Independent BMW garage pricing and recommendations

[zayaay]

Hi all, I am looking for a an independent garage in herts for BMW servicing as recently moved to the area. I have called 4 that were recommended and they were all charging more than the local BMW dealership. This was for oil service, microfilter change, brake fluid change and MOT. The 4 I spoke too were:

A1 in Stevenage
Vintage Autocare in WGC
Harpenden Mill Auto care in Harpenden
BMERC in Barnet.

Is this expected nowadays that the BMW dealerships are more competitive?

Does anyone have any other recommendations in herts?

I have 2014 1 series 116i

[StuTheGrouch]

Certainly not my experience. My local specialist are far better value than my nearest BMW dealer.

In Northampton, so not a million miles away. I highly recommend MTEK- https://maps.app.goo.gl/sQfGW67jdSHKhJSUA

[rosejem]

I would guess a BMW specialist would charge between £350 - 400 for this service.

I used to have 118i and used a good BMW specialist near Hook in Surrey called RMS & for the 4 years service which included all of the above & spark plugs was about £360.00 without the MOT.

[stevemcs]

Genuine micro filters are stupidly priced, like near on £100.

[CorradoTDI]

Not too far away...

https://bmconnected.co.uk/contact-us

[zayaay]

Thanks for replies. The indies I mentioned above were all quoting between £390-450 for the service + MOT, but the dealership was quoting £350.

I also came across Harpenden Auto Services in Luton, has anyone used them?

They were recommended on another forum and were quite reasonable, however they said they will only change brake fluid if needs to be changed even if recommended on the iDrive, they said they have a tool to check, is this correct?

[GiantEnemyCrab]

There is AutoTechnik in Lutterworth who are also extremely capable and good people - bit further out your way but have used them for simple and not simple work.

[Pica-Pica]

zayaay said:

Thanks for replies. The indies I mentioned above were all quoting between £390-450 for the service + MOT, but the dealership was quoting £350.

I also came across Harpenden Auto Services in Luton, has anyone used them?

They were recommended on another forum and were quite reasonable, however they said they will only change brake fluid if needs to be changed even if recommended on the iDrive, they said they have a tool to check, is this correct?

Brake fluid is first changed after three years from new, then every two years. I would not rely on a ‘tool to check’, stick to the 2 years.
As for main dealers, I use a main dealer, they are price-comparable and often slightly cheaper than indies.

[stevemcs]

zayaay said:

Thanks for replies. The indies I mentioned above were all quoting between £390-450 for the service + MOT, but the dealership was quoting £350.

I also came across Harpenden Auto Services in Luton, has anyone used them?

They were recommended on another forum and were quite reasonable, however they said they will only change brake fluid if needs to be changed even if recommended on the iDrive, they said they have a tool to check, is this correct?

Thats what we would do, all you are testing for is water conent. There is no point in replacing it unless its needed - usually 4%, we would reset the idrive but would advise that this may not be in sync with when the fluid actually needs changing.

[I-am-the-reverend]

Main dealers are becoming very competitive on price now.

Car sales are a waste of time and don't earn the money so it's down to service, parts and bodyshop to earn the bread.