Autobahn Halesowen

[thedamnedunited]

Had an intermittent problem with the EPS. Took it into to Autobahn in Halesowen last Tuesday morning. Despite having it for 3 full days they only put 6 hours into it (they had too many other cars in) and were ultimately unable to resolve the problem (they could not communicate to the EPS via the ECU) Repaired a frayed power cable and replaced a couple of fuses but the car had exactly the same problem and they were unable to quantify how much extra “diagnostics” they needed to do to resolve the issue. The technician - a (nice guy - former BMW main dealer technician) mentioned what they would have done to diagnose it if he was at BMW. They then said on the Thursday late afternoon that they couldn’t get back on it until the following Tuesday “because they were off racing”

Decided to collect the car, and begrudgingly pay £665 for the privilege of the car being no different to when I dropped it off. Very poor service and clearly I won’t be going back.

 

[Ole gits rule]

Thats pretty crap service, what is there bloody labour rate - looks like £90 and hour plus VAT which is somewhat heavy IMHO

 

[bg1]

Was he called Mr Turpin?

 

[thedamnedunited]

Thats pretty crap service, what is there bloody labour rate - looks like £90 and hour plus VAT which is somewhat heavy IMHO

Other than about £45 in ‘bits’ for the cable repair and fuse stuff - it was all Labour + VAT

 

[thedamnedunited]

Was he called Mr Turpin?

i think Dick Turpin smiled when he robbed people

 

[Ole gits rule]

Thats pretty crap service, what is there bloody labour rate - looks like £90 and hour plus VAT which is somewhat heavy IMHO

Other than about £45 in ‘bits’ for the cable repair and fuse stuff - it was all Labour + VAT

Jesus my indie is £55 an hour plus VAT and I am not certain would charge full whack if he failed to cure the issue

 

[Argyll Andy]

That’s a sore one, particularly when they’ve failed to solve the issue :thumbsdown:

I’d be putting my displeasure in writing asking them to break down exactly what they did for the labour charge and justify the charge.

My local Indy is £42 + VAT

 

[Zforbes]

Ouch, that is stupid money for nothing, you have every right to name and shame

Just find a competent mechanic that can remove the EPS motor and get it sent to ECUTesting for refurb and refit - Job done!

 

[Owdgit]

Hi, if it's the usual electric power steering fault have a look at this thread, it helped me and wasn't that difficult to do, just seemed daunting at the time.
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=120440

 

[thedamnedunited]

Thanks for advice chaps. It’s in at BMW now as thankfully the chap that I bought it from 3 weeks ago (impeccable service history with less than 15k miles on it) has offered to sort it. Will update you on how it goes.

 

[Zforbes]

Thanks for advice chaps. It’s in at BMW now as thankfully the chap that I bought it from 3 weeks ago (impeccable service history with less than 15k miles on it) has offered to sort it. Will update you on how it goes.

Wow that is a gesture. AFAIK official BMW repair is to replace the complete rack circa £2000 for the parts alone plus the labour - Ouch, I hope thats a warranty claim

 

[Ole gits rule]

That is a very generous offer - I wonder if he knew there was an issue originally

 

[thedamnedunited]

Thanks for advice chaps. It’s in at BMW now as thankfully the chap that I bought it from 3 weeks ago (impeccable service history with less than 15k miles on it) has offered to sort it. Will update you on how it goes.

Wow that is a gesture. AFAIK official BMW repair is to replace the complete rack circa £2000 for the parts alone plus the labour - Ouch, I hope thats a warranty claim

It does indeed need a complete rack, and your estimate is pretty much spot on. Get it back tomorrow hopefully. Not a warranty claim, more of a ‘contribution’ from seller.

 

[thedamnedunited]

That is a very generous offer - I wonder if he knew there was an issue originally

Apparently not, but you never know I guess. Seller was great from start to finish. As well as the impeccable service history (all summarised on a spreadsheet with accompanying receipts since the car was new) - several new ‘spares’ with it - wipers, mats, filters and a brand new set of 19” BMW Performance alloy wheels exactly the same as those on the car (which themselves are totally unmarked) still sealed in boxes. When the prev owner ordered the wheels - he ordered 2 sets.

 

[Scubaregs]

Now that was a spanking.
Reminds me of wise words from my Lawyer in our first meeting for my divorce, "Wear shorts, it will be far easier for the courts to administer the sound spanking you will undoubtedly receive."

 

[Ole gits rule]

That is a very generous offer - I wonder if he knew there was an issue originally

Apparently not, but you never know I guess. Seller was great from start to finish. As well as the impeccable service history (all summarised on a spreadsheet with accompanying receipts since the car was new) - several new ‘spares’ with it - wipers, mats, filters and a brand new set of 19” BMW Performance alloy wheels exactly the same as those on the car (which themselves are totally unmarked) still sealed in boxes. When the prev owner ordered the wheels - he ordered 2 sets.

So the fault appeared just after you purchased the car - that is seriously bad luck and despite all the bits etc he may have know and just kept quiet.

The car sounds like a good one and this stuff can go on any car at any time - are the wheels 326's - I would be tempted to sell them and recover some of the outlay.

They will go for good money

 

[warmasice]

Had bad experiences myself with Autobahn Halesowen which seemed at odds with their Google reviews. I'd stay well clear.

 

[thedamnedunited]

That is a very generous offer - I wonder if he knew there was an issue originally

Apparently not, but you never know I guess. Seller was great from start to finish. As well as the impeccable service history (all summarised on a spreadsheet with accompanying receipts since the car was new) - several new ‘spares’ with it - wipers, mats, filters and a brand new set of 19” BMW Performance alloy wheels exactly the same as those on the car (which themselves are totally unmarked) still sealed in boxes. When the prev owner ordered the wheels - he ordered 2 sets.

So the fault appeared just after you purchased the car - that is seriously bad luck and despite all the bits etc he may have know and just kept quiet.

The car sounds like a good one and this stuff can go on any car at any time - are the wheels 326's - I would be tempted to sell them and recover some of the outlay.

They will go for good money

I am tempted - they are 313’s, exact spec as below and original price paid.

 

[thedamnedunited]

Had bad experiences myself with Autobahn Halesowen which seemed at odds with their Google reviews. I'd stay well clear.

Definitely won’t be going again and will be naming & shaming them whenever possible

 

[Ole gits rule]

Apparently not, but you never know I guess. Seller was great from start to finish. As well as the impeccable service history (all summarised on a spreadsheet with accompanying receipts since the car was new) - several new ‘spares’ with it - wipers, mats, filters and a brand new set of 19” BMW Performance alloy wheels exactly the same as those on the car (which themselves are totally unmarked) still sealed in boxes. When the prev owner ordered the wheels - he ordered 2 sets.

So the fault appeared just after you purchased the car - that is seriously bad luck and despite all the bits etc he may have know and just kept quiet.

The car sounds like a good one and this stuff can go on any car at any time - are the wheels 326's - I would be tempted to sell them and recover some of the outlay.

They will go for good money

I am tempted - they are 313’s, exact spec as below and original price paid.

They will sell for £500 to £600 without tyres I would imagine so at least recovers the money spent to that bunch of shysters