E61 M5 servicing
Discussion
My E61 M5 has indicated it needs an oil service, first service in my ownership. Just weighing up the difference between a local M stealer vs Munich Legends for the service.
The only reasons I can think of using a stealer for is:
Will they be easier/better at processing a warranty claim?
The extra kit they have required to diagnose issues that ML couldn't.
Will they go further without charge if a tricky problem arises as they can settle this with BMW/warranty?
I have one ML stamp in the book as they sold me the car and serviced it before sale, previous are all BMWSH. Do you think future buyers would care? I've always taken my previous M cars to indies (although older than the E61) as I think they care more but the complexity of the E61 and the V10 along with the BMW warranty are making me think twice. Personally I would think an M car with all ML stamps has been well looked after, a dealer stamp means the work has been done per the book, but assume that is all.
ML couldn't resolve an M Drive issue for me so they got me to take it to the stealer and paid the bill which is great service, so just thinking out loud really, opinions welcomed.
Taking the car to ML is extra ball ache for me but I want to look after the car and give it the best service, not cut corners.
Mags
The only reasons I can think of using a stealer for is:
Will they be easier/better at processing a warranty claim?
The extra kit they have required to diagnose issues that ML couldn't.
Will they go further without charge if a tricky problem arises as they can settle this with BMW/warranty?
I have one ML stamp in the book as they sold me the car and serviced it before sale, previous are all BMWSH. Do you think future buyers would care? I've always taken my previous M cars to indies (although older than the E61) as I think they care more but the complexity of the E61 and the V10 along with the BMW warranty are making me think twice. Personally I would think an M car with all ML stamps has been well looked after, a dealer stamp means the work has been done per the book, but assume that is all.
ML couldn't resolve an M Drive issue for me so they got me to take it to the stealer and paid the bill which is great service, so just thinking out loud really, opinions welcomed.
Taking the car to ML is extra ball ache for me but I want to look after the car and give it the best service, not cut corners.
Mags
Shaoxter said:
If you have a BMW/Mondial warranty and have a problem, then you just take it to the dealer and not Munich Legends...?
As for an oil service, just bring your own oil and filter and ask the dealer for a labour only quote. Or if you can't be bothered to do that then go through BMW value servicing. I doubt you'd save much on a plain oil service by going to an indy, especially if they're further away.
ML can do the warranty claims as well, if something is picked up during a service as opposed to failing in normal use.As for an oil service, just bring your own oil and filter and ask the dealer for a labour only quote. Or if you can't be bothered to do that then go through BMW value servicing. I doubt you'd save much on a plain oil service by going to an indy, especially if they're further away.
I thought the Oil service was a bit more than literally just oil & filter, will have to ask.
Ok so if the mdrive is telling me its only oil that is all it is?
Am i being old fashioned by thinking that building up a relationship with a dealer would make any difference to them fighting my corner on a warranty claim? Just thinking of the poor guy on here that got screwed by the dealer and his big end failure as in their opinion the car had been driven hard.
Am i being old fashioned by thinking that building up a relationship with a dealer would make any difference to them fighting my corner on a warranty claim? Just thinking of the poor guy on here that got screwed by the dealer and his big end failure as in their opinion the car had been driven hard.
So this turned out to be a bigger service than I realised, Oil, Filters, Induction service, Plugs and 2 coils (the rear 2) and a healthy £1100 bill. Ouch.
I wasn't impressed with the dealer, they seemed to be confused and weren't very helpful, not keen to revisit them next time. They kept telling me I had brought the car in with the EML and DSC lights on (they weren't, the car was perfect) as this was on the inspection ticket when they first bring the car into the workshop. The service contact I met to collect the car didn't seem to believe me and told me its possible the lights had come on for the first time after I dropped it off and they started it up to move into the workshop, smells of BS to me. They also mentioned a load of codes logged on the key but when I asked if there were issues that needed attention they couldn't answer me so I need to ring the technician today for a more sensible answer. Do dealers have specific M trained mechanics?
Overall a bit of a rubbish experience.
I wasn't impressed with the dealer, they seemed to be confused and weren't very helpful, not keen to revisit them next time. They kept telling me I had brought the car in with the EML and DSC lights on (they weren't, the car was perfect) as this was on the inspection ticket when they first bring the car into the workshop. The service contact I met to collect the car didn't seem to believe me and told me its possible the lights had come on for the first time after I dropped it off and they started it up to move into the workshop, smells of BS to me. They also mentioned a load of codes logged on the key but when I asked if there were issues that needed attention they couldn't answer me so I need to ring the technician today for a more sensible answer. Do dealers have specific M trained mechanics?
Overall a bit of a rubbish experience.
Shaoxter said:
Pretty normal, mine had about 20 of them before I recently cleared them. If your car is driving and functioning fine then just ignore them.
Thanks, I assumed this was the case but the fact the service rep couldn't explain that to me really wound me up. I think they are likely to be from when my voltage reg and battery died last year, the dash went beserk with loads of random errors, ML fixed it as I had not owned it long but they wouldn't have wiped the key I assume.The coils were actually more like £150 each plus VAT I think, I'll check the invoice.
Thepaperboy said:
The reason they told you they needed to replace 2 coil packs is because they damaged them as they are difficult to remove at times and then told you that the EML was on as this would be illuminated it they were faulty to cover there backs.If you only had 1 faulty coil pack you would have noticed this as the engine doesn't run smooth at all and also you would get an error message appear in the idrive and I think it is appalling how they have treated you.
That is very interesting, they told me the coils needed replacement due to corrosion, they broke during removal and thought the car was on its original plugs (59k miles) which is BS as the service book shows they were done somewhere in the 20k range by a dealer. The car ran perfectly, no issues at all prior to service.My brother-in-law tells me he knows the service manager there so I may be getting in touch with him for his view.
They managed to redeem themselves a little yesterday, I spoke to a guy that runs service, the explanation on the EML/DCS light was that they read the key first and any errors from this get added to the vehicle check sheet hence the EML/DSC light reference. When my voltage reg went bad and the dash lit up it must have logged these errors, they probably should have been cleared by Munich Legends when they replaced the reg but either didn't or don't have the equipment to do this (I dunno)
He was very helpful and took onboard my frustration at no one being able to explain this when I collected the car. He said in his experience the back 2 coils are a PITA and can easily break due to corrosion during removal. Turns out they were about £80 + VAT each, less than I thought.
He was very helpful and took onboard my frustration at no one being able to explain this when I collected the car. He said in his experience the back 2 coils are a PITA and can easily break due to corrosion during removal. Turns out they were about £80 + VAT each, less than I thought.
minimatan said:
Which dealer have you been using Mags? I have been using Cobham and they have generally looked after me - Jerry the Customer Service Manager being particularly noticeable in him actual, rather than suggested, helpfulness.
However, I still don't really get that sensation of relationship building from the franchise - they are simply too busy. If anyone could suggest a dealership that operates as a family business then I would tavel.
TBH, the guys from BMW Assist are truly excellent. Knowledgeable, helpful, take their time to address queries and issues. BMW is the bees knees, absolutely brilliant service.
Vines Gatwick, Three Bridges. The Redhill branch are closer to me but I can jump on a train to work from Three bridges which makes it easier.However, I still don't really get that sensation of relationship building from the franchise - they are simply too busy. If anyone could suggest a dealership that operates as a family business then I would tavel.
TBH, the guys from BMW Assist are truly excellent. Knowledgeable, helpful, take their time to address queries and issues. BMW is the bees knees, absolutely brilliant service.
Funny enough the weekend after I got the M5 back on the way home from Brighton it went into limp home mode with reduced power error. I drove straight to the dealer and left it there. 5 days later I picked up with repairs under warranty totalling £1700 for a throttle actuator, control unit and another coil. So very glad I took out the warranty now!
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