Quick dealership question

[pvr]

What is an approved BMW garage?

[B21]

What is an approved BMW garage?

I think he means like this…

https://www.kwik-fit.com/servicing/info ... hicles/bmw#

[M1k3yC]

I used to use a main dealer for services when I had my E86 (I sold it earlier this year). It was seen most by Sytner Solihull and Sytner Tamworth. When I used them I found both dealerships good. I used an independent specialist for preventative maintenance, some unscheduled maintenance, and a lot of the MOTs. As long as you can find a good main dealer then I don't think it's a bad option. I was often able to get the price discounted at the main dealer just by asking politely so it wasn't always a lot more expensive either.

[Nanu]

What is an approved BMW garage?

I think he means like this…

https://www.kwik-fit.com/servicing/info ... hicles/bmw#

Or this even,

https://www.performance-centre.co.uk/bmw-servicing.

Sunderland's only BMW indy with BMW AOS Approval.

If it's good enough for the Yellow Peril, it's good enough for mine.

[Mr Tidy]

I only ever went to BMW when I had cars in warranty or with Service Packs.

Then I found an ex-Sytner Indy in Camberley and a few years later Ross (also ex-Sytner) opened RBM Hampshire.

My teenage BMWs will never see a dealership again - unless there is a recall!

[Pondrew]

What is an approved BMW garage?

One that has paid BMW a LOT of money for their software programs so they can rip you off just a tiny bit less is my guess.

Been there, done that. Never again. "No we can't reset the i-drive service counter unless we change all 6 spark plugs at 11k miles on top of the other unnecessary work we need to do. That will be just £180 per hour instead of £200 at a dealer. And no we don't have free wi-fi and a posh coffee machine".

[Pondrew]

If it’s less than 3 years old or has a BMW warranty then main dealer…

The law was changed many years ago so you could keep manufacturers' warranty without going to a franchised dealer. As long as approved parts are used they cannot renege on warranty. It's UK law.

[B21]

If it’s less than 3 years old or has a BMW warranty then main dealer…

The law was changed many years ago so you could keep manufacturers' warranty without going to a franchised dealer. As long as approved parts are used they cannot renege on warranty. It's UK law.

Yes I knew hat…

The two sub statements are…

If you are expecting BMW to pay out on a warranty claim it’s going to do so much easier if you are lodging that claim via a BMW main dealer..

As cars age the recency of skills / expertise on older models decline amongst the BMW main dealer techies…so today would you get your E89 roof seen by a BMW main dealer or a knowledgeable Indy?

[deltasierra]

If it’s less than 3 years old or has a BMW warranty then main dealer…

The law was changed many years ago so you could keep manufacturers' warranty without going to a franchised dealer. As long as approved parts are used they cannot renege on warranty. It's UK law.

Yes I knew hat…

The two sub statements are…

If you are expecting BMW to pay out on a warranty claim it’s going to do so much easier if you are lodging that claim via a BMW main dealer..

As cars age the recency of skills / expertise on older models decline amongst the BMW main dealer techies…so today would you get your E89 roof seen by a BMW main dealer or a knowledgeable Indy?

Wherever you take an E89 roof fault be prepared for a large bill they can be a pain in the arse to fix, if you look at other E89 roof threads you will see the issues.

[Phoenixboy]

Regarding roof issues on the E89, i have found that unless your local indy has experience on roof issues, you are as well build a relationship with your dealer.
Mine seem able to resolve the issue quickly, and if your car lives outside, you want it inside and sorted asap, which unfortunately not all indys are able to fit you in at short notice, or have room to store vehicle inside, which main dealer usually can.
And my dealer will generally fit it in between other jobs.
if your indy is prepared to do it, but has not dealt with many roof issues, the chances are they will spend longer on it, which cancels out the difference in labour rates.

[Huzee4]

I’ve used an Indy for 25 years unless it’s been warranty related, when my roof failed to open back in the summer my Indy shook his head and pointed at the dealership which is just across the road. I relented and took the car in, turned out to be a broken wire and I was charged just £177 and had a cracker of a courtesy car whilst it was there thumbsup:

[The.Analyst]

Good to hear positive stories on main dealers

When I bought my car privately the roof wasn’t working

I paid a lot less because of that

I took it to my local BMW dealer

They reckoned it was the CTM module and quoted over £1,200 to replace

My local Indy found it was a faulty hall sensor and the repair job was £250

There are Indy’s and Indy’s

You need a Z4 Indy like Zedshed

[Phoenixboy]

I’ve used an Indy for 25 years unless it’s been warranty related, when my roof failed to open back in the summer my Indy shook his head and pointed at the dealership which is just across the road. I relented and took the car in, turned out to be a broken wire and I was charged just £177 and had a cracker of a courtesy car whilst it was there thumbsup:

yep, same here, and my main dealer is pretty fair.
Indy does the routine maintenance, dealer for the roof stuff.

[paddy wright]

I still have extended BMW warranty on mine (pains me to think what I’ve spent on that over the last 16 years ). So have to use the main dealers. Keep toying with going to my local specialist.