How much for a stamp?

Nik Rite · Post by **Nik Rite** » Sun 10 Oct, 2004 20:31

Hi All, I asked Bmw local garage for a quote for a service 2 . Approx £450 inc Vat for oil,air and oil filter,plugs, fuel filter,antifreeze and brakefluid change, and the all important BMW stamp!The brakes and discs are fine. This includes reduce price for "Four plus" on labour, and parts cheaper due to BMW cc member. Question is ,will the £450 spent with them and the stamp in the service history, hold the value of the car by same amount or do I do the job myself for say £100 with built in satisfaction? All your opinions sought!!!! Nik

F.Brossaud · Post by **F.Brossaud** » Sun 10 Oct, 2004 21:13

Hello,

In my opinion, I prefer to do the job by myself, I know that the bumpers of leather seats will not be scratched by the BMW garage (no kidding, that's what happened to several friends

) ....

My father's 523i was not started this morning, the battery was dead, water was missing... Car had a major inspection 3 weeks ago, and the battery water was supposed to be checked, at least, they reported it on the inspection sheet

Not saying some Z1 I seen, always maintened at BMW dealers, with 15 years old original brake fluid black like crude oil

Frederic

Nik Rite · Post by **Nik Rite** » Sun 10 Oct, 2004 22:29

True,also I suppose if I keep all my receipts for parts that would help to validate my work. Also ive no intentions of selling up so why worry re the resale value!!!! Regards Nik

Nik Rite · Post by **Nik Rite** » Sun 10 Oct, 2004 22:29

True,also I suppose if I keep all my receipts for parts that would help to validate my work. Also ive no intentions of selling up so why worry re the resale value!!!! Regards Nik

'MC' MarkC · Post by **'MC' MarkC** » Mon 11 Oct, 2004 10:52

Also note that your 325i mechanicals are very, very solid. My 325 had 160,000miles with only a top-end rebuild at 120k. And that turned out to be unnecessary

. The only 'achilles heel', if it could be called that, is the head. Just ensure you have slightly over-frequent (every 15k / 18months, whichever soonest) water changes with a flush and using synthetic ('4-year') coolant.

I'd use a good, reputable BM specialist. This will keep your cars' resale value very close to a FBMWSH car, and save £££s.

My Dad bought an 8yr-old 323i in 1991, with 80k, 1 owner FBMSH (all at Sewells', Dunmow). He serviced it immediately. The plugs/rotor arm&cap were so poor, that with them replaced the tickover rose to 1600rpm !!! Lots of angry phone calls & letters later (via BM HO Bracknell), he recieved compensation by way of 4 services' worth of consumables from Sewells. One certainly hopes they have improved somewhat since.

'MC' MarkC · Post by **'MC' MarkC** » Mon 11 Oct, 2004 10:56

...of course if you're happy to do the work yourself, you can save lots more. On cars where I've done my own servicing, I also kept a hardback notebook, in which I wrote the date, details and mileage of all work I'd done. In my experience prospective buyers clearly felt reassured when I came to sell.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Mon 11 Oct, 2004 15:06

My tuppence worth:

I've done all the servicing I can on mine apart from the complex high risk stuff like cam belt which I get BMW to do.

- Keep records and reciepts
- Take photos of interesting work (like doors!)
- Keep it all tidy and clean in a folder (useful for your day-to-day ref. and reassuring for your buyer should you perish the thought decide to sell)

Net out
If I was buying a car this old (and specialised) I'd pay no less to see the detailed notes of an enthusiast than a stamped book from a BMW dealership.
Especially since the 'knowledge' would now become ancient history as far as the dealerships are concerned.

PS> Nik - any thoughts on my request to you via 'pm'?