Chandlers BMW, Portslade

Yanto · 19-03-2016, 11:42 PM

Car needed a time based Inspection 2 and a general check over. Since Elms love has been fading of late, needed to find a new dealer in the event any warranty work came up. Chandlers (and James's (aka Monkey)) name popped up a couple of times, so thought I'd give them a try and dropped the car in 3 weeks back. Asked specifically James work on it.

I've been VERY VERY impressed by the quality of service and by James in particular. A number of issues were identified (all general wear related - drivetrain, diff, pas, oil leak and other bits) and despite it being away for 3 weeks being sorted, James has kept me updated every step with emails every other day detailing diagnosis of problem (cause and effect) work being done, approximate costs, time to complete with video and photographs regularly showing pre / post work. He also went out his way to pick up a couple of bits for me that weren't in stock. Also a couple of courtesy follow up calls before pick up. Proper old school personal service that many dealers just don't provide these days and a credit to him.

Picked up today with wad of paperwork detailing work (including my first ever 6 page invoice...ouch

) but pleased to say that there was an even balance between what I paid for and what the warranty covered.

Good to get back behind the wheel today and an A road blast from Chandlers to Munich Legends for a quick poke around. After overtaking a few cars and pulling into Shell to gas up, an old boy (who I'd earlier shot past) pulled into the garage behind me to tell me that it had been his best experience of being overtaken in his life (the sound)

A good day out. Still plenty of love for the G man and Bartletts here, but for those running warranty and anticipate something might get picked up / wanting to run FBMWSH (as I do as long as there are reputable dealers for CSL care), I have no hesitation in recommending James / Chandlers.

cslsuperfan · 19-03-2016, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yanto

Car needed a time based Inspection 2 and a general check over. Since Elms love has been fading of late, needed to find a new dealer in the event any warranty work came up. Chandlers (and James's (aka Monkey)) name popped up a couple of times, so thought I'd give them a try and dropped the car in 3 weeks back. Asked specifically James work on it.

I've been VERY VERY impressed by the quality of service and by James in particular. A number of issues were identified (all general wear related - drivetrain, diff, pas, oil leak and other bits) and despite it being away for 3 weeks being sorted, James has kept me updated every step with emails every other day detailing diagnosis of problem (cause and effect) work being done, approximate costs, time to complete with video and photographs regularly showing pre / post work. He also went out his way to pick up a couple of bits for me that weren't in stock. Also a couple of courtesy follow up calls before pick up. Proper old school personal service that many dealers just don't provide these days and a credit to him.

Picked up today with wad of paperwork detailing work (including my first ever 6 page invoice...ouch

) but pleased to say that there was an even balance between what I paid for and what the warranty covered.

Good to get back behind the wheel today and an A road blast from Chandlers to Munich Legends for a quick poke around. After overtaking a few cars and pulling into Shell to gas up, an old boy (who I'd earlier shot past) pulled into the garage behind me to tell me that it had been his best experience of being overtaken in his life (the sound)

A good day out. Still plenty of love for the G man and Bartletts here, but for those running warranty and anticipate something might get picked up / wanting to run FBMWSH (as I do as long as there are reputable dealers for CSL care), I have no hesitation in recommending James / Chandlers.

James was on the Munich trip riding shotgun with John (streightsix)

Top chap

Got all married and kids and stuff since I last saw him.

HFLagos · 20-03-2016, 06:06 PM

Well said Yanto, mirrors exactly my experience when my car was at Chandlers and James looked after it.

mattCSLnut · 24-03-2016, 01:06 AM

Great to hear all went very well Ian

told you James was good

**outnumbered** · 24-03-2016, 09:28 PM

Might take mine down there for the next service then....

VJP84 · 26-04-2016, 04:44 PM

Just had my car back from Chandlers after an inspection 1 service. I took it there after the recommendations on the forum, and have to say James did a quite brilliant job!

Always kept in the loop and he spent a good while going through the car with me after he had inspected it. Hats of to him and Chandlers, and thanks to those who made the recommendation! One very happy CSL owner....

**outnumbered** · 04-07-2016, 01:33 PM

Mine has just spent a week at the seaside, including oil service, compression test, time-based brake fluid change. Happily the compression test was fine, so no head gasket issues to worry about. James also found a couple of oil leaks and a differential problem that were covered by the warranty. Great communication all week, and he's clearly a man who knows his stuff on these cars.

All in all, an excellent experience, so anyone needing a franchised dealer to work on their CSL should look no further than Chandlers....

ZKMI · 12-07-2016, 06:46 PM

Very helpful thread.

HFLagos · 05-10-2016, 02:24 PM

Just had the car back after 4 weeks, it's been down at Chandlers being looked after by James.

You only need to read the first post from Yanto, James has been brilliant again to deal with. Detailed photos and write up of everything done, regular updates, hugely reassuring write up and photos on the A1 condition of the cylinder head / engine block / pistons etc etc.

Plenty of warranty work undertaken, new camshaft / gearbox amongst other things, also had a new clutch & MOT done whilst the opportunity was present. Took a total of 4 weeks, some backorder parts from Germany had to come through, luckily just before stock ran out otherwise it would have been a massive wait.

Cheers James (aka Monkey)

Pip1968 · 20-10-2016, 11:53 PM

I just want to add to the list of happy customers. I have been meaning to get Monkey/James to do a compression test on my CSL and finally got around to getting it done. This along with the DSC fault which incidentally turned out to require a new DSC pressure sensor was attended to by Monkey.

James also pointed out a few things I should be aware of and it was refreshing to be able to have a look as he talked me through the areas of interest/concern instead of just speaking to a service advisor.

Apart from being a very personable character and having great knowledge of the CSL the level of communication and flexibility Monkey provides is second none.

In case you have not guessed I cannot recommend him enough. Finally Chandlers and Monkey himself does nights which is ideal if you are busy. I dropped off at 1930 and could have had her back that night but chose to pick her up the next day.

I have come across only two people I consider to go above and beyond the normal BMW dealership service. Monkey/James is one and the other (ex BMW) is now working as an advisor for Ferrari.

Thank you once again Monkey.

Pip

19-03-2016, 11:42 PM	#1
Yanto CSL Register Uber-poster! Moon Lander Champion! Ragdoll Master Champion! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Docklands, London Posts: 5,931 Casino cash: $40036	Chandlers BMW, Portslade Car needed a time based Inspection 2 and a general check over. Since Elms love has been fading of late, needed to find a new dealer in the event any warranty work came up. Chandlers (and James's (aka Monkey)) name popped up a couple of times, so thought I'd give them a try and dropped the car in 3 weeks back. Asked specifically James work on it. I've been VERY VERY impressed by the quality of service and by James in particular. A number of issues were identified (all general wear related - drivetrain, diff, pas, oil leak and other bits) and despite it being away for 3 weeks being sorted, James has kept me updated every step with emails every other day detailing diagnosis of problem (cause and effect) work being done, approximate costs, time to complete with video and photographs regularly showing pre / post work. He also went out his way to pick up a couple of bits for me that weren't in stock. Also a couple of courtesy follow up calls before pick up. Proper old school personal service that many dealers just don't provide these days and a credit to him. Picked up today with wad of paperwork detailing work (including my first ever 6 page invoice...ouch ) but pleased to say that there was an even balance between what I paid for and what the warranty covered. Good to get back behind the wheel today and an A road blast from Chandlers to Munich Legends for a quick poke around. After overtaking a few cars and pulling into Shell to gas up, an old boy (who I'd earlier shot past) pulled into the garage behind me to tell me that it had been his best experience of being overtaken in his life (the sound) A good day out. Still plenty of love for the G man and Bartletts here, but for those running warranty and anticipate something might get picked up / wanting to run FBMWSH (as I do as long as there are reputable dealers for CSL care), I have no hesitation in recommending James / Chandlers. Last edited by Yanto; 19-03-2016 at 11:45 PM.

24-03-2016, 01:06 AM	#4
mattCSLnut CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,460 Casino cash: $27763	Great to hear all went very well Ian told you James was good __________________ UK CSL No.020 ... after 7 years of ownership I've now SOLD it !!!

24-03-2016, 09:28 PM	#5
outnumbered S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reading Posts: 731 Casino cash: $19587	Might take mine down there for the next service then.... __________________ Now with added SG CSL.

04-07-2016, 01:33 PM	#7
outnumbered S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reading Posts: 731 Casino cash: $19587	Mine has just spent a week at the seaside, including oil service, compression test, time-based brake fluid change. Happily the compression test was fine, so no head gasket issues to worry about. James also found a couple of oil leaks and a differential problem that were covered by the warranty. Great communication all week, and he's clearly a man who knows his stuff on these cars. All in all, an excellent experience, so anyone needing a franchised dealer to work on their CSL should look no further than Chandlers.... __________________ Now with added SG CSL. Last edited by outnumbered; 04-07-2016 at 01:36 PM.

20-03-2016, 06:06 PM	#3
HFLagos S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 206 Casino cash: $6642	Well said Yanto, mirrors exactly my experience when my car was at Chandlers and James looked after it.

26-04-2016, 04:44 PM	#6
VJP84 Mode S1 - Starting Out Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Bromley, Kent Posts: 22 Casino cash: $600	Just had my car back from Chandlers after an inspection 1 service. I took it there after the recommendations on the forum, and have to say James did a quite brilliant job! Always kept in the loop and he spent a good while going through the car with me after he had inspected it. Hats of to him and Chandlers, and thanks to those who made the recommendation! One very happy CSL owner....

12-07-2016, 06:46 PM	#8
ZKMI S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 164 Casino cash: $3625	Very helpful thread.

05-10-2016, 02:24 PM	#9
HFLagos S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 206 Casino cash: $6642	Just had the car back after 4 weeks, it's been down at Chandlers being looked after by James. You only need to read the first post from Yanto, James has been brilliant again to deal with. Detailed photos and write up of everything done, regular updates, hugely reassuring write up and photos on the A1 condition of the cylinder head / engine block / pistons etc etc. Plenty of warranty work undertaken, new camshaft / gearbox amongst other things, also had a new clutch & MOT done whilst the opportunity was present. Took a total of 4 weeks, some backorder parts from Germany had to come through, luckily just before stock ran out otherwise it would have been a massive wait. Cheers James (aka Monkey)

20-10-2016, 11:53 PM	#10
Pip1968 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kent, England Posts: 940 Casino cash: $8383	I just want to add to the list of happy customers. I have been meaning to get Monkey/James to do a compression test on my CSL and finally got around to getting it done. This along with the DSC fault which incidentally turned out to require a new DSC pressure sensor was attended to by Monkey. James also pointed out a few things I should be aware of and it was refreshing to be able to have a look as he talked me through the areas of interest/concern instead of just speaking to a service advisor. Apart from being a very personable character and having great knowledge of the CSL the level of communication and flexibility Monkey provides is second none. In case you have not guessed I cannot recommend him enough. Finally Chandlers and Monkey himself does nights which is ideal if you are busy. I dropped off at 1930 and could have had her back that night but chose to pick her up the next day. I have come across only two people I consider to go above and beyond the normal BMW dealership service. Monkey/James is one and the other (ex BMW) is now working as an advisor for Ferrari. Thank you once again Monkey. Pip