Actually, wondering if we should have a sticky thread which highlights where people are getting the best servicing deals. I guess we could even ask a dealer to give us a special forum discount...
Inspection 2 cost Z4MR
- Thread starter mjoshyuk23
- Start date
mr wilks said:VRSteve said:
I really wouldn't think that is the norm & personally would see it as a negative in its history
It could be that some services were done later than the OBD was asking for ?
We all know these cars benefit from over service as opposed to wringing out every mile before having the staple requirements covered . unless you have proof of intermediate oil changes without resetting the service countdown of course :wink:
Yeah its possible some weren't bang on time, but you have to be reasonable when buying these cars.
Not all of them, in fact most of them, wont have been in the hands of enthusiasts before they came to people like us, so the expectation of a perfect history with every service done to the mile is pretty unrealistic.
I know my car hadn't been owned by an enthusiast until I got it, and it really doesn't worry me. It has the right number of stamps, all around the mileages I'd expect, and mostly from BMW or specialist independents, the only possible downside in my eyes is that 2 of my oil changes where done buy a none specialist indy, shock horror, does it matter to me?? No, because any halfwit can change the oil, as long as they put the right stuff in.
At the end of the day, the car runs fine, has been given a clean bill of health by 2 highly respected independents and if it grenades itself, it grenades itself. As we all know its something that can happen regardless of how rigorously the service regime has been followed.
I had mine done about 6 weeks ago, prob not due an insp 2 at 39k but I thought it's nearly 10 years old why not. I called Coopers and Arden's they both quoted me over £1400 
One of them said the gearbox and diff oil would be extra and they incredibly seemed oblivious to the shim check. Main dealers and no idea 
Took it to Munich Legends, couldn't fault them, they knew exactly what they were doing. Easy job for them too as I got a shim report and all were virtually bang in the middle of their spec. Cost £850 inc brake a fluid change.
My son is having his E92 2.0d serviced there tomorrow.
One of them said the gearbox and diff oil would be extra and they incredibly seemed oblivious to the shim check. Main dealers and no idea Took it to Munich Legends, couldn't fault them, they knew exactly what they were doing. Easy job for them too as I got a shim report and all were virtually bang in the middle of their spec. Cost £850 inc brake a fluid change.
My son is having his E92 2.0d serviced there tomorrow.
My car only had one owner before me who had it serviced at BMW up to the point I bought it. Despite that, when I had my first inspection 2 done it needed 14 shims... so I don't think that Vines actually checked the valve clearance on its first inspection 1 as they should have been, because the car had been (and still is) pampered before I bought it. As the car never had a warranty I just had it serviced at the indie who did my last Z, insp 2 cost was £690 incl. VAT, but I supplied my own oil so that cost was on top. I've done interim oil changes since I've owned it just to be on the safe side.
And as said above, that 15k service interval drops quite quickly when you drive it properly
And as said above, that 15k service interval drops quite quickly when you drive it properly
You need a list from them of exactly what they will perform during the service - should be diff and gearbox oil changes in there, as well as valve clearance checks which are what eat up labour time. Shims will cost extra. They should also tell you to deliver the car the night before as the clearances have to be done when the engine is stone cold.
Thanks for the info. Really useful. I was aware that the car needed to be dropped off the right before but neither dealers were when I rang. But I guess it's a relatively rare car so not surprising the person on the phone didn't know this (who I assume isn't a technician). I will call them on Monday and confirm the things you have suggested. I didn't realise the shims were extra. Is there anything else I should get done while it's being serviced?
Thanks
Thanks
abar121
Active member
They should also want the car dropping off the night before, or keep it for over night to let it cool completely before checking the shims. If this isn't mentioned, be suspicious.
Sytner did this for me, calling me back to request the car to be kept overnight. Shims were checked and a report given to me the next day.
Free courtesy Mini was also handy given it's a fair drive for me.
Sytner did this for me, calling me back to request the car to be kept overnight. Shims were checked and a report given to me the next day.
Free courtesy Mini was also handy given it's a fair drive for me.
docp said:
The clearances are kept within tolerance using shims. When the clearances need adjusting it is done by replacing the existing shims with different sized ones (or, occasionally, finding that two shims can be swopped to bring their respective valve clearances back into spec).
If you check out the YouTube vids on DIY S54 valve clearance checking, it will become pretty obvious what the procedure involves. It's super-simple from a mechanical point of view. The expense is because of the time involved.