Bexley Motor Works

inkey$

Lifer
 Sevenoaks & Suffolk
Anybody used these guys? Discovered they're only a five minute drive away and specialise as M technicians.
 
I've heard good things about them, but never used them personally... I'll ask a mate later today who drives a Z3 2.8, I think he might have used them...
 
Heard mostly good things, a few negative. Communicated with them a few times and wasn't impressed so never used them. Noticed they seemed to have a bit of a clique going, so they were highly rated by those within the clique, their pals. This was an observation by someone else too. I felt they had a bit of an attitude, almost 'don't know you, don't give a toss' when I talked to them a few times.
Also was at a trackday once where something broke on one of their cars, suprised they found it funny and were quite open about the fact that they had forgotten to tighten something!!!Honest I suppose but I wondered about customer cars if they couldn't even maintain their own cars perfectly.
However,I can be a bit harsh and expect too much sometimes :). Don't let me put you off and do report back if you use them on your experience.
 
A friend used them recently for a diff oil gasket to be replaced and then again for a service / alignment, on an E39 M5.

It was less than half the cost of a main stealer and he was damm impressed. They were also rebuilding a number of S54s for race cars. Thinking about using them next year for a service on the zed.

Darren M, did you use them? How was it? I talked to them years ago about track preparing an E30 325i, including Z3 rack conversion. They weren't particulary impressed tbh and talked me out of it. Probably good advice as E30 M3s were ~8k back then :lol:
 
What was your problem with them Rich?

I had my Insp2 done by them and can't fault them. Gave me a written report on all the valve clearances, and detailed the engine bay for me. Looked better than factory, and certainly any better than it did anytime it's come out of Park Lane BMW where I had it serviced previously.

And saved a fortune over the dealer too! Nearly 1/3 the price in the end!


*** EDITED to say ignore me. Brain clearly not engaged - I was referring to BARKERS Motor Works in Hindhead. Never used Bexley Motor Works!
 
abar121 said:
Darren M, did you use them? How was it? I talked to them years ago about track preparing an E30 325i, including Z3 rack conversion. They weren't particulary impressed tbh and talked me out of it. Probably good advice as E30 M3s were ~8k back then :lol:

As mentioned above I never actually used them hence why I also stated people could try them and report back. I just wasn't impressed by a few discussions/observation and heard a couple of negative comments from others .They received a lot of recommendations but some were from what I consdered within their buddy clique so I dismissed some of those good comments as being buddy comments (not many would diss a friend, right?). Because I wasn't local I wasn't impressed enough to try them.

I don't know of any independants that receive 100% good comments, even the legendary Munich Legends had a terrible reputation (but since then the company has found new owners), and dealers obviously will be the same (ie, good/bad experiences). I used one Indy specialist myself that seemed good until a later time I had my car serviced by my local BMW dealers and found out a few things had been missed. On speaking to them again they stated they only replace what needs replacing, hence why sometimes indpendents charge a lot less. If anyone uses an Indy I would make sure the car is serviced as per BMW recommendations, most probably do.
Personally I only keep to the dealers, partly as they've much more convenient for me and I feel you have a much better come-back when things go wrong. I had a slight problem with my local dealer a while back and one bad review I sent back to BMW UK about them, and direct contact with them resulted in them being very very apologetic and offering a good refund and also a while later a personal call also to check everything now okay.
 
M cars going into Barkers which is in Guildford this weekend.

Sixspeed recommended them to me, might be worth going there if you dont rate bexley, i personally dont no the guys there.
 
Long time no post but I was just popping in and saw this thread.

I used these guys twice as there reputation for e36/e30 m3's tuning and maintaining is probably the best in the UK

IF your getting some race/track/custom mapping done then I think there good

But I used there for a service on my old 1999 318is when I was younger and it came to £300 with and the rear bump stops needed replacing. I thougth this was a little harsh.

Also saw them at cadwell park on a track day for race support on a e36 m3 car (was supppper fast)

They seem ok just a little up themselves in my when I tried to talk to them about M cars and how much a love them... etc they just kinda like "yeah pick your car up at 4 yeah"?...

If some 21 year old kid came in my shop with genuine love and knowledge for M cars i'd just be a bit more friendly? I dunno maybe i'm being fussy aswell

I'd might go there again although the M3 CSL boys talk highly of Thorney Motorsport but then some have gone right off them!
 
Interesting. Seems 50/50 in terms of experience. Any other indy recommendations in the south east london/kent area?
 
inkey$ said:
Interesting. Seems 50/50 in terms of experience. Any other indy recommendations in the south east london/kent area?

I use Eta motorsport in West Kingsdown (just up the road from Brands Hatch). These guys really know their stuff and they have very reasonable rates.

http://www.etamotorsport.co.uk/

I have used them for a number of years for servicing and repairs. Their work has always been top notch and they are very decent chaps :)
 
After a bit of ringing around and having a chat by phone with all the indi's within the SE, I plan on taking my M to ETA. Good chat on the phone, knew their stuff, keen price and good rep online it seems.
 
Voodoo said:
After a bit of ringing around and having a chat by phone with all the indi's within the SE, I plan on taking my M to ETA. Good chat on the phone, knew their stuff, keen price and good rep online it seems.

A good choice mate, one I am sure you won't regret :thumbsup:
 
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