At what point would you use a 'regular' garage for servicing?

D

DonkeyKong

Member
As the title states, when would you consider taking your motor to a regular garage as oppose to a franchise dealer or a specialist?

My Z4 will be due its annual service soon and I'm thinking about using a local garage for its routine check up/ oil change. This isn't a case of penny pinching but more due to convenience, as taking it to a bm specialist will take up best part of the day with travelling then arranging for a lift back and going back again when it's ready to be picked up etc....

I know they are not Specialists but surely a decent mechanic should be more than capable to look after my car as it's only an E85 2.5 and from what I hear, they are quite straight forward to maintain?

Any thoughts would be appreciated :)
 
Have look at whats included in the service schedule, there's not much for an oil service. DIY if you can but nothing wrong with local garage if you're not fussed about dealer/indy service history.
 
Mine has been going to a non-specialist from before i even owned it.
My local non-specialist garage recently did sparkplugs, oil change, oil, air and cabin filters and brake fluid change for £276 so i was quite happy to let them do it as they've always been ok with me on previous cars.
If i had an M then i may consider specialist garages but my zed isn't so regular services can be done by my local as far as i am concerned.
 
Any decent indie can look after your car generally speaking (even if its a M, there still only a car with an engine after all) as long as they are competent and have a decent level of tools/diagnostic equipment etc. The only time it needs a specialist really will be when a new module needs coding/programming etc as most wont have that level of equipment.
Age wise I would say when its out of warranty really so typically 3-5 years. People often think a main dealer service history increases the value of the car but beyond about 5 year old or so the car will be worth the same in the trade with non dealer history as it is with it. As we all know the standard of main dealer workmanship is generally not great and in most cases an indie or specialist will take better care of your pride and joy for far less cash.
 
As along as you feel confident about the garage in question then go for it. The normal servicing requirements are straight forward enough that you can DIY a lot of it. When it comes to old cars (which my E85 is) I'm happy to pay for skilled and knowledgeable mechanics, I'm not keen paying for shiny showrooms and lots of back office staff that a present at main dealers. Fortunately I've a friend who runs an Indie who I trust so that's where my car is going as/when required.
 
When I traded in my 530D, with full BMW service history, they never even asked to see the service log.

A reputable indy can do just as good a job, just wythout the shiny white floor, umpteen people in "reception" etc.

Only time when having franchised dealer SH is useful is if you have a serious problem just out of warranty and want BMW "goodwill" to sort it out.
 
The non-///M cars are mechanically a 3 series in a dress sold by the million around the world and can be maintained by a chimp with a software connection and decent tools. Half my local garages have ex-BMW staff and I would trust a good indi garage with a sound reputation above a big dealership.
 
^^ this.
After DIY'ing as much as I possibly could, I'd only consider taking the zed to a specialist for something like a VANOS fix/refresh - something that's quite particular to BMW etc.
Suspension, gearbox, basic stuff, clutch etc. a local garage (reputable ofc) could prob hancdle easily.
 
I lost confidence in my Indy when I asked for a gear box and diff oil change and was told that they are sealed units with lifetime oil :thumbsdown:
I'm going to use a Indy BMW specialist for the next service.
 
Mine has been to Specialist and Francise for Ins 1 & Ins 2. All other work has been done by the local garrage, who is an Ex BMW mechanic. So oil changes, brakes, replacement fan, done by local garage. Thing is he can buy OEM and fit my front discs for less than I can buy them online. So mad not to use him for that sort of thing. :D
 
As above a good mechanic is fine no need to be a BMW specialist for most work.

Had my 2004 3.0SE for just over 9 years my friend who looked after my previous car looks after the Z .

He works for a BMW main dealer and they were allowed to do private work out of hours in the workshop so my Z would be on a BMW ramp using BMW parts and tools by a BMW qualified Mechanic but would pay him a lot less for a better job as he takes his time cleaning most parts and areas he works in as he goes along something they are not able to do on a customer car due to time allocated for the work.

He now services my car on my driveway as they have stopped them from using the workshop for private work but I will continue to use him to service my car as he is a very good mechanic and what I may loose in resale value due to no pretty roundel stamped in a book I will more than make up for in money saved on servicing costs.
 
When I got mine 3 years ago I definitely did NOT want mine going to a franchised dealer. I posted on here and 3 or 4 people all recommended the same indie, with whom I've been very happy.
 
I like many on here consider there car to be mint and my pride and joy, but it's 13 year old and worth half of Bugger all. Service as much as I can and use my trusted Indy for anything I've not got time or experience to do.
It's lost all its money now so an Indy fettlling it won't make any difference IMO.
 
Interesting thread!

When I sold my first E86 it was due a service on time rather than mileage, so I offered the buyer the choice of where it went. As the book was all stamped up at main agents that is what he wanted, so that is what it got!

Sadly my current E86 doesn't have that history, but I always take it to my local indy specialist as I rely on him having more in-depth knowledge of the marque (seeing as the Principal is ex-Sytner)!

My E46 by contrast had spent a few years being serviced by "the local garage" who managed to put a 22 inch wiper blade on the driver's side instead of a 21 inch, so the first time I used it in the rain the blades clattered into each other - put me right off the "local garage" concept! I take it to the same indy specialist as my E86 as he knows what he is doing!

I'd rather spend a bit more getting the job done properly than save a bit getting the job done, but possibly badly. :lol:

So I'd probably only use a "regular" garage for dross like a Focus/Astra, etc. But as I will never buy one, "regular" garages are a no-no for me!
 
the stripler said:
Anybody know any decent indi's in the central belt of scotland they could recommend
Click to expand...

I have heard a lot of good things about B for BMW who are in Clydebank and who I will more than likely be using in the future.
I have only used them for an oil change and a few MOTs so cant really comment further but they are very professional.
Worst thing is they are not open at the weekend at all.
 
It's all about trust I think. My local Indy, and his main man, are real car guys. They race TVRs and eat and breath cars. I consider myself lucky, and trust them completely.
 
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