New mini, which dealer for servicing? Kent

[markbigears]

Hi all,
we've just bought a rather nice 2010 mini graphite with JCW Aerokit, 40,000 miles 2 owner and full BMW history.
The car was supplied and serviced at Broad Oak, Canterbury all its life.
Question I have, do I still use Main dealer? Broad Oak or Arden Maidstone (which is nearer to me), or use a specialist?
Have any Kent owners got any views / experience with dealers quoted?
I had a Audi before and the main dealers were useless, used a fantastic specialist in Dartford, just wondered if same applied to mini.
And what's with the dipstick! my Honda mower's one is more accurate.

[creepy coupe]

I've always used Boad Oak Ashford. Always had great service and support. Ask for Luke Goddard.

[kiethton]

I use Crago's in Dartford for the more complex bits on my E39, Bini specialist too

[ghiblicup]

I use Tonbridge and they have been very good. Great customer service.

[Pip1968]

I used Arden a lot for my BMWs but once their customer service advisor Richard left to go to Stratstone Porsche and Ferrari I went elsewhere and have now gone to Brighton BMW instead. Obviously Arden BMW and Mini split location too.a while ago. They have only moved up the road and Arden BMW will be expanding into a unit across the road.

I used ETA motorsport recently for a service on my GP Mk I and all seems well. Pricing was very good too. I would not get too wound up on main dealers unless you have money to burn or know who is going to deal with your car once in the service bay.

I cannot comment on Arden Mini specifically.

Hopefully you will add to this post once you get some work done.

Pip

[markbigears]

thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.
I did pop in to Arden (spent many an hour years ago there when it was WLA, TVR) and their servicing prices were not bad, i'm sure they must make money up "on other bits".
i'll take a look at the others mentioned, just wondered if their was a fantastic specialist that those in the know. all went too.
Previous owner of my car had good things re Broad Oak.

[markbigears]

Just an update ..... had the car in at broad oak Canterbury yesterday.
Had a oil and filter change and new front pads and discs, £360.
Pleasent enough to deal with. How do those prices sound?

[timbo999]

Put your reg in here:

https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/services/service...

and it will tell you the prices for those items - MINI 'value' servicing.

For my '05 MCS its £115 for oil service and £199 for front discs and pads - but they're smaller than yours.

[steve-5snwi]

markbigears said:

Just an update ..... had the car in at broad oak Canterbury yesterday.
Had a oil and filter change and new front pads and discs, £360.
Pleasent enough to deal with. How do those prices sound?

I guess it depends on what parts were used, For an oil and filter - again what oil ? I would say around £100, for discs and pads i'd have said around £175