Dealer Service History...yay or nae?

[rstoughy]

Ok so I'm about to break out the CSL after it's 3yr break in storage.
Needless to say it's needing recommissioned with brakes overhaul, MOT etc etc and all that good stuff.
Now it needs an inspection 2 as well which is fine BUT would now be the time to shift from the main dealer to a good specialist?
Car now has no warranty and I do think that these days it will be better looked after in an independent.

Thoughts please?

76k miles
BMW stamps in the book to date.

Ta :thumbs:

[Figas]

Hi Paul,

Had the same dilemma with my CSL a while ago.

I have been using Scotty Feaks (Premier Motors on Hardgate) for the MOTs, and other work on the CSL and my e34 M5.

Scott was a master tech at JC Aberdeen before setting up on his own. I would thoroughly recommend him.

Figas




Ok so I'm about to break out the CSL after it's 3yr break in storage.
Needless to say it's needing recommissioned with brakes overhaul, MOT etc etc and all that good stuff.
Now it needs an inspection 2 as well which is fine BUT would now be the time to shift from the main dealer to a good specialist?
Car now has no warranty and I do think that these days it will be better looked after in an independent.

Thoughts please?

76k miles
BMW stamps in the book to date.

Ta :thumbs:

[rstoughy]

Hey Nigel good to hear from you.
Yes I know Scotty and he does all the work on my M5.
It would be him I'd be using so guess you have answered my question :smokin:

Hope you are well and hopefully see you out and about this year :thumbs:

[Bounce]

I’ve gone Indi to Paul,my guy was also a Master tech,;)

[rstoughy]

Think it's the way to go Brett.
Called the main dealer I have used since getting the CSL and although it was an alright price I just get the feeling the car is not going to get the same level of attention as some of the newer current models.
Only to be expected I suppose so indi it is.

Hope your doing well buddy 👍

[Harwoodandy]

Think you have to be realistic and consider exactly who will end up setting your valve clearances and all the other bits on your pride and joy!

chances are it would be a Tech that hasn't laid a spanner on a CSL for years at best and never at worst.

I know they aren't space shuttles but i'd rather a good indy cast a trained eye and ear over my car than just a stamp in a book;)

Andy

[Gazza]

Think you have to be realistic and consider exactly who will end up setting your valve clearances and all the other bits on your pride and joy!

chances are it would be a Tech that hasn't laid a spanner on a CSL for years at best and never at worst.

I know they aren't space shuttles but i'd rather a good indy cast a trained eye and ear over my car than just a stamp in a book;)

Andy

Worth considering if the Indy has laid a spanner on a CSL and whether his crew are old school or new tech.

At the end of the day we are at the mercy of these mechanics/fitters unless you can do the work yourself, what would a personal stamp in the book be worth 😉

My opinion, if you are keeping the car for life then an Indy would suit, if you are looking to sell the car at some point then I’d stick with the Dealer stamp.

[rstoughy]

I am not intending to sell the car anytime soon. I just think its a crying shame its been laid up for so long so this year i have decided it will be used throughout summer.

The garage I have in mind are no strangers to CSL's, they have and still do look after most if not all that are in and around the area up here. Its just a small place with 2 ex main dealer mechanics and a young mechanic who has served his time with them.

I could easily perform the work myself however not sure a Toughspeed stamp in the book would cut it :hahaha:

:thumbs:

[Chad]

Personally I’d be more concerned concerned about tinworm on these old birds now , rather than worrying over service stamps ,, rust never sleeps,,:whistle:

[Harwoodandy]

Worth considering if the Indy has laid a spanner on a CSL and whether his crew are old school or new tech.

At the end of the day we are at the mercy of these mechanics/fitters unless you can do the work yourself, what would a personal stamp in the book be worth ��

My opinion, if you are keeping the car for life then an Indy would suit, if you are looking to sell the car at some point then I’d stick with the Dealer stamp.

Yes mate - hence why i said trained :thumbs:eye

[DarrenR]

Exactly the same boat as me Paul, same mileage too. I’ve got mine booked into John Mitchell Motors at laurencekirk, ex BMW, absolutely anal, owns and has owned plenty M cars and won’t bullshit you.

[Gazza]

I still think that to hold a good resale value you need the BMW stamp.

No offence to any local Indies that are used, but they are just that, local and more than likely not known to a wider audience that are looking for a CSL with FBMWSH rather than FSH.

There are some Indy’s that are known nationwide of course.

I don’t like having to pay Main dealer prices but feel it necessary with a car that I know I won’t keep forever.

I have an S54 M Roadster that I’ll never sell and that gets looked after by my local Hi Q centre that is owned by a trusted friend using OEM parts.

[rstoughy]

Personally I’d be more concerned concerned about tinworm on these old birds now , rather than worrying over service stamps ,, rust never sleeps,,:whistle:

^^^THIS^^^ is one of the main reasons i need to get it out and about. I know for a fact there are one or two little bits of paint needing done.

[Mike R]

In my experience, when you take a CSL in to a dealership that has several master technicians, they practically fight over it to do the work :hahaha:.