Inspection 1: Main dealer or independent?

[roberte30]

Hi,

My CSL has done approx. 67k miles and has main dealer history, apart from one Inspection 1 which was done by an independent BMW specialist.

It's time for another Inspection 1 and I'm unsure where to take it. I've spoken to a main dealer and a couple of independents. All have given me confidence that they'll do a comprehensive job - e.g. they've all stated that they need the car overnight so they can check the valve clearances.

I've had the following quotes:


Lloyd Colne (Main Dealer): £624
B&M Care in Pudsey: £420
Bavarian Motor Warehouse in Huddersfield: £430


So, is the extra money for a main dealer stamp worth it? If not, any thoughts on the best independent to use? Bavarian Motor Warehouse have been recommended by a friend and impressed me when I spoke to them.

Rob

[Bounce]

I always use a main dealer for my servicing (Elms Cambridge)because of the BMW warranty,but there are some good independents about,Darren wood BMW has a good name as an independent and I don't think he is that far from you.;)

[s.mac]

Ive sent you a pm Rob :)

[Bounce]

Ive sent you a pm Rob :)You haven't sent me one for ages:gayfight:

[Neil M]

I always use a main dealer for my servicing (Elms Cambridge)because of the BMW warranty,but there are some good independents about,Darren wood BMW has a good name as an independent and I don't think he is that far from you.;)

If you have a warranty then it's a main Dealer job, if not as Bounce stated:
http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9521&highlight=Darren+Wood

They've done all the servicing and parts replacement on my daily for the past 4 years - good bunch of lads, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and competitive.
Oil services on the CSL for myself and 'Mickaldo' wouldn't go anywhere else. :supz:

PS: Bounce's geography leaves a bit to be desired, :hahaha: but if your willing to travel a bit, you'd be in very capable hands. :thumbs:

[0836whimper]

And the irony is that my local very main dealer, selling Alpinas etc - the ones ensuring the warranty is valid - didn't bother to figure out how to read the oil level on a CSL and just assumed it was the same as an M3…
Will be taking it elsewhere next time, even if it's miles away.

[Neil M]

Quote 'mickaldo'

"Wouldn't take my car anywhere else now, Daz and Mike are top guys and Daz is more anal than me. Mike`s brother sorted all the warranty work for me aswell as he is one of the best techs at Blue Bell, Wilmslow always used to ask for him to work on my car."

So it's not just me that thinks they are these are the people to use. Don't know about; 'Curly', 'northernjim' or 's.mac'?

[3wheels3]

For main dealer work Blue Bell Wilmslow

[s.mac]

I got a price of £579.00 if you supply your own oil. The service manager wasnt in to get a better price but I will ask tomorrow. I thought it sound high at that, but I would need to check my old receipts

[_Nathan_]

Pretty sure warranty was changed to allow non main dealer servicing...

[Ramsden15]

Can anybody recommend a dealer in West Yorkshire with CSL experience. Ideally around Leeds, Wakefield area.
Blue Bell Wilmslow is do-able if good but still 65 miles away.

[roberte30]

Thanks all for your replies.

I always use a main dealer for my servicing (Elms Cambridge)because of the BMW warranty,but there are some good independents about,Darren wood BMW has a good name as an independent and I don't think he is that far from you.;)

I don't have a warranty so that's not a factor. I gave Darren Wood BMW a call today and they quoted £360. They gave me confidence that they'll do a comprehensive job. They're about 25 miles from me, so close enough :)

I got a price of £579.00 if you supply your own oil. The service manager wasnt in to get a better price but I will ask tomorrow. I thought it sound high at that, but I would need to check my old receipts

Thanks for getting a price for me. I'm leaning towards getting Darren Wood to do the work as I think they'll do just as good a job for less money. Also good to support a small business. As I haven't got a warranty, the main reason for using a main dealer would be for the kudos of their stamp, and I don't think that's a good enough reason to spend over £250 more.

[Bounce]

Pretty sure warranty was changed to allow non main dealer servicing...I think that is in the first 3 years when it's under manufacturer warranty,Mondial insist you use BMW.;)

[Bounce]

If you have a warranty then it's a main Dealer job, if not as Bounce stated:


PS: Bounce's geography leaves a bit to be desired, :hahaha: but if your willing to travel a bit, you'd be in very capable hands. :thumbs:There only 25 miles from him.:blalalala:

[_Nathan_]

I think that is in the first 3 years when it's under manufacturer warranty,Mondial insist you use BMW.;)

That is what I was suggesting had been changed, can't remember where I read it, quick google finds this:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12188882&posted=1
&
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=21315149

Where people have spoken to them and found it has changed, the first link including an email from Mondial, obviously you'd want it in writing yourself before you went that way...

Sure there was a thread on here too but a search for warranty brings up about 80% of any threads ever posted :thumbs:

[mickaldo]

Thanks all for your replies.



I don't have a warranty so that's not a factor. I gave Darren Wood BMW a call today and they quoted £360. They gave me confidence that they'll do a comprehensive job. They're about 25 miles from me, so close enough :)



Thanks for getting a price for me. I'm leaning towards getting Darren Wood to do the work as I think they'll do just as good a job for less money. Also good to support a small business. As I haven't got a warranty, the main reason for using a main dealer would be for the kudos of their stamp, and I don't think that's a good enough reason to spend over £250 more.
trust me mate they will do a better job than the main dealer. when i first got my csl it had not long had its inspection 2 at snows of portsmouth which is supposed to include shims and the likes, mine was tapping like fook when i bought it so got darren woods to do them and its been spot on since.

[roberte30]

trust me mate they will do a better job than the main dealer. when i first got my csl it had not long had its inspection 2 at snows of portsmouth which is supposed to include shims and the likes, mine was tapping like fook when i bought it so got darren woods to do them and its been spot on since.

Impressed by the positive comments so have booked in for my Inspection 1 next week. Just hoping snow doesn't stop me getting over there.

[roberte30]

Collected my car yesterday from Darren Wood BMW. Just wanted to post that my experience matches that of mickaldo and Neil M.

Mike (who does all who work on M3s) was great in all regards and clearly knows the cars very well. He gave me a great overview of the work he'd done and pointed out a few minor things that could do with sorting.

I wouldn't take my car anywhere else and will be booking to get the minor issues sorted. Thanks to everyone who recommended them.