Specialist Disappointment
Discussion
Took my trusty E39 525i to a well-known West Sussex BMW, Porsche & Mini specialist for a basic oil service and to get a few niggles sorted out - a PDC problem, an engine management code issue, and an oil leak at the oil filter calling for a new seal and vanos supply pipe. Following a couple of advisories I also had new rear brake hoses and a leaky PAS hose taken care of.
The PDC system had a new sensor fitted but I found on the way home the fault appeared exactly as before, so the sensor looked like a £150 waste of money. It turned out to be the processor so that was a further £150 but no real complaints because I know the PDC diagnostics can be tricky.
A couple of weeks later the engine management code reappeared - damn, that looks like another £150 up the spout and I'm quite annoyed by that.
When I picked up the car after it's third visit I was distinctly unimpressed to see an advisory for an oil leak at the oil filter. At first I thought I'd just chucked away another £150 but this last problem was simply resolved by printing a new invoice with the advisory deleted. That's the way to do it!
All in all I spent just under £1000 and I still have to get the engine management code fixed.
Anyone got a recommendation for a good indie in Sussex or Surrey?
Cheers
Tony
The PDC system had a new sensor fitted but I found on the way home the fault appeared exactly as before, so the sensor looked like a £150 waste of money. It turned out to be the processor so that was a further £150 but no real complaints because I know the PDC diagnostics can be tricky.
A couple of weeks later the engine management code reappeared - damn, that looks like another £150 up the spout and I'm quite annoyed by that.
When I picked up the car after it's third visit I was distinctly unimpressed to see an advisory for an oil leak at the oil filter. At first I thought I'd just chucked away another £150 but this last problem was simply resolved by printing a new invoice with the advisory deleted. That's the way to do it!
All in all I spent just under £1000 and I still have to get the engine management code fixed.
Anyone got a recommendation for a good indie in Sussex or Surrey?
Cheers
Tony
I know a fabulous one in Wolverhampton if it becomes important enough to you to do the journey.
http://www.bmeuroservice.com/
If not then I wish you all the best anyway.
http://www.bmeuroservice.com/
If not then I wish you all the best anyway.
Without sounding too full of bombast circumstance it's one reason I rarely take my car in to be fixed by most people unless I have used the Indie before or others have with good results. Finding them however is tricky.
That and I can spanner myself. Sure I don't always get it right but at least I gave it a stab and didn't throw *too* much cash away. I can appreciate that some people loathe spannering however or that it is simply not possible for everyone to do it.
FWIW I am taking my car to ETA Motorsport in Brands Hatch for the RACP reinforcement on my E46 M3. I'll let you know how I get on. So far he seems to tick alot of boxes including a friend recommending him. But seeing that bar 2 times this car has never seen a garage under my ownership (the two times were for the respray and airbag recall) I am feeling nervous!
Don't tell me the specialist you went to began with an I! You are welcome to PM me the name as I was considering getting someone closer to home to do the work on my car.
That and I can spanner myself. Sure I don't always get it right but at least I gave it a stab and didn't throw *too* much cash away. I can appreciate that some people loathe spannering however or that it is simply not possible for everyone to do it.
FWIW I am taking my car to ETA Motorsport in Brands Hatch for the RACP reinforcement on my E46 M3. I'll let you know how I get on. So far he seems to tick alot of boxes including a friend recommending him. But seeing that bar 2 times this car has never seen a garage under my ownership (the two times were for the respray and airbag recall) I am feeling nervous!
Don't tell me the specialist you went to began with an I! You are welcome to PM me the name as I was considering getting someone closer to home to do the work on my car.
I had a similar problem with an independent BMW specialist in the past, and because of that experience decided to pay the extra to go through a certified dealer. Recently I bought some parts from https://www.bmwdiscountparts.com and had them installed at a certified BMW dealership. I paid about 25% more for the service, but I have peace of mind which is worth it for me.
Frybywire said:
I like the look of their website - just a couple of guys in a workshop? Just what I'm looking for...........Cheers
Tony
NiceCupOfTea said:
I've been doing a bit of research as I need to spend some money on my BMWs and have had ETA Motorsport in Kent and H&C Motors in Maidstone recommended. Planning on using ETA as they are close to me (near Brands Hatch)
FWIW I used them for my subframe. They are quite old school and just got on with the job. A decent job well done! I can recommend them. The price was very reasonable too!Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff