Servicing costs and self servicing

tiglon said:
Wait, so anyone with a VAT registered business can record service history? That's not open to abuse at all....
Click to expand...

All independent garages need access to update service records, so it's illegal for BMW to restrict access. It's also a lot cheaper and less hassle to just pay for a service than start a limited company, register for VAT and then submit quarterly VAT returns to HMRC so it's not like people are going to abuse the process. I just happen to have the prerequisite company and the spare time to go through the registration with BMW.

For our older vehicles it's much easier for someone to buy a fake dealer stamp on eBay for £10 and stamp their own service book.

I don't put too much weight on service history. I'd rather see a car that's had frequent oil changes at home or an independent than someone who's taken their car to the dealer for the bare bones 15k service interval and had it filled with the cheapest LL01/4 compliant oil available.
 
There are more than a couple of million VAT registered businesses out there, so plenty of people with the opportunity to do this.

I'm with you on the service history, particularly for cars like ours.
 
Thanks for all the responses, I suppose to keep the book stamped I could go along with the suggestion to have an oil change done, even at Halfords, they update the service record online :D
 
Like others have said... getting your Z4's oil change from a "15-minute instant oil change" company has to be the best indicator that you'll let any 16-year-old with 0 days of experience service your car for even trivial things instead of a BMW certified shop. So, while a car may have had oil changes every 3k-5k miles in its history, the risk that someone screwed it up somewhere is significantly higher. I've personally known those types of businesses destroy 3 engines from incorrect parts/oil, double gasketing, etc. it's not only having history, but dealer or reputable company history when you're not doing it yourself. Besides, an oil change is the best time to get a solid set of pro eyes on your car to look for indicators in your exhaust, engine bay, suspension, etc. Some pimple faced kid following a laminated checklist with big pictures is of no real help in that.
 
I too pay indy price for oil changes and other small work, but the indy trained eyes catch problems I don’t see. For me, it’s money well spent.
 
It tickles me that You tube dealer, buying a 300 quid car and overjoyed it has a full set of dealer stamps.
The car itself is a shed.
 
Thanks to you all for the thoughts.
I have a ramp, all the tools and knowledge to do the majority of jobs (time served mechanic all be it on older cars) so am just going to do it myself and keep records/receipts images etc. all with BMW or better parts of course.
I will of course get a garage to do work I'm unable to.
Not planning on selling for some time but if it puts off a future potential buyer it's their loss :D
 
Owdgit said:
Thanks to you all for the thoughts.
I have a ramp, all the tools and knowledge to do the majority of jobs (time served mechanic all be it on older cars) so am just going to do it myself and keep records/receipts images etc. all with BMW or better parts of course.
I will of course get a garage to do work I'm unable to.
Not planning on selling for some time but if it puts off a future potential buyer it's their loss :D
Click to expand...

Chris, I’d buy a car I knew you’d looked after well before a car with FSH by having a bunch of stamps in a book :thumbsup:
 
Cheers Andy, maybe I could put some green shield stamps in the service book? :D :D
Showing my age there, I bet you don't even know what they were?
 
I have read this with interest. The comment about mechanics is a common argument I have with my best mate. I am an engineer whilst he is a mechanic. I bow to his skill in diagnosing a problem and practical workarounds. Would I have him do my head gasket? No chance. I sold my old Z4 and the buyer could tell it had been looked after. Drains cleaned, roof maintained, correct viscosity / type of oil. Loads of pics which gave provenance.
On an older car FBMWSH does not really mean much as I think of my mate and the antics they get up to on customers cars.

Someone with skill and passion as mentioned earlier in this thread is what I would want.

That’s why I would not make money in a garage which gives changing spark plugs a .3 (time allowance) including finding the car in the car park!

I am too fussy.., must be the engineer in me?
 
Nah, it's not too fussy.
I too work in engineering (gas oil and nuclear) and it does make you want to do things correctly and to the best of your abilities.
If a jobs worth doing......
 
My local BMW dealer "price matches" and I've never needed to go to an independent on price.
I've dome some things myself, like brakes.
Some of the independent BMW specialists can be expensive when I've checked.
 
So, I've got my service kit.
Checking the BMW handbooks I can't find any reference to capacities!
Is there a Haynes type service manual anyone would recommend?
It's the N52 3.0 2010 automatic model I have.
Ta
 
Mine is a manual N52 3.0 that I've just acquired, so I'd be interested in what you find and what others recommend!

Haynes seem to do "Autofix" (electronic) manuals with service information for E89s, but not for the N52 3.0! It might have been too short lived
as a model (just 2009-2011)? The N52 2.5 (N52B25) is presumably closer than the N54, including the auto-box

https://haynes.com/en-gb/bmw/z4/2009-2019-25-petrol-339061

This

https://oil-change.info/bmw-z4-engine-oil-capacity/

shows all three engines with the same oil capacity: 6.5l as @Chippie says
 
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