£370 inspection turns into a £1200 bill

I've had BMW's for the last 16 years and agree with all of the above. Use the stealers to keep the book stamped and possibly consider using their bodyshops to keep up the warranty (but expect a crap job) and nothing else. Always demand 4+ rates I think it's half? this way the inspections won't cost much if any more than an independent. BMW's are well designed and most garages will be pleased to work on them - it makes them look good!

Regarding your bill:

Unless the wipers really are bad leave them till it fails an MOT then do it yourself (worth making sure you get a BMW or OEM part rather than Halfords tho).
Fog light - two screws? Two minutes?
Brake fluid change - I drive very fast and depend heavily on my brakes but I'm deeply sceptical about 2 year intervals. Don't leave it too long but then get your local garage to do it. Find somewhere where you can chat to the owner and see where he's coming from. Will he be grateful for your custom?
pully v belt - £85- What V belt? May be on a smaller engine? The N52 and old 2.5 only had a serpentine belt. What does it do? If it's alternator leave it until it breaks. You'll still be able to do 100 miles with the lights on if your battery is in good condition. If it's steering pump you can still drive but it will be heavy. If it's water pump you must stop or it'll overheat.
air con belt - again is this not all on a serpentine belt? They last over 10 years/111k miles in my experience. If you are an AA member how inconvenient would it be if you broke down? I'd leave it and wait for it to go. Incidentally if they are referring to the serpentine belt, having done one on a 325 it's straightforward if you've got the tools (which I happened to have) but I would say that it is a very competent DIY job.
cracked propshaft - Extremely dubious - get someone else to look at it soon. (Failure can have devistating consequence). More likely to be a rubber seal.
UNSURE butterfly bushes - £252 - wear and tear? Don't know what this is - get a local garage to do it. Tell them to order parts from Sopers in Lincoln (will take a day or two for delivery but mention this forum and you'll save 10% which your local stealer is unlikely to give them.
cracked rear spring - £190 Needs to be done (as a pair). Search the forum see which ones people recommend. Perhaps take the opportunity to lower your car. Get a local garage (one that can check tracking etc. if you are lowering it.)

Apologies I do go on a bit....
 
Thanks for all the tips guys. Knowing that I'm not the only victim of this Stealer makes me feel a little less stupid.

I ended up having the bits they pointed out as critical carried out.

That includes the two belts, spring and break fluid change. They were *nice* enough to give me a discount on the parts knocking off 80 pounds off the 860 pounds bill.

The customer services agent told me very specifically that the other items they've highlighted were "advisory" and that in the words of the mechanic "if it was his own car, he would leave them as is for now"

Yes, it is an 2003 2.5.
 
the other thing I found odd was that they didn't do a walk around my car, nor the loan car (sh1tty 1 series) I had for the day. On returning the car I found a huge scratch on the back of the car - must have been there when I was given the car. I pointed it out to the customer services rep and told him that it wasn't me. He had to go and speak to the manager and eventually came back and said that indeed the car was damaged in the morning when they were getting it out of the BMW garage before handing it over to me.

What really surprised me is that they never marked the hand over sheet to indicate there was a huge scratch on the car, and I naively didn't check the car over.

After that experience I had to go round my car and give it a thorough check over - fortunately no scratches.

Who knows if I haven't told him to clear it up at the time I may have received a huge invoice for repairing that scratch on the loan car.

I also own an Audi and take it to Syntner Slough. I have to say the experience I have in that garage is on a completely different level to Cooper Reading.

Also to the person that asked which Indy I use: Autotech in Langley: http://www.findnetone.co.uk/home/mot-centres/others-a-to-l/autotech-bmw-and-mini-specialist_55407.html

However they charge premium rates (quoted 370 for inspection 2 which was the same as Cooper Reading). Also they are a bit of a pain for me to get to.

I'll have to give the Indys in Reading a go.
 
I just looked up Grosvenor Reading and its literally 5 minutes walk from where I live.

http://www.findnetone.co.uk/home/mot-centres/others-a-to-l/grosvenor-motor-company-113a-kidmore-road-caversham-reading-rg4-7nh_35961.html

I so wish I had consulted with you guys and taken my car there instead of Cooper Reading.

I'm pretty sure I've learned my lesson now.
 
k3ab said:
I just looked up Grosvenor Reading and its literally 5 minutes walk from where I live.
Click to expand...

Ah, just realised which is your car... pass your place every morning! Well, when I'm in the car. Well I say pass, I mean queue by... :x

GM do offer a courtesy car if you need one.
 
Hey- this will make you feel better.

My summary:

Stephen James BMW Dealership
Inspection 2: £464

2 faults found- leaking oil vacuum hose & worn front bushes taking my total to £1087..... but wait there's more!

Four days later I start the zed, judders, erratic idling with the rev counter dial dancing around all over the place, EML fault light appears on the dash. I speak to the dealer, 'oh we're ever so sorry sir, inspection 2 is thorough top service, please bring the car back and we will have another look.....'

They say they have to do another diagnostic (which I have to pay for again :x ). They find that the diagnostic 'suggests' a problem with the eccentric valve motor and sensor.... add another £884 to the job.

They provide no courtesy cars so 2 cab fares, TOTAL £2000 :tumbleweed:

Independents only for me from now on. I sincerely hope everything sorts out ok for you.
 
davegt said:
You don't mention which engine you have but I replaced those belts on my 330 which has the same 3lt engine as the early Z with less working room, it was pretty straight forward, belts cost less than £40, will be doing the Z's before my summer road trip.
Click to expand...

take lots of pics and add as a 'how to" for us please? :)
 
BMW for the 'service'... ie, the stamp in the book.

Then just get all the other work needed done elsewhere or DIY.

That's what I do.

BMW shouldn't be trusted to diagnose/fix any fault imo, unless you really really really trust that they are not just taking the piss.

Dave
 
main dealer aftersales departments all have massive targets to meet in terms of workshop hours sold and parts sold. They will always try to sell stuff you don't need cos so many customers just cough up. BMW are too used to having company car drivers saying yes to everything.My bro in law has just been quoted £ 800 for a 24k ( engine oil change, + final drive & gearbox, tappets adjusted & brake fluid & a rear tyre),service on his BMW bike, I rekon I can do it in about 2 hrs for under £ 200 including a tyre too.It's out of warranty and I'll do a better job. Robbing tw*ts. :cry: :thumbsdown:
 
Coopers Sevenoaks charged me £78 to change the brake fluid last year on the E46 M3, and Bavarian Belfast (BMW main dealer) charged £38 a couple of months ago on the Z4MC but that was kind of mates rates. £119 is really taking the piss :thumbsdown: And does any BMW service come back without advising the air con belt needs doing??

And as for the dealer saying even his mechanic wouldn't change the other parts if it was his own car... that's as good as them admitting they're finding work to do to line their pockets at your expense. I just wish there was a regulatory body around that could fine them for being complete w@nkers.
 
Just adding my tuppence worth and agreeing with all the others. Prices are ridiculous. My last Audi TT went in to Audi main dealer for a brake fluid change - £48 all in inc. VAT. Can a Z4 be so much more different to justify the cost?

I must be missing something with the spring issue? I have put Eibachs on every car I have ever owned, Mercs, Boxsters, Beemers etc. They have ALWAYS improved the ride and the stance of the car. Surely it is better economy to buy a whole set and have them fitted by a decent garage and never have the worry of any other springs going again?

I have got to the stage with any BMW, Porsche or other that if over five years old I would rather see a renowned specialist stamp in the service book than main dealer. Specialists are totally reliable on word of mouth and return custom to survive and generally provide a superb service as they thrive on good service credibility.

Thats my bit, I have owned over forty cars so thoughts based on reasonable (read old) experiences :roll:

But I still can't think of anything better to spend my hard earned on?!! :thumbsup:
 
I find it interesting they a lot of you guys want "the dealer stamp" in the book. From past experience of every car I have owned this counts for practically nothing. Providing you have a stamp of some sort, be it indy or dealer, that's the main thing...
 
Stamp in book simply means you can put FBMWSH, and to some that means it makes it onto their buy list.

I'd personally overlook a car without FBMWSH if I were after a BMW, otherwise you have to spend a lot more time checking the receipts for service work to check they did them right etc etc...
BMW might not be great overall, but at least that stamp in the book assures that service was done to the specs in the book! Also better traceability on the BMW system (ie, can ring up and check the history etc)

Stamps mean nothing if it's not BMW and can be checked with BMW on their system, as anyone can make it up/make up a stamp. If it's not BMW there is a lot of leg work checking the history receipts for each service!

Dave
 
For peace of mind (dont trust dealers) i just had my 2006 Z4 fully serviced and checked over by a decent local indy mechanic carried out as a homer. After the oil light came on, this was after the dealer "assured" me the it had been "FULLY" serviced.
Replaced all filters and plugs oils and lubes checked breaks and all main components, only thing he couldn't change was the fuel filter. Parts cost £107.60 and labour £35, more than happy with the result and it was back with me that evening.
Complete with the following:
1. Spark Plugs (probably Original)
2. Air Filter (minging original or old BMW)
3. Oil filter (Fram, yeah fram couldn't believe that)
4. Pollen filter (half of Perthshire inside BMW)

5. A bill for £142.60 i gave him £150, he gave me peace of mind.

Anyone across the border (NORTH) in spiting distance of Perth pm me ill happily pass his number on. Young time served mechanic MOT tester does what he says he can with no hidden BS.
 
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