So....Full BMW Service History is No More..

S

StevenH72

Veteran
As yesterday I picked my car up from Munich Legends having had its Inspection II completed.

I couldn't have been happier with the service. Emigrating in January and leaving my car with my dad, I wanted it to have a clean bill of health before I went. The car has only covered 31k, didn't need any shims and was generally in a very good condition (which I guess would be expected with such low mileage).

I also had new PSS' fitted, bit slippery at first but looking forward to them being bedded in.....they do have very attractive side walls.

Anyway, was a difficult decision to end the FBMWSH the car previously had, but for an Insp II, I really wanted to have confidence in the quality of the work carried out. I know that some will say that it'll impact the re-sale value, but I think as enthusiasts most buyers can appreciate that the work provided by a reputable indy will often be superior to BMW's anyway.

ML said that they went through their checklist of usual "problem" areas on Z4M's (engine mounts etc.) and didn't find anything, I can't imagine BMW would ever have been this thorough. Anyway, really happy with ML's service and fully recommend them to anybody thinking of using them.
 
I did the same with mine mate back in June. Had full BMWSH until then.

I had an oil change done at BMW the year before and just wasn't happy about the way my questions were answered, or the knowledge that they seemed to have. This was one of the reasons I went away from BMW and into a decent Indy. I used Iridium Engineering and again was very happy I did. Didn't work out any cheaper than BMW, but I had additional preventative work completed.
 
CornishRob said:
I did the same with mine mate back in June. Had full BMWSH until then.

I had an oil change done at BMW the year before and just wasn't happy about the way my questions were answered, or the knowledge that they seemed to have. This was one of the reasons I went away from BMW and into a decent Indy. I used Iridium Engineering and again was very happy I did. Didn't work out any cheaper than BMW, but I had additional preventative work completed.
Click to expand...

same here, had some O2 sensors changed back in April and had no confidence that they knew what was going on and I became frustrated with having to speak to a sales manager who had no technical knowledge or idea of what was actually happening with my car.

Indy's aren't always about saving money, but value of service imo
 
StevenH72 said:
CornishRob said:
I did the same with mine mate back in June. Had full BMWSH until then.

I had an oil change done at BMW the year before and just wasn't happy about the way my questions were answered, or the knowledge that they seemed to have. This was one of the reasons I went away from BMW and into a decent Indy. I used Iridium Engineering and again was very happy I did. Didn't work out any cheaper than BMW, but I had additional preventative work completed.
Click to expand...

same here, had some O2 sensors changed back in April and had no confidence that they knew what was going on and I became frustrated with having to speak to a sales manager who had no technical knowledge or idea of what was actually happening with my car.

Indy's aren't always about saving money, but value of service imo
Click to expand...

+1 much prefer to talk to someone with oil behind their fingernails who knows what they are talking about. Sales and admin staff are just frustrating pointless objects getting in the way of the correct answers most of the time. I like to get underneath my car and actually look at what is being discussed with the garage rather than be kept in a showroom with a plate of cheap biscuits not knowing what is going on until they want your money.
 
I know I am being lazy but how much does and inspection II come out at and at what mileage intervals?

I will try and do a search.
 
I'll want someone to point and discuss, you can do this in a main dealer. I just turn up early to scoff the biscuits first:)
 
my experience of main dealers , not just bmw is a lack of transparency, they do indeed seem to want to keep you in the shiny waiting area with no interaction with the techs, an annoying air of aloofness from non mechanical front of house staff, a time based service so the techs are not concentrating on the car to the extent i expect and an ability to present you with a bill that you just know should be at least half what it is. They survive on older , new car buying members of the public ,or company owners, with either no technical knowledge or cost concerns, and are prepared to rip them off for absolutely every penny they can under the guise of quality and threat of loosing warranties and residual values.you pays your money and takes your choice, but my business would go to a reputable Indy every time. you will hear stories to the contrary, of great service, and obviously every trip to a main dealer doesnt end in dissatisfaction , But I would wager that the difference in complaintsbetween a main dealer and an Indy is massive . :driving:
 
I'm going to have my next service done at my local indie. Just makes sense. They know their cars and there's always at least one M car in there when I visit... There were 3 last time.

My next service is just an oil service though and mine has about the same miles as yours - I guess you had the insp 2 done as you're going away for an extended period ?
 
Bing said:
I'm going to have my next service done at my local indie. Just makes sense. They know their cars and there's always at least one M car in there when I visit... There were 3 last time.

My next service is just an oil service though and mine has about the same miles as yours - I guess you had the insp 2 done as you're going away for an extended period ?
Click to expand...

Yeh that's right Bing, only needed an oil service, but I wanted peace of mind so went for the Insp II, I'll be able to sleep happily over in Singapore now :driving:
 
Bye bye goodwill though :evil:

Pros and cons for both, but having used goodwill on a few BMWs which were rather mature at the time, it is a gamble.

Bit like having warranty or not I guess.
 
pvr said:
Bye bye goodwill though :evil:

Pros and cons for both, but having used goodwill on a few BMWs which were rather mature at the time, it is a gamble.

Bit like having warranty or not I guess.
Click to expand...

Didn't help much with your last issue, and as time goes by and the miles Allan puts on it even less so.
 
pvr said:
Bye bye goodwill though :evil:

Pros and cons for both, but having used goodwill on a few BMWs which were rather mature at the time, it is a gamble.

Bit like having warranty or not I guess.
Click to expand...

Yep, there are obviously trade-offs, although goodwill is always a gamble / headache....I also figure there's less likelihood of goodwill on a car that's been maintained to a higher standard though. :wink:
 
srhutch said:
pvr said:
Bye bye goodwill though :evil:

Pros and cons for both, but having used goodwill on a few BMWs which were rather mature at the time, it is a gamble.

Bit like having warranty or not I guess.
Click to expand...

Didn't help much with your last issue, and as time goes by and the miles Allan puts on it even less so.
Click to expand...

Thought 1200 on goodwill was a pretty decent result?
 
Thanks for sharing Steven!

If your plans are to sell to an enthusiast (which is a good thing!) then this is a perfect path as they will appreciate the car being looked after by a reputable indy

@ mad4slalom my experiences with the service managers and tech staff has never been so distant. I believe it varies greatly so your experience seem poles apart to mine....

Also when you pull up in once of their M cars they are going to have a degree of respect (depending on where you go of course!) that this guy is an enthusiast....so dont give him any bull! The flip side is dealing with a service manager who doesn't give a crap and drives he's 318D M sport into work on he's work scheme :poke: sorry to those 318D drivers out there..... 8)
 
My car has full BMW history but in independent garage in the history wouldnt put me off..

I have seen a few cars advertised that have inspection 2 carried out at Indy's..

My recent experience with BMW dealer and staff makes me think that they are no more than pen pushers in nice shirts. Non of the "managers" seem to have any experience in the motor trade at all...
 
pvr said:
Bye bye goodwill though :evil:

Pros and cons for both, but having used goodwill on a few BMWs which were rather mature at the time, it is a gamble.

Bit like having warranty or not I guess.
Click to expand...

Goodwill is worth nought to me - an oil service at Arden Maidstone will not demonstrate any commitment to them. You bought your car and had every service done with Vines, and I bet your 7 series went there as does your X5. Different level of customer commitment. As for the warranty, I have tossed this about, as it worries me slightly not having one... But it's a lit more money per month that may not pay back even if you use it You said yourself that if you'd had a warranty for 7 years the issue you refer to wouldn't have constituted payback.
 
With my recent tailgate issue,my service history was scanned for the warranty to show the vehicle had been looked after in the correct manner..

Including the body inspections. Without them the 12 year warranty was in doubt..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom