Recommendation for a garage to work on BMW cars

Right 1st Time

Having a few problems with car. Independant or main dealer recommendations welcome

smash

oph.ie - good independent. The owner has had a few M3's and M5s - knows his was around BMWs

Yakuza

AC Cars, just off the South Circular road in Dublin are very good with BMW. I've had some work done (a service, replacing engine sensors and replacing handbrake shoes) there over the years.

Their labour rates have gone up a bit in the last few years (new premises, higher overheads presumably) but they are very knowledgeable about BMWs and better value than a main dealer.

E39MSport

Where you based?

Main dealer Conlan's in Rathangan is very thorough and professional.

As Yakuza refers, AC seem to have a good name on here.

Right 1st Time

Thanks for replys. Im based in Lucan so think I will try AC Cars.

It has Full main dealer service so far but given recent main dealer experierience (leaves a lot to be desired) I will give an independant a try.

macjohn

+ 1 for AC. Hugely knowledgeable about bm's - possibly more than some main dealers.

Only thing is their rates have really crept up to within shouting distance of the main dealers.

If the car is more than a couple of years old might be worth considering a general independent. Well worth ringing around. Are you having major problems?

frank gooding

http://www.goldenpages.ie/Garages/MKW_Motors/IE_741871_1

Keith in MKW is great at diagnostics and has fixed a lot of cars where others have failed.

A good mate my mechanic no other connections.

Just off the outer ring road beside the Naas road. so handy for Lucan.

Fishtits

Is there any indo out there that would do a diagnosis only service?

(someone had to ask...)

unkel

Fishtits wrote: »

Is there any indo out there that would do a diagnosis only service?

All of them! What makes you think you would have to do any follow up work with them? Pay your €20-30 for the diagnostics and if you reckon you can get the problem sorted elsewhere better / cheaper, go ahead!

500sel

frank gooding wrote: »

http://www.goldenpages.ie/Garages/MKW_Motors/IE_741871_1

Keith in MKW is great at diagnostics and has fixed a lot of cars where others have failed.

A good mate my mechanic no other connections.

Just off the outer ring road beside the Naas road. so handy for Lucan.

+1
mkw have diagnostic kit specific to BMW and can carry out ANY Repair on them ( along with other makes) proper garage who do what they say they will.once again no conection to them. they have dug me out a few times

Fishtits

unkel wrote: »

All of them! What makes you think you would have to do any follow up work with them? Pay your €20-30 for the diagnostics and if you reckon you can get the problem sorted elsewhere better / cheaper, go ahead!

I have access to the dogs gonads in terms of scan tools etc. but no fault shown.

So, what about the problem that doesn't result in a fault code? (big question... have basic diagnostic skills been diluted?)

I have a 525i that's a dog to drive around town, spluttering, no codes.

I'm not familiar with this model, having recently acquired it. I'm devouring all and anything from the net.

The Yanks seem to preach change this, change that etc. Bollocks, frankly. I'll change nothing until it has proven failed.

I will solve this problem eventually, once I completely understand how the system works.

PS Unkel, if you can direct me to someone who will shake down my Beemer for 20-30 Euro I'm all ears.

Cheers

unkel

Fishtits wrote: »

I have access to the dogs gonads in terms of scan tools etc. but no fault shown.

Could you please be very specific in what software and hardware exactly you are using?

DubTony

Fishtits wrote: »

I

So, what about the problem that doesn't result in a fault code? (big question... have basic diagnostic skills been diluted?)

Great question. My old man has a 01 520. Was drinking oil, and had a dodgy heater (kept coming on at full power even when switched off). Murphy & Gunn told him he needed a new engine ... €10K ... and "fixed" the heater 3 times.

He got the engine sorted for less than €300 in Breech Motors in Walkinstown. (A back lane operation) So kudos to them. Having said that my experience with them wasn't so positive. And the heater was fixed with a €25 electronic part somewhere else. (Sorry no details)

PS Unkel, if you can direct me to someone who will shake down my Beemer for 20-30 Euro I'm all ears.

Cheers

YUP! AC Cars wanted €85 from me just to have a look at the suspension on my 00 3 series.

kdevitt

The only systems which will capture all errors are the main dealer ones from my experience - I had mine tested on two occasions with high level equipment at an independent and they couldn't detect a general module fault, Murphy & Gunn picked it up in seconds. It wasn't throwing a fault code by the way.

Gary in Chelmsford Motors is probably the best independent in Dublin (he's in Ranelagh) I've used, very reasonable rates and served his time with M&G. Dave Courtney (think thats the name) off the North Circular is also very good by all accounts.

Heroditas

Try Ian Clandillon out in Celbridge - Clandillon Motors.
I always bring my cars to him and he definitely seems to know his stuff.

He'll be able to do diagnostics too.

500sel

Fishtits wrote: »

I have access to the dogs gonads in terms of scan tools etc. but no fault shown.

So, what about the problem that doesn't result in a fault code? (big question... have basic diagnostic skills been diluted?)

I have a 525i that's a dog to drive around town, spluttering, no codes.

I'm not familiar with this model, having recently acquired it. I'm devouring all and anything from the net.

The Yanks seem to preach change this, change that etc. Bollocks, frankly. I'll change nothing until it has proven failed.

I will solve this problem eventually, once I completely understand how the system works.

PS Unkel, if you can direct me to someone who will shake down my Beemer for 20-30 Euro I'm all ears.

Cheers

Thats the difference between having diagnostic equipment and being a diagnostic technician. every garage by now has the kit but only a few know how to use it. I don't want to keep harping on about him but Keith in MKW Was a technical trainer for Renault,Nissan, Peugeot, and I think he still dose some work in Europa academy. Unfortunately not all faults will be detected as faults in your cars ECU

Gatster

You could try NI, Bavarian for example. AC Cars are good but as mentioned their rates have shot up massively in the past few years and subsequently I don't feel they offer the value they once did, although they do know their stuff.

Bavarian have a mixed rap on the forums but I know of a couple of instances where they found and fixed faults that were misdiagnosed by all in the South and susequently ended up much cheaper in the end.