Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Whether it's exceptional service or a bad experience, post them here. (Disclaimer: posters views are their own and not that of z4-forum.com)
Post Reply
stevengude
Member
Member
Posts: 134
Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2016 7:18 am

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by stevengude » Sun Aug 21, 2016 1:15 pm

Hi,

I've had my 2003 3.0i Se Z4 around a week now, and i need to get it booked in for a service;

The service history so far is as below;

PDI - Soper BMW - 28/06/2003
Oil service + air filter - Chelsea BMW - 17/11/04, 13498
Inspection 1 - HR Owen BMW - 14/06/06, 28181
Oil service - Soper BMW - 28/12/07, 43370 miles
Inspection 2 - Williams BMW - 06/04/09, 54768 miles
Oil service - Soper BMW - 16/09/2011, 71143 miles

I presume next i will need a inspection 1 service (the car has done 74500)

I've had some quotes back from main dealers and specialists, with the BMW dealer quoting £269 and a local specialist (Quarry Motors Sheffield) quoting £155 for inspection 1.

Given the age of the car and mileage, is there any value in maintaining a main dealer service history, or would i be better saving the money and taking it to a specialist?

Based on everyone's previous experience, does £155 seem reasonable?

Can anyone in the area recommend any other specialists?

Thanks

Steve

User avatar
mr wilks
Legend
Legend
Posts: 21894
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:02 pm
Location: Lancashire

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by mr wilks » Sun Aug 21, 2016 2:13 pm

5 yrs since last serviced even with low miles in between is a little long
I doubt the indy / BMW stamp will have any bearing on the cars value at your age / miles
Myself I would simply have a oil service done with a air filter , price up the 2 with indy or dealer & compare
My indy would be around £90 for those 2 jobs doing with a stamp :thumbsup:
3 ZMRs
3 E89s
5 Si coupes
5 Si roadsters
997 C4
TTRS
F82 M4
MK7 Golf Gti
current Bmw 6 Gran Turismo

User avatar
ekimj10
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1284
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:48 pm
Location: Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by ekimj10 » Sun Aug 21, 2016 2:14 pm

I personally would go for the indie, providing he comes recommended or he specialises in BMW, Audi, MB's or the like.
There is no point imo paying the extra when there are no warranty obligations to cater for and you could always put the money you save to a good cause.
2.2R Toledo Blue

stevengude
Member
Member
Posts: 134
Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2016 7:18 am

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by stevengude » Sun Aug 21, 2016 2:22 pm

mr wilks wrote:5 yrs since last serviced even with low miles in between is a little long
I doubt the indy / BMW stamp will have any bearing on the cars value at your age / miles
Myself I would simply have a oil service done with a air filter , price up the 2 with indy or dealer & compare
My indy would be around £90 for those 2 jobs doing with a stamp :thumbsup:
Thanks for the reply.

What sequence should the services go in?

I assumed it was Oil / Insp 1 / Oil / Insp 2 / Oil / Insp 1 ect

Thanks

Steve

greencode
Member
Member
Posts: 261
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2016 8:38 pm

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by greencode » Sun Aug 21, 2016 2:49 pm

stevengude wrote:
mr wilks wrote:5 yrs since last serviced even with low miles in between is a little long
I doubt the indy / BMW stamp will have any bearing on the cars value at your age / miles
Myself I would simply have a oil service done with a air filter , price up the 2 with indy or dealer & compare
My indy would be around £90 for those 2 jobs doing with a stamp :thumbsup:
Thanks for the reply.

What sequence should the services go in?

I assumed it was Oil / Insp 1 / Oil / Insp 2 / Oil / Insp 1 ect

Thanks

Steve
Doesn't it say what inspection is required on the display when you first turn your key? I thought it did.

User avatar
mr wilks
Legend
Legend
Posts: 21894
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:02 pm
Location: Lancashire

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by mr wilks » Sun Aug 21, 2016 3:34 pm

stevengude wrote:
mr wilks wrote:5 yrs since last serviced even with low miles in between is a little long
I doubt the indy / BMW stamp will have any bearing on the cars value at your age / miles
Myself I would simply have a oil service done with a air filter , price up the 2 with indy or dealer & compare
My indy would be around £90 for those 2 jobs doing with a stamp :thumbsup:
Thanks for the reply.

What sequence should the services go in?

I assumed it was Oil / Insp 1 / Oil / Insp 2 / Oil / Insp 1 ect

Thanks

Steve
That is correct Steve , is this your first BMW ?
Ins1 is a glorified oil change imo , effectively paying for someone to visually check lots of things that would be checked with MOT :wink: all depends if you want to follow the minimum required for schedule or over service your investment ?
You've just bought the car & it hasn't been touched in 5 yrs :?
So find a decent indy you can trust who won't leave your trousers warming your ankles :oops:
Ask for a quote on oil+filter , air filter & brake + coolant change
Most decent indy's would do that for around £150/£200 + inform you of anything they find whilst they are on your car
Then going forward have another oil + filter next time around (12 months or 7k )
Otherwise you'll pay the inflated rate for a Ins1 no doubt being told once the car is there " hey mate , it also needs coolant , air filter & brake fluid " bang on another £120 & whooooops , trousers are down :oops:
3 ZMRs
3 E89s
5 Si coupes
5 Si roadsters
997 C4
TTRS
F82 M4
MK7 Golf Gti
current Bmw 6 Gran Turismo

Scooba_Steve
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5277
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:01 pm
Location: NW London

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by Scooba_Steve » Sun Aug 21, 2016 3:35 pm

It will only display oil or inspection. Have a look for bmw service schedule by (I believe) mike fishwick, much more sensible intervals imho.
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.

User avatar
markplant
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3668
Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:16 pm
Location: Sheffield

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by markplant » Sun Aug 21, 2016 3:59 pm

3.0 Manual. Sterling Grey. Cream leather Electric an Heated. Professional Navigation/Sony tablet replacement. Storm Werks . an parts waiting to be fitted

User avatar
MACK
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3600
Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:38 am
Location: Manchester

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by MACK » Sun Aug 21, 2016 4:23 pm

Decent Indie everytime, especially at that age. No doubt you will get a better job with a fair and honest opinion of the car and any issues for far less money.
Silver 05 3.0i SE
Mods inc - F/L Xenons Clear Ind Rear Lights M Sport Seats & Wheel Eibach/B4 3.64 DIFF (SOLD)

White E89 20i M Sport
Mods inc- B12 kit, M3 Arms, 18" Zito 935's with PS4's, Decat & Remap, Switchable Exhaust Flap (SOLD)

User avatar
srhutch
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 26959
Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:22 pm
Location: East Sussex, UK
Contact:

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by srhutch » Sun Aug 21, 2016 5:06 pm

stevengude wrote:
mr wilks wrote:5 yrs since last serviced even with low miles in between is a little long
I doubt the indy / BMW stamp will have any bearing on the cars value at your age / miles
Myself I would simply have a oil service done with a air filter , price up the 2 with indy or dealer & compare
My indy would be around £90 for those 2 jobs doing with a stamp :thumbsup:
Thanks for the reply.

What sequence should the services go in?

I assumed it was Oil / Insp 1 / Oil / Insp 2 / Oil / Insp 1 ect

Thanks

Steve
This is true if you are doing 12k per year or more. If you only do a few k per year then you have more oil services inbetween without resetting the service indicator. The OP's service indicator will only come on when he has hit the miles or every two years for the brake fluid change. This is when I also get my oil done so it all ties up.
Image

User avatar
Mr Tidy
Legend
Legend
Posts: 23608
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: North West Surrey

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by Mr Tidy » Sun Aug 21, 2016 6:44 pm

MACK wrote:Decent Indie everytime, especially at that age. No doubt you will get a better job with a fair and honest opinion of the car and any issues for far less money.
+1
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

stevengude
Member
Member
Posts: 134
Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2016 7:18 am

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by stevengude » Sun Aug 21, 2016 8:34 pm

mr wilks wrote:
stevengude wrote:
mr wilks wrote:5 yrs since last serviced even with low miles in between is a little long
I doubt the indy / BMW stamp will have any bearing on the cars value at your age / miles
Myself I would simply have a oil service done with a air filter , price up the 2 with indy or dealer & compare
My indy would be around £90 for those 2 jobs doing with a stamp :thumbsup:
Thanks for the reply.

What sequence should the services go in?

I assumed it was Oil / Insp 1 / Oil / Insp 2 / Oil / Insp 1 ect

Thanks

Steve
That is correct Steve , is this your first BMW ?
Ins1 is a glorified oil change imo , effectively paying for someone to visually check lots of things that would be checked with MOT :wink: all depends if you want to follow the minimum required for schedule or over service your investment ?
You've just bought the car & it hasn't been touched in 5 yrs :?
So find a decent indy you can trust who won't leave your trousers warming your ankles :oops:
Ask for a quote on oil+filter , air filter & brake + coolant change
Most decent indy's would do that for around £150/£200 + inform you of anything they find whilst they are on your car
Then going forward have another oil + filter next time around (12 months or 7k )
Otherwise you'll pay the inflated rate for a Ins1 no doubt being told once the car is there " hey mate , it also needs coolant , air filter & brake fluid " bang on another £120 & whooooops , trousers are down :oops:
Hi mr wilks
Yes this is my first BMW, appologies if i seem naive with some of my questions.

The car says inspection in another 11500 miles.

I'll try and find a good indy and find out what they do for their money.

Thanks for your help

User avatar
skippyro0
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2016 10:25 am

Service - Main dealer v Specialist

Post by skippyro0 » Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:52 pm

Hi guys,

I'm not trying to get off free marketing here so not mentioning names, but my uncle runs a well known BMW independent garage and I've used him for anything and everything. I work for a main dealer, but have more faith in the independent skill set as they NEED people to come back whereas the main dealer has customers queuing out the door.

I appreciate he offers me preferential rates, but I pay less than a third of what I would with a main dealer and don't see any difference in the work carried out.

What are your thoughts?
2008 Z4 2.0i SE E85, Titanium Silver, 18", 255/35/18, 225/40/18, blush red leather Msport heated seats, M sport MFC Steering wheel, Automatic climate control, Sony Radio with bluetooth

Post Reply