Main dealer or independant?

[danp]

Originally Posted by weedavey

Well that sounds like what you want doesnt it. I mean; cheap price, its bmw so maintains the booklet visually, you were happy with them and what they did and it was cheaper than the price that you were happy with to begin with! Looks like a traveling is the order when servicing.

Cheers.

Brystone are not a BMW main dealer - so not technically keeping up a full BMW history, but yep they are good (like many indies, Richard is ex-BMW), I have been there a few times.

Tricky deciding whether to keep the full BMW history going and I'd agree that a good indy probably is likely to know more than your average main dealer, and is likely to be better value.

But:

- some people won't touch a car without full BMW history (not saying I agree with this!)
- if you have the warranty (or indeed want to start up a lapsed warranty) it is better to have it all stamped up by BMW
- BMW are more likely to give you some goodwill on any issues if it's kept going

With the 4+ and 6+ schemes the labour rates are more competitive, so I'm likely to stick with my local dealer for now, they've been fine for the routine stuff, but would tend to go elsewhere for other bits.

[weedavey]

Originally Posted by danp

Brystone are not a BMW main dealer - so not technically keeping up a full BMW history, but yep they are good (like many indies, Richard is ex-BMW), I have been there a few times.

Tricky deciding whether to keep the full BMW history going and I'd agree that a good indy probably is likely to know more than your average main dealer, and is likely to be better value.

But:

- some people won't touch a car without full BMW history (not saying I agree with this!)
- if you have the warranty (or indeed want to start up a lapsed warranty) it is better to have it all stamped up by BMW
- BMW are more likely to give you some goodwill on any issues if it's kept going

With the 4+ and 6+ schemes the labour rates are more competitive, so I'm likely to stick with my local dealer for now, they've been fine for the routine stuff, but would tend to go elsewhere for other bits.

Ahh.. didnt realise this. I am one of the advocates of full manufac history.

[_Nathan_]

Originally Posted by danp

- if you have the warranty (or indeed want to start up a lapsed warranty) it is better to have it all stamped up by BMW

Not just better, it is a requirement. To my knowledge you can't get a BMW warranty without a full dealer history.

[Dan]

I hear what people are saying about main dealers but what about the inflated costs for the same job then!?

I for one won't pay over the odds for labour, my local dealer is £80 + VAT an hour which is a complete f**king rip off!! I don't really care what someone thinks of my service book, if I sell the car I'll take £1500 quid off the price and be safe in the knowledge that I've saved a fortune in the past on labour costs!

My Dad has a very reputable garage and has ran it himself for 30+years now, I don't tend to let anyone else work on my cars and whether it be a CSL, Ferrari or a Saxo that's the way it's gonne stay! lol

[Dan]

Originally Posted by danp

With the 4+ and 6+ schemes the labour rates are more competitive, so I'm likely to stick with my local dealer for now, they've been fine for the routine stuff, but would tend to go elsewhere for other bits.

Dan, what does 4+ and 6+ schemes mean mate?

[_Nathan_]

Discount @ BMW dealers for cars older than 4 years and cars older than 6 years.

I know of a guy who got a substantial payment towards a new engine under good will on a 9 year old M Coupe with full history, all of a sudden the extra labour cost seemed a good investment, as with all these things it is a case of how risk averse you are and you pay your money and make your choice. There is no right or wrong, just take everything in to account.

[danp]

Originally Posted by _Nathan_

Discount @ BMW dealers for cars older than 4 years and cars older than 6 years.

I know of a guy who got a substantial payment towards a new engine under good will on a 9 year old M Coupe with full history, all of a sudden the extra labour cost seemed a good investment, as with all these things it is a case of how risk averse you are and you pay your money and make your choice. There is no right or wrong, just take everything in to account.

Yep, just looked at bill and was 40% off labour and 10% off parts at my last service (6+). Not sure if it's the same everywhere.

I had similar on my Z3MC at about 5 years old, and even an E36 Evo with about 100k on it and some indy servicing .. so they can be good like this!

[Dan]

Originally Posted by danp

Yep, just looked at bill and was 40% off labour and 10% off parts at my last service (6+). Not sure if it's the same everywhere.

I had similar on my Z3MC at about 5 years old, and even an E36 Evo with about 100k on it and some indy servicing .. so they can be good like this!

Is BMW Customer Services that arrange these 4+ & 6+ schemes then Dan?

I totally agree Nathan, it's just trying to weigh everything up, I've been quoted £1200 per annum with a £0 Excess for BMW Warranty, it's whether or not you'd spend that year in year out in repairs? Also would that have been one of these schemes Dan mentions with a discount?

Cheers for the replies, informative thread

[_Nathan_]

From experience you have to ask for the reduced 4+ or 6+ price, the dealers don't volunteer it!

[danp]

Originally Posted by Dan

Is BMW Customer Services that arrange these 4+ & 6+ schemes then Dan?

I totally agree Nathan, it's just trying to weigh everything up, I've been quoted £1200 per annum with a £0 Excess for BMW Warranty, it's whether or not you'd spend that year in year out in repairs? Also would that have been one of these schemes Dan mentions with a discount?

Cheers for the replies, informative thread

4+ and 6+ are just down to the dealer, I think it's up to them if they run the scheme. If not find a dealer that does (or ask your local one to match the price!).

Depends on lots of factors (mileage per year, what you use the car for, appetite for risk etc) but for me £1200 p.a. is too much, if I start up a warranty would go for the mid range one with 250XS at about £600.

I don't mind paying for bits and pieces as they crop up, but even tho' the CSL seems pretty robust I guess would be nice to have cover if something big let go (e.g engine/SMG) .. but if it did I'd be quite confident of some goodwill anyhow from experience with BMW.