Full BMW Service History

[_Deano]

The 330 is up for an oil change, but the dealers want a good £100 over a good indy that i have used in the past.
If i was to have the service carried out by the indy, but still have a BMW logo stamp in the book from them, does this still count towards a "full" BMW service history or will i only have a full service history?

Or does it not really matter in terms of reselling later on?

Thanks for your help.
DJ

[Mr Whippy]

I'd not be happy reading FBMWSH and it having a partial BMW SH, and then a few specialist stamps, especially if the consensus was that that specialist wasn't really very good!

Not to say if I was happy with that specialist I wouldn't pay the same amount anyway, but it'd be nice to know before maybe driving an hour or so to see a car and the services be not as advertised!

Dave

[Neil.D]

If it has been to a specialist then I would condier that Full BMW history. The techs will be all BMW trained, have received the ///M training (or should have done) they normally display their certificates with pride.
I use a one man band specialist and he is ace and cares a lot more than the anonymous dealer.

[M5Dave]

I think when most people see a car advertised with "full BMW service history", they will expect to see the correct service(including brake fluid and coolant changes), carried out at the correct time by a BMW dealer.

Anything other than the above should be made clear in the advert.

[monthefish]

Depending on the mileage/timing since the last Main dealer stamp, why not get the oil changed by the indy WITHOUT any stamp in the book (but keeping the recipt in the service history file).

Assuming you get a main dealer service + stamp next time (within, say 14k miles and 12k miles of the last main dealer stamp) I wouldn't have a problem with that.

[richyb]

IMHO if your car is getting on a bit I don't think its worth spending the extra on the dealer service just to get the stamp. You are better off going to a good indy and saving the cash towards a future purchase. At 8 years old it would be overall condition that would be far more important than FBMWSH. Stamps in the book are nice but in my experience a good indy will give a far better service for a far nicer price.

Edited by richyb on Wednesday 15th April 18:28

[Mustard]

It would be BMW & BMW Specialist Service history. End of story.

Nothing say theres anything wrong with that,its just the truth.

BMW Service history as said implies its been BMW Main dealer maintained and if it hasnt then your being economical with the truth.

No specialist would be able to use the BMW roundel with out encounterng the Munich lawyers!

[Fox-]

Where do you live? I supplied my own oil and pay £42 labour/filter/etc to Scothall BMW in Hampshire for the oil service on my 530i.

With prices like that, why bother with an Indy?

[matt uk]

richyb said:

IMHO if your car is getting on a bit I don't think its worth spending the extra on the dealer service just to get the stamp. You are better off going to a good indy and saving the cash towards a future purchase. At 8 years old it would be overall condition that would be far more important than FBMWSH. Stamps in the book are nice but in my experience a good indy will give a far better service for a far nicer price.

Edited by richyb on Wednesday 15th April 18:28

Totally agree. On an older car I would be happier in most cases for the later stamps to be from a good Indy than a main dealer.

At 8 years old, it will make approx zero difference to the value of your car to a vast majority of people.

[ASR1]

I purchase my own oil and have a main dealer change it - saves quite a bit of money as the dealers charge £13-15 (?) per litre for oil.

[dave_s13]

It is also worth asking the dealer if they can price match the specialist or at least come down to half way. Most will in my experience.

It makes no difference to me if a car has been done at the main dealer or specialist.

[_Deano]

Thanks for the views everyone.
The car is about 8 years old now (51 plate), so i think that i will go with the Indy.

Thanks again
Dean

[bazking69]

FBMWSH is BMW main dealer only serviced. This strictly doesn't include independants.

[Gallen]

Full "BMW" Service History would only bother me if the car was pretty much new.

Not being funny but BMW charge a rip-off labour rate, and it doesnt require much "specialist" training to change the oil and filter etc...

...and I think a good independant who values their reputation would bother more about your car [individually] than a 9 to 5er working under a main stealer

discuss

[bazking69]

As above, if it is outside of warranty, I wouldn't care as long as it had a FSH carried out by a reputable garage (even if they aren't an indy, just as long as they aren't Mickey Mouse Motors..) at the correct intervals.

[Gallen]

...and to qualify, see this thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[matt uk]

Gallen said:

Not being funny but BMW charge a rip-off labour rate, and it doesnt require much "specialist" training to change the oil and filter etc...

...and I think a good independant who values their reputation would bother more about your car [individually] than a 9 to 5er working under a main stealer

discuss

No need to discuss. You are 100% correct.

[bazking69]

Totally correct

[Mr Whippy]

matt uk said:

Gallen said:

Not being funny but BMW charge a rip-off labour rate, and it doesnt require much "specialist" training to change the oil and filter etc...

...and I think a good independant who values their reputation would bother more about your car [individually] than a 9 to 5er working under a main stealer

discuss

No need to discuss. You are 100% correct.

But how will 75% of buyers who don't know much about the independent network through forums etc, know if the one on your service book is actually any good?
I used to think one called Munich Legends was well regarded, but have heard some iffy reports, so I'd not see SH from them as counting well towards a FBMWSH... to start with because they are NOT BMW, so how can you say FULL BMW SH?

Does that mean if I do my servicing DIY with BMW spec parts/oils and their workshop manual, it's still FBMWSH?

Dave

[CommanderJameson]

I'd be more impressed with "FBMWSH to 50K miles, then BMW specialist" or than if I had to work out the transition from the stamps in the book.