Service other than by BMW?

2012paddy2012 · 19-09-2019 7:47pm #1

I have a BMW 2011. I get it serviced in a non official BMW garage.

Can any garage do the diagnostic check on a BMW?

Or
Does it have to be an accredited BMW dealer/ service ....specific garage?
Thank you

bazz26 · 19-09-2019 7:54pm

Any decent garage that has diagnostic software that can read BMW fault codes can look at it. Plenty of BMW independent specialists about too. You don't need to be bringing an 8 year old BMW to a main dealer unless it's still under their warranty or have exhausted all other avenues.

2012paddy2012 · 19-09-2019 8:38pm

bazz26 wrote: »

Any decent garage that has diagnostic software that can read BMW fault codes can look at it. Plenty of BMW independent specialists about too. You don't need to be bringing an 8 year old BMW to a main dealer unless it's still under their warranty or have exhausted all other avenues.

Thank you

Cerco · 19-09-2019 10:00pm

You can do it yourself if you purchase the Carly for BMW Bluetooth obd adapter & software for your phone.
Diagnostics, code reader, feature programming and other functions.

aodomhnaill · 24-09-2019 5:34pm

Cerco wrote: »

You can do it yourself if you purchase the Carly for BMW Bluetooth obd adapter & software for your phone.
Diagnostics, code reader, feature programming and other functions.

Any experience with Carly, considering purchasing but put off by annual sub. Is it worth it? Reading mixed reviews.

Rowley Birkin QC · 24-09-2019 5:38pm

aodomhnaill wrote: »

Any experience with Carly, considering purchasing but put off by annual sub. Is it worth it? Reading mixed reviews.

+1

I've used Torque a few times for fault clearing but keen to know if the Carly premium app is worth it for turning on / off options.

aodomhnaill · 24-09-2019 5:46pm

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: »

+1

I've used Torque a few times for fault clearing but keen to know if the Carly premium app is worth it for turning on / off options.

Here’s a decent thread, may help you out. am leaning towards going for one...sub is a bit steep though.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1513185

macjohn · 24-09-2019 10:07pm

bazz26 wrote: »

Any decent garage that has diagnostic software that can read BMW fault codes can look at it. Plenty of BMW independent specialists about too. You don't need to be bringing an 8 year old BMW to a main dealer unless it's still under their warranty or have exhausted all other avenues.

With the bmw first 20% discount where do you think the cut off should be between dealers and indys?

Mine is 141 and due its first service since the original service package ended - which I think is going to be a full service which on bmwservice website (for Engine Oil Service With Microfilter, Air Filter & Fuel Filter ) looks to be €560.62 (less 20% then is €448.50)

Wailin · 25-09-2019 1:30pm

macjohn wrote: »

With the bmw first 20% discount where do you think the cut off should be between dealers and indys?

Mine is 141 and due its first service since the original service package ended - which I think is going to be a full service which on bmwservice website (for Engine Oil Service With Microfilter, Air Filter & Fuel Filter ) looks to be €560.62 (less 20% then is €448.50)

The 20% is parts only, doesn't include labour so that reduced price is a good bit off.

extra-ordinary_ · 25-09-2019 2:44pm

Wailin wrote: »

The 20% is parts only, doesn't include labour so that reduced price is a good bit off.

Don't think so...it's 20% off the cost of the service whether parts are used or not.

macjohn · 11-10-2019 8:48pm

bazz26 wrote: »

Any decent garage that has diagnostic software that can read BMW fault codes can look at it. Plenty of BMW independent specialists about too. You don't need to be bringing an 8 year old BMW to a main dealer unless it's still under their warranty or have exhausted all other avenues.

macjohn wrote: »

With the bmw first 20% discount where do you think the cut off should be between dealers and indys?

Mine is 141 and due its first service since the original service package ended - which I think is going to be a full service which on bmwservice website (for Engine Oil Service With Microfilter, Air Filter & Fuel Filter ) looks to be €560.62 (less 20% then is €448.50)

Any other thoughts on whether worth going main dealer with the bmw first in above circumstances?

enumbers · 11-10-2019 8:54pm

Its really up to you but if you can get recommended a good independent you will make a significant saving, while still using genuine or equivalent parts.

macjohn · 11-10-2019 8:59pm

enumbers wrote: »

Its really up to you but if you can get recommended a good independent you will make a significant saving, while still using genuine or equivalent parts.

Thanks.
In terms of significant roughly what you would think it should cost at a good independent?

bazz26 · 11-10-2019 9:05pm

macjohn wrote: »

Any other thoughts on whether worth going main dealer with the bmw first in above circumstances?

If the price difference is low then I'd opt to go with the main dealer especially if you plan to keep the car well beyond BMW warranty where it might be beneficial towards goodwill from BMW. On basic stuff like replacing brake pads, discs, etc, my local BMW indy is a good bit cheaper than the main dealer, however for oil and filter change there is only about €60 difference between the two. BMW are set the oil service interval to 30k km which is too long imo so I get the indy to change it at the 15km interval and then BMW dealer to do it at the original 30k km interval. My BMW indy can update the iDrive digital service history too same as the main dealer so everything is in order.

enumbers · 11-10-2019 9:10pm

I haven't my prices to hand but would expect that what you have listed would be around 300 using genuine equivalent parts from mahle/mann

sunnysoutheast · 11-10-2019 9:17pm

bazz26 wrote: »

If the price difference is low then I'd opt to go with the main dealer especially if you plan to keep the car well beyond BMW warranty where it might be beneficial towards goodwill from BMW. On basic stuff like replacing brake pads, discs, etc, my local BMW indy is a good bit cheaper than the main dealer, however for oil and filter change there is only about €60 difference between the two. BMW are set the oil service interval to 30k km which is too long imo so I get the indy to change it at the 15km interval and then BMW dealer to do it at the original 30k km interval. My BMW indy can update the iDrive digital service history too same as the main dealer so everything is in order.

Isn't there a dealer id/number on the idrive service record? What does that show for an independent/non-franchise service?

Leonard Hofstadter · 11-10-2019 11:50pm

sunnysoutheast wrote: »

Isn't there a dealer id/number on the idrive service record? What does that show for an independent/non-franchise service?

The good independents will have a unique dealer number from BMW, so it will go into the iDrive that the car has been serviced by a recognised specialist. It won't invalidate the warranty if you service the car with one, however it may affect goodwill if something happens shortly after the car is out of warranty.

Having said that, I'd much rather a specialist looking after the car anyway, the labour rates will be much cheaper than what a BMW dealer will charge, and the good ones will use the same parts that the car would have come with from the factory just not with the BMW logo on the box, so there's a further saving to be had there. Plus, the good ones are worthy of the name 'specialist' so they are very knowledgeable about the cars and you know your car will be getting the best possible care it can get.

bazz26 · 12-10-2019 1:45am

sunnysoutheast wrote: »

Isn't there a dealer id/number on the idrive service record? What does that show for an independent/non-franchise service?

My indy is registered with his own id number.

sunnysoutheast · 12-10-2019 12:35pm

Never knew that about the independents, every day's a school day!

We have one of the very first f30s, even BMW main dealers had issues getting it to store the history on the idrive.

josephsoap · 13-10-2019 8:38am

I have a 2015 BMW, would it be worth bringing a nearly 5 year BMW to the main dealer for a service?

I plan on keeping the car for a good few year. First time ever owning a bmw and not aware of any Indy garage that specialise in BMW’s.

Leonard Hofstadter · 13-10-2019 12:05pm

josephsoap wrote: »

I have a 2015 BMW, would it be worth bringing a nearly 5 year BMW to the main dealer for a service?

I plan on keeping the car for a good few year. First time ever owning a bmw and not aware of any Indy garage that specialise in BMW’s.

Where are you based? If you're in or near Cork I'd use Fionnsport (I bring my car from Dublin to them because I think they're that good plus I'm from there so it's a convenient excuse to catch up with everyone anyway), I believe there's another one out near Blarney who are also very good but their name escapes me.

Rowley Birkin QC · 15-10-2019 9:54am

If Dublin, go to http://www.motorconfidence.com/about/about-us out near the Red Cow or https://www.yelp.ie/biz/courtney-motors-north-strand in town. Both indy BMW specialists that I've used and been happy with.

aristotle25 · 15-10-2019 11:21am

Even when my previous e60 was 12 years old I still got the oil service at a BMW dealer. There was little or no price difference compared to the independents I had tried in Dublin.

I find the likes of Motor Confidence and BloomField as expensive as the dealers for brake pads and general servicing. And I did have issues with both of them over the years, they are well able to charge an arm and a leg too.
But I would go to an independent over a dealer for anythying beyond basic servicing. I only used them once so far but DL Motorworks were good.

If you are in any way comfortable with it you will be well able to change the air filter and air cabin filters yourself, very easy and will save you a good bit of money. Watch some videos on youtube.

nogoodnamesleft · 15-10-2019 6:38pm

aristotle25 wrote: »

Even when my previous e60 was 12 years old I still got the oil service at a BMW dealer. There was little or no price difference compared to the independents I had tried in Dublin.

I find the likes of Motor Confidence and BloomField as expensive as the dealers for brake pads and general servicing. And I did have issues with both of them over the years, they are well able to charge an arm and a leg too.
But I would go to an independent over a dealer for anythying beyond basic servicing. I only used them once so far but DL Motorworks were good.

If you are in any way comfortable with it you will be well able to change the air filter and air cabin filters yourself, very easy and will save you a good bit of money. Watch some videos on youtube.

How much did it cost to service the E60 at the main dealers when the car was that old?

Oil and filter service is around 150GBP (its on offer at present at 130GBP) from the main dealer here in the UK. I did it myself a few weeks back the cost of parts was approx 65GBP for a Mann Oil filter and 5litres of 5w30 Shell ECT C3 BMW spec LL04 oil. To do the microfilter on top of the oil service would have been 255GBP. I picked up a Bosch one for around 25quid which was carbon filter better than the standard BWM one.

I plan on keeping the car for a while...unless the ERG cooler recall issue causes problems when its replaced next month....or it catches fire due to the ERG cooler.

I dont rate BMW full service history very highly based in my experience as mine did have an extended service plan until recently.

josephsoap · 15-10-2019 9:15pm

Cheers folks, oil, oil filter, air, fuel and Microfilter coming in at €435 in bmw dealer, for its first service owned by me I might take to it the main dealer.

Higgins5473 · 15-10-2019 9:32pm

Can anyone recommend somewhere in Dublin to get some professional coding done on 3 Series F31?

Thanks...

aristotle25 · 16-10-2019 9:10am

nogoodnamesleft wrote: »

How much did it cost to service the E60 at the main dealers when the car was that old?

I was paying about €150 for an oil service (after 20% discount from BMW First). It was a 535d so it uses a bit more oil than say a 520d, cost a bit more to service that them.

Hardtochoose · 16-10-2019 9:14am

josephsoap wrote: »

Cheers folks, oil, oil filter, air, fuel and Microfilter coming in at €435 in bmw dealer, for its first service owned by me I might take to it the main dealer.

Sign up for bmw first for 5 a month. You’ll get 20% off that service price. You can cancel it the following month

josephsoap · 16-10-2019 4:18pm

Hardtochoose wrote: »

Sign up for bmw first for 5 a month. You’ll get 20% off that service price. You can cancel it the following month

Great tip thanks for that

aristotle25 · 17-10-2019 7:46am

And make sure you get your free wipers as well as part of the BMW First sub.

Cerco · 17-10-2019 2:00pm

aristotle25 wrote: »

And make sure you get your free wipers as well as part of the BMW First sub.

And bulbs 🤪, may as well if needed.

josephsoap · 07-11-2019 2:16pm

Hardtochoose wrote: »

Sign up for bmw first for 5 a month. You’ll get 20% off that service price. You can cancel it the following month

Well got my BMW serviced (air,pollen and fuel filters also changed) by the main dealer, first time ever getting a car serviced by a main dealer - have to say I am impressed, iDrive system updated and all - think I might keep the BMW first subscription.

livingthedream · 07-11-2019 3:38pm

Hi,

FYI you can get a copy of the ISTA software online. You will also need a cable to connect to your car.

I believe it is the software that the BMW workshops use. I have a copy and use it on my car, though I have only had reason to use it for fairly basic error code reading, but it can do a lot.

For example you can trigger DPF re-gens etc. It gives you suggested things to check in a particular order to debug the cause of error codes. You can re-program modules (if you know what you are doing).

~LTD.

newmember2 · 07-11-2019 8:09pm

Higgins5473 wrote: »

Can anyone recommend somewhere in Dublin to get some professional coding done on 3 Series F31?

Thanks...

You can use the carly app for 'professional coding'. What are you looking to get done?

Higgins5473 · 07-11-2019 8:20pm

newmember? wrote: »

You can use the carly app for 'professional coding'. What are you looking to get done?

The Carly stuff has had very mixed reviews (as in some very worrying), including some that have some said that there has been lasting damage to the CPU. The BMW diagnostics c package that comes with ISTA + INPA 6.05 NCS EXPERT for coding and WINKFP for programming is all I would go near with any BMW I own myself. Very expensive for a once off purchase, something around 700 euro so you'd want to be in the trade. There were lads offering the service on adverts with the proper kit above but dont seem to be anymore.

This is worth a watch...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oKxgwyVnFQ&t=339s

newmember2 · 07-11-2019 9:13pm

Higgins5473 wrote: »

The Carly stuff has had very mixed reviews (as in some very worrying), including some that have some said that there has been lasting damage to the CPU. The BMW diagnostics c package that comes with ISTA + INPA 6.05 NCS EXPERT for coding and WINKFP for programming is all I would go near with any BMW I own myself. Very expensive for a once off purchase, something around 700 euro so you'd want to be in the trade. There were lads offering the service on adverts with the proper kit above but dont seem to be anymore.

This is worth a watch...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oKxgwyVnFQ&t=339s

Yeh, it really depends what your looking to get done. I've found Carly perfectly OK for small adaptations.
Any of the BMW specialists mentioned in this thread I'd imagine would be able to code your car.

Service other than by BMW?

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