What makes a BMW specialist and specialist?

suttz83 · Post by **suttz83** » Fri Oct 20, 2017 3:38 pm

Hi

I’ve got my e89 in for its first service since I’ve owned it on Monday. It has full BMW independent specialist service history so I’ve decided to stick with this.

I have it booked into STR in Norwich. They are an independent BMW specialist, but what makes them this? Is it the technicians that work there are BMW trained, time service technicians from BMW or do they just simply say they are specialist? Can any garage just say they are specialist. Obviously I’m paying slightly more for the independ specialist (£340 major service and Brake fluid change) than I would say, a back street garage. But why can they charge more?

I wouldn’t take my car to just anyone so rather know they are specialist but how do I know they are? I’d also rather not take it to the main dealer who would be considerably more no doubt.

Just something that’s had me thinking!

Cheers

mr wilks · Post by **mr wilks** » Fri Oct 20, 2017 3:42 pm

I'm always wary when i hear "major" service , have you a list of jobs that will be done ?
As for your question ? I think anyone can call themselves a specialist so would be wanting personal recommendation

Marlon · Post by **Marlon** » Fri Oct 20, 2017 3:47 pm

I went to a BMW / Mini Specialist (recommended via the forum) to retro-fit cruise control. I was told that the mechanics were ex-BMW. So I assume they were trained and previously worked at BMW. I've no idea if that is true but was very happy with the work and the cost. As mentioned above, there's no substitute for personal recommendation

tomscott · Post by **tomscott** » Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:09 pm

I would take a specialist as someone who has been looking after said brand for a long time.

A specialist is "A person who concentrates primarily on a particular subject or activity; a person highly skilled in a specific and restricted field."

I would also look for some sort of BMW certification. Is there an Ex BMW master mechanic there etc are the people who work there trained by BMW or have they been working there and taught there.

The other issue is how much does a trained BMW technician mean these days? Most are taught to plug in figure out a fault code and replace half the car.

I would also be looking for a place that has more than say a Carly... I think its just being car smart and asking the right questions reading about them and searching the forums for advice.

The Porsche specialist that ive known for 6-7 years now is one of the best known in the Porsche world and is heavily involved with Porsche GB. He is also a great guy, as happy to chat with you about cars for 45 mins as he is to take you round the car to show you exactly whats wrong so to show hes not pulling the wool over your eyes, what is going to go wrong in the future and where your money is best placed. Would trust him with my car without question. Infact when i bought my Boxster S I took it to him to inspect and to put a long story short it was shagged. He did a full inspection including a borescope test and did it for free then gave me legal advice on what to do with it. He even offered to go and see said car with me but unfortunately the issues it had weren't really something you would have been able to see. Anywhere else would have been £200-250.

Obviously that above and beyond and hes more a friend than a mechanic now but thats a guy id want looking after my P+J.

Unfortunately the BMW specialist world isnt quite what the Porsche specialist world is and it seems more difficult to find a quality specialist although im sure there are plenty of excellent ones out there.

suttz83 · Post by **suttz83** » Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:12 pm

I haven’t really got a lot of options in my area of East coast of Norfolk. I have read good reviews STR and used them once for my previous Golf R32 albeit only for Wheel tracking etc.

They seem to be a German Specialist as they cater for most of the German market cars including the higher end cars. Although it seems garages can slap anything on their websites and call themselves ‘specialists’.

Work being done is;
Oil change
Oil filter
Air filter
Fuel filter
Pollen filter
Brake fluid change
Wheel alignment check
And the usual gazillion point check to see what other work they can try get from you!

benv6 · Post by **benv6** » Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:13 pm

I never go to main dealers and always go to someone I know, It is not unheard of main dealers or "Specialists" never change thinging ie: Oil filters/spark plugs .... and charging you for them as there is a very tiny chance you will make an inspection.
It might be just me being too cynical but whenever my car needs a service, I do buy the parts I want + I would be STANDING THERE watching them being replaced. (Can't do that with main dealers)

mr wilks · Post by **mr wilks** » Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:24 pm

Hhhmmmm , for £340 id want the plugs doing as well or technically its really a major or Ins2 service

What miles is your car on & what point in the service regime are you at ? Ie should be oil - ins1 - oil - ins2 - oil - ins1 etc

Kugaman1 · Post by **Kugaman1** » Sun Oct 22, 2017 9:55 am

suttz83 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:12 pm I haven’t really got a lot of options in my area of East coast of Norfolk. I have read good reviews STR and used them once for my previous Golf R32 albeit only for Wheel tracking etc.

They seem to be a German Specialist as they cater for most of the German market cars including the higher end cars. Although it seems garages can slap anything on their websites and call themselves ‘specialists’.

Work being done is;
Oil change
Oil filter
Air filter
Fuel filter
Pollen filter
Brake fluid change
Wheel alignment check
And the usual gazillion point check to see what other work they can try get from you!

Hmm, are you sure theyre doing the fuel filter? Im pretty sure this is a major job on the e89.
If thats the case, how specialist are they if they dont know that? Also, how are they billing for a fuel filter that isnt getting changed?

Deepseaskateboard · Post by **Deepseaskateboard** » Sun Oct 22, 2017 1:12 pm

Main dealer oil change, filter, brake fluid change and a car wash is £270.

Worth getting a like for like quote.

suttz83 · Post by **suttz83** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 9:34 am

Deepseaskateboard wrote: ↑Sun Oct 22, 2017 1:12 pm Main dealer oil change, filter, brake fluid change and a car wash is £270.

Worth getting a like for like quote.

I did get a like for like quote, I can’t remember exactly what is was but I do remember chuckling to the girl on the phone when she told me the price!

suttz83 · Post by **suttz83** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 9:37 am

Kugaman1 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 22, 2017 9:55 am
suttz83 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:12 pm I haven’t really got a lot of options in my area of East coast of Norfolk. I have read good reviews STR and used them once for my previous Golf R32 albeit only for Wheel tracking etc.

They seem to be a German Specialist as they cater for most of the German market cars including the higher end cars. Although it seems garages can slap anything on their websites and call themselves ‘specialists’.

Work being done is;
Oil change
Oil filter
Air filter
Fuel filter
Pollen filter
Brake fluid change
Wheel alignment check
And the usual gazillion point check to see what other work they can try get from you!
Hmm, are you sure theyre doing the fuel filter? Im pretty sure this is a major job on the e89.
If thats the case, how specialist are they if they dont know that? Also, how are they billing for a fuel filter that isnt getting changed?

I’ve just dropped the car off, specifically asked to make sure they were doing the fuel filter and they say they are.

Out of curiosity, how hard a job is it? What does it involve to make it a hard job. I assume it’s location?

Kugaman1 · Post by **Kugaman1** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 12:01 pm

Quoting a previous post by flybobbie

“Wouldn't even think of replacing the fuel filter unless you have a ramp and a day to spend removing half the underside of the car such as the prop shaft.”

So if that’s the case, they surely aren’t doing that for the price/time and again, makes you question how specialist they are?

mcbutler · Post by **mcbutler** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:25 pm

You can generally be assured by reputation and the parking lot when you arrive. Autologic in Hessle for example have a parking area crammed full of the highest performance BMW's you have ever seen. I had them look at a noise on my Zee and they diagnosed it. I brought the car back to my home town, took it to the main stealer who was having trouble diagnosing it! I then told them what Autologic had said and they accepted it without question as they know them often use them for guidance!!!!!!

suttz83 · Post by **suttz83** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:43 pm

Now home with the car.

Mcbutler, if your theory is right then it should be a well thought of garage. The lot and garage was full of Porsche’s, BMWs and I think I saw a Bentley along with various high end Motorbikes.

I checked the paper work when I got there and to my surprise the fuel filter hadn’t been changed. I quickly pulled them on this and they said the fuel filter is a long life item and doesn’t get changed. They said it’s in the tank. I asked why the price was the same then and they said that quote was right as they are set price quotes so knew when formulating the quotes that it wouldn’t need doing.

Not sure if the above is correct or not!

They did say they recommend the gearbox oil is changed at 50k which means mine is very soon. Again I said BMW don’t change this as it’s longlife but they said it’s just something they recommend. I’ll start another thread on this as this was one of the first questions I had when buying the car and got mixed reviews to whether it should be done.

Darren Slone · Post by **Darren Slone** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:46 pm

My cars due it’s ins2 next year, I called a BMW Specialist just outside Newark on the A17 Sleaford Road, at Byards Leap, asked about doing an Ins2 for me, he said no problem we do everything apart from valve checks, when I asked why as that’s the primary reason for Ins2, he said we don’t have the tools

he quoted me around £700 iirc, I won’t be taking it there, they even have the ///M sign next to their name and number

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