Mark Purcell BMW Specialist in Oxford

[MrGringo]

Today I took my Z to get the brake fluid changed at Mark Purcell's BMW garage in Oxford, just near the MINI works.
I was impressed by the mechanic I dealt with and very suprised at the price, only £40 including VAT, I think the labour rate is about £50/hr and the fluid was a tenner.
I asked about reprogramming some of the electronics options but unfortunately they didn't have the right kit to reprogram a Z4. If anyone knows anywhere that does in the Oxfordshire/Berkshire area, please shout up.
There doesn't seem to be much info about his garage on the web so I thought I'd mention it in case there were any other Oxford people around who might find it useful to know about.

[lacroupade]

Hmm interesting....my Z4 has just come out of warranty so I'm tempted as I'm only in Culham, but the lack of electronic kit seems a bit worrying?

[MrGringo]

That's pretty close to me! I'll probably see you around as I'm in Wallingford.
They have the standard analysis stuff but couldn't reprogram the extra stuff like three-flash indicators etc.

[PawnSacrifice]

MrGringo - these chaps are worth a look...
www.didcotautocentre.co.uk

They've done a few diagnostics on the Z4 in the past so I think they have all the gear. I've been using them for 3 years, I was put onto them by a friends who used them - 328i, 330i, Z3 and X5.

They're very helpful and have always been happy to explain what they've done afterwards.

EU rules mean any work done by an indie won't affect the manufactures warranty! Although they can't do warranty work.

[MrGringo]

Cheers only down the road so might give them a call and find out.

[lacroupade]

MrGringo - these chaps are worth a look...
http://www.didcotautocentre.co.uk

They've done a few diagnostics on the Z4 in the past so I think they have all the gear. I've been using them for 3 years, I was put onto them by a friends who used them - 328i, 330i, Z3 and X5.

They're very helpful and have always been happy to explain what they've done afterwards.

EU rules mean any work done by an indie won't affect the manufactures warranty! Although they can't do warranty work.

Interesting, somewhere opposite Tappins I take it? I might mosey on down there since I'm due an oil service and have now discovered this evil little CDV thing....

Has all the work been on your Zed then Prawn or other beemers? And whereabouts do you live; you must be fairly local? I live in Culham, as said above, at least during the week - and work up at MoD Bicester but for HP.....weekends its home to West Wales!

[PawnSacrifice]

Not that close... it's about a 35 minute drive from Henley / Reading. But, I'd rather a bit of a drive and know the car's being looked after. Don't know Tappins, but this place is just round by the Tesco warehouse. Be interested to see what you think of them - came very highly recomended by a couple friends who are very fussy about their cars!

West Wales... went down that way one weekend for a while back, now there's some nice roads!

Let me know what they say about the CDV!

[PawnSacrifice]

Sorry missed a bit... yes the work I had done has all been on my Zed - think I've had one or two warning light issues. Last being the airbag. Every now and then I get them to take the door panels off and make sure the window regulators etc are all tight and rattle free or check / clear out the roof drainage channels (build up of leaves + rainwater caused a roof motor to burn out over a few years). It's those things I could do myself, but there's never a massive shock when the bill arrives... and I'm lazy... and possibly a little ham-fisted!

[lacroupade]

Thanks for that, I'll be paying them a visit shortly! Tappins is a bus company just across the road, where I get my 4x4 steam-cleaned with their bus-cleaning kit - bit too fierce for the old Zed though mthinks....I'll let you know how I get on.

Paul