Indy or Dealer

[thegman]

Hello.

Just a quick poll really - I have an low mileage 55 plate X5 and its coming up for its first MOT/oil change. I wondered if you think it significantly effects resale if I take it to a BMW specialist indy vs dealer for servicing?

Could anybody recommend an indy or a good dealer in west sussex/east surrey?

Did a search but is a bit broken so I may have missed something - sorry!

[mmm-five]

I believe your owner's manual states they need an oil service either according to the on-board service indicator, or 2 years, whichever comes first. So I'd say that most potential buyers would be more concerned that it's not had an oil service for 6 years

DIY/Kwik-Fit/Dealer/Specialist won't make any difference now!

[Paul_M3]

Shouldn't it have had it's first MOT about three years ago????

[sparks_E39]

If it's a 55 then it was due an MOT in 2008-2009 surely? And the oil not been changed in 6 years has probably devalued it anyway.

[Cemesis]

Give Lee Shannon a ring - 01420 520 880 and mention Scott recommended him.

[gaz1234]

[DennisCooper]

The car might have been imported and as such given a 55 plate from the documentation date of manufacture. It may well be its first MOT in this scenario.

If it is indeed a UK spec car, then perhaps it was used solely off road on private land and has only recently started being used on public roads?

Cheers, Dennis!

[kentmotorcompany]

I get asked this a lot by customers when selling a car, and my answer is always the same.

If it has full main dealer service history already, and you plan to sell it within a year or so get it done at the main dealer, but get anything else (tyres, brakes etc) done independently.

If it already has mixed service history, or you plan to keep it for a good few years yet, get it all done at a good independent.


In my experience a decent independent will always do as good/better job than the main dealer, but when to comes to resale, a buyer will always trust a main dealer stamp that he recognises, and is checkable by phone compared to a stamp from somewhere he has never heard of.

If you go independent it also really helps, if you keep copies of your invoices that correspond to the stamps to show what was done, and prove the "stamp" is no just a meaningless stamp.

Edited by kentmotorcompany on Friday 19th August 10:14

[thegman]

hehehe. Oh dear.

I meant the first MOT and service in my ownership.

Thanks for the replies though

[Big E 118]

I've used Munich Legends and found them to be excellent.

Had my inspection 2 recently and was debating keeping full main dealer service history but figured that the near on £1,000 difference in servicing price was unlikely to be recovered in the plumeting 2nd hand prices come trade in time.

ML have had some bad press on PH over the years but they are under (fairly) new ownership and they usually have some very nice motors to nose around while you're there. They've done some pretty serious restoration projects recently (including one for JK I believe) so know their way around a BMW.