Do you all use the Main Dealer or..........
Discussion
My opinion has always been if your car already has main dealer history, then you should use main dealers to do the service ONLY. And good indys for everything else.
That way you keep the full BMW service history which lots of buyers look for, but you wont spend fortune on all the other bits, brakes/tyres/clutch etc etc, which the main dealers make their biggest service profits on.
However if you are planning to keep the car for many years to come, then saving a few quid on using the indys for servicing as well could well be worth it.
That way you keep the full BMW service history which lots of buyers look for, but you wont spend fortune on all the other bits, brakes/tyres/clutch etc etc, which the main dealers make their biggest service profits on.
However if you are planning to keep the car for many years to come, then saving a few quid on using the indys for servicing as well could well be worth it.
kentmotorcompany said:
My opinion has always been if your car already has main dealer history, then you should use main dealers to do the service ONLY. And good indys for everything else.
That way you keep the full BMW service history which lots of buyers look for, but you wont spend fortune on all the other bits, brakes/tyres/clutch etc etc, which the main dealers make their biggest service profits on.
However if you are planning to keep the car for many years to come, then saving a few quid on using the indys for servicing as well could well be worth it.
I think it comes down to this - if you buy a car which is 4+ years old for under £10k it matters little where its serviced. That way you keep the full BMW service history which lots of buyers look for, but you wont spend fortune on all the other bits, brakes/tyres/clutch etc etc, which the main dealers make their biggest service profits on.
However if you are planning to keep the car for many years to come, then saving a few quid on using the indys for servicing as well could well be worth it.
It also alarms me when so many people totally ignore buying cars that have been maintained by themselves i.e. competant mechanics - with all supporting invoices MOT's tax discs & ins certs.
Seasider said:
Welshbeef said:
It also alarms me when so many people totally ignore buying cars that have been maintained by themselves i.e. competant mechanics - with all supporting invoices MOT's tax discs & ins certs.
Welshbeef said:
Seasider said:
Welshbeef said:
It also alarms me when so many people totally ignore buying cars that have been maintained by themselves i.e. competant mechanics - with all supporting invoices MOT's tax discs & ins certs.
This perception that people have that every home mechanic is a bodging corner-cutter puts me off buying another car at all. Why must I pay 5-10 times the price for a job to be done at a much worse standard that I can do myself? Just in order to sell my car for a fair price? And this isnt joe public, enthusiasts/petrolheads are even put off...
Exactly. Its a perception thing rather than which person has actually serviced the car better.
Most people know that a good indy will do a far better job than an average main dealer. But unless the buyer knows the garage that has done the work, they are more likely to trust the main dealer stamps.
Plus the very valid point made earlier about the possibility of getting some good will from a main dealer.
Most people know that a good indy will do a far better job than an average main dealer. But unless the buyer knows the garage that has done the work, they are more likely to trust the main dealer stamps.
Plus the very valid point made earlier about the possibility of getting some good will from a main dealer.
kentmotorcompany said:
Exactly. Its a perception thing rather than which person has actually serviced the car better.
Most people know that a good indy will do a far better job than an average main dealer. But unless the buyer knows the garage that has done the work, they are more likely to trust the main dealer stamps.
Plus the very valid point made earlier about the possibility of getting some good will from a main dealer.
I would say if anyone is buying private you must demand that they put it through the MOT for a full 12 months - that way even those with no mechanical idea will have peace of mind & if the buyer refuses (for £40 MOT Fee) then it may lead you to think why will he not put it through... is there something that he is hiding? Does he know it will fail for x reason?Most people know that a good indy will do a far better job than an average main dealer. But unless the buyer knows the garage that has done the work, they are more likely to trust the main dealer stamps.
Plus the very valid point made earlier about the possibility of getting some good will from a main dealer.
I for one would only use a main dealer to service my car whilst it is in warranty.
Now BMW have increased the warranty price on an M3 sooo much I have let it lapse and instead put a few schekles away 'just in case'.
I now use a good indie and have even - shock horror worked on the car myself fitting new brake discs, pads, fluids, oil changes etc.
Having experienced the service from both the indie is miles and miles ahead, taking time over each job or service and sensibly offering good advice on what might need to be done next.
I agree with previous comments that a good example with lots of paperwork, receipts is just as good as a main dealer history. Although I think the person you are buying from and the state of their garage also says a lot.
With respect to Welshbeef - an MOT tells you almost nothing about the car, only that it is 'roadworthy' on that day.
Now BMW have increased the warranty price on an M3 sooo much I have let it lapse and instead put a few schekles away 'just in case'.
I now use a good indie and have even - shock horror worked on the car myself fitting new brake discs, pads, fluids, oil changes etc.
Having experienced the service from both the indie is miles and miles ahead, taking time over each job or service and sensibly offering good advice on what might need to be done next.
I agree with previous comments that a good example with lots of paperwork, receipts is just as good as a main dealer history. Although I think the person you are buying from and the state of their garage also says a lot.
With respect to Welshbeef - an MOT tells you almost nothing about the car, only that it is 'roadworthy' on that day.
If you take it to a BMW specialist then as far as Im concerned it still has full BM history. They will be ex-BMW employees going it alone. And for that reason I have found they pay particular attention to detail and tend to be a lot more honest. Main dealers feel they have the monopoly and dont really care about quailty service. Specialists howver will rely partly on reputation.
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