Main dealer or specialist?

V

V8enn

Member
Hi,

I recently became the owner of a lovely z4mc, posted pics a little while back but here they are for those who missed them.





It has roughly 11000 miles until its next service, which is an inspection II. I know its a while off but, I have been mulling over whether it would be worth getting this done at a main dealer or, a trusted bmw approved specialist?

This will be the cars first inspection II and I can't make my mind up on whether the increased cost is actually worth it when it comes to resale, not that I'm even considering that yet. :D
 
Main Dealer for me - as If I come to sell most perspective owners look for FBMWSH - but only for the main services any other works at a local Indy.
 
ZermattV said:
Main Dealer for me - as If I come to sell most perspective owners look for FBMWSH - but only for the main services any other works at a local Indy.
Click to expand...

X2

Things like brake fluid change can be done by almost anyone so may as well take her to a good Indy for more menial jobs and take it to dealers for inspections. Unless you've got a good Indy nearby...which I don't...

Mot today :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Maybe look at an m3 while I'm there :?
 
You will get a 50 50 response on here.

TBH the service from most main dealers stink, OK most people don't have any issues but the stealers don't put themselves out.

If you can find a reputable BMW specialist I don't think you will have to many issues come resale time. After all BMW don't seem to have to much trouble selling under serviced cars themselves.
 
srhutch said:
You will get a 50 50 response on here.

TBH the service from most main dealers stink, OK most people don't have any issues but the stealers don't put themselves out.

If you can find a reputable BMW specialist I don't think you will have to many issues come resale time. After all BMW don't seem to have to much trouble selling under serviced cars themselves.
Click to expand...

It's quite scary how much they do get away with...
There's an Indy up in Wales who was head mechanic at the dealers and the only m trained tech, he left and set up an Indy, someone I know took their m to him, and he said that by rights the dealers should remove the m sign off their service department as there wasn't anyone who replaced him when he left so there was no one to supervise and sign off work carried out on m cars. I know it's not like a non m is a Citroen and an m is a euro fighter typhoon but still surprising they haven't replaced him with another m trained guy.
 
if you can find a good indy in your area take it there,i do and come resale time as long as you have all the invoices in your folder you should sell the car with no problem,main dealers are crap,i've had my car come back with scratches on the wings were they've been lent over the wing without putting a cover over the wing and the first and only time i forgot to tell them not to clean my car it came back it a terrible state,they cleaned the wheels with really strong acid based wheel cleaner and stained all the metal work :thumbsdown:
 
I really think it's only deluded people that believe a main dealer stamp is better than a good indy garage...

I certainly don't think "more" of a car because it has a few stamps on it...nor would I even think for a second to pay more for it.

The last car I bought the owner made a big song and dance about buying the oil from the main dealer... I just laughed at him... the price he's been paying was shocking - nothing but con artists...

When I went to service said car, I found stripped screws and bolts from the dealer, bits missing from the car, not secured correctly etc... it was a complete hack job. :headbang: :headbang:

Some people believe and think main dealers are worth the extra money, in my experience you are only paying for the flashy showroom, dolly bird receptionist, coffee and other BS not related to actually fixing your car, most of the time it's left to the junior to look at it for "experience"...

And don't even get me started on their butchering of the paintwork... oh sorry "free valet".... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I carried out an “inspection 2” style service and changed the front and rear brakes on my Z4 at the weekend, very easy to do and I’ll bet 100% I’ve taken more care, time and effort than any main dealer would…

Simply put, people who really care for their cars, don’t use main dealers.... (IMO)

:thumbsup:
 
I've got about 11,000 too before my first Ins2, about 3 yrs really for me, but I will take it to my friends garage and let him do the work, as I've said previously he and his team work on Astons to Transits, he's straight as a dye and have a great reputation, that's my 2 cents :thumbsup:
 
Depends on mileage and when you want to shift it. IMO buyers generally like to see a FBMWSH on a car, but if the mileage is high is less of a selling point.

However, I always go for the dealer stamps - Sytner Notts and now Sopers Lincoln - as I know the places, and have always had good service there. This despite the 89k+ mileage on #108.


Tapatalking...
 
Thanks for the replies, although seems there isn't a single way on this.

Personally I think dealers are less reliable than a good Indy. The guy I know worked at the local dealership until a few years ago when he decided to go it alone, he is a registered bmw specialist. Even removing the cost, I trust he will give me an honest opinion on any issues or work.

The car only has 23000 miles on the clock, so though I'm not planning to sell I can see this becoming an issue when that moment arrives. At least I've got a little while to think about it, and save up :thumbsup:.

If it had to go tomorrow I think the local Indy would be getting a call. Unless anybody can recommend a good dealership around Berkshire or Hampshire?
 
I can personally see the appeal of a FBMWSH car, it generally shows that a car has been serviced and fixed regardless of cost (not necessarily cared for though) , but I don't think it's going to make much difference to resale values compared to a car clearly cared for but taken to a specialist. I certainly can't see the value being affected enough to justify the extra spent at dealers.

Having said that, dealers can sometimes be cheaper than an indy, I've recently been pricing up getting the front discs and pads done. Looking at http://www.maindealerdiscount.com/ I can get it done at a BMW dealer locally for £435.34, which is £100 less than I can even find the parts otherwise. I'm really hoping it's not a bug with the site :)
 
MickAdams said:
Having said that, dealers can sometimes be cheaper than an indy, I've recently been pricing up getting the front discs and pads done. Looking at http://www.maindealerdiscount.com/ I can get it done at a BMW dealer locally for £435.34, which is £100 less than I can even find the parts otherwise. I'm really hoping it's not a bug with the site :)
Click to expand...
I can get the discs for about £190 a side, but add in the £100 for pads, and £120 for 1 hour's labour, and you're at £600.

Don't know how they can do it for £435!

If it's not a mistake, then I know where I'm getting my next disc change done - although I will be supplying my own pads so wonder if there's another £100 off for that :P
 
FBMWSH is appealing as you can enter into the Mondial warranty at any point on a "lapsed" policy which starts 30 dyas from the date you purchase the car.

When i was looking this was one criteria as i'd rather have warranty then not. Iv already had a few little bits done that would have cost a few hundred pounds if i hadn't got warranty (rear brake light, etc).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom