BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Sat 26 Mar 2011 21:02
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - Woody37

My 3 series is 4 years old and I will keep it for another 6 yet, doing around 10K per annum.

The supplying BMW dealer charge mad prices for servicing and the service light calls me back for minor matters to get fleeced some more every few months.

I want to use an Independent Garage, but can they deal with/switch off the servicing lights? Can they read the key fob for detail like the Main Dealer does?

Finally, any ideas for the right Garage in the Croydon area?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Mar 2011 14:19
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - Woody37

Bump

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Mar 2011 14:45
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - ddr

Yes. The equipment to do that sort of thing is a couple of thousand pounds.

A garage would be essentially useless these days if they were unable to do that sort of thing on a very popular car.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Mar 2011 22:05
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - Collos25

To reset the service lights costs around10ups for the unit from e bay. A major service includes an oil change and a bigger coat of looking at than a normal service.Take it to an independant if you cannot do it yourself.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Mar 2011 22:39
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - SteveLee

I'd expect a decent independent to do a far better job than minimum-wage fitters/apprentices that fill the workshops of your average dealership. I know a few so-called mechanics – they have no idea what goes on under the bonnet – they just replace the parts the computer they plugged into the car tells them to. Most independents are staffed by mechanics - not fitters.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 31 Mar 2011 11:02
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - Chuckie888

I agree

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 31 Mar 2011 17:43
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - Paul G1pdc

its not very local. but

DM WORX (Used to be called BM worx) in Aylesbury Bucks (A41 from London) have a good reputation and are all over other websites with happy customers...no I don't work for them I have a Volvo. but used to drive past this dealer twice a day and googled them to find out if they where any good, Thinking about future car purchase and a good indie garage is worth knowing about. (along the a41 near aylesbury theres also a saab and volvo indie..)

one web site had a guy in Reading driving to Aylesbury for servicing on his 5 series and the next reply was someone from Wokingham...using the same garage. The contact name of Stuart also keeps appearing. Guess if it going to save a load of cash....drop the car off, get a lift into Aylesbury watch a film or do some shopping and pick the car up later in the day....

Paul.

v40 phase 1 his.

v40 phase 2 hers.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 1 Apr 2011 01:43
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - Woody37

Some excellent replies, thank you.

I have found a local Independent who seems to know his BM onions and it will save me a lot of money over the next 6 years or so.

The only risk I see is early turbo failure (goodwill offering) but it seems to be sorted before an 07 plate and I am careful to idle for a minute or so after a long run.

Thanks again,

Woody

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 2 Jun 2011 23:24
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - eedisson

Hi all,

Just wanted to confirm that this is the garage in question:

fnone.co.uk/car-service/car-service/a-c/bmw-servic...g

Thanks,

Edmond.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 3 Jun 2011 18:06
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - Paul G1pdc

www.dmworxaylesbury.co.uk/bmwservicingaylesbury.ht...l .

Lower Rd
7A Weston Way Industrial Estate

AYLESBURY, HP22 5GT

Tel: 01296 322865

oh the volvo indie on the a41 got its first ever call a couple of weeks ago, the airbag warning light flicked on, in my wifes volvo. After searching on google etc, all the answers said its a dealer reset...

called the main dealer who said.....

it will be £45 just to look at the light...then if we need to reset the light that will be £105 on top......ouch.....and they couldn't fix it for 2 weeks....

rang the indie. he said bring it in when ever you like its quick.....it took the guy less than 5mins with a laptop, and that included him talking about his company etc...cost....£0

yep free......guess who we will be visiting/ getting quotes from next time cam/belts etc need changing...

Paul.

v40 hers 37,500 miles 1.8 sport.

v40 his 99,077 miles 2.0 xi (almost at the magic 100k yeppie)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 4 Jun 2011 22:38
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - gordonbennet

''The only risk I see is early turbo failure (goodwill offering) but it seems to be sorted before an 07 plate and I am careful to idle for a minute or so after a long run.''

Very sensible, coupled with non starship mileage oil changes will help.

Two potential problems for you to be aware of, inlet manifold swirl flaps being ingested by engine (rare but devastating), and EGR valve coking up with carbon.

BMWland forum is well worth a long evenings reading on both these subjects, your car being much newer hopefully these problems are no longer valid, but worth bearing in mind.

We have had the swirl flaps removed on two 320 Diesels by these people, nice to deal with and will give honest advice by phone, i have no association with the company other than as a satisfied customer. www.pmwltd.co.uk/?page_id=10

Edited by gordonbennet on 04/06/2011 at 22:40

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 25 Sep 2011 23:18
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - Woody37

Some excellent replies, thank you.

I have found a local Independent who seems to know his BM onions and it will save me a lot of money over the next 6 years or so.

The only risk I see is early turbo failure (goodwill offering) but it seems to be sorted before an 07 plate and I am careful to idle for a minute or so after a long run.

Thanks again,

Woody

The Turbo blew yesterday. Would you Adam and Eve it? See the Technical Forum for a plea for help.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 28 Sep 2011 23:13
BMW 320D - Sensible Priced Servicing BMW - privateinvestor

my advice is to get your oil and filter changed every 7-8k on a BMW to ensure complete peace of mind and ensure the longevity of the turbo, you get a cheap oil change done at say Kwik FIt for 50 quid and they use top spec oil. Too many BMW's blow thier turbos due to the stupidity of so called long life servicing. Also get swirl falps checked on diesal BMW's again another design fault, and change the auto box oil as well.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide