M5 specialist in Scotland
Discussion
I have this problem too..and I'm more remote than you..in the Scottish Highlands.
Have resigned myself to travelling (some distance) to get really specialist work like VANOS, rod bearings etc. done on my M5, as and when the time comes. Planning to use CPC in Amersham, in deepest Englandshire, since I have relatives in High Wycombe who I'll be able to stay with whilst the work is being done. Spent a lot of time researching Phil Crouch and he seems to be very well received by M-Power enthusiasts up and down the country.
I've found that quite a lot of the less sophisticated work on our vehicles can be done by carefully selected, knowledgeable and experienced local garages. I had the clutch, propshaft and gear change mechanism overhauled/replaced by my local small family-owned Ford dealership. The owner (who is 'on the tools', not just in the office) has significant motorsport involvement, past and present, so I'm quite happy using them for this sort of work. He listens to me and totally understands my somewhat OCD requirements! They also have a new full-on, all-singing & dancing, dedicated 4-wheel alignment bay in the workshop, which is an added bonus when the time comes for replacing suspension components. Finding garages like this isn't easy (esp. for sub-£40 per hour labour charge) but they do exist in our part of the world.
Good luck with your quest. Let me know if you find a good specialist in Scotland who can confidently handle the likes of VANOS etc. (Though I'd like to know how many VANOS he had overhauled because I wouldn't want my car to be his first!)
Have resigned myself to travelling (some distance) to get really specialist work like VANOS, rod bearings etc. done on my M5, as and when the time comes. Planning to use CPC in Amersham, in deepest Englandshire, since I have relatives in High Wycombe who I'll be able to stay with whilst the work is being done. Spent a lot of time researching Phil Crouch and he seems to be very well received by M-Power enthusiasts up and down the country.
I've found that quite a lot of the less sophisticated work on our vehicles can be done by carefully selected, knowledgeable and experienced local garages. I had the clutch, propshaft and gear change mechanism overhauled/replaced by my local small family-owned Ford dealership. The owner (who is 'on the tools', not just in the office) has significant motorsport involvement, past and present, so I'm quite happy using them for this sort of work. He listens to me and totally understands my somewhat OCD requirements! They also have a new full-on, all-singing & dancing, dedicated 4-wheel alignment bay in the workshop, which is an added bonus when the time comes for replacing suspension components. Finding garages like this isn't easy (esp. for sub-£40 per hour labour charge) but they do exist in our part of the world.
Good luck with your quest. Let me know if you find a good specialist in Scotland who can confidently handle the likes of VANOS etc. (Though I'd like to know how many VANOS he had overhauled because I wouldn't want my car to be his first!)
Edited by Depthhoar on Saturday 29th March 09:22
www.b4bmw.co.uk
Based in Clydebank, just outside Glasgow.
I have used these guys for years with my M3s. E36, E46 and E92. Great guys with great knowledge, and have seen various M cars in various states of repair. They have all the dealer tools for the likes of Vanos etc. The last time I was in they had the head off an E46 M3 for a head gasket job, which obviously involved Vanos and timing chain work. They have had a few M5s kicking about too on visits to their workshop. They were also doing a complete engine rebuild on an E46 320is?? It was a limited run for homologation according to the owner, who I had a chat with. Apparently the components they used for weight saving in the engine suffered the old Nikasil problem. BMW wouldn't admit to it and were wanting £8000 upwards to put the guy's car right. B4BMW were doing a compete rebuild, with new components for £4200 from memory. In short, they are capable, and priced well compared to dealers.
Based in Clydebank, just outside Glasgow.
I have used these guys for years with my M3s. E36, E46 and E92. Great guys with great knowledge, and have seen various M cars in various states of repair. They have all the dealer tools for the likes of Vanos etc. The last time I was in they had the head off an E46 M3 for a head gasket job, which obviously involved Vanos and timing chain work. They have had a few M5s kicking about too on visits to their workshop. They were also doing a complete engine rebuild on an E46 320is?? It was a limited run for homologation according to the owner, who I had a chat with. Apparently the components they used for weight saving in the engine suffered the old Nikasil problem. BMW wouldn't admit to it and were wanting £8000 upwards to put the guy's car right. B4BMW were doing a compete rebuild, with new components for £4200 from memory. In short, they are capable, and priced well compared to dealers.
rash_decision said:
^ No experience of the 'B' (for BMW) side of that garage, only the 'A' (for Audi) side and they are capable, honest and transparent. Depthhoar said:
Planning to use CPC in Amersham, in deepest Englandshire, since I have relatives in High Wycombe who I'll be able to stay with whilst the work is being done. Spent a lot of time researching Phil Crouch and he seems to be very well received by M-Power enthusiasts up and down the country.
Extreme. However I will say that use Phil a lot and he's tops. Very very busy though (and rarely has a spare run around to keep you mobile).Have a gander at this - there's a Glasgox-based BMW place listed (see if they cover M cars and have a good reputation):
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
M3CS said:
Extreme. However I will say that use Phil a lot and he's tops. Very very busy though (and rarely has a spare run around to keep you mobile).
Have a gander at this - there's a Glasgox-based BMW place listed (see if they cover M cars and have a good reputation):
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I wouldn't use the garage on that list for an M car. They are local to me, and have a good reputation, but predominantly Mercedes. They are a mix BM/Merc. Very good reputation, but for run of the mill stuff. Have a gander at this - there's a Glasgox-based BMW place listed (see if they cover M cars and have a good reputation):
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Owen ferry in Paisley are excellent. One of their mechanics owns an E30M3
My son has used them for his E46 330cd and was impressed with them
http://www.owenferryauto.com
My son has used them for his E46 330cd and was impressed with them
http://www.owenferryauto.com
rash_decision said:
www.b4bmw.co.uk
Based in Clydebank, just outside Glasgow.
I have used these guys for years with my M3s. E36, E46 and E92. Great guys with great knowledge, and have seen various M cars in various states of repair. They have all the dealer tools for the likes of Vanos etc. The last time I was in they had the head off an E46 M3 for a head gasket job, which obviously involved Vanos and timing chain work. They have had a few M5s kicking about too on visits to their workshop. They were also doing a complete engine rebuild on an E46 320is?? It was a limited run for homologation according to the owner, who I had a chat with. Apparently the components they used for weight saving in the engine suffered the old Nikasil problem. BMW wouldn't admit to it and were wanting £8000 upwards to put the guy's car right. B4BMW were doing a compete rebuild, with new components for £4200 from memory. In short, they are capable, and priced well compared to dealers.
Cheers. I've sent them a message through their site so I'll see what they say, if anything.Based in Clydebank, just outside Glasgow.
I have used these guys for years with my M3s. E36, E46 and E92. Great guys with great knowledge, and have seen various M cars in various states of repair. They have all the dealer tools for the likes of Vanos etc. The last time I was in they had the head off an E46 M3 for a head gasket job, which obviously involved Vanos and timing chain work. They have had a few M5s kicking about too on visits to their workshop. They were also doing a complete engine rebuild on an E46 320is?? It was a limited run for homologation according to the owner, who I had a chat with. Apparently the components they used for weight saving in the engine suffered the old Nikasil problem. BMW wouldn't admit to it and were wanting £8000 upwards to put the guy's car right. B4BMW were doing a compete rebuild, with new components for £4200 from memory. In short, they are capable, and priced well compared to dealers.
AW Autotech in Aberdeen get highly spoken of from what I've read so I've emailed them too. Hopefully there is someone with experience I could rely on .
You could also try:
Central Garage
Glenkindie
Alford
AB33 8RE
The phone number is :
01975 6 41230
More info here.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Central Garage
Glenkindie
Alford
AB33 8RE
The phone number is :
01975 6 41230
More info here.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Reviving this as I'll be needing someone soon (likely VANOS). Right now Mr. Vanos is looking like the closest safe bet as I've phoned the following today and they either don't have the tools required or don't want to-
B4BMW, Owen Ferry, Ronnie Weaver, Central Garage and AW Autotech.
Still to speak to Stuart at M3 Motor Co. (not holding my breath) and some things I've heard more recently about Motor Technik in Kirkcaldy have put me off.
B4BMW, Owen Ferry, Ronnie Weaver, Central Garage and AW Autotech.
Still to speak to Stuart at M3 Motor Co. (not holding my breath) and some things I've heard more recently about Motor Technik in Kirkcaldy have put me off.
Eztiger on here sent me a detailed email that made them sound like you couldn't trust them 100% given his experience, a member on m3cutters spoke of being quoted £1200 worth of work that ended up costing £400 elsewhere and my friend's workmate at BMW is having to sort a Z4 electric steering issue after they misdiagnosed the problem.
So enough for me to doubt trusting them with my engine.
So enough for me to doubt trusting them with my engine.
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