Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

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Hylts
Joined: Tue 03 Aug, 2004 16:18
Posts: 31

  M roadster S54

Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by Hylts »

Hi,

I need to get my Inspection II on my S54, understand other than usual stuff it also includes the valve clearances needing to be checked and reshimmed. Any other important bits?
So far currently getting quotes from BMW dealers for £1k.

Has anyone got any recommendations on estimated cost and any independent BMW specialists in south east as an alternative to dealers?
Currently getting quotes ranging from £413 - £714, so weary as to what the lower quotes actually include, do they really do the valve clearance check or other important bits?

Has anyone got a link to a detailed list of what is included in Inspection II, and if going through an independent dealer is there a way to know that they actually carried out the specific checks/work required, especially the valve clearance check/reshimm or other important bits?

Thanks.
swamper
Joined: Thu 13 May, 2010 17:14
Posts: 1866

  M roadster S50
Location: Mossley

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by swamper »

there is a list in your service book to what should be carried out on each inspection.
as for the actual servicing then you can only really go on word of mouth.
i has some so called specialists up near me and upon me asking them about inspection 11 they said that if the engine wasn't making a noise then the wouldn't bother checking it....i just walked out.
you can tell if they have checked it,you can smell the sealant after :wink:
the badness makes me do it...!

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madlotus
Joined: Wed 11 Jul, 2012 09:56
Posts: 4

  blank

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by madlotus »

swamper wrote:there is a list in your service book to what should be carried out on each inspection.
as for the actual servicing then you can only really go on word of mouth.
i has some so called specialists up near me and upon me asking them about inspection 11 they said that if the engine wasn't making a noise then the wouldn't bother checking it....i just walked out.
you can tell if they have checked it,you can smell the sealant after :wink:
Swamper which specialist was that??
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Robert T
Site Admin
Joined: Mon 12 Jun, 2006 10:35
Posts: 10170

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by Robert T »

Another good way to tell the good un's from the bad un's is to see if they want the car in the day before - valve clearances have to be done with the engine cold - if they don't want it in the day before, they don't know what they are doing. :wink:

Can't recommend anywhere personally as I don't have an ///M, but Munich Legends have been recommended on here in the past. I did a search for "clearances" and turned up a few useful threads.

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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swamper
Joined: Thu 13 May, 2010 17:14
Posts: 1866

  M roadster S50
Location: Mossley

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by swamper »

madlotus wrote:
swamper wrote:there is a list in your service book to what should be carried out on each inspection.
as for the actual servicing then you can only really go on word of mouth.
i has some so called specialists up near me and upon me asking them about inspection 11 they said that if the engine wasn't making a noise then the wouldn't bother checking it....i just walked out.
you can tell if they have checked it,you can smell the sealant after :wink:
Swamper which specialist was that??
http://gandsbmw.co.uk/contact.php
the badness makes me do it...!

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4pipesalute
Joined: Thu 13 Jun, 2013 20:42
Posts: 28

  M roadster S50

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by 4pipesalute »

I am in the same boat, I am based near Stabnsted Airport and I need an Inspection 2 for my S50 ///M-Roadster.
I have exactly the same concern you have oveer the valve clearances being done PROPERLY.
I am happy to share info with you.
One company I kn ow in Chelmsford is PMW. (BMW Specialist) I thonk they have a good reputation, I will enquire into prices...
In the end, maybe we can offer them 2 cars if we can get a good price?
Cheers,
Mark
madlotus
Joined: Wed 11 Jul, 2012 09:56
Posts: 4

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Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by madlotus »

swamper wrote:
madlotus wrote:
swamper wrote:there is a list in your service book to what should be carried out on each inspection.
as for the actual servicing then you can only really go on word of mouth.
i has some so called specialists up near me and upon me asking them about inspection 11 they said that if the engine wasn't making a noise then the wouldn't bother checking it....i just walked out.
you can tell if they have checked it,you can smell the sealant after :wink:
Swamper which specialist was that??
http://gandsbmw.co.uk/contact.php
Cheers swamper one to stay clear of in the future then.
siwilson
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 09:54
Posts: 790

  M roadster S54
Location: Horley

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by siwilson »

swamper wrote:
madlotus wrote:
swamper wrote:there is a list in your service book to what should be carried out on each inspection.
as for the actual servicing then you can only really go on word of mouth.
i has some so called specialists up near me and upon me asking them about inspection 11 they said that if the engine wasn't making a noise then the wouldn't bother checking it....i just walked out.
you can tell if they have checked it,you can smell the sealant after :wink:
Swamper which specialist was that??
http://gandsbmw.co.uk/contact.php
Good point. Noise is no measure. Over time valve clearances and also decrease requiring a smaller shim. A really tight tappet might cause the valve to not fully close and can also wear the cam.

Go to a good indy.
2001 M roadster S54 Laguna Seca Blue
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4pipesalute
Joined: Thu 13 Jun, 2013 20:42
Posts: 28

  M roadster S50

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by 4pipesalute »

I called PMW in Chelmsford and they quoted £795 for an Insp2 service. Erm.. this is the same as BMW main stealer quoted me which was Elms BMW in Stansted/Bishops Stortford.
When I told him this he did not budge on price... flawed business model perhaps???? ..I think so.
Hylts
Joined: Tue 03 Aug, 2004 16:18
Posts: 31

  M roadster S54

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by Hylts »

Quotes so far for Inspection II, all including vat. I have only included those that mentioned the valve clearances to me and keeping the car overnight to do it.

Boxer Motor Works in Ashford, part of Bosch network - £714 plus a 10% discount for new customer so about £640
Munich Legends - £780
Custom Werks in West Drayton - £510

Can anyone recommend Custom Werks that have used them, I searched the forum but only posts from back in 2007 mention them?

Thanks.
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pingu
Joined: Fri 30 Apr, 2004 16:01
Posts: 3412

  M roadster S50

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by pingu »

I should start a business - I'd charge £200 + parts & oil. The cost of parts & oil using 10 litres of Mobil One and BMW parts is approx £150. It's about 2 days work if you don't have a vehicle lift.

I don't think it would be a very profitable business, but I'd be kept busy :shock: .

There's not much to an Inspection 2 over an Inspection 1. Both should have the clearances checked.

Additional work for an Inspection 2 is...

1. Renew spark plugs
2. Clutch check (I took off the gearbox as I couldn't get hold of the tool)
3. Parking brake thickness check
4. (Visual) check half-shaft gaiters
Pingu
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4pipesalute
Joined: Thu 13 Jun, 2013 20:42
Posts: 28

  M roadster S50

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by 4pipesalute »

Central Garage - who specialise in BMW's quoted me £450-500 plus VAT depending on how may valve shims are required. (There are 24 in the head)
Very positive conversation about the valve shimming and rocker cover gasket replacement etc. Also acknowledgement of the 2 day service (for engine temp cooling prior to valve clearances etc) was very positive reassurance.
Extract from their website:
About Central Garage:
Central Garage have been established
since April 2008, & has already provided
an outstanding level of service to the Herts & Essex area, when servicing vehicles of all makes & models.Central’s team Jon & David are BMW
dealer trained Master Technicians
with 30 years experience.

Central Garage is based in Newport
Essex, & in easy reach of Bishop’s Stortford, Stansted Mountfitchet, Saffron Walden, & most of West Essex.
http://www.centralgarageessex.ltd.uk/aboutus.html
Gooseacre
Joined: Thu 10 May, 2012 18:18
Posts: 152

  M roadster S50

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by Gooseacre »

I use CPC in Amersham (http://www.cpcpe.com/).

They are fabulous - their main man (Phil?) is just massively knowledgeable about all things M. I just booked my S54 in for a few jobs one of which is the diff mount bush is splitting. He spent 15 mins describing how he tries to get the diff cover off without breaking it to save cost (diff covers have increased in cost from less than £50 to close to £300 in last 12 months (I think that is what he said). Heating this that and the other then freezing the bush before installing etc - I forget all the steps he said!

Inspection II is 475 + VAT - they replace all the shims (they are less than £2 a piece so why not change them all).

The other good indication about them is that they do not advertise - I have lived in the area for nearly 15 years and only stumbled across them last year. Previously I used TCS Autos in High Wycombe (Tim there is also great) - they are a bit more expensive and not quite as specialist.
2001 Z3M S54 LB64010 #10/73
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pingu
Joined: Fri 30 Apr, 2004 16:01
Posts: 3412

  M roadster S50

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by pingu »

Gooseacre wrote:I use CPC in Amersham (http://www.cpcpe.com/).

They are fabulous - their main man (Phil?) is just massively knowledgeable about all things M. I just booked my S54 in for a few jobs one of which is the diff mount bush is splitting. He spent 15 mins describing how he tries to get the diff cover off without breaking it to save cost (diff covers have increased in cost from less than £50 to close to £300 in last 12 months (I think that is what he said). Heating this that and the other then freezing the bush before installing etc - I forget all the steps he said!
If you point him to the link below, you will find a tool that cost about £1 to make. He might find that this will save him some time ;). No need to heat or freeze anything.

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... =5&t=29073
Pingu
Gooseacre
Joined: Thu 10 May, 2012 18:18
Posts: 152

  M roadster S50

Re: Inspection II - details/prices/dealers?

Post by Gooseacre »

Gooseacre wrote:
I use CPC in Amersham (http://www.cpcpe.com/).

They are fabulous - their main man (Phil?) is just massively knowledgeable about all things M. I just booked my S54 in for a few jobs one of which is the diff mount bush is splitting. He spent 15 mins describing how he tries to get the diff cover off without breaking it to save cost (diff covers have increased in cost from less than £50 to close to £300 in last 12 months (I think that is what he said). Heating this that and the other then freezing the bush before installing etc - I forget all the steps he said!


If you point him to the link below, you will find a tool that cost about £1 to make. He might find that this will save him some time ;). No need to heat or freeze anything.

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... =5&t=29073
Save him time and me money - will certainly pass it on!
2001 Z3M S54 LB64010 #10/73
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