I need an Indy

[swipe]

Guy's does anyone know or have used a good indy in "Crawley or West Sussex" area.
Am thinking of removing the rear air suspension and replacing it with coil's and springs, need someone that know's X5's and their little... but expensive problems!!
Any help would be great guys!

[X5Sport]

ITBarbie - Penny - is in that area and might be able to help.

[pvr]

Watching with interest as I have never used an Indy but am in the area.

I have only seen a sign in Copthorne (near the A264) which states that he is a BMW specialist, but have never been there nor have any good / bad feedback.

[swipe]

Cheers Pvr have to have a look next time I'm over that way.

[London5]

Have you used Munich legends? I had a bit of work done their £700 inc VAT last year.

They are in the middle of now where but will pick you up from the local station if you give them a warning.

They know the engines well as they only deal with BMW's not sure about the rest of the X5 issues.

Tell me who you end up using as I'm just up the M23.

B

[AW8]

I use PBM situated at Ditchling Industrial Estate, Hassocks, (near Burgess Hill). I primarily deal with Chris who is the propreitor & head technician. I have only used them for repairs & like for like type replacements of components. Chris has worked on more E53's than many. They work on BMW's but also Porsche & Mercs. Busy but polite, professional & competent, (plus they don't over charge hours).

Alternatively you could try speaking to Richard at Barkers Motor Works in Haslemere he drives/owns a BMW X5 E53 4.4i prefacelift & is very knowledgable, (not used but have spoken to him in past), decent chap & ex BMW master technician.

Whoever you decide to entrust work to ask them what experience they have of such suspension work. Some might not be happy to warranty work that modified the suspension from original set up & some may refuse to do it to avoid hassle of you going back & forth with issues

My biggest concerns would be various dash messages you may get once you take the original kit out, problems from a bad instalation, resale & insurance cover.

Not aware of anyone specialising in E53 conversions though Roverparts sell specific kits in USA for L322 RR's that sort the dash messages....Not cheap. Bear in mind similarilties with L322 & E53 suspension as RR was owned by BMW when E53 & L322 developed.

Rover renovations specialise in coil conversions for P38 RR & have an expert fitting agent based in Dorking called RA Constable, They prior said to me they would undertake overhall work to E53 suspension for a fellow member when I enquired but to date I have never used them..........Family business.

I've only used PBM out of all above. Links & info on word & mouth, from my calls or from past internet research & chat.

Within last week I posted a link to a good garage guide....maybe search my posts for that.

If my suspension was defective I'd try the 3 independents mentioned above for repair/replacement of defective parts rather than risking a bodge or spending big money on a full conversion, (& when afaik nobody in uk specialises in regularly doing these conversions on the E53).

Good Luck

[swipe]

Thanks AW8 will pop over to PBM at sometime as their just down the road from my parents place in Burgess Hill. Think I might get them to check the suspension first and see what they come up with before jumping in and replacing the air bag set up.
Thanks for all the info.

[Waka]

I use this guy in Brighton
http://www.bmwbrighton.co.uk/

I've only had to use him once but he gets very good reviews on the indy garage review site (mentioned on here somewhere I think).

[AW8]

Re last link. I have used Alan, ( AJ Robertson Portslade), as well. Likeable character & seemingly on his own plus a helper. Very old school in a good way, (used once when PBM were too busy to change balljoint on the Z3). Genuinely helpful guy who knows his BMW engines, perhaps a bit quirky for some tastes but I like him a lot.

Chatting to both I get impression PBM work on more E53's. 18 mths ago Alan didn't have E53 subframe bush removal tool but Chris did. When a window regulator went Alan very kindly offered for me to pop over one evening so he could first have a look before ordering parts. Alan more likely to go the extra mile if in dire straits but Chris (who would be unlikley to open up out of hours), immediately said from my desciption it needed a regulator & simply booked me in 2 days later.

PBM have more staff & can loan a courtesy car if sorted in advance, (or there's a cafe on the local industrial estate for while you wait stuff). Alan close to local & Brighton shops but didnt have courtesy car(s) last time we spoke.

Horses for courses............Both are more down to earth experiences than main dealers & you get to speak to the person who works on your car before after (& if needs be during), the work being done. I wouldn't hesitate to use either of these chaps & would never expect to be ripped off by either.

The above are the only registred business BMW indy's I have used though I have had recommendations re Richard at Barker Motor Works in Haslmere, Mark at MJF enginering Beare Green, (just south of Dorking) & Chris Plummer in Aldershot. Have spoken to all 3 at some point & all sounded fine, (albeit not used them).

I am confident I have enough indy contacts get help when in need.

Hope this info of use - not only to you but potentially for others within a similar area.

[ITBarbie]

Hi

I used Robe & Hitchins in Old Coulsdon. They are not a BMW specialist but are very good and honest and the owner also has a Bimmer. They did my split gaiter boot on front as well as drop link and also did some work on my rotten Freelander before the x5 and I was very happy. They have good write ups as they don't rip people off and are also a very good MOT station as well.

Good luck


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[swipe]

Thanks for all the info guys always worry that If I can't fix who do I trust to do the work, especially as the X5 seems to have more problems than my E39.