Main Dealer or Specialist

R

Rob M

Member
 Ruislip
Hi all,

So the time has come for my first BMW service experience.
I have the choice of a local main dealer or specialist dealer for what will be a minor oil, microfilter and brake fluid change apparently.
Main dealer @ £300.00 and specialist @ £240.00.
I just wondered if anyone has experience in the best option? I have an inherent distrust of main dealers but they are the closest and not much in it!
Comments welcome!

Cheers Rob.
 
BMW have been known to be more amenable to out of warranty claims if you have full main dealer service history - something to bear in mind.
 
So do you think they will actually drain and replace brake fluid or just suck out the reservoir and replace?
 
flybobbie said:
So do you think they will actually drain and replace brake fluid or just suck out the reservoir and replace?
Click to expand...
I would hope drained but do you mean specialist or main dealer?
 
Rockhopper said:
BMW have been known to be more amenable to out of warranty claims if you have full main dealer service history - something to bear in mind.
Click to expand...
Rockhopper said:
BMW have been known to be more amenable to out of warranty claims if you have full main dealer service history - something to bear in mind.
Click to expand...
Good point there!
 
I've got a 23i - I have my oil and brake fluid change regularly done by my local main dealer (10 minute drive away), I change the micro filter and air filter myself (easy to do and a lot cheaper). I've found my main dealer really good (they supplied and serviced the car from new), anything they have flagged up on inspecting the car I've had replaced by my other trusted mechanic (rear brake pads and a spring in the last 6.5 yrs)
 
I can't imagine they would just suck out the reservoir and refill it. I'd hope they would suck it through from all four corners till it comes clean. Old fluid changes colour quite a bit.
 
Zed Baron said:
I've got a 23i - I have my oil and brake fluid change regularly done by my local main dealer (10 minute drive away), I change the micro filter and air filter myself (easy to do and a lot cheaper). I've found my main dealer really good (they supplied and serviced the car from new), anything they have flagged up on inspecting the car I've had replaced by my other trusted mechanic (rear brake pads and a spring in the last 6.5 yrs)
Click to expand...
OK, thanks for your input, I have a few weeks to decide but guess main point is any specialist has the digital data base access to keep the I-Drive updated.
I'll offer to do filters myself and see if they agree.
 
Thanks for the comments all. I think best stick with main dealer but only for oils/fluids to keep the digital data updated.
I will entrust rest to a friend mechanic or myself to arrange such as brake pads etc.
 
Rob M said:
Thanks for the comments all. I think best stick with main dealer but only for oils/fluids to keep the digital data updated.
I will entrust rest to a friend mechanic or myself to arrange such as brake pads etc.
Click to expand...

Just make sure your friendly neighbourhood mechanic has the software for locking/unlocking the electronic hand brake from the rear piston when changing rear pads etc. There are very few things that a normal mechanic couldn't do, but it can sometimes be easier with an independent specialist / main dealer for certain things. This forum will is a great source of knowledge for that.
 
You don’t need specialist equipment to wind back the piston on the rear callipers.You can wind them back manually.Plenty of vids on YouTube.If the specialist has a decent reputation,I would use him.
 
Reference 'digital data', the E89 was last made in August 2016..around that time, if not before would be the last s/w update AFAIK..

So all the ECUs have been aging since then..ie no digital data to update..

If you have a s/w failure then any update will date from before 2016..

The last s/w update for phones was October 2015..
 
Beeacon said:
Rob M said:
Thanks for the comments all. I think best stick with main dealer but only for oils/fluids to keep the digital data updated.
I will entrust rest to a friend mechanic or myself to arrange such as brake pads etc.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that idea. My mate has all the software to unlock and registered the battery recently. Sure will be fine but thinking ahead.
Click to expand...
 
At risk of stating the obvious, it surely depends on WHICH main dealer & WHICH indie? Some good & less so good in each category. Knowledgeable folks on here may have experience of the ones you have in mind & can offer opinions accordingly. If you don't mind an hour down the M3, there's a highly regarded indie at J5 called RBM who many travel quite long distances for. But if you prefer to stay closer to home, no doubt members in your area will know how the local options rate.
 
My first choice would always be a good independent. Dealers have attractive women on reception and free food but often do s**t work on the car. I've been to 7 different dealerships over the years and nearly all have managed to make some pretty big mistakes at some point.

Pbondar said:
Reference 'digital data', the E89 was last made in August 2016..around that time, if not before would be the last s/w update AFAIK..

So all the ECUs have been aging since then..ie no digital data to update..

If you have a s/w failure then any update will date from before 2016..

The last s/w update for phones was October 2015..
Click to expand...

He probably means the digital service book. New cars don't come with a book and instead just use the BMW database to log servicing, it also synchronises to the car through ISTA and can be read out from the key.

I don't know if any E89 Z4s came without a book though.
 
I use my local AD when it's obviously to my advantage - when, for example, they have a special (i.e. cheap-ish) servicing offer + 'free' 1,611-point 'health' check, video'd to my mobile. For anything else, it's the indy.

There is one circumstance when you mustn't go anywhere near the AD - if the car has an 'unknown' fault, for which they charge an hour's labour (£140) + VAT + significant contribution to the manager's girl friend's* holiday fund + one of those odd small sums on the bill I never understand just to diagnose.

(*Shirley in Sales, apparently.)
 
The OP doesn't mention his car's previous history. If It's always been main agent serviced, for such a small difference I might be tempted to stick with BMW just in case someone less well-informed was interested when he came to sell.

But my last 2 both had work done by Independents before I bought them so they have only been to Indys in my ownership, although both were run by ex-Sytner techs anyway so just as good a job but cheaper!
 
Rob M said:
Rockhopper said:
BMW have been known to be more amenable to out of warranty claims if you have full main dealer service history - something to bear in mind.
Click to expand...
Rockhopper said:
BMW have been known to be more amenable to out of warranty claims if you have full main dealer service history - something to bear in mind.
Click to expand...
Good point there!
Click to expand...

Hopelessly optimistic in my experience, e89 30i with only 19k miles & a knackered gearbox “not a chance Sir”, closely followed by another e89 20i with the same 19k miles & cracked 326 wheels “oh it’s you again, not a chance Sir”
Both with full bmw service history and very low mileage, certainly not worth paying a premium for Bmw servicing :thumbsdown:
Rob
 
If I was presented with 2 identical cars at the same price, one serviced entirely at a main dealer and the other serviced entirely by the independent specialist, I wouldn't hesitate in dismissing the first vehicle in favour of the 'Indy' serviced car :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom