BMW Dealership vs BMW Specialist

[beemma]

I've had my BMW X3 since last October and I bought it from my local BMW dealership.
I love my car and I cannot think about driving anything else rather than a BMW ever again in my life!
Anyway, my local dealership is a huge centre where they offer customers a vast range of services, from servicing your car, MOT, bodyshop, etc, you name it! I recently took my car to my local dealership for service and they told me to change: oil, oil filter, air filter and fuel filter. On my car's onboard computer only showed oil and oil filter needed changing. I thought it was all too much since I'd driven only about 10.000 miles - from 200 miles originally on the clock. It was costly but I went ahead with their demands however it left me a little suspicious of their honesty.
My question is : Do people here use a BMW dealership to service/fix/MOT their vehicle or do people use a BMW specialist.
Specialist garages cost a fraction of the price when compared to a dealership. Can I trust them?
:noexpression: :noexpression: :noexpression:

[greido]

I would always find a recommended specialist; No matter what make of car I've driven I've always sought out a reputable specialist as I have an inherent mis-trust of main dealers for the very reasons you have given above.
Also, like any industry, the cream rises to the top and it seems like the best technicians find they can make far more money by going alone rather than working for someone else, therefore, they tend to walk and start up themselves when suitably experienced and have developed a reputation. This is obviously not always the case but it has been in my 25 year driving experience.

[X5Sport]

If you can find a good specialist then they should be fine.  Finding one who has the right kit, knowledge of X cars and is current is the challenge. 

My local and recommended 'BMW Independent' is OK with older E series cars but not with F-series or experienced with the X types and I no longer use them.  They were recommended in the 'BMW GB Club Magazine' but my experiences were less than good and they did not do a good job with either my E46 or E53.  Never again.

[graemeX5]

Hi

As others have said a Indy BMW specialist is ok for some models and I used one for my old E53 X5  and the 135i

Again on my 135i when I used the BMW themselves it was efficient and a comparable cost and they helped resolve a matter with an independent warranty company, without any argument from the warranty co.

However if you have a car under a BMW warranty which I now have you are more tied to using them to ensure the warranty is not invalidated.

I guess you could go elsewhere, but as it's a newer model, an E70, and my local Indy BMW specialist may not have all the fault finding machines or equipment needed, I think that's callled progress or just a more expensive bill for a more expensive car.

Graeme

[beemma]

Thanks for all the replies.
Can anyone recommend a BMW garage specialist in South Bucks area?  Preferably one who knows X3 F25 models.

[brandon888]

like the above said , i find the specialist only good on  older models where they have worked on it many times and have the equipment to work on it , whereas on the much newer cars i dont think they have work on it or never worked on it before and dont have the right equipment to do the job properly . 

[Pinewood]

[quote="beemma"]
Thanks for all the replies.
Can anyone recommend a BMW garage specialist in South Bucks area?  Preferably one who knows X3 F25 models.
[/quote]

Give these guys a call. I used them for many years with my E46 and E60. Ask for Mick or Greg. They are very experienced and know all aspects of BMW's. My F25 has a 5 year service plan and is still in warranty, so no need for me to use them at the moment, but they will be my first port of call after that.

www.kmautotechniks.co.uk

[Davrosbimmer]

l always preferred main dealer...although the indy I went to was incompetent. Saying that, the main dealer invariably forgets to stamp the service book, mis-diagnosed an E30 £2 seal on the air intake by saying I needed a £600 ECU, and forgot to put my dizzy cover back on when I put my old beloved E30 cabrio in for a service....still...it is a nice feeling at a dealer...until you get the bill!

[Nat]

Specialist every time..................

I have owned BMW's since the late 80's and I have yet to find a main dealer that does what it says on the tin.

Certainly in the SE I have yet to find one that can do things right first time every time. Like hens teeth I don't believe they exist.

Also main dealer prices are just stupid............they should come to work wearing a cape and a mast at least that way you know you are about to be robbed.

Try find a good specialist..............and when you do , hang on to him.

Good luck,

Nat.