BMW Authorised service centre v. main dealer?

Gr1f · 17-04-2009 08:24PM #1

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 · 17-04-2009 08:45PM

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 · 17-04-2009 09:14PM

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

mondeo · 17-04-2009 09:40PM

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

crosstownk · 17-04-2009 09:49PM

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 · 17-04-2009 09:53PM

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 · 19-04-2009 08:46PM

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 · 19-04-2009 08:51PM

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 · 19-04-2009 09:29PM

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:-

Expansion tank
Rad end cap
Push fit connectors ( see below)
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 · 19-04-2009 09:32PM

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 · 19-04-2009 09:37PM

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 · 19-04-2009 09:41PM

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 · 19-04-2009 11:10PM

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 · 19-04-2009 11:11PM

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 · 19-04-2009 11:20PM

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 · 19-04-2009 11:29PM

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 · 19-04-2009 11:41PM

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 · 20-04-2009 12:11AM

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 · 20-04-2009 12:33AM

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 · 20-04-2009 12:41AM

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 · 20-04-2009 12:42AM

See he even thanked you lol
You guys are friends now

Anan1 · 20-04-2009 12:53AM

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 · 20-04-2009 01:01AM

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 · 20-04-2009 01:07AM

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 · 20-04-2009 01:09AM

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 · 20-04-2009 01:11AM

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 · 20-04-2009 01:13AM

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 · 20-04-2009 01:14AM

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 · 20-04-2009 01:15AM

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 · 20-04-2009 01:17AM

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 · 20-04-2009 01:21AM

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.;)

BMW Authorised service centre v. main dealer?

Comments