BMW servicing

viper123

Where's the best (value for money) place to get a 5 series BMW serviced in the Dublin area? Is it best to go to the big dealers, or are there any small independents worth looking up? Is it even worth going up North to get it done?

Anan1

AC Car Sales have always been highly recommended around here, and i've used them before myself and have been very impressed. That said, a friend of mine recently had his brake pads changed by them and the brakes locked up afterwards on the quays, necessitating recovery by tow truck. AC recovered the car promptly, repaired it, and were very apologetic, but it still made me wonder. You might also want to have a read through this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055660663&page=3

Mr Benevolent

Anan1 wrote: »

AC Car Sales have always been highly recommended around here, and i've used them before myself and have been very impressed. That said, a friend of mine recently had his brake pads changed by them and the brakes locked up afterwards on the quays, necessitating recovery by tow truck. AC recovered the car promptly, repaired it, and were very apologetic, but it still made me wonder. You might also want to have a read through this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055660663&page=3

Interesting thread, would put me off AC despite the paintwork. Misaligned panels, badly fitted lights, pieces of sunroof forgotten about causing cabin leaks... bit of a joke really. Seems to me that they're living off their reputation and are in good need of new management. IMO the OP ignored all AC's faults and still paid a premium for shoddy work.

Mad_Max

Do the smaller garages stamp a service book or whatever gets done to the book? I'm about 6000 miles from my first service (1st car thats even worth servicing :P) and thought I had to go to a BMW stealership.

Edit: lol few threads down

Anan1

Mad_Max wrote: »

Do the smaller garages stamp a service book or whatever gets done to the book? I'm about 6000 miles from my first service (1st car thats even worth servicing :P) and thought I had to go to a BMW stealership.

They do, but is your car still under warranty? If so, it's probably easier to stay within the dealer network.

Mad_Max

No 5 year old now. From what was said in the thread I linked, it seems doing the work yourself and keeping good records counts. I'll probably do that. Done it on the last motor anyway but thought it was useless in terms of a service history.

Anan1

Mad_Max wrote: »

No 5 year old now. From what was said in the thread I linked, it seems doing the work yourself and keeping good records counts. I'll probably do that. Done it on the last motor anyway but thought it was useless in terms of a service history.

It does count, but how much it counts depends on the buyer.

jon1981

my 2 cents,

took my 320d 05' coupe to them.

thorough service ( inspection 1). i found though they try to push everylittle thing they found. they said my brake discs were worn and they weren't. i was having problems with the fuel pump and relay. the car wouldnt start first time nearly everytime. they said i needed a new pump ~500 euro with labour. I asked them could they just change the relay and see if that works as i have read up on it being a common problem, they wouldnt.

so i change it myself and 3 months later ... i havent seen the problem and starts fine every time.

my opinion.. thorough service... but unless you know your stuff i feel they make things out to be more serious than they are in the hope you will take their recommendations. ( its in their interest to get you to pay for as much as possible)

Elessar

I also need to get my car serviced (in the next 400 miles). The BMW dealers are doing a servicing deal at the moment with fixed pricing for various jobs. Details on the website. I'll be ringing around for the best quote. Have used AC in the past and apart from them not aligning a replacement headlight I've had no complaints.

I need an Inspection service, brake fluid change and a ABS sensor change since the ABS lights keep coming on and then going off again. Wonder how much I'm looking at...

quarryman

jon1981 wrote: »

my 2 cents,

took my 320d 05' coupe to them.

thorough service ( inspection 1). i found though they try to push everylittle thing they found. they said my brake discs were worn and they weren't. i was having problems with the fuel pump and relay. the car wouldnt start first time nearly everytime. they said i needed a new pump ~500 euro with labour. I asked them could they just change the relay and see if that works as i have read up on it being a common problem, they wouldnt.

so i change it myself and 3 months later ... i havent seen the problem and starts fine every time.

my opinion.. thorough service... but unless you know your stuff i feel they make things out to be more serious than they are in the hope you will take their recommendations. ( its in their interest to get you to pay for as much as possible)

Yes they will try get every penny from you, such is my experience.

I actually feel sorry for people going in clueless and getting their wallet lightened. I should know, I was one of them.

Reminds me of this scene from the Simpsons:

Homer: Now, this wheel balancing is free, right?
Man: Oh, you betcha, absolutely. Deh, uh, oh, uh-oh, wait a minute. These tires won't take a balance!
Homer: They won't?
Man: Nah, nah, no, you hear that clunk?
Homer: No …
Man: Well, that tells me you need four new tires.
Homer: Really?
Man: Yeah. Legally, I can't even let you drive outta here on these.
Homer: Oh, please, can't you let me slide this time?
Man: Gee, I'd really like to, but if my boss found out, I …
(he makes a hand gesture to his boss)
Boss: All right, what's going on over here? Were you gonna let this man drive out of here on unsafe tires?
Man: No boss, I swear!
Boss: Ah, that's it, you're fired!
Homer: No! Wait! This is all my fault! Oh, if I could only turn back the clock and buy four new tires …

Mad_Max

quarryman wrote: »

Reminds me of this scene from the Simpsons:

lol nothing beats an unexpected quote from Homer.

Bearcat

AC cars took the [EMAIL="p@ss"]p@ss[/EMAIL] out of me on a routine service....they didnt know i knew my stuff.....charged like awounded bull too.....went elsewhere

rabbitinlights

Gary, the owner @ Chelmsford motors in Ranelagh is your only man.

http://www.locallink.ie/view.php?i=302838

Ex Murphy & Gunn who is very highly recommended over at bmw-driver.net

S.

jon1981

Bearcat wrote: »

AC cars took the [EMAIL="p@ss"]p@ss[/EMAIL] out of me on a routine service....they didnt know i knew my stuff.....charged like awounded bull too.....went elsewhere

told me i needed my crankshaft pulley replacing... so i had to go with it, i didnt know if it was serious or not... at least i knew enough to say no to the other stuff. won't be going back. 200 euro for the part

BrianD3

I have seen the advertised service prices for E39s and E46s - but can anyone tell me how much *main dealer* servicing is for new E90s and E60s. How much is the oil service, inspection 1 and inspection II on say an E60 520d. I know Dublin garages usually charge more than country ones so a rough idea of location would also be helpful

I am thinking about a new 5 series for my next car and weighing up a few things including the service inclusive package.

Also for someone doing mostly long journeys on national routes, how long will the cars go before they look for a service. Around 30,000 km?