Inspection 2 - Worth Going to BMW to Keep FBMWSH?

[620turbo]

Hello all,

Wondered what opinions were on the above. It is the big one with the valve clearance adjustment.

Some opinion is that these cars are in the transition to "classic" status so is it worth the additional £600 for the BMW stamp in the book to keep my car with a full main dealer service history?

I also feel that perhaps a good specialist would more likely have the required skills and experience as many of the S54 trained technicians within the dealer network will have now either a: moved on or b: be a bit rusty on them now.

Thanks,

[Trav]

I think mine is due in a few months also. If you have a reputable 'known' indie then their stamp is as good if not better. Depends on where you live I suppose. I do know that they should really bring the car in the night before and have it cold for the clearance checks. You can always mark stuff to see if they have done what they say. It is always a thought to spend money and get worse service. I know of a few small independants here who are excellent mechanics, one ex Audi and one ex BMW. But their stamp means nowt. I had a conversation with the ex BMW mechanic, not only did he work on them but he owned S54 engined cars. He has all the diagnostic kit. But there is no one local to me that has the known independant name, short of going to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Which I may still do if the local BMW dealer still has dog baskets and frappe latte wanky coffee in a few months.

[srhutch]

A good Iny with a reputation of working on ///M cars is as good if not better than a main dealer.

[Viren]

Absolutely not if you want your car to be looked after. Main dealer mechanics focus on newer models whereas indies know these older cars extremely well. Go to a trust worthy indie and you will likely improve the saleability of your car as well as get better service and pay less.

[ph001]

Main dealers are usually monkeys and pretty clueless. Sorry to generalise but that is what I have concluded from my own experience over the years.

[WillP]

All the above is true and the enthusiasts know that - however, in the future, if the ///M does gain classic status it will bring in a different buyer whom won't know (or care) about some indies being better and would prefer/want one with a FBMWSH as opposed to a mixed history - just my thoughts though...

[Davidcliff]

Inspection 2 was less cost for my E89 at a BMW dealer than both my local independents .

[WillP]

Just to add, i think it is less than £600 difference?? In December i had an Inspection 2 done - £1060 from a main dealer..i don't know how much you got quoted from an indie but for a grand every 8 years (insp 2 according to..(sorry if i have opened pandoras box ) the correct schedule)...in my mind it is worth it..

[BeeEmm]

It is a difficult one. If you want your car to have 'classic' status, then future buyers will lean towards Full BMW Service history rather than Indies. If you want to enjoy your car and have 'peace of mind' with an Indie at a realistic price then do that and the future market will fit in with your choice. If your car has less than 30000 miles at the moment I personally would have the BMW main dealer stamp and look at an investment as opposed to a car to drive, enjoy and have fun with. Tough choice.

[buzyg]

A good Iny with a reputation of working on ///M cars is as good if not better than a main dealer.

Precisely this.

[srhutch]

All the above is true and the enthusiasts know that - however, in the future, if the ///M does gain classic status it will bring in a different buyer whom won't know (or care) about some indies being better and would prefer/want one with a FBMWSH as opposed to a mixed history - just my thoughts though...

Anybody buying one of these will know what an ///M is.

Look at the view here from current owners. Most say go Indy, that says a lot.

[Bing]

Indy. Mine’s been done at the same one since 30k miles / 7 years old. If these cars are ever Classics I am not sure FBMW service history will really matter. Are mint Sierra Cosworths, E Types or 205 GTIs still dealer serviced ? I don’t know for sure, but I doubt it. I’d rather have someone who knows my car work on it.

Oh, and a collector who knows cars will also know that dealer services does not necessarily mean it has been well serviced.

Don’t forget that the valve clearances are also checked at Inspection 1 on these cars as well, so it can be almost as ‘big’.

[mr wilks]

You would have to indicate what current miles are & how its history stands to know whether the extra cost (which will probably be more like £350/£500) is worth it .
All dealer stamps does add kudos & provenance come sale time but rarely means you have a better kept car some buyers just prefer one over the other

[mmm-five]

You've got to consider how many technicians in the dealership were trained on the S54 (which came out in 2000), and are still there 19 years later...and see enough S54s to require them to maintain their ///Master Tech credentials?

Even then, you're car is likely to be worked on by an apprentice/junior, and will follow a tick-box exercise that the //Master Tech is supposed to double-check afterwards (who in my case simply took the sheet of paper and ticked everything).

A lot of the old-school technicians will have left and set up on their own, or work for independents as they'll get more of the hourly rate themselves, and won't be pressured into cutting corners to fit more cars in.

[ph001]

^^^^^couldn’t have put it better myself.