325i Coupe 2001 - Need a good independent in west mids?

325i Coupe 2001 - Need a good independent in west mids?

Author
Discussion

petrolhead76

Original Poster:

1,597 posts

222 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
Hi Guys,

My 2001 325i beamer is due a full service (inspection 2?) and the two independent specialists i have rung up have (warwick & rugby) have quoted between £300-£400.

This sounds excessive - up north (leeds) I'm getting charged £170 ???

a) Does anybody know of a good independent specialist around coventry area ?
b) Also am I being ripped off by the two specialists I have rang?

Thanks for your help.

PH76

jamesson

3,159 posts

227 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
£170 for an inspection II sounds ludicrously cheap. Why aren't you sure what service your car needs? The other prices you've quoted seem reasonable based on my experience.

petrolhead76

Original Poster:

1,597 posts

222 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
Thanks for the response - the computer display shows a little clock and the words "inspection" - i've only had the car for a little while.

On the service schedule the last "inspection" was number 1, so i guess this is now number 2?

mustard

6,992 posts

251 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
Might be too far but www.allenpmw.co.uk in Pershore Worcestershire

PS Clock symbol means time based maintenace is required, ie Brake Fluid / Coolant change NOT an inspection service



Edited by mustard on Thursday 31st August 15:00

Donut

4,521 posts

257 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
Try a main dealer aswell as your car qualifies for 4+ servicing which is 20% off.

When you turn the key in the ignition a mileage will appear it won't need a service until that counts down to zero. As has been said the clock is for the brake fluid and coolant change which is every two years, all other servicing is condition based.

MattOz

3,931 posts

270 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
PH76,

Worth giving Nick Whales a bell just to see how much they'd charge. Could be a surprise. You can also supply your own oil, to spec obviously, and that saves about £40-£60. To be honest, the price you've been quoted isn't bad for an Inspection 2. It's usually about twice as muchas an Inspection 1. My Inspection 1 on my old E46 330d at Nick Whales, including brake fluid change, was a smidge over £200.

Matt

petrolhead76

Original Poster:

1,597 posts

222 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
Thanks for the help guys - its really appreciated.

Used to the good old service every 12mths (car not me!) malarky, so thanks for bearing with me.

I'll check out the allen pmw as well as dealerships.



Edited by petrolhead76 on Thursday 31st August 18:16

petrolhead76

Original Poster:

1,597 posts

222 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
PS Any other local independent suggestions welcome...

Vee

3,101 posts

240 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
petrolhead76 said:
Thanks for the response - the computer display shows a little clock and the words "inspection" - i've only had the car for a little while.

On the service schedule the last "inspection" was number 1, so i guess this is now number 2?


The clock means that a brake fluid change is due (every 2 years).
If the last service, around 15k miles ago, was an inspection 1 then you're only due for an oil service.

The schedule goes . .Oil, Insp 1, Oil, Insp 2, Oil, Insp 1, Oil, Insp2 . . .

Check that this has been followed.

petrolhead76

Original Poster:

1,597 posts

222 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
yep its been followed...looking at the service book its inspection II and brake fluid change

Vee

3,101 posts

240 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
No, if the last one was Insp 1 then its now due just an Oil Service.

petrolhead76

Original Poster:

1,597 posts

222 months

Thursday 31st August 2006
quotequote all
The schedule goes...

a) Pre-delivery check
b) Oil Service + Microfilter (14213 miles)
c) Inspection I + Microfilter (30319 miles)
d) Oil Service + Microfilter (45741 miles)

Its now done 60,000 miles...so Inspection II + Microfilter + Brake fluid change?

Vee

3,101 posts

240 months

Friday 1st September 2006
quotequote all
petrolhead76 said:
The schedule goes...

a) Pre-delivery check
b) Oil Service + Microfilter (14213 miles)
c) Inspection I + Microfilter (30319 miles)
d) Oil Service + Microfilter (45741 miles)

Its now done 60,000 miles...so Inspection II + Microfilter + Brake fluid change?



Thats right - I thought that the last service the car had was and Insp I.
My 52 reg 330 is also due an Insp II. Cheapest quote I can get is £460+vat so I'm doing it myself this weekend.

petrolhead76

Original Poster:

1,597 posts

222 months

Friday 1st September 2006
quotequote all
This morning I got quoted an inspection II and a brake fluid check from a dealership - £350

Vee

3,101 posts

240 months

Friday 1st September 2006
quotequote all
Thats a good price for a 6 cyl car.

I know for a fact that mine has only ever been to BMW dealers.
I had the wheel alignmet done yesterday and had a look around while it was on the ramps.
The metal hatch which give access to the oil sump is missing so at sme stage the dealer hasn't replaced it.
I also know of someone else who's 03 reg air filter looked like it had never been changed when he did it himself.



Edited by Vee on Friday 1st September 15:33

petrolhead76

Original Poster:

1,597 posts

222 months

Friday 1st September 2006
quotequote all
Yeah I used to service my wifes 306 myself after a garage botched up the oil change (checked before i drove it away and it was below min!)

To be honest I'm thinking of taking it to a garage up north which other members of my family who live up that way and drive a beamer use (a german car specialist garage).

I'm being quoted £235 all in for an inspection II and the brake fluid change - prob cost be £30 in petrol and i get to see the family !