Using good BMW in warranty period

[eddy77]

I have a 2021 520i which needs its first service. Nearest main dealer is awkward to get to. RBM In Hook Hampshire are very convenient. They claim to do everything the main dealer does without the labour rates. Assured me they use all the correct fluids and genuine parts and that the warranty is unaffected. I’ve booked it in with them but wanted to see if others have been down this route. It’s not actually about saving money really. I just never find main dealers any good and have always found marque specialists far better.

Resale not an issue as I keep my cars to 100k miles and around 10 years by which time main dealer history is not important.

I’m not after people’s view on my choice. Just a practical view as to whether anyone has done this before and experienced any warranty issues as a result. EU block exemption rules mean it’s allowed as long as the work is done properly. But do BMW try and wriggle out on some technicality in reality? I’ll keep all the receipts to prove what has been done and with what in case of any queries.

I will probably want to extend warranty. Reading the blurb on the bmw site it just stipulates that car must be maintained per schedule using proper genuine parts. No mention of main dealer so assume I will be able to extend warranty after three years. RBM have all the kit to update the main BMW system in Munich with all service records etc.

https://www.rbmhampshire.co.uk/

Thoughts?

Edited by eddy77 on Tuesday 27th June 19:59

[Dazdot]

I've only ever used an independent BMW specialist. Car has been back for recalls and warranty claims with no issue. The specialist I use does update the IDrive with service data.

[rottenegg]

Main dealer isn't a stipulation of the warranty. It's certainly not with their comprehensive insure warranty at least. As you say, just evidence of timely and proper maintenance, so don't bin any invoices.

Obviously your iDrive history won't talk to BMW's servers, unless your Indie has a way round that. There are aftermarket apps, but they're just a fudge that gets overwritten by the next garage anyway.

[silentbrown]

If you have PCP or lease, that contract may require main dealer servicing. Check your paperwork...

[Aluminati]

BMW parts ( keep receipts) and VAT registered garage.

[eddy77]

Brilliant, thanks everyone.

Car is owned outright not financed so no worries about using an Indy. My last car (Audi A6) was leased and that had to go to main dealer for servicing who was absolutely diabolical. The car itself was pretty bad anyway but the dealer servicing was just awful.

I’ve had my other car (Merc) for 8 years and that has always been looked after by a Mercedes specialist who has been absolutely superb in keeping it going without rinsing my wallet. I don’t rate main dealer servicing in any way, hence why I’d like to take my bmw to a reputable independent. By all account RBM have a great reputation.

Thanks again for your feedback!

[rottenegg]

Yep, they are awful. The last main dealer service on mine - half a litre short on oil, and oily finger prints on my leather. Nice. I was also told I couldn't have a courtesy car, because it was a Saturday.

Mine is also outright owned but MD servicing is stopping at 100K. They do the 2 year service to keep some kind of value in the car, but I do interim oil changes as cheap timing chain insurance.

[curvature]

rottenegg said:

Obviously your iDrive history won't talk to BMW's servers, unless your Indie has a way round that. There are aftermarket apps, but they're just a fudge that gets overwritten by the next garage anyway.

Some independents do have the correct software, I've used one myself.

[Jamescrs]

rottenegg said:

Main dealer isn't a stipulation of the warranty. It's certainly not with their comprehensive insure warranty at least. As you say, just evidence of timely and proper maintenance, so don't bin any invoices.

Obviously your iDrive history won't talk to BMW's servers, unless your Indie has a way round that. There are aftermarket apps, but they're just a fudge that gets overwritten by the next garage anyway.

An independant I used a few months ago for a window regulator replacement advised me they update BMW's servers with the service data they do. I intend to use them for a service in October on my M240i

[rosejem]

I have used Ross at Hook for the 4 year service on my 1 series & can highly recomend him.
Though I did use Dick Lovett at Hungerford whilst it was under warranty ( I had a warranty recall which was picked up on the first service at two years old ).

As far as main bmw dealer service goes I found Hungerford very good , although the 4 year service would have cost around £150.00 more than I paid at RBM.

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

when I worked for BMW head office, there was a phrase the CS team used , " there are BMW owners, and there are BMW customers' You would be the former. The inference being that you own the car, but you don't use BMW dealers.

In theory there should be nothing wrong with your approach, as has been suggested make sure that the oil used is correct and that the parts are of matching quality.

I'd be surprised if you could buy a BMW extended warranty without a Full main BMWSH, however if you pay for an inspection prior to the extension that might be allowed.

However where it does fall down is with 'goodwill'. If your engine goes bang shortly after the warranty period you'll find that BMW won't be too inclined to contribute. I wouldn't be convinced that the indy will contribute to an engine going bang either - unless they cocked something up.

In essence and referring to my first point, an advantage of using a main dealer is that there should be some assistance outside of warranty for loyal customers.

But it's not guaranteed, its is a struggle to get and in any case I'd say the chances of a well maintained car lunching itself are slim.

[ahenners]

rottenegg said:

Main dealer isn't a stipulation of the warranty. It's certainly not with their comprehensive insure warranty at least. As you say, just evidence of timely and proper maintenance, so don't bin any invoices.

Obviously your iDrive history won't talk to BMW's servers, unless your Indie has a way round that. There are aftermarket apps, but they're just a fudge that gets overwritten by the next garage anyway.

Many independents/specialists can update the BMW AOS portal and input into idrive. The dealer code just shows 00000 instead of the unique number allocated to BMW dealers.

[Mr Whippy]

Further to this topic, does anyone know if independents can do recall work?

I genuinely don’t want BMW touching my other car if I can help it.
But would prefer for the work to be ‘technically’ done.

[Condi]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

I'd be surprised if you could buy a BMW extended warranty without a Full main BMWSH, however if you pay for an inspection prior to the extension that might be allowed.

Under EU (now UK ) law, any VAT registered garage can do the servicing and the warranty has to be valid (as long as it's done on time, using OEM components), so as an extension of that it is unlikely BMW would be allowed to discriminate between a car with BMWSH and FSH.

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

Condi said:

Under EU (now UK ) law, any VAT registered garage can do the servicing and the warranty has to be valid (as long as it's done on time, using OEM components), so as an extension of that it is unlikely BMW would be allowed to discriminate between a car with BMWSH and FSH.

you've not understood the law in that case

You're right in that a new car warranty has to remain valid even if the car is serviced ( correctly) outside the dealer network, however an extended warranty is at BMW's discretion and would be largely based on service history and an inspection. I think if the car is inspected by a dealer and any faults rectified which may include use of genuine parts where after market has been used , or any other faults repaired, then BMW may provide an extended warranty, ( that you pay heavily for) but they don't have to extend it if they don't want to..

[rottenegg]

ahenners said:

rottenegg said:

Main dealer isn't a stipulation of the warranty. It's certainly not with their comprehensive insure warranty at least. As you say, just evidence of timely and proper maintenance, so don't bin any invoices.

Obviously your iDrive history won't talk to BMW's servers, unless your Indie has a way round that. There are aftermarket apps, but they're just a fudge that gets overwritten by the next garage anyway.

Many independents/specialists can update the BMW AOS portal and input into idrive. The dealer code just shows 00000 instead of the unique number allocated to BMW dealers.

And that's the rub. Some BMW buyers are very particular about seeing main dealership codes in the iDrive, which of course doesn't mean anything in terms quality of workmanship, but that's just the FSH game you get into with these cars.