Discussion
Recently picked up a new (to me) car. 7 year old 4 series F36 with average mileage. It currently has FSH, FDSH up to 2021 according to the iDrive.
Never had a car this new before, always had cheaper cars over 15 years old so doing servicing myself hasn't really devalued them.
Not sure whether to keep on servicing this one myself or let a garage do it? It seems daft to pay labour costs for jobs that I can easily do myself, but cost aside as that's not my concern. I do like the satisfaction of knowing the job has been done correctly (or even at all, as a lot of dealers can never be bothered changing filters despite charging for them). I know my way around cars fairly well, and have all the tools/ramps/jacks etc although not a mechanic and do admit when I'm unsure of something by visiting a garage and letting them carry out the work.
Only concern is the FSH which does help the cars value. No idea how long I plan to keep the car. On previous cars I've always kept invoices for parts and written date/mileage on them and not had a problem, but then again I've always sold privately and to fellow enthusiasts. Am I likely to have any issues doing that for this car, even if it was sold to say a dealer?
Never had a car this new before, always had cheaper cars over 15 years old so doing servicing myself hasn't really devalued them.
Not sure whether to keep on servicing this one myself or let a garage do it? It seems daft to pay labour costs for jobs that I can easily do myself, but cost aside as that's not my concern. I do like the satisfaction of knowing the job has been done correctly (or even at all, as a lot of dealers can never be bothered changing filters despite charging for them). I know my way around cars fairly well, and have all the tools/ramps/jacks etc although not a mechanic and do admit when I'm unsure of something by visiting a garage and letting them carry out the work.
Only concern is the FSH which does help the cars value. No idea how long I plan to keep the car. On previous cars I've always kept invoices for parts and written date/mileage on them and not had a problem, but then again I've always sold privately and to fellow enthusiasts. Am I likely to have any issues doing that for this car, even if it was sold to say a dealer?
Not sure if it would make much difference to a dealer, or the likes of WBAC when it hits 10yrs+.
Privately it's swings and roundabouts. Some like the FDSH, whilst others (partcularly enthusiasts) might prefer a well regarded independent, or self servicing. If you go the latter, then keep all receipts for parts/fluids etc to show that everything has been serviced to manufacturer spec. Not sure how much it would affect resale value, but it's probably fair to say that you'd have wider options with a FDSH.
Privately it's swings and roundabouts. Some like the FDSH, whilst others (partcularly enthusiasts) might prefer a well regarded independent, or self servicing. If you go the latter, then keep all receipts for parts/fluids etc to show that everything has been serviced to manufacturer spec. Not sure how much it would affect resale value, but it's probably fair to say that you'd have wider options with a FDSH.
I'd say it depends how long you plan to keep the car. If you're going to sell after 3-4yrs then I'd get an annual oil change with oil/brake fluid at 2 yrs done at a garage and get a service stamp. For anything else, brakes, suspension, coolant, etc, I'd do myself.
I've just sold a 2009 Cayman to a dealership and the first thing they asked before they even looked at it was "FSH ?". They weren't bothered if it was main dealer or independent (it was a local garage), they just wanted to see stamps in the book.
If it was an average family car then I'd say go for it yourself and keep records. If you're going to keep it for 10yrs then I'd do it myself as well because you're likely to sell privately at that age and as an enthusiast I'd buy the car, not a book of stamps.
I've just sold a 2009 Cayman to a dealership and the first thing they asked before they even looked at it was "FSH ?". They weren't bothered if it was main dealer or independent (it was a local garage), they just wanted to see stamps in the book.
If it was an average family car then I'd say go for it yourself and keep records. If you're going to keep it for 10yrs then I'd do it myself as well because you're likely to sell privately at that age and as an enthusiast I'd buy the car, not a book of stamps.
b2hbm said:
I'd say it depends how long you plan to keep the car. If you're going to sell after 3-4yrs then I'd get an annual oil change with oil/brake fluid at 2 yrs done at a garage and get a service stamp. For anything else, brakes, suspension, coolant, etc, I'd do myself.
I've just sold a 2009 Cayman to a dealership and the first thing they asked before they even looked at it was "FSH ?". They weren't bothered if it was main dealer or independent (it was a local garage), they just wanted to see stamps in the book.
If it was an average family car then I'd say go for it yourself and keep records. If you're going to keep it for 10yrs then I'd do it myself as well because you're likely to sell privately at that age and as an enthusiast I'd buy the car, not a book of stamps.
I'm tempted on that yes, at least for a couple years just in case I decide to sell it. Although the car does have a ridiculous service interval of 2 years or 20k so I will definitely be doing an oil change at half that. I may just do the half interval change myself, have the scheduled services done by a garage to maintain 'FSH' status.I've just sold a 2009 Cayman to a dealership and the first thing they asked before they even looked at it was "FSH ?". They weren't bothered if it was main dealer or independent (it was a local garage), they just wanted to see stamps in the book.
If it was an average family car then I'd say go for it yourself and keep records. If you're going to keep it for 10yrs then I'd do it myself as well because you're likely to sell privately at that age and as an enthusiast I'd buy the car, not a book of stamps.
I don't mind doing things like brakes, and actually enjoy working on cars. Gives you a good chance to spot any issues while you're down there.
Where do you stand nowadays with all the digital service history? The iDrive has been up to date up till 2021, but have invoices for everything since then. No service book as such. I'm guessing they wouldn't just rely on the iDrive (which I'm tempted to keep up to date myself)
That sounds a good plan, with a 2yr interval it's officially due a service this year. From what I see these days it's usually oil/filters so I'd book in for that and it will give you roughly 3yrs to decide if you want to keep it or do your own services.
Remember, if they find anything else wrong at the service and call saying "sir, we need to...." there's no reason why you can't take the car and do that yourself without affecting the FSH. It's a service history, not a repair log and if you've got receipts for work done, you're good. I replaced coolant, hoses, washer pump & disks (twice !!) on that Cayman myself, kept receipts and nothing was said, they only checked the service interval stamps.
As for digital history, can you download/print for easy reference in future ? Our new car only has dealer recording with no service book so I've bought my own and will keep that up to date. By the time I sell this car we'll be heading for an ICE ban on new cars so I doubt the P/X price will matter in that case.
Remember, if they find anything else wrong at the service and call saying "sir, we need to...." there's no reason why you can't take the car and do that yourself without affecting the FSH. It's a service history, not a repair log and if you've got receipts for work done, you're good. I replaced coolant, hoses, washer pump & disks (twice !!) on that Cayman myself, kept receipts and nothing was said, they only checked the service interval stamps.
As for digital history, can you download/print for easy reference in future ? Our new car only has dealer recording with no service book so I've bought my own and will keep that up to date. By the time I sell this car we'll be heading for an ICE ban on new cars so I doubt the P/X price will matter in that case.
b2hbm said:
That sounds a good plan, with a 2yr interval it's officially due a service this year. From what I see these days it's usually oil/filters so I'd book in for that and it will give you roughly 3yrs to decide if you want to keep it or do your own services.
Remember, if they find anything else wrong at the service and call saying "sir, we need to...." there's no reason why you can't take the car and do that yourself without affecting the FSH. It's a service history, not a repair log and if you've got receipts for work done, you're good. I replaced coolant, hoses, washer pump & disks (twice !!) on that Cayman myself, kept receipts and nothing was said, they only checked the service interval stamps.
As for digital history, can you download/print for easy reference in future ? Our new car only has dealer recording with no service book so I've bought my own and will keep that up to date. By the time I sell this car we'll be heading for an ICE ban on new cars so I doubt the P/X price will matter in that case.
I do have a copy of the print out from BMW for the services its had in the past, which I've transferred over into a spreadsheet that I keep up to date with history/work done. Must admit I find organising paperwork rather satisfying, as it was all just folded and creased in a wallet in random order when I picked it up.Remember, if they find anything else wrong at the service and call saying "sir, we need to...." there's no reason why you can't take the car and do that yourself without affecting the FSH. It's a service history, not a repair log and if you've got receipts for work done, you're good. I replaced coolant, hoses, washer pump & disks (twice !!) on that Cayman myself, kept receipts and nothing was said, they only checked the service interval stamps.
As for digital history, can you download/print for easy reference in future ? Our new car only has dealer recording with no service book so I've bought my own and will keep that up to date. By the time I sell this car we'll be heading for an ICE ban on new cars so I doubt the P/X price will matter in that case.
I have always bought Cars at 7 to 10 years old. All.have been services and repaired by me. I always just fill in the service book myself. Never had a dealer question it but then I do tend to keep Cars 5 years or so. So by the time they are sold it probably makes little difference. Certainly not as much as the extra cost of paying someone else to look after them.
I’ve recently started to diy service my 8 year old Skoda Superb (was 2 year interval)
Bosch air/oil/cabin/fuel filters from Amazon
Correct oil from Halfords
Brembo Rear Brake pads from Amazon (advisory on mot)
Reset the service indicators via youtube videos. Combination of trip button/key/hazard lights!
All in around £125. Incl the brake tool & pump for oil, pumped the oil out rather than faff about under the car!
Quite enjoyed it
Logged in the book with receipts
Saved a couple of hundred £ for 2.5 hours
I doubt will make any difference when/if I sell
Bosch air/oil/cabin/fuel filters from Amazon
Correct oil from Halfords
Brembo Rear Brake pads from Amazon (advisory on mot)
Reset the service indicators via youtube videos. Combination of trip button/key/hazard lights!
All in around £125. Incl the brake tool & pump for oil, pumped the oil out rather than faff about under the car!
Quite enjoyed it
Logged in the book with receipts
Saved a couple of hundred £ for 2.5 hours
I doubt will make any difference when/if I sell
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 25th January 23:40
About 10 years ago, I owned a Ferrari 348 for about 18 months - which meant it was due one service in that time. Even from Indy's I was getting stupid prices for a minor service which was little more than an oil change.
I did it myself - took photos of everything I did, kept the receipts for the the parts.
Even for that car, it didn't cause a problem with resale.
I did it myself - took photos of everything I did, kept the receipts for the the parts.
Even for that car, it didn't cause a problem with resale.
Just do it yourself..... that way you know it's done, and if you save, say, £200 a year then if you sell it in 5 years will it be worth £1000 more 'with stamps'
It depends on the car, the purchaser's take on it etc, I'd place more importance on a spreadsheet that I keep which includesanything I do or replace on the car (even the odd bulb). Before someone 'smart' comments, no, I don't include a note for when it's washed and waxed.
It depends on the car, the purchaser's take on it etc, I'd place more importance on a spreadsheet that I keep which includesanything I do or replace on the car (even the odd bulb). Before someone 'smart' comments, no, I don't include a note for when it's washed and waxed.
aturnick54 said:
shalmaneser said:
Getting the stamp for the oil change is worthwhile, but doing additional work yourself outside of that is the best plan imo.
No service book to stamp, it's all on iDrive.For servicing, are you reffering to changing the oil or all the other checks that come with it.
stevemcs said:
Not strictly true, its registered online and can be transfered to the car, well for the newer ones, the older ones if you want it to show on the idrive needs to be done with a laptop
For servicing, are you reffering to changing the oil or all the other checks that come with it.
Oil changes and other routine servicing, just seems frustrating to pay someone to do it when I can have it done in a morning over a cuppa and know it's done properly. Usually with past cars if there's anything I'm not confident doing I'd go to the local mechanic and they'd give everything a check over while it's in.For servicing, are you reffering to changing the oil or all the other checks that come with it.
aturnick54 said:
stevemcs said:
So under the car, check all the suspension etc, exhaust,brake fluid test, coolant test etc.
Happy to do that yes. Always give my cars a good look over while I'm under them.stevemcs said:
So under the car, check all the suspension etc, exhaust,brake fluid test, coolant test etc.
Suspension - you’ll know it’s ok from drivingExhaust - same
Brake fluid / coolant ? How do you test them ?
Brake fluid changed every few years as a matter or course. Coolant changed when water pump changed at 6 years.
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