Tracking down a service history...

[Stu-C123]

I've recently bought a lovely Z3 M Coupe from a family friend in a private sale. To cut a long story short, the service book was lost in his ownership and I'm trying to get the new one stamped up retrospectively.

I am absolutely sure it has a complete service history, all at BMW dealerships. The seller is a bit of a BMW collector who looks after his cars fastidiously and would never buy without it. Similarly, he bought the car from a reputable independent trader who have verified that they would never sell a car without a complete service record.

I've contacted BMW UK who have given me a list showing where the car was serviced and the corresponding mileages. I then phoned the dealership in question who can verify the visits but has no record of the actual work done on the car (i.e. if it was inspection 1,2 etc). As it was all pre 2012, there is apparently no electronic record.

I do find it hard to believe that there is no record at all (other than in the lost book) of the work done on this car. I'm not sure if anyone on here can help more than BMW themselves have but if anyone has had any success with this before or knows of any other ways to get the record and the book stamped, I'd be really grateful for your help.

[CRA1G]

This isn't going to help you but might save you some time,i had the very same problem with a 2001 E46 M3,no service book found all the early BMW visit's 2 dealers,dates and mileage etc but neither would confirm why the car had been to them service or warranty work etc...

[Mike335i]

I hit a stumbling block due to "data protection". I rang a dealer to see why the car was seen, but they would not tell me. I didn't realise that the car has a right to privacy!

[Stu-C123]

I also came across this data protection issue. I can get round it by sending the dealership some details via their online form, but the car has only visited that particular dealer once. The majority of the services were by a dealer that doesn't seem to offer this service and in any case apparently doesn't even have the information I'm looking for.

[jacko198]

I had this a couple of years back. I had no log book but knew it had been serviced at BMW, rang the dealer (still had the original Lincoln Soper plates on) and bought a log book with backdated stamps in for about £20.

Doesn't help if they cant find what it had done, but its definitely possible to get a new service book with back dated stamps etc