting on AE these days.

By Richie767 on 25 June, 2011, 11:04pm