BMW Authorised service centre v. main dealer?

Gr1f

Hi,
I have a '00 3 series with 80k and i have a leak in the Rad. (it's also due a full service) I was wondering are there other options then a main dealer?

Thanks

mickdw

Any good independant garage will be able to sort this for you. This is no good reason in your case to go to the dealer. Your car is 9 years old. At that stage, a main dealer stamp is not going to make any difference to resale etc.

Seth Brundle

+1 on micks' post.
Where are you based?

mondeo

A leaky rad is an easy job, in the event you could supply your own parts otherwise it will be expensive..

crosstownk

Gr1f wrote:

BMW Authorised service centre v. main dealer?

No difference from an aftersales perspective. Both are authorised by BMW. The difference between an authorised service center and a main dealer is that the service centre will not have a sales department. All 'BMW main dealers' will incorporate an authorised service centre.

pipsqueak

oild filter 10 euro
fuel filter 21 euro
2 pollen filters 39 euro
oil 30 euro
rad weld 5 euro

doing it your self priceless!!

Gr1f

OK, thanks for getting back to me guys.

KBanon, I'm in Bray.

I really kinda wanted to keep the book 'clean' so to speak, it's had bmw stamps since always, i initially bought it in from the UK and I always feel it makes a difference when trying to sell.

Just topped it up with distilled water to see how fast the leak is. Can't find a hole in the rad with naked eye though.....

Also, Mick, what about diagnostics, would most non-beemer service centres have the bmw dignostic set-up?

Gr1f

Just to be clear, i don't really care about a main-dealer fixing the leak to be honest, but the service is a big one i think at 80k and that i feel should be done by an authorised SC.

I have to say though, i really don't trust any of them!! :-)

DublinDilbert

Gr1f wrote: »

Just topped it up with distilled water to see how fast the leak is. Can't find a hole in the rad with naked eye though.....

How do you know the rad is leaking if you can't see / find it?

If your loosing coolant and can't find out where from you might have to get it pressure tested to find the leak. Although some times its easy enough to spot.

The typical places for a coolant leak on that car:-

1. Expansion tank
2. Rad end cap
3. Push fit connectors ( see below)
4. Plastic L shaped pipe at the back of the block

On the E46 they use push fit connectors for the hoses, the o-rings go after a certain number of years, If you go to BMW they will try sell you the complete pipe, when you can source the o-ring for a couple of cents.

If it is the Rad, you can get a replacement from otto for approx €120.

Johnboy Mac

Main dealers don't want or like older cars in their workshops and won't give your car the care and attention it requires imo.

Gr1f

well, purely as it's loosing coolant... topped it up this eve with dist water. As it was pouring all last week it was difficult to spot anything really. hopefully see something in the morning.

Had expansion tank replaced last year.

Have another poke around in the morning.

Would it be a better idea to start her up and get things flowing? Might be easier to spot the leak if it's under pressure.....

Gr1f

OK, well i'd deffo consider any place south dub / north wicklow that has a good rep and has experience with beemers.

it's a 325ci convertible...and my baby!

mick.fr

Johnboy Mac wrote: »

Main dealers don't want or like older cars in their workshops and won't give your car the care and attention it requires imo.

Don't tell BS like that please. This is untrue.

mick.fr

Gr1f wrote: »

OK, well i'd deffo consider any place south dub / north wicklow that has a good rep and has experience with beemers.

it's a 325ci convertible...and my baby!

Your car has 80k, it is time to do a complete cooling system overhaul. Period.
Radiator, hoses, expension tank, thermostat, water pump, ...

Johnboy Mac

mick.fr wrote: »

Don't tell BS like that please. This is untrue.

How dare you! I presume your just a boy. Dismissing somebody that has been in the business for 30 plus years both as employed and self employed with BMW GB, Toyota GB, Nissan, March, several main dealers (yes, BMW as well).

I know exactly what I'm talking about. Why do you think specialists exist?


Now have the decency to explain in detail why my comment is BS.

mick.fr

Johnboy Mac wrote: »

How dare you! I presume your just a boy. Dismissing somebody that has been in the business for 30 plus years both as employed and self employed with BMW GB, Toyota GB, Nissan, March, several main dealers (yes, BMW as well).

I know exactly what I'm talking about. Why do you think specialists exist?


Now have the decency to explain in detail why my comment is BS.

I dare because what you are saying is untrue, period.
Your understanding of a situation is not the reflect of the reality.
After 30 years in business you should be more opened to knowledge sharing and other people experience.

Now if you can find me a BMW memo stating they don't service old bimmers or don't even fancy serviving old timers just let us know.

Johnboy Mac

mick.fr wrote: »

I dare because what you are saying is untrue, period.
Your understanding of a situation is not the reflect of the reality.
After 30 years in business you should be more opened to knowledge sharing and other people experience.

Now if you can find me a BMW memo stating they don't service old bimmers or don't even fancy serviving old timers just let us know.

Listen here boy, main dealers like and want handy repairs/servicing , fitting brake pads and changing oil & filters. Easy money and no hassels, full stop. Don't tell people here they are interested in old model cars this is simply untrue because they are not.

Again you did'nt answer my question: why do specialists exist and trive?

You seem to have a lot of confrontations with people on this forum, I wonder why? Is it because you so anal when it comes to BMW's or something else? Are you same guy that insists it's easier to drive a l/h/d car here than r/h/d car? Are you also the same guy that quizzed people on the particular type of spark plug that should fitted to certain modern BM's? If so say no more!

mick.fr

Johnboy Mac wrote: »

Listen here boy, main dealers like and want handy repairs/servicing , fitting brake pads and changing oil & filters. Easy money and no hassels, full stop. Don't tell people here they are interested in old model cars this is simply untrue because they are not.

Again you did'nt answer my question: why do specialists exist and trive?

You seem to have a lot of confrontations with people on this forum, I wonder why? Is it because you so anal when it comes to BMW's or something else? Are you same guy that insists it's easier to drive a l/h/d car here than r/h/d car? Are you also the same guy that quizzed people on the particular type of spark plug that should fitted to certain modern BM's? If so say no more!

What a clown lol
And he thinks he made a point.
Oh man..

Anan1

mick.fr wrote: »

What a clown lol
And he thinks he made a point.
Oh man..

When you've learnt a bit more you'll realize that he's right.

mick.fr

Anan1 wrote: »

When you've learnt a bit more you'll realize that he's right.

You back again lol. You never give up
It is not like if you were a technical reference on this forum dude, you know what I mean
But that's good you are making some friends. Keep up the good work.

mick.fr

See he even thanked you lol
You guys are friends now

Anan1

You know, mick.fr, there's nothing wrong with having a big mouth and there's nothing wrong with not knowing much about cars either. But when you combine the two on a motors forum...

mick.fr

Anan1 wrote: »

You know, mick.fr, there's nothing wrong with having a big mouth and there's nothing wrong with not knowing much about cars either. But when you combine the two on a motors forum...

Yeah Anan ok if you want

Johnboy Mac

Anan1, I consider that since mick.fr has stated publicly that I'm talking BULL SH1T and that I'm a CLOWN really sums him up more than me.

I'll now call a halt to any 'rapport' with mick.fr other than to say whenever he states incorrect or misleading information to people on this site I'll be there to correct him purely for their benefit.

Anan1

mick.fr wrote: »

Yeah Anan ok if you want

Actually, i'd much prefer if you did know a bit about cars - then you could make useful contributions, instead of just making a public tit of yourself every few days.

Gr1f

ummmm..... so, back to my point! :-) Anyone know a good specialist near Bray? Or the nearest one? Or know of someone good for the job at hand?

Thanks!

mick.fr

Like if you guys were able to document the misleading technical information I have provided on the motor forum and prove me wrong:D

Johnboy Mac

Gr1f wrote: »

ummmm..... so, back to my point! :-) Anyone know a good specialist near Bray? Or the nearest one? Or know of someone good for the job at hand?

Thanks!

Sorry I don't in your area.



P.s. But I'm sure mick.fr will advise a main dealer for you!

Anan1

Gr1f wrote: »

ummmm..... so, back to my point! :-) Anyone know a good specialist near Bray? Or the nearest one? Or know of someone good for the job at hand?

Thanks!

It may be a little far from you, but if it were my car i'd bring it to AC in Dublin 8. They're a well-regarded independent BMW specialist, very knowledgable & enthusiastic. I've been happy with their work myself and i've heard nothing but good things about them.http://www.accarsales.ie/

mick.fr

Johnboy Mac wrote: »

Sorry I don't in your area.

P.s. But I'm sure mick.fr will advise a main dealer for you!

At least have the decency to provide OP with some help instead of your continuous bashing and OT...
A 50+ years old man old you are? Yeah sure.

Anan1

mick.fr wrote: »

Like if you guys were able to document the misleading technical information I have provided on the motor forum and prove me wrong:D

You're wrong about lots of things, partly because you're immature but mainly because you don't know much about cars. Do yourself a favour now and stop digging, there's a good lad.;)

Gr1f

Anan1
Ok. Great thanks. That sounds like a plan. Think car should make it that far. :-)

After some thought I agree. I think a specialist would be fine for my car at this stage. Hopefully save a few quid in the process!

mick.fr

Anan1 wrote: »

You're wrong about lots of things, partly because you're immature but mainly because you don't know much about cars. Do yourself a favour now and stop digging, there's a good lad.;)

This is harrassment at this stage dude.

Anan1

mick.fr wrote: »

This is harrassment at this stage dude.

No, mick.fr, it's just the truth. Your uninformed witterings are low-level harrassment for many of us here, if you can't take being corrected then try not to be wrong so often.

Anan1

Gr1f wrote: »

Anan1
Ok. Great thanks. That sounds like a plan. Think car should make it that far. :-)

After some thought I agree. I think a specialist would be fine for my car at this stage. Hopefully save a few quid in the process!

NP, let us know how you get on.:)

Eoin

Anan1 wrote: »

It may be a little far from you, but if it were my car i'd bring it to AC in Dublin 8. They're a well-regarded independent BMW specialist, very knowledgable & enthusiastic. I've been happy with their work myself and i've heard nothing but good things about them.http://www.accarsales.ie/

OP - I'm in Bray as well, and use AC Cars. They're open Saturdays if that's any more convenient for you.

mick.fr

Anan1 wrote: »

No, mick.fr, it's just the truth. Your uninformed witterings are low-level harrassment for many of us here, if you can't take being corrected then try not to be wrong so often.

Dude stop your crap here right now I am telling you.
Don't bash people like that and certainly not me with your lies and stuffs.
Man you don't know what you are doing.

Johnboy Mac

I repeat.

Johnboy Mac wrote: »

Anan1, I consider that since mick.fr has stated publicly that I'm talking BULL SH1T and that I'm a CLOWN really sums him up more than me.

I'll now call a halt to any 'rapport' with mick.fr other than to say whenever he states incorrect or misleading information to people on this site I'll be there to correct him purely for their benefit.

Asiaprod

I am closing this thread till the Day mods get a chance to review it.
I suggest all take a few deep breaths for now and cool down.

peasant

mick.fr

You REALLY need to cool down, relax and get that notion out of your system that you are the one and only BMW expert.

Take a weeks break to have a little think.

peasant

anyone got anything else ON topic?

Cosmo K

Where is E92?

Cyrus

just want to reaffirm whats been said about ac car sales, also would recommend gary from chelmsford motors, he worked in murphy and gunne for years and is a good guy

Gr1f

OK, talked to Shé this morning, Have the car booked into AC for wednesday.

As I said previously, i topped it up with Distilled water last night and it's still full this morning, possible slow leak i guess. At least it will make it into the place.

On another note....(maybe i should start a new thread?) Car Park dents!!..... Probably the one thing that enrages me more than anything...anyway, i have a couple on rear wing and wondering the best way/place/guy to get rid of them. I seem to remeber hearing that they can be 'pushed out' by some process or another.... any suggestions welcome!

Anan1

The likes of dentmaster etc can do very good work, but only on certain dents (has to do with both type & position on the car). I can't recommend anyone in particular myself, but it might be no harm to ask AC too? The dent people tend to be mobile, and a lot of garages use them to tidy up cars they're selling. Might be no harm to start a new thread asking for advice too.

Owen

There's a huge variation in the various dent masters and dent doctors abilities. In Cork I know of 2 guys. One guy's a freaking perfectionist who'll go mental if he can't get a dent out and will stay there the whole day if necessary disassembling door cards and wheel liners to get to the metal and eventually get it right. The other guy drills holes into the bodywork inside the doors, gets the dents 90% out, covers the drilled hole with a rubber bung and says 'meh'.

Cyrus

ned78 wrote: »

There's a huge variation in the various dent masters and dent doctors abilities. In Cork I know of 2 guys. One guy's a freaking perfectionist who'll go mental if he can't get a dent out and will stay there the whole day if necessary disassembling door cards and wheel liners to get to the metal and eventually get it right. The other guy drills holes into the bodywork inside the doors, gets the dents 90% out, covers the drilled hole with a rubber bung and says 'meh'.

:eek: wouldnt like to get dent 'doctor' no 2

Anan1

Cyrus wrote: »

:eek: wouldnt like to get dent 'doctor' no 2

I wonder did no 2 do the door on that 330i?;)

Gr1f

Hah! deffo no way i'd like to see anyone take a drill to my trim!!

Called these guys... www.thedentman.ie, think they're based up north and come down to Dub when they have a few to do at one time, won't be available for a couple of weeks.... :-(

Anan1

After reading this thread, i'd take my time and only use someone who's been well recommended.

R.O.R

I called Dial-a-dent for a new Focus we had with a sharp dent on the bonnet. Due to the nature of the dent he couldn't fully remove it, but made it much less noticeable.

As he wasn't perfectly happy with the outcome he didn't charge anything, and you can't say fairer than that.

The website doesn't seem to be working, but the details are here: http://www.add.ie/dial_a_dent_ltd-o29851-en.html