Shuld I keep the BMWFSH?

Shuld I keep the BMWFSH?

Author
Discussion

simpo one

Original Poster:

87,062 posts

272 months

Wednesday 27th November 2002
quotequote all
OK, I'm straying from my usual place on the Griffith forum so it'll be interesting to get some opinions on my 'other' car for a change...

That's a 1993 'K' 730iV8 with 147K miles on the clock. I bought it in 1996 with 98K miles and full BMWSH. It's pretty immaculate apart from shagged AC (too expensive to fix!). I've kept the BMW history going as (1) being a complex engine I reckon it's best looked after by the dealers, and (2) as it's high mileage a buyer might be deterred when I come to sell it if it's been serviced by Scrote & Co.

Should I keep the history going or is it simply wasted money?

ultimasimon

9,643 posts

265 months

Thursday 28th November 2002
quotequote all
It's an unfair choice for you to work out as I have a 91' BMW 730i (old six pot)which I phoned BMW (Heathrow Stockley Park) for advice on for the same reasons, and they (naturally) advise me that the residule value lied in my car having a full service history. My car has done 167,000 miles and still is unmarked condition and dives like new. It has had two former keepers (both company directors) and until now a full BMW service history.

My air con is also dead (due to a very nosiy AC pump bearing, otherwise alright) and it would cost me more to repair it than I paid for the car (£1150!)

I think you have to look at your market and decide whether a full service history makes the price you ask for.

simpo one

Original Poster:

87,062 posts

272 months

Thursday 28th November 2002
quotequote all
Thanks Ultimasimon. I suppose we have to look at likely sale value (a) with BMW history up to 150K then stopping, and (b) with BMW history throughout. Can the difference really be more than the cost of a major service anyway - ie. a few hundred pounds?

castex

4,980 posts

280 months

Thursday 28th November 2002
quotequote all
They're just so snotty - particularly here in France. They seem to have this strange revisionist policy whereby any beemer over ten years old isn't really a beemer. They don't keep the parts, ooh could take a while.
I don't have time for any sort of snobbery, particularly when it involves cars, and especially where BM's are concerned. When flush I've always been keen to go to the 'proper' place, but they do make it difficult.

simpo one

Original Poster:

87,062 posts

272 months

Thursday 28th November 2002
quotequote all
Sorry to hear that Castex. The local Mercedes dealer certainly had a reputation like that, but my two local BMW dealers have always been very courteous and their eyebrows didn't twitch when I took a 1988 320 convertible along for a service. No complaints apart from the price!

jamesk

2,124 posts

286 months

Monday 2nd December 2002
quotequote all
Aha Simpo! I followed you from the Griff forum!

Interesting point - I have the same dilemma with my '96 540i (old shape). It has FBMWSH from previous owners and I am almost due my first service - not sure where to go. My car has only done 40,000 miles which makes me think my residual value may be worth the extra expense for a while.

Hmm.....

simpo one

Original Poster:

87,062 posts

272 months

Monday 2nd December 2002
quotequote all
Aha jamesk!

Quiet here ain't it?