Independent BMW Garage

njc · 10-14-2015, 01:56 PM

Has anyone got any experience of using an Independent BMW Garage for servicing? I currently have a F11 on a 14 plate and before long will have to change my front pads.

I can only assume the Independent will be significantly cheaper than the BMW dealership but how does it work regarding validity of warranties if you don't use a main dealership?

eliw · 10-14-2015, 03:38 PM

ive done mine at kwik fit... £120 instead of £280 from dealer..
and it included pads sensor plus idrive reprogramming

Johnny Grabble · 10-14-2015, 03:39 PM

My experience: a BMW dealer will ALWAYS find a reason to reject a warranty claim if you have had anything done at an indy, even if you can prove genuine BMW parts were used, they will argue they did not use BMW-trained technicians and so on.
Your call...if you think you'll go 3 years and not need a warranty claim, go for it...

The Beast · 10-14-2015, 04:02 PM

I have previously found independent BMW specialists are not that much cheaper than BMW... I can't see how any garage of good repute using genuine BMW parts is going to be massively cheaper, cheaper yes but not any great amount that is worth risking warranty claims.

For a car in warranty I would stick to BMW service.

The Beast · 10-14-2015, 04:06 PM

Btw I saved £60 on my last brake service by playing two local BMW dealers against each other...

Balster · 10-14-2015, 04:08 PM

I started a similar thread:
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117141

njc, you must be doing similar mileage to me.

Balster · 10-14-2015, 04:08 PM

My local dealer WILL match the indy.

njc · 10-14-2015, 04:36 PM

I'm only on 20k at the moment...but my front brakes are showing 8k left and reducing quicker than expected and experienced with my previous 3 x 5 series. Just planning ahead really.

njc · 10-14-2015, 04:37 PM

I'm only on 20k at the moment...but my front brakes are showing 8k left and reducing quicker than expected and experienced with my previous 3 x 5 series. Just planning ahead really.

njc · 10-14-2015, 04:38 PM

I'm only on 20k at the moment...but my front brakes are showing 8k left and reducing quicker than expected and experienced with my previous 3 x 5 series. Just planning ahead really.

martin mustang · 10-15-2015, 04:33 AM

Halfords got a big fine for claiming they completed some works on serviced cars and it turned up it was never the case, it was on Auto Express few weeks back!
With BMW you can always go back to BMW if you screwed with the service you got, with Independents if not someone you know personally i.e. a small family garage, the chances you dealing with a chains with no attachment to the car brand so will not care as no sales link, and probably with same degree of arrogance as dealers due to the size of the business, so in my opinion the worst scenario of all.

I also believe if you selling your car later on, BMW stamps will be an added value to your asking price, more important with premium brands than Fords and Renaults.

m@rk · 10-15-2015, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martin mustang

I also believe if you selling your car later on, BMW stamps will be an added value to your asking price, more important with premium brands than Fords and Renaults.

I think this only applies if you are selling privately.

I have yet to trade in a car where the service booklet was even looked at

martin mustang · 10-15-2015, 08:15 AM

I agree m@rk. when trading the car the importance of service is far less to when selling private, many garages don’t even stamp your book any more unless you ask, history now recorded in your key and BMW system! I was getting a price on my wife X3 couple of weeks ago even with the fact the sales man knew me and how the cars are serviced at the garage, he still asked the service guy to send him a copy of the service file, I guess they look for any argument to go against giving you a good deal, and it will depend on how far you pushing for a discount.

Quote:

Originally Posted by m@rk

I think this only applies if you are selling privately.

I have yet to trade in a car where the service booklet was even looked at

Balster · 10-18-2015, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njc

I'm only on 20k at the moment...but my front brakes are showing 8k left and reducing quicker than expected and experienced with my previous 3 x 5 series. Just planning ahead really.

Mine is similar, currently on 25k and the system is showing that I need new front pads in 3k.

10-14-2015, 01:56 PM	#1
njc Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 293 Posts Drives: G31 520d M Sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0)	Independent BMW Garage - Servicing Has anyone got any experience of using an Independent BMW Garage for servicing? I currently have a F11 on a 14 plate and before long will have to change my front pads. I can only assume the Independent will be significantly cheaper than the BMW dealership but how does it work regarding validity of warranties if you don't use a main dealership?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-14-2015, 03:38 PM	#2
eliw Enlisted Member 14 Rep 36 Posts Drives: F25 X3 2012 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	ive done mine at kwik fit... £120 instead of £280 from dealer.. and it included pads sensor plus idrive reprogramming
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2015, 03:39 PM	#3
Johnny Grabble Second Lieutenant 56 Rep 225 Posts Drives: 530d Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Cheshire UK iTrader: (0)	My experience: a BMW dealer will ALWAYS find a reason to reject a warranty claim if you have had anything done at an indy, even if you can prove genuine BMW parts were used, they will argue they did not use BMW-trained technicians and so on. Your call...if you think you'll go 3 years and not need a warranty claim, go for it...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2015, 04:02 PM	#4
The Beast Lieutenant Colonel 268 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: VW Transporter Sportline Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wolverhampton iTrader: (0)	I have previously found independent BMW specialists are not that much cheaper than BMW... I can't see how any garage of good repute using genuine BMW parts is going to be massively cheaper, cheaper yes but not any great amount that is worth risking warranty claims. For a car in warranty I would stick to BMW service.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2015, 04:06 PM	#5
The Beast Lieutenant Colonel 268 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: VW Transporter Sportline Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wolverhampton iTrader: (0)	Btw I saved £60 on my last brake service by playing two local BMW dealers against each other...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2015, 04:08 PM	#6
Balster Captain 109 Rep 628 Posts Drives: BMW G30 530d MSport xDrive Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Leeds iTrader: (0)	I started a similar thread: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117141 njc, you must be doing similar mileage to me. __________________ G30 530d M Sport xdrive, Adaptive Drive and with all of the important options.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2015, 04:08 PM	#7
Balster Captain 109 Rep 628 Posts Drives: BMW G30 530d MSport xDrive Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Leeds iTrader: (0)	My local dealer WILL match the indy. __________________ G30 530d M Sport xdrive, Adaptive Drive and with all of the important options.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2015, 04:36 PM	#8
njc Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 293 Posts Drives: G31 520d M Sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0)	I'm only on 20k at the moment...but my front brakes are showing 8k left and reducing quicker than expected and experienced with my previous 3 x 5 series. Just planning ahead really.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2015, 04:37 PM	#9
njc Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 293 Posts Drives: G31 520d M Sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0)	I'm only on 20k at the moment...but my front brakes are showing 8k left and reducing quicker than expected and experienced with my previous 3 x 5 series. Just planning ahead really.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2015, 04:38 PM	#10
njc Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 293 Posts Drives: G31 520d M Sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0)	I'm only on 20k at the moment...but my front brakes are showing 8k left and reducing quicker than expected and experienced with my previous 3 x 5 series. Just planning ahead really.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2015, 04:33 AM	#11
martin mustang Major 257 Rep 1,040 Posts Drives: 640d,X5 45e, 911c4s, 635csi Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	Halfords got a big fine for claiming they completed some works on serviced cars and it turned up it was never the case, it was on Auto Express few weeks back! With BMW you can always go back to BMW if you screwed with the service you got, with Independents if not someone you know personally i.e. a small family garage, the chances you dealing with a chains with no attachment to the car brand so will not care as no sales link, and probably with same degree of arrogance as dealers due to the size of the business, so in my opinion the worst scenario of all. I also believe if you selling your car later on, BMW stamps will be an added value to your asking price, more important with premium brands than Fords and Renaults.
	Appreciate 0 Quote