M Power Specialist in London / Greater London

[R60BBA]

As per the title I am looking for a M Power specialist in London / Greater London area.

I’m after one which offers the following:

• Good quality workmanship

• Good customer service

• Reasonably priced

• Open on Saturdays

• Courtesy car service.

Will even consider a Main Dealer, as long as the name of the Master Tech is also mentioned.

I am finicky about who works on my car, so please don’t mention garages which do not tick at least 4 out of the 5 of the above boxes or those located outside of London.

[ben g]

What side of London are you? I always use Power Developments near Basildon and they seem to have a fair amount of M cars and exotica in there.

[jimmybell]

Having been to an 'M Specialist' near Wembley with my Z4M and found, whilst a nice guy (and running a race e46 m3), he had really not much clue about the engine compared to other specialists i spoke to on the phone - i did similar searching and came to the conclusion (after positive experience) that for Indy work i'd only ever take my M-cars back to CPC PE in Amersham, and Munich Legends is the (slightly more expensive) fallback option. Had a very positive experience with both, both are forum favourites (both here and other bmw forums).

CPC have some slightly odd business practice (open very early to receive cars before working hours, close early as a result), and it's much easier to get someone to answer the phone in the morning than the afternoon. But aside from that it's a nice team and they seemed to know the S54 very well.

[Bing]

ETA Motorsport near Brands Hatch are ver highly rated - not sure if they are open Saturday or not though. The only reason I don’t use them is they are a ball ache for me to get to / from... And my locally indy employs ex-Master Techs who know their stuff to a level I am comfortable with.

[FR08MEE]

Having been to an 'M Specialist' near Wembley with my Z4M and found, whilst a nice guy (and running a race e46 m3), he had really not much clue about the engine compared to other specialists i spoke to on the phone - i did similar searching and came to the conclusion (after positive experience) that for Indy work i'd only ever take my M-cars back to CPC PE in Amersham, and Munich Legends is the (slightly more expensive) fallback option. Had a very positive experience with both, both are forum favourites (both here and other bmw forums).

CPC have some slightly odd business practice (open very early to receive cars before working hours, close early as a result), and it's much easier to get someone to answer the phone in the morning than the afternoon. But aside from that it's a nice team and they seemed to know the S54 very well.

This will be Technosport I’d imagine. The owner (George) is a very knowledgable chap, has carried out 2 Inspection II’s for me and numerous other bits on my z4m’s (one coupe and one roadster).

There always a raft of cars there from standard m3’s, to CSL’s, supercharged z3m’s, etc.

I’d recommend using them.

[R60BBA]

What side of London are you? I always use Power Developments near Basildon and they seem to have a fair amount of M cars and exotica in there.

NW London, I’ll check them out thanks.

Having been to an 'M Specialist' near Wembley with my Z4M and found, whilst a nice guy (and running a race e46 m3), he had really not much clue about the engine compared to other specialists i spoke to on the phone - i did similar searching and came to the conclusion (after positive experience) that for Indy work i'd only ever take my M-cars back to CPC PE in Amersham, and Munich Legends is the (slightly more expensive) fallback option. Had a very positive experience with both, both are forum favourites (both here and other bmw forums).

CPC have some slightly odd business practice (open very early to receive cars before working hours, close early as a result), and it's much easier to get someone to answer the phone in the morning than the afternoon. But aside from that it's a nice team and they seemed to know the S54 very well.

The NW London garage you’re referring to is Technosport. They are cowboys and I would never ever take my car back there. I currently use Munich Legends however am considering a change.

Heard good things about Phil Crouch at CPC Amersham, but also heard the customer service isn’t great, nevertheless never heard any negative reviews on their workmanship and so will check them out further! Thanks!

This will be Technosport I’d imagine. The owner (George) is a very knowledgable chap, has carried out 2 Inspection II’s for me and numerous other bits on my z4m’s (one coupe and one roadster).

There always a raft of cars there from standard m3’s, to CSL’s, supercharged z3m’s, etc.

I’d recommend using them.

No offence mate but George is a thief and a liar. Not only did he try to rip me off, but he also tried to flog one of his customer’s crash damaged CSL that he had in his workshop as being mint. http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14602

[ben g]

That's a shocking read though I suspect that happens a lot in the motor trade.

I crashed a Ford focus in 2013 (range rover pulled out right in front of me, his fault). Caused a whole lot of damage to the front end. It was due to be traded in for a new fiesta, so the dealer took it damaged, repaired it and sold it on.

I then noticed it parked up one day a couple of years later, near my parents house. My dad managed to speak to the new owner who had no idea it had been in a fairly big smash with a whole lot of front end damage.

Obviously it's not on the scale of the csl, money wise, but it's the same dodgy stuff going on.

[Mr Tidy]

I hope you find someone in London OP.

But if you don't, I've heard good things about BMS in Leatherhead (just off the M25) although I've never used them.

A bit further out I'd definitely recommend TWG Automotive in Camberley (Will, the principal, is ex-Sytner) and a few of us on here use TWG all the time. Plus they have a courtesy car, but you need to book in further ahead if you need it.

[R60BBA]

I hope you find someone in London OP.

But if you don't, I've heard good things about BMS in Leatherhead (just off the M25) although I've never used them.

A bit further out I'd definitely recommend TWG Automotive in Camberley (Will, the principal, is ex-Sytner) and a few of us on here use TWG all the time. Plus they have a courtesy car, but you need to book in further ahead if you need it.

Used to use BMS Surrey before I moved onto Munich Legends.

If I can’t find anywhere in London I’ll deffo go back to Kevin and Master Tech Lee.

Heard good things about TWG also, dunno why I forgot about them lol.

[jimmybell]

I was reluctant to name the garage in negative comments - i can't remember z4-forum rules. but yes, it was Technosport. Nice guy, meant well - but couldn't diagnose worn follower fingers and instead just billed me for a completely pointless valve shim job. Whilst waiting in the carpark i also spoke to two other customers that were having a complete mare with their cars there too. i took the car elsewhere. Honestly given 5 minutes with the cover off i'd of seen it, so no idea what he was doing. In comparison - one of the junior guys at CPC put a dowel against the engine, listened in a few places - and told me it was worn fingers before even taking a spanner to it.

Needless to say i have a bag of them here somewhere (because they're £900 to replace, i'll find something to do with them one day...), worn in various degrees, the worst one is my keyring. FWIW i believe this was caused by a BMW stealership in the tunbridge wells area not doing a proper valve shim job on the s54. Luckily i had an ear for the noise change before it caused any problems to anything other than my bank balance.

I can completely imagine the slightly odd business practice i mentioned being interpreted as bad customer service at CPC PE - as in - it's sometimes hard to get hold of them (because the receptionist is more available during the morning.. so you wont get fast responses in the afternoon), and they shut early.

If it's any use, i'd completely avoid BMW Park Lane (they used to have two workshops in battersea, i think one workshop is now up near wembley....) - i can go in to details, but if i just say i have £thousands worth of compensation from them (actually my old z4m's new forum-member-owner is a beneficiary of some of it now, i think) you'll know enough to avoid and that's despite being owned by BMW UK and having access to the BMW UK senior master tech guys.

[R60BBA]

If it's any use, i'd completely avoid BMW Park Lane (they used to have two workshops in battersea, i think one workshop is now up near wembley....) - i can go in to details, but if i just say i have £thousands worth of compensation from them (actually my old z4m's new forum-member-owner is a beneficiary of some of it now, i think) you'll know enough to avoid and that's despite being owned by BMW UK and having access to the BMW UK senior master tech guys.

Park Lane actually run 3 garages (Battersea, Elms Park and Park Royal) and I’ve had bad experiences with all of them.

It’s just a shame that it’s difficult to find a knowledgable honest mechanic in London that will do a proper job. As from time to time I have considered selling up and getting a newer M with service pack and warranty to avoid the hassle...

[jimmybell]

... As from time to time I have considered selling up and getting a newer M with service pack and warranty to avoid the hassle...

hah - that assumes that because it's newer and (in theory) they're paying then it'l be less hassle. My mate is on his 6th failed respray job under warranty (BMW). My Park Lane issues were all free, still took over 3 months to make progress and the whole experience turned me off the car/brand.

That said - my vantage has had issues, some serious some minor - all under warranty, very easy.

[R60BBA]

... As from time to time I have considered selling up and getting a newer M with service pack and warranty to avoid the hassle...

hah - that assumes that because it's newer and (in theory) they're paying then it'l be less hassle. My mate is on his 6th failed respray job under warranty (BMW). My Park Lane issues were all free, still took over 3 months to make progress and the whole experience turned me off the car/brand.

That said - my vantage has had issues, some serious some minor - all under warranty, very easy.

True, but difference is you don’t have to pay for the hassle when you have warranty!

[R60BBA]

ETA Motorsport near Brands Hatch are ver highly rated - not sure if they are open Saturday or not though. The only reason I don’t use them is they are a ball ache for me to get to / from... And my locally indy employs ex-Master Techs who know their stuff to a level I am comfortable with.

Just saw this mate, but who is your local Indy?

Cheers

[BMWZ4MC]

Another vote for Phil and his team at CPC in Amersham. He looked after my ///M for nine years before I shipped it to Aus and looked after my previous E46 daily too. I even take my RS4 to him, despite him not being an Audi specialist, because I trust his judgement and honesty, and the quality of his work is always high.

Call him before 0730h and you should be able to speak to him instead of just the receptionist. Often he leaves to pick up his kids by 1530h.

I’ve dropped off and collected vehicles on Saturdays, but I don’t think they routinely open at weekends and I’ve never seen Phil there in person outside of Monday to Friday.