Dealer Or Non Dealer Service

[mmm-five]

Just for info really, only master techs are allowed to work on M cars... I found this out recently when my usual master tech had retired much to my horror, luckily replaced with another master tech

Sorry, but you've been fed a line.

The work may have to be signed off by a master tech, but any old spanner monkey on the payroll can do the work...supposedly supervised at all times (so they can learn).

In my case, both the YTS kid, the supervisor, and master technician failed to spot that 1) they'd not put any coolant in the car (noticed the warning light on the dash when I started the car), 2) not put the oil filter housing on properly on my e34 M5..which resulted in litres of oil all over the engine bay and the road home.

In both cases they claimed it was a simple error...but didn't understand my concern that it had been missed by 3 people, including the 2 people supervising/signing off the work of a trainee!

 

[Mangozac]

At this stage in the model's life, full BMW service history only has perceived value to a person who knows nothing about cars. Any enthusiast will know the true value of the work being done by a known and trusted specialist or even a meticulous, mechanically minded DIYer who has kept extensive records.

 

[ChrisT70]

As a potential buyer my ideal SH record would be full bmw history ideally or at least at one of the bigger name Indy specialists. If it was "Joe bloggs" ltd then it's a no for me personally. It's a complex and specific high tune N.A. engine and if someone can't pay the small premium for that service to ensure it's done as per book then it's scrimping, so what else did they scrimp on perhaps?

You are talking 11 yr old motors here & chances of finding a solely dealer serviced & stamped car is very slim
You need to do some reading up there are just as many horror stories after a franchised dealer service as a non franchised & after 5 years on here have read enough about so called "specialists " to know trust no one & no history when looking for any car whether S54 or not .
I would always look , test , buy any car on its current condition & hopefully that speaks for itself & also comes with a decent folder of paperwork & service stamps to back up the cars present state

As I said in my post, main dealer or bigger name Indy. Not a "Just car clinic" or halfrauds stamp etc.

And yes it is possible, look into aircooled 911s. The reason a lot are worth a fortune now is they have a stamp for every year, with all invoices, and have had money spent with specialist garages. This shows someone wanted it maintained well. Self serviced cars without history sell for significantly less. Cars with gaps sell for less. Mine had 17 service stamps in 19 yrs all with receipts and every mot , it's not difficult keeping a comprehensive history. I also did some jobs myself that were not service items.
If you have an appreciating asset here look after it is all I'm saying, you'll reap the rewards if you eventually sell. I never said bmw only should service the car. My old E39 530 sport never went to a main dealer.

 

[RedUn]

Just for info really, only master techs are allowed to work on M cars... I found this out recently when my usual master tech had retired much to my horror, luckily replaced with another master tech

Sorry, but you've been fed a line.

The work may have to be signed off by a master tech, but any old spanner monkey on the payroll can do the work...supposedly supervised at all times (so they can learn).

In my case, both the YTS kid, the supervisor, and master technician failed to spot that 1) they'd not put any coolant in the car (noticed the warning light on the dash when I started the car), 2) not put the oil filter housing on properly on my e34 M5..which resulted in litres of oil all over the engine bay and the road home.

In both cases they claimed it was a simple error...but didn't understand my concern that it had been missed by 3 people, including the 2 people supervising/signing off the work of a trainee!

Interesting none the less! It must be dealer specific then?

My mate used to own the dealership so no reason not to believe him... I thought it was standard across all dealerships, I guess not!

Just goes to show the variance across the dealerships, I must admit its a bit surprising what happened to the m5, you wouldn't expect that from any garage would you!

 

[goon]

When I showed someone my service book, they flipped through it and then exclaimed "there's an oil service here with no stamp on it" to which I replied that it was an interim oilchange because I take the car off the road and did it myself, the look I received made me think I was Satan himself. Some people......no idea atall.