Main Dealer or Specialist

[Rockhopper]

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.

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.

Good point there!

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

I know people who have had exactly the opposite experience.

 

[sunnydays]

Main Dealers are awful. I would always use a trusted indy over one, even if the indy was more expensive.

 

[Rob M]

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.

Hi Colin,
Not too far from me and I will look them up. I can at least drive and wait! Cheers!

 

[Mr Tidy]

Colin_E wrote: ↑Tue Dec 08, 2020 7:10 pm
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.
Hi Colin,
Not too far from me and I will look them up. I can at least drive and wait! Cheers!

I missed Colin_Es recommendation yesterday.

Here is some feedback for you Rob:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/search.php?keywords=RBM&fid%5B0%5D=4

 

[Jameszy]

Depends on the car, dealer and indy! If I had a relatively new car that had an existing FBMWSH I would try and maintain that, albeit haggling with their service department to get Indy prices (including by providing parts myself). This would be for routine servicing such as oil changes, Inspection I, Inspection II.

If the car was older (and didn't have FBMWSH), or if a newer car needed non-routine out of warranty work, I would go to an indy every time.

I would also say that for a "run of the mill" Z4, you won't necessarily get the master techs working on your car at the BMW dealership anyway (as they tend to spend their time on the M and higher value models). However, many Indys are ex-BMW Master technicians so the quality of work you get can be higher.

This is just my experience though, and as others have said really depends on which franchise and which indy you have available.

 

[pvr]

Good point there!

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

I know people who have had exactly the opposite experience.

I for one.

It does help that I have bought the cars new from them as well, so having a 20 year history with the same dealer of many cars makes them sometimes bend over very nicely. And yes, the service costs is negotiable anyway.

 

[step_change]

I had a recent major service done on my 35is - oil, all filters, plugs, brake fluid and MOT. £432inc at Sytner, Nottingham, which I thought was quite reasonable. They also fixed my intermittent washer bottle problem at no charge. I had it priced up at two Indys and they said about £300. For the sake of £140 (spread over two years) I'd rather have the BMW stamp in the service book. Car is also under extended warranty and so no issues if I should need to claim (when more like).

 

[Rob M]

Thanks for all suggestions guys.
I have booked with local ND - Baron's and actually quoted £228.72 all in for oil and brake fluid service. I will buy OEM parts and change air and microfilter myself and they were fine with that!

 

[Zforbes]

I totally get the FBMWSH bit and if I had a new car I would always try and maintain that for the history of selling the car even though I dont believe in it.

My car is 10yrs old and the SH is mainly BMW but this won't be in my ownership for a few reasons.

When I sell it, it will be more about condition before paperwork
BMW and all main dealer garages employ technicians that are paid not to think but to follow a list of instuctions and tasks that tick boxes.
Independants generally have more idea of whats going on and more interest in looking after you P&J
When you have a problem a technician follows the instructions but this often does not fix the root cause of the problem, a good indi uses his instinct and previous knowledege to fix the problem you may have.

These cars are very similar to most others on the road, if you are looking for an oil change etc then you dont need a Z4 or BMW specialist to do that, paying double does not get double benefit. If you have a problem then ask the forum before anyone else, there is a massive amount on knowledge on here that is way more than an underpaid techinician has.

I do recommend OEM parts though and so will many garages