Grosvenor Reading
Discussion
Anyone used Grosvenor in Reading for BMW servicing? Booked my E46 M3 with them for Transmission fluid change (to LT3), Differential fluid change and Oil change. Having recently bought the car I just want to get all these items done so I have peace of mind that everything is as it should be.
I used them a few years back before they moved to Richfield Avenue.
This was at least 5 years ago i should add when my first m3 was out of warranty and had broken down. They recovered it and for reasons I still can't understand were unable to diagnose the issue or repair it. Their advice? Take it down to Coopers! Odd given they are supposedly specialists......but they were pleasant enough! Coopers sorted the issue quickly and fairly cheaply.
More recently my dog mobile 330i msport touring needed an oil change and spark plugs. Grovesner were MORE expensive than Coopers and seemingly not interested in beating the price to get my business (a not insubstantial £330). Thought this was quite strange too....
As much as I really don't like Coopers, there seems no point switching to Grovesner. Also needed discs and pads doing a few months back and Coopers couldn't help themselves but drop their trousers to price match another indie who were significantly cheaper.......
Not sure that really helps you - but that's how I've found it.
Cheers
RS
This was at least 5 years ago i should add when my first m3 was out of warranty and had broken down. They recovered it and for reasons I still can't understand were unable to diagnose the issue or repair it. Their advice? Take it down to Coopers! Odd given they are supposedly specialists......but they were pleasant enough! Coopers sorted the issue quickly and fairly cheaply.
More recently my dog mobile 330i msport touring needed an oil change and spark plugs. Grovesner were MORE expensive than Coopers and seemingly not interested in beating the price to get my business (a not insubstantial £330). Thought this was quite strange too....
As much as I really don't like Coopers, there seems no point switching to Grovesner. Also needed discs and pads doing a few months back and Coopers couldn't help themselves but drop their trousers to price match another indie who were significantly cheaper.......
Not sure that really helps you - but that's how I've found it.
Cheers
RS
I used them for a few bits when I had my E39 M5. They did a lot of work trying to find problems with brake shudder and swapped wheels and others bits and bobs.
I never used them for a full service, they fitted some bushes and did a few minor items for me. Always very helpful and didnt seem too expensive.
That was not long after they moved the the new place. Maybe now that they have a big premises they have higher overheads
I never used them for a full service, they fitted some bushes and did a few minor items for me. Always very helpful and didnt seem too expensive.
That was not long after they moved the the new place. Maybe now that they have a big premises they have higher overheads
I've used them a few times (after a number of recommendations on the z4forum) to do various jobs on my z4m - replacing top mounts, springs, repairing a broken electric window actuator and tracking down various rattles/squeaks. They were very helpful each time, even found the time to get my car up on the ramp during the day and do some minor diagnostic work free of charge.
I've yet to use them for a service though because of the importance placed on those official service stamps from the stealers
I've yet to use them for a service though because of the importance placed on those official service stamps from the stealers
Their routine servicing prices are not that different to Coopers.
On the other hand, my experience is that they know what they're doing and are a lot more flexible than Coopers, especially for older cars (E series). For example, we had the usual E61 tailgate wiring problem, which they were able to fix much more cheaply than the BMW method of swapping the whole loom. They also do free courtesy cars, which can be useful.
I think they know more about E46 M3s these days than Coopers do. The service manager at Grosvenor owns one, for a start...
On the other hand, my experience is that they know what they're doing and are a lot more flexible than Coopers, especially for older cars (E series). For example, we had the usual E61 tailgate wiring problem, which they were able to fix much more cheaply than the BMW method of swapping the whole loom. They also do free courtesy cars, which can be useful.
I think they know more about E46 M3s these days than Coopers do. The service manager at Grosvenor owns one, for a start...
Edited by outnumbered on Thursday 3rd January 16:02
Thanks for the responses. Given my car is a 2002 and been looked after by an Indy for the last 3 years by the previous owner I am not that fussed about having a BMW dealer stamp in the log book anymore. My other cars get looked after by Sytner Sunningdale and they do a great job - best BMW dealer I have come across. However, this is an E46 M3 and not my wife's X5 on a service pack, and from what I am reading the guys at Grosvenor seem to know a fair bit about M cars. Will post feedback of the experience on this thread. The free loan car will also come in handy for sure.
Had the car serviced and checked by Grosvenor. Overall happy with the price, service and most importantly the knowledge of the person I dealt with - Justin. Thankfully it seems my car is pretty straight and sorted. They gave me an indication of the items they would recommend I change on my next visit. Sub frame crack wise they said there was a very small hairline crack (that they could not even photograph clearly) and recommended that they check again on my next visit. The theory being that until it becomes an issue worth fixing there isn't any point pulling out the back end of the car. They also fix sub frames and the price seemed very reasonable (will vary depending on the degree of the problem faced) I am not going to to be doing more than 3k miles a year in this car, but will be taking it to them again in maybe 6 months to have it checked again and get some more maintenance work done.
To summarise, I would recommend them. I liked the fact that they were not desperate to bleed me dry with having things changed on the car that didn't need changing. I decided to go with them based on reviews/feedback for their technical knowledge on M cars and I have to say that my impression of their overall service has exceeded expectations. Never used an Indy before now, I think I will be taking my 130i to them once it comes out of BMW warranty.
To summarise, I would recommend them. I liked the fact that they were not desperate to bleed me dry with having things changed on the car that didn't need changing. I decided to go with them based on reviews/feedback for their technical knowledge on M cars and I have to say that my impression of their overall service has exceeded expectations. Never used an Indy before now, I think I will be taking my 130i to them once it comes out of BMW warranty.
StarmistBlue400 said:
Justin had an E46 M3 when I used to use them so he knows a fair but about them. Not sure what he has now. Nice bloke though. Did pete try and sell you a remap. Used to try it on every time I went
Justin mentioned he got a Porsche (didn't ask what model) after his M3. Good job I didn't meet Pete, the remap sounds tempting.I've been using Grosvenors for 4 years now - and would recommend them highly. Honest, fairly priced (being honest, does anyone expect a cheap price for good service?) and thoroughly knowledgeable. As said above, you can have confidence that they are stringing a line when advising work and will usually give options / advice if there's a lot of work needed.
Courtesy cars usually available and always worth a look to see what they have in the small "showroom" and workshop - some interesting stuff in there.
Justin's the service manager and a top bloke.
Courtesy cars usually available and always worth a look to see what they have in the small "showroom" and workshop - some interesting stuff in there.
Justin's the service manager and a top bloke.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff