Full Service History on Middle-Aged Cars
Discussion
Just bought a 53 plate 318 touring as a sensible family car. It's quite leggy at 137k but it's a 1 owner car and has full main dealer history from the same BMW dealer.
It's in need of an oil service soon, is it worth taking it to BMW just to keep up the history, or is there just no point with this number of miles? Local dealers are talking £130 for the job.
It's in need of an oil service soon, is it worth taking it to BMW just to keep up the history, or is there just no point with this number of miles? Local dealers are talking £130 for the job.
It's nearly 10 years old so it would be a little pointless for the dealer to do it in my eyes.
Still, it depends on whether you're planning to move the car on soon. Then a full dealer history can support the mileage quite nicely and make it a touch more appealing to a prospective buyer.
For an oil service, there's nothing wrong with you tackling it yourself. I've been servicing my cars for years and keeping the receipts with a note of the mileage/date that teh work was done. Buuyers tend to prefer this level of detail, anyway.
Still, it depends on whether you're planning to move the car on soon. Then a full dealer history can support the mileage quite nicely and make it a touch more appealing to a prospective buyer.
For an oil service, there's nothing wrong with you tackling it yourself. I've been servicing my cars for years and keeping the receipts with a note of the mileage/date that teh work was done. Buuyers tend to prefer this level of detail, anyway.
How long do you plan to keep the car?
If you are running it until dead then I would argue it's down to who you trust to do the servicing and what gives you peace of mind vs price.
If you intend on selling it on then some people like to see main dealer history - but everyone is different.
Personally if I were to buy a high mileage car with a decent specialist servicing regime after a certain point then it wouldn't bother me as a buyer that much. People are more attracted to main dealer history however, whether rightly or wrongly!
If you are running it until dead then I would argue it's down to who you trust to do the servicing and what gives you peace of mind vs price.
If you intend on selling it on then some people like to see main dealer history - but everyone is different.
Personally if I were to buy a high mileage car with a decent specialist servicing regime after a certain point then it wouldn't bother me as a buyer that much. People are more attracted to main dealer history however, whether rightly or wrongly!
If it just an oil service and your local "fred in the shed" garage are quoting you £130 you may as well go to the BMW main dealer as a BMW Value oil service for your car is £139.
I used my main dealer for a Value Service a couple of months back and was very impressed for the price as it was cheaper than my local indy was asking. Expecting them to just change the oil and shift it out the workshop quick i was pleasantly supprised when i got a full report on all aspects of the car (which picked up a couple of issues i was already aware of, so i know they checked it!) and even a diagnositics print out. a proper inside and out valet to!
I used my main dealer for a Value Service a couple of months back and was very impressed for the price as it was cheaper than my local indy was asking. Expecting them to just change the oil and shift it out the workshop quick i was pleasantly supprised when i got a full report on all aspects of the car (which picked up a couple of issues i was already aware of, so i know they checked it!) and even a diagnositics print out. a proper inside and out valet to!
MantaMike said:
If it just an oil service and your local "fred in the shed" garage are quoting you £130 you may as well go to the BMW main dealer as a BMW Value oil service for your car is £139.
I used my main dealer for a Value Service a couple of months back and was very impressed for the price as it was cheaper than my local indy was asking. Expecting them to just change the oil and shift it out the workshop quick i was pleasantly supprised when i got a full report on all aspects of the car (which picked up a couple of issues i was already aware of, so i know they checked it!) and even a diagnositics print out. a proper inside and out valet to!
Just called a local BMW indy, their price for an oil service was £189! Queried this, and told them of the Sytner quote, and they offered to match it.I used my main dealer for a Value Service a couple of months back and was very impressed for the price as it was cheaper than my local indy was asking. Expecting them to just change the oil and shift it out the workshop quick i was pleasantly supprised when i got a full report on all aspects of the car (which picked up a couple of issues i was already aware of, so i know they checked it!) and even a diagnositics print out. a proper inside and out valet to!
I tend to keep cars for about 12/18 months. Usually change the oil myself but didn't know whether this would put people off on a car that's done so many miles. TBH this is also the newest car I've ever owned!
A good BMW Independent Specialist is a nice compromise. Garages I use for my E36 provide typed receipts, a stamp for the service book, and most importantly a level of knowledge in each mechanic which at your average Main Stealer will probably be one guy there with similar knowledge, who will prob never work on your car!..the cost is obviously much cheaper. If you can do without a condescending receptionist and a styrene cup of brown then go Independent
My now 10 year old E39 is still serviced at BMW main dealers and has been for its entire life. The savings on offer from going elsewhere are simply not worth the bother - I like the service I get at the main dealer. If there were hundreds of pounds in it I might rethink but there isn't, so I'm not bothered.
With my mileage it only needs servicing every 18-24 months. Had an Oil Service done last month by Rybrook BMW for £100. Before that I had the Inspection 2 done for £340.
Just not worth messing about at that sort of money. Plus I like my book of stamps.
With my mileage it only needs servicing every 18-24 months. Had an Oil Service done last month by Rybrook BMW for £100. Before that I had the Inspection 2 done for £340.
Just not worth messing about at that sort of money. Plus I like my book of stamps.
Fox- said:
My now 10 year old E39 is still serviced at BMW main dealers and has been for its entire life. The savings on offer from going elsewhere are simply not worth the bother - I like the service I get at the main dealer. If there were hundreds of pounds in it I might rethink but there isn't, so I'm not bothered.
With my mileage it only needs servicing every 18-24 months. Had an Oil Service done last month by Rybrook BMW for £100. Before that I had the Inspection 2 done for £340.
Just not worth messing about at that sort of money. Plus I like my book of stamps.
that's what pissed me off about "value service" i got 3 quotes from dealers for an inspection 2 for the 728i....With my mileage it only needs servicing every 18-24 months. Had an Oil Service done last month by Rybrook BMW for £100. Before that I had the Inspection 2 done for £340.
Just not worth messing about at that sort of money. Plus I like my book of stamps.
all were within £50 of £600, one of them being over £600.
i emailed BMW UK about this and they said it's because the 7 series is rarer and the different parts account for the extra cost.
i actually mentioned i knew someone who had an E39 530i inspection 2'd for about £3-350...so for a bog standard inspection 2 they're saying mine costs an extra £250 in parts alone to mean the extra money is justified.
w
kers.Fox- said:
My now 10 year old E39 is still serviced at BMW main dealers and has been for its entire life. The savings on offer from going elsewhere are simply not worth the bother - I like the service I get at the main dealer. If there were hundreds of pounds in it I might rethink but there isn't, so I'm not bothered.
With my mileage it only needs servicing every 18-24 months. Had an Oil Service done last month by Rybrook BMW for £100. Before that I had the Inspection 2 done for £340.
Just not worth messing about at that sort of money. Plus I like my book of stamps.
You're right, the savings for the routine servicing is limited so is it worth the effort?With my mileage it only needs servicing every 18-24 months. Had an Oil Service done last month by Rybrook BMW for £100. Before that I had the Inspection 2 done for £340.
Just not worth messing about at that sort of money. Plus I like my book of stamps.
It will be if it goes wrong. Your local indy will charge you £50 an hour compared to £100 at a main dealer.
Fox- said:
Devil2575 said:
You're right, the savings for the routine servicing is limited so is it worth the effort?
It will be if it goes wrong. Your local indy will charge you £50 an hour compared to £100 at a main dealer.
We are talking about servicing though not repairs.It will be if it goes wrong. Your local indy will charge you £50 an hour compared to £100 at a main dealer.
Mind you my local BMW dealers are a right shower of b
ds that I wouldn't trust to fit valve caps. Fox- said:
Devil2575 said:
You're right, the savings for the routine servicing is limited so is it worth the effort?
It will be if it goes wrong. Your local indy will charge you £50 an hour compared to £100 at a main dealer.
We are talking about servicing though not repairs.It will be if it goes wrong. Your local indy will charge you £50 an hour compared to £100 at a main dealer.
ThunderSpook said:
BMW standard policy is 50% discount on labour and liquids on cars over 5 years old. Snows in Portsmouth for example charge £60 an hour for labour for my car compared to £55 from the local specialist. For that difference I always go to the main dealer.
Think this is what the two dealers I spoke to are doing, the 'value' service. It's actually a bit of a shock as I've never paid someone to service my car before! Decided I'll take it to my local dealers for this oil service at least. In terms of repairs (and I'm hoping to have at least a few months before needing any) it'll go to an independent...
Devil2575 said:
True enough.
Mind you my local BMW dealers are a right shower of bds that I wouldn't trust to fit valve caps.
This puts me off - my local had the car in under warranty just before xmas. Some engine damper or something needed changed, one it didn't make any difference and the supplying dealer ended up sorting it with the right fix.Mind you my local BMW dealers are a right shower of b
ds that I wouldn't trust to fit valve caps. Second they managed to put the steering out of line and refused to do anything when I complained, despite a mark on the alloy that wasn't there before.
Looks like I will spending a day in Glasgow next service as the supplying dealer was fantastic - it's a shame experiences are so variable.
The independant up here calls himself a specialist, I had an e46 I took to him once, he couldn't find the fault despite it being very common and sent me to BMW!
halo34 said:
Devil2575 said:
True enough.
Mind you my local BMW dealers are a right shower of bds that I wouldn't trust to fit valve caps.
This puts me off - my local had the car in under warranty just before xmas. Some engine damper or something needed changed, one it didn't make any difference and the supplying dealer ended up sorting it with the right fix.Mind you my local BMW dealers are a right shower of b
ds that I wouldn't trust to fit valve caps. Second they managed to put the steering out of line and refused to do anything when I complained, despite a mark on the alloy that wasn't there before.
Looks like I will spending a day in Glasgow next service as the supplying dealer was fantastic - it's a shame experiences are so variable.
The independant up here calls himself a specialist, I had an e46 I took to him once, he couldn't find the fault despite it being very common and sent me to BMW!
Don't get me wrong, I have had good experiences at Main Stealers-but never felt that I was getting any level of emotional attachment or empathy. For example my specialist Saab guy that I used to use whilst at Uni even used to give me parts/upgrade parts (that he had hanging around the workshop) for my 900 Aero because he wanted to see a car he was passionate about looking and driving at its best and giving me the pleasure the marque gave him. Very rare, but a lot of Specialists exhibit similar traits when you get chatting to them..
My experience in Cardiff:
Local dealer - expensive, but thorough and competent;
Indie - clueless, took twice as long at half the labour rate, actually marked the part up over the dealer. DILLIGAF attitude vs. hot receptionist and accessible mechanic and out on an industrial estate vs. 10 minute walk from my then city centre office.
No longer own a BMW, though looking to come back to the marque next time, but not a tough decision.
Local dealer - expensive, but thorough and competent;
Indie - clueless, took twice as long at half the labour rate, actually marked the part up over the dealer. DILLIGAF attitude vs. hot receptionist and accessible mechanic and out on an industrial estate vs. 10 minute walk from my then city centre office.
No longer own a BMW, though looking to come back to the marque next time, but not a tough decision.
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