E36 328i Servicing costs/locations

[wiggy001]

Two quick questions for the more enlightened:

1. Anyone know the typical costs of each service for a E36 328i? Also Main Dealer cost vs that of an indy?

2. Can anyone recommend an Indy specialist in the South-East London/North West Kent area?

Thanks in advance peeps

[rich_b]

Main dealers can vary alot

Its around £115 for oil service, £280 for Inspection I and £350 for Inspection II. Each service comes up every 9-10K miles.

Not sure on independent's prices for servicing, but for other work the one I trust my car with will be too far away for you. Its just outside Horsham.

>> Edited by rich_b on Wednesday 15th September 11:20

[whiterj]

I recently paid £210 (if my sieve like head serves me right) for an inspection one service at AMC BMW & Merc specialist in SW17. Again, it's a bit far for you but the quality of work is excellent. There's a good garage review page here;

www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/garages_seng.html

[wiggy001]

Thanks for the replies... gives me a budget to aim for.

2 more questions on a similar note (can you tell I'm new to BMW ownership?!)

1. What determines the service intervals? Only ask as my car is 5 years old but has done just 26k miles. It's had an Oil service, Service 1 and is just approaching its second oil service - does this sound right?

2. Does servicing have to be carried out by a main dealer in order to keep the BMW warranty valid, or can a specialist carry out the work as long as genuine parts are used? Warranty is just the 1 year given when I bought the car from BMW in May. Only ask as I've heard differing stories from different people.

Again, thanks in advance

[edc]

Work can be carried out anywhere with warranty intact as long as genuine parts used and service schedule adhered to. I know this relates to new cars at least but notice you have an E36 so either an extra long extended warranty or warranty a part of 2nd hand purchase. It's all explained on the DTI site as part of block exemption.

[rich_b]

Service intervals are explained here www.peakeresearch.com/silights.htm its for an E30 but will be very similar I expect.

27K miles sounds right. As I said its around 9K miles every time and you'll be on the 3rd service now.

[XM5ER]

wiggy001 said:

Thanks for the replies... gives me a budget to aim for. 2 more questions on a similar note (can you tell I'm new to BMW ownership?!) 1. What determines the service intervals? Only ask as my car is 5 years old but has done just 26k miles. It's had an Oil service, Service 1 and is just approaching its second oil service - does this sound right?

Yes

wiggy001 said:

2. Does servicing have to be carried out by a main dealer in order to keep the BMW warranty valid, or can a specialist carry out the work as long as genuine parts are used? Warranty is just the 1 year given when I bought the car from BMW in May. Only ask as I've heard differing stories from different people. Again, thanks in advance

Yes, for now, but the govt are trying to change this apparently (EU legislation I think).

For the difference in price between an indie and dealer it aint worth losing your warrenty.

[wiggy001]

Thanks again for the replies.

In answer to edc, it's a years warranty as part of a 2nd hand purchase from a dealer.

[XM5ER]

wiggy001 said:

Thanks again for the replies. In answer to edc, it's a years warranty as part of a 2nd hand purchase from a dealer.

In that case, checkthe small print, it may only have to be a VAT registered garage.

However, is you car post '98, if not you may want to check if it has the nicasil lined engine. If it is nicasil lined then keep your service book stamped by dealers.

T reg'd? In that case forget what I said.

>> Edited by XM5ER on Wednesday 22 September 14:35