BMW dealer or Indy service Z4 3.0si

[Z4MCSL]

Im due an inspection service on my z4 3.0si coupe (can't remember if its an inspection I or II but pretty sure its the cheaper one)

Car has just ticked over 81000 and is mint with fsh, manual and sport spec so m suspension and m seats (piano black dash, 5 spoke wheels etc)

I was planning on going to BMW dealer to help when i come to sell as looking to trade in and upgrade pretty soon ( weighing up RS4 avant, 997 c2s or 996 c4s or Aston V8 Vantage).

I have had really bad experiences with main dealers in the past who find issues and absolutely take the piss.

Any opinions on whether to go Indy or BMW

Im in south london

Thanks

[Monty Python]

When a car gets to that age, I don't think a BMW service history will add much to the value. My last two BMWs were dealer-serviced while under warranty (first one) and the service plan (second one), and from then on they went to a BMW specialist. When traded in, it made no difference.

[SebringMan]

I'd go to an Indy.

If ETA Motorsport aren't miles away from you I'd get them to do the work .

[e30m3Mark]

Another vote for an Indy here.

Once a few years older, it's just evidence of the work being done that matters, as opposed to it being done by a dealership. Lots of choice out there but ETA have been around for years and know their stuff.

[Mr Whippy]

If you go independent just make sure they do an INSP1 checklist to give you as per main dealer.

Insp1/2 are all about checks more than anything so if there is no proof of checks/remedies it doesn’t help buyers... especially if you then don’t do any of the jobs on there.

[Mr Tidy]

I stopped using main agents once my cars were out of warranty/service pack.

I've got a BMW Specialist a couple of miles away who have looked after all my BMWs for the last 4 years - the principal and at least one of his techs are ex-Sytner anyway!

Never get charged for topping up screenwash, etc. and I can get what I want done (like changing gearbox oil) whereas a main agent will just tell you it's sealed for life!

I can't see it affecting trade in value on a car that's 10 years old!

Off topic slightly, but I hope you don't regret selling your Z4C - I did, so I'm now on my 2nd!

[4rephill]

Mr Tidy said:

......and I can get what I want done (like changing gearbox oil) whereas a main agent will just tell you it's sealed for life!.......

To be fair to the Main Dealers, they will tell you the gearbox is sealed for life because that's the official line from BMW themselves.

If the Main Dealers were allowed to change the gearbox oil then they would - As with engine oil changes, it would be a nice little money earner for them, but BMW say No!

[survivalist]

Z4MCSL said:

Im due an inspection service on my z4 3.0si coupe (can't remember if its an inspection I or II but pretty sure its the cheaper one)

Car has just ticked over 81000 and is mint with fsh, manual and sport spec so m suspension and m seats (piano black dash, 5 spoke wheels etc)

I was planning on going to BMW dealer to help when i come to sell as looking to trade in and upgrade pretty soon ( weighing up RS4 avant, 997 c2s or 996 c4s or Aston V8 Vantage).

I have had really bad experiences with main dealers in the past who find issues and absolutely take the piss.

Any opinions on whether to go Indy or BMW

Im in south london

Thanks

My experience with BMW dealers, especially in London (North London to be fair) has been very poor with older BMWs. They seem fine with current generation stuff (if fine is charging you £300 to hoover out some/most of the oil and changing the pollen filter). Once a car gets older a decent indie seems far more knowledgeable especially with regard to known issues and proper diagnosis (rather than just bolting on replacement parts until a fault code clears).

Also don't understand what help you're expecting from your BMW dealer as all the replacements you list a a different brand. Happy to be corrected but don't BMW lose interest in retailing older cars unless they are selling you something new and shiny from them.

As has been mentioned ETA Motorsport are good (easy train back into london from the amusingly named 'bat and ball' station) as are CPC Performance (Amersham, so Metropolitan Line back into London).

Nice car BTW, like a Z4 Coupe and like the N52 Engine, must be a good combination

[Wills2]

Had the Z4C for 11 years it always go the main dealer, it's not expensive, having been ripped off by indies before I won't be going that that route again.

[hilly10]

My Z4 3.0si and after my 5 Series Touring has it’s last service in the package it also will be off to my Indy. There are two guys both ex BMW main dealer one with 25 years and the other 15 years, they know Beamers inside out and they have all the kit.

[Dannbodge]

Unless its under extended warranty or something, then indy would be my choice.

[pvogue]

Buy your own stuff, keep receipts and goto an indy!

[Wills2]

I've always wondered why people on PH moan about BMW reliability when I've had 10 and nothing has ever gone wrong, I think I'm beginning to understand.

[Mr Tidy]

4rephill said:

To be fair to the Main Dealers, they will tell you the gearbox is sealed for life because that's the official line from BMW themselves.

If the Main Dealers were allowed to change the gearbox oil then they would - As with engine oil changes, it would be a nice little money earner for them, but BMW say No!

Yes, but that is exactly why I'd rather go to an independent BMW specialist in the first place - because main agent staff have to spout the Corporate cr*p regardless of whether they believe it!

[e30m3Mark]

Wills2 said:

I've always wondered why people on PH moan about BMW reliability when I've had 10 and nothing has ever gone wrong, I think I'm beginning to understand.

Do you really believe there because a workshop is part of a dealership, it and the mechanics within it, can do no wrong? As with independents, each needs to be judged on its own merits.

[Vroomer]

Main dealer for services, specialist independent for odd jobs.

[Mr Whippy]

Vroomer said:

Main dealer for services, specialist independent for odd jobs.

That’s basically what I do too.

Or just DIY the odd jobs that are easy but time consuming.

I can’t wait to get my next home with a decent garage, maybe a 2 post lift, and just do lots more stuff myself.

90% of work on cars is a piece of piss.

[Jez m]

I live in South London too.

I use BMS in Leatherhead. Decent BMW indy.

[Mr Tidy]

e30m3Mark said:

Do you really believe there because a workshop is part of a dealership, it and the mechanics within it, can do no wrong? As with independents, each needs to be judged on its own merits.

Nicely put - that's why I use TWG Automotive who are just a couple of miles away and recommended on here and other forums.

My sister was living in Tadworth when she used BMS, who are also recommended on here (which is how I found them).

[SebringMan]

e30m3Mark said:

Do you really believe there because a workshop is part of a dealership, it and the mechanics within it, can do no wrong? As with independents, each needs to be judged on its own merits.

A good way to putting it.

I think he is thinking of damage limitation and getting a "safe" option without doing tons of research, which a dealer can do to an extent.

Mr Tidy said:

Yes, but that is exactly why I'd rather go to an independent BMW specialist in the first place - because main agent staff have to spout the Corporate cr*p regardless of whether they believe it!

Coming on from Mark's point it's finding the right specialist as I'm sure even Mark can agree with; that can take time and unfortunately sometimes result in getting your fingers burnt, which I have on a couple of occasions.

There are two specialists near me, with one of them charging near BMW service rates. I personally would not leave my car with either of them, yet a number of people seem to love them on the M3Cutters forum. That is despite them not doing the valve clearances on any E46 M3s ("They don't need doing sir, you can hear them when they are needed"), and another one missing a monumental oil leak on a friend's E90, which he asked the other to solve).

But that's not marque specific .

It's one reason I do alot of the work myself. I'm no master mechanic, but the fact is simple; no-one will care for your car as much as you do; it's not their money after all .