Do i keep full BMW service history ?

[Jamiehrc]

I have a 2006 e86 coupe with rare Full BMW SH but 98000 miles on the clock,

My question is do I carry on with this with main dealer next service is inspection 1 they want £305, go with local respected BMW specialist £220 or my good freind is an MOT inspector at a known highstreet tyre fitters and gives me use of his ramps and i am an aircraft engineer and car enthusiast with 20+ years in engineering so just get premium parts and do it myself with his help, keeping receipts and adding dates etc to service book.

At this point in the cars life, what would you do and would you think any of these would effect the possible future resale ?

Added a poll to this.... interested in the forum members thoughts ?

 

[MKZ4000]

At this stage and mileage, I don’t think the main dealer service is a necessity. It’s more important you are happy with the garage performing the work.

A good independent is as good as main dealer history

 

[M1k3yC]

I don't think it matters, but I still take mine to BMW so that's the way I voted. That £85 difference is about one and a half tanks of petrol (give or take) so I wouldn't focus on price. If it's BMW's first offer and you use that dealer regularly, they might drop that price a bit if you quote the independent figure. I've had BMW apply discounts in the past if I've grumbled (within reason). If you intend to keep the car for a long time (or forever) and enjoy working on it, I don't see why you wouldn't do the work yourself. However, if you're intending to sell it on then it might put prospective buyers off unless they know you well.

This really is just me thinking out loud, though, and it sounds like all three options will result in the work being done properly so I can't honestly see it matters that much.

 

[Marlon]

In terms of resale value I very much doubt at that mileage and age a full BMW service history matters. So long as you have a trusted/recommended Indy, you can save some money and still have peace of mind.

 

[adam1985]

Have been doing my e86 diy for the last 4 years. At least then you know that has been done right, plus the costs at dealer for extras like changing the pollen filter are ridiculous.
Not sure what effect this will have on resale value but i don't have any plans on selling.

 

[earthdweller]

I use BMW for servicing .. my dealer is not one of the big dealer groups and they do “price match” and offer lower prices for older cars .. consequently it costs me no more to keep the full history

But my car has half the mileage of yours so it may make a difference

I don’t use BMW for brakes/tyres/running repairs .. just the annual service

 

[eddiemunster]

I have a 2006 e86 coupe with rare Full BMW SH but 98000 miles on the clock,

It depends on how long you want to keep it.

My 2003 Z4; I do it all myself, even though it had full BMW up until about 80k (it's on 92k). Its value won't be affected by this approach.

My 1987 classic E28, which has full BMW history from new, I do the major jobs myself but also take it to BMW once a year/12000 miles for a basic service to stamp the book. Its value would be affected by a non-BMW history, or rather a full BMW history adds considerably to its value.

 

[Zed Baron]

My BMW dealer is only 10 minutes drive from the house, what I normally do is book the car in for an oil and brake fluid service (keeps the book stamped). They also check the car out and if anything is flagged up I get my super duper mechanic to do it at half the price. Air filters and micro filters I change myself.

 

[biojo]

I`ve never used dealers, if it was for warranty (new car) then yeah i would. but after that Indys or local garage, but as I buy all bits I keep reciepts for whats been fitted

 

[kingy89]

If your planning on keeping the car for a few years I’d say do it yourself. I’ve got a similar background as you, aircraft technician and just keep receipts for everything I change and write a list as you change parts stating mileage and date. I’ve done this for the last couple of cars I’ve had and never had an issue selling.

 

[srhutch]

I have a 2006 e86 coupe with rare Full BMW SH but 98000 miles on the clock,

It depends on how long you want to keep it.

My 2003 Z4; I do it all myself, even though it had full BMW up until about 80k (it's on 92k). Its value won't be affected by this approach.

My 1987 classic E28, which has full BMW history from new, I do the major jobs myself but also take it to BMW once a year/12000 miles for a basic service to stamp the book. Its value would be affected by a non-BMW history, or rather a full BMW history adds considerably to its value.

Serious question, but due you really think having BMW specialist servicing would decrease the value? A specialist Indy would probably know more about E28’s than most of the staff at BMW these days as I doubt they hardly ever see one.

 

[eddiemunster]

Serious question, but due you really think having BMW specialist servicing would decrease the value? A specialist Indy would probably know more about E28’s than most of the staff at BMW these days as I doubt they hardly ever see one.

Yes, depending on the car and the age. At a certain vintage/value, paperwork provenance is worth its weight in pound notes, and a low owner E28 will full BMW is worth more than the same car without. It's more desirable too, people are very, very particular and it adds to the overall "value". A Z4; probably not, it's not at that age, but I suspect it will get there at some point.

There's an assumption that an independent specialist will always be more knowledgeable than a dealer, and that's certainly not the case in my opinion. There are good and bad in both worlds.

 

[Silverzedtom]

DIY for me as it means I can change it more often. I don’t think many of us would ever see that money back. It wouldn’t put me off a car either so long as there were receipts with mileage noted.

 

[-Tom-]

I keep mine with BMW main dealers, purely to keep the extended warranty in hand with them.

I think I’d rather take it to a good specialist if I didn’t have the warranty ...

 

[srhutch]

I keep mine with BMW main dealers, purely to keep the extended warranty in hand with them.

I think I’d rather take it to a good specialist if I didn’t have the warranty ...

The warranty must be getting steep these days.

 

[-Tom-]

I keep mine with BMW main dealers, purely to keep the extended warranty in hand with them.

I think I’d rather take it to a good specialist if I didn’t have the warranty ...

The warranty must be getting steep these days.

Yes it really is to be honest, nudging 100pcm with the car at 60k miles. It includes assist, I asked for a quote without and it would have gone up. I don’t dare work out the cost per mile all things included.

I’ve had more than my money’s worth out of it over the past 6 years or so, worryingly :? It has included some maintenance jobs though like the engine mounts and diff seals. A big one last year was the whole Nav / computer unit

Sorry OP for off topic

 

[stupot1]

DIY or Indie
I do both, mostly DIY for servicing and Indie for other stuff.
Personally I wouldn't trust the main dealers at all, Newhall BMW indie in Sheffield are spot on

 

[Mr Tidy]

I think it depends on how you see your future ownership playing out.

If you might be selling in the next couple of years and want as wide an audience as possible it's probably worth sticking to main agents just to get the book stamped. Non-enthusiasts like to see main agent stamps. :roll:

If your car is a keeper you might just as well follow the DIY route.

After all I'm sure most people on here would be just as happy with a stamp or two from a BMW Indy - or even DIY so long as you keep receipts for parts.

When I was selling my first Coupe it had done 62K with full BMW history but was due a service. I offered the buyer the option of a main agent service or one by an Indy and he opted for main agent, so the price we agreed took that into account.

 

[Silverstar]

In my opinion and having been in the motor trade I would say for a car of this age a main dealer history is not imperative. An independent specialist stamp is just as valuable and I don't see the audience shrinking because of it. What is more valuable then the stamps is a history file with all the invoices / receipts etc.

 

[Jamiehrc]

Thanks for all the excellent comments and info. I am going to see if BMW will match indy as there quote does seem high if they do will let them do it, if not will let indy.

Going to do diff and gearbox oil change diy unless indy can come up with a fair price.

As said I dont think DIY would be an issue with receipts I always buy on condition and have seen excellent self cared for cars and bikes and complete wrecks looked after by the main dealers and vice versa so whilst nice at this point its not an issue.