B*stard main dealers

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swabyk
Joined: Mon 18 Jul, 2016 17:38
Posts: 88

  Z3 roadster 1.9

B*stard main dealers

Post by swabyk »

So, the electric roof on my BMW Z3 stopped working in late November, so I took it to the BMW main-dealer in Bishops Stortford (Elms BMW) for a diagnosis of the fault so I could then go and buy the part required. I needed to know was it the dash switch, roof microswitch, roof-motor etc etc....

They did the diagnosis, charged me £140 for the pleasure and told me it needed a new roof hydraulic motor at £800 plus VAT, plus fitting!! Probably well over a grands worth of work.

As it was a few weeks before Christmas and the car is only for summer use and lives in the garage I put it away and thought id get it done in the Spring. Took it out recently and thought before I go and buy the roof motor id get a local auto-electrician to take a look. He came round and within 5 minutes located it to be a fault with the dashboard switch for the roof. I ordered a brand new one online for £25 and it just arrived, hey presto.......working roof!!!

I’ve now penned a rather strongly worded email to the wankers at BMW Stortford requesting they refund my £140 diagnosis fee very quickly or the matter gets taken a lot further.

Robbing f*cking bastards!!!
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BladeRunner919
Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
Posts: 2225

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by BladeRunner919 »

Dealers employ fitters these days rather than mechanics with diagnostic abilities. If they can't plug in the computer and be told what to change they tend to struggle. I'm sure we could have helped you to diagnose the fault and saved you all the money!
swabyk
Joined: Mon 18 Jul, 2016 17:38
Posts: 88

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by swabyk »

I did post on here, trouble was I couldnt tell where the fault was between dash switch and boot-motor. Poeple on here did say they would be very surprised if it was the pump and not a switch somewhere. However, I thought, take it to the experts...........Lesson learnt!!! :head: :head: :head:
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BladeRunner919
Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
Posts: 2225

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by BladeRunner919 »

For any future problems get yourself a cheap multimeter and we can probably talk you through the exact diagnosis. Sorry, I don't recall your original post!
swabyk
Joined: Mon 18 Jul, 2016 17:38
Posts: 88

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by swabyk »

no worries, it was a few months back - cheers
Brian4
Joined: Mon 19 Dec, 2011 19:02
Posts: 541

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Hinckley

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by Brian4 »

The problem is the main dealers do not see this age of cars very often now so they have no experience of them. They even get the diagnosis on the latest ones wrong so have no chance with 20 year old technology.

They can sell you one and do routine service and warranty work when BMW pay for it and ask awkward questions before ageeing but that is as far as they go. Good BMW trained mechanics leave and set up on their own.

Cynical me??!!
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andy & fonz
Joined: Tue 28 Jul, 2015 17:35
Posts: 71

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by andy & fonz »

brought a new 1 series with service pack, had all the services done by sytners Leicester, now that the car is six years old, did the last service myself, low and behold the diesel fuel filter has never been changed ( date stamped 2010 ) the service book is stamped and signed that it was changed 2014.somehow don't think I could prove it was not done?, moral don't trust anyone to take has much care off your motor like you do.
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
Posts: 818

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by lightning »

When l advertised my Z3 for sale recently somebody rejected the car outright as it only has a part BMW service history. There's a five year gap but l have receipts for the owner at the time carrying out service work during this time.

Since l got the car l have serviced it myself, people should not be put off by owner servicing, it can be better than the dealers doing it.
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g8jka
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Joined: Sun 18 Apr, 2010 21:16
Posts: 1149

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Telford

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by g8jka »

lightning wrote:it can be better than the dealers doing it.
Or not doing it which is more often the case!

They can get away with it with the majority of people. How many services do they do per week and how many of the average Joe's actually check that the service has been done? Probably none, the book is stamped, they have paid a fortune and all is good. The dealers are laughing, easy way to make money.

I've seen it a few times when someone has just purchased a new car and according to the seller it has just been serviced, but for piece of mind you do it yourself soon after only to find an oil filter collapsed or in pieces and parts with stamps dated on them going back several years :lol:

Some people don't have the skills or the tools to do the jobs themselves which is fair enough, but there is no reason to get done over by the local dealer or garage. It happens far too often.
2000 BMW Z3 2.8 Titanium Silver Roadster with too many mods to list :-D :drive
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colb
Joined: Sat 05 May, 2012 22:46
Posts: 690

  Z3 roadster 1.8 TU
Location: Newport South Wales UK

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by colb »

When I changed my fuel filter I found it was the original, car built in 1999, I changed it in 2015, given the mileage is only 35k I suppose it lasted well even though the car would have had services before I owned it and it hadn't been changed.
I also dislike the current garage practice of the exorbitant diagnosing charges they make, been caught by a couple of garages for a Kia and the Z.
The Kia was a noisy rear diff bearing which I could have told them exactly what the problem was and what needed replacing £90 quid down the drain as they wanted a further £1300 to slap a new diff in instead of stripping and replacing the bearings. Went elsewhere for a third of the price they were asking.

The Z was £60 for a second opinion on the MAF which confirmed my suspicion, they wanted an exorbitant amount to put a new one in and said they couldn't reset the EML. Took it home to do it myself, EML reset once home first go using my code reader. Fitted a Bosh MAF and solved the problem. This was an independent BMW specialist, won't be using them again sticking to DIY.
Colb
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
Posts: 818

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by lightning »

Fortunately modern cars will not be affected so much by poor maintenance. Most new cars have an indicator to tell you when a service is due. On a modern BMW this can be 20,000 miles or even more.

I sold my Renault van with 100,000 miles on the clock. I'd serviced it regularly and it was running fine. (Kangoo 1.2 petrol van)
The guy who bought it eventually asked me 2 years later to do a service on it, when l got there the van was in 120,000 and had not been touched.
There was no oil left in the engine, l don't know where it had gone as it did not use oil, when l took out the sump plug about a litre of sludge glugged out. How it kept oil pressure l have no idea.
The air filter was missing.
I changed the oil and fitted an air filter, and the engine sounded fine, it ran great for a further two years until corrosion saw the van scrapped at 145,000 miles.
gookah
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Joined: Thu 07 Aug, 2008 09:51
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by gookah »

g8jka wrote:
lightning wrote:I've seen it a few times when someone has just purchased a new car and according to the seller it has just been serviced, but for piece of mind you do it yourself soon after only to find an oil filter collapsed

anyone particular in mind? :D

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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by lightning »

There was no need to worry about oil filters on my 1932 Standard Little Nine as there wasn't one. No worries about water pumps as it didn't have one of those either. No timing belts, although there was a chain clattering round on the front of the engine.
When l took off the cover l found that the tensioner was missing. It was quieter after l fitted one. The oil was to be changed "every 1,000 miles"
There was no heater but the windscreen "can be opened fully for better visibility in fog" Those were the days.
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c_w
Joined: Thu 19 Aug, 2004 16:50
Posts: 4032

  M roadster S50

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by c_w »

The Z3 may be a BMW, but BMW dealers have well washed their hands of it. The only time I'd take a car to a BMW dealer is if it was within warranty and/or not too old/low mileage that keeping it's service history might help resale. But the Z3 is far too old to expect full BMW history (it's not worth it either due to their costs), and an independent specialist will provide cheaper, better service with more knowledge.

Even the higher value Ms are best kept away from dealers and specialists are now held in much higher regard by buyers/enthusiasts than a dealer. Who would want a random "technician" adjusting valve clearances or setting throttle bodies on a S50 engine when most days he just sees 15-plate 120d's for oil changes and "wash".
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Devon Z
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Joined: Thu 20 Nov, 2003 21:39
Posts: 651

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Brixham, Devon

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by Devon Z »

You can always garrenty a garage will diagnose the the most expensive part as well!! Mines not been back to the dealer since the warrenty ran out!
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g8jka
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Joined: Sun 18 Apr, 2010 21:16
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Telford

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by g8jka »

gookah wrote:
g8jka wrote:
lightning wrote:I've seen it a few times when someone has just purchased a new car and according to the seller it has just been serviced, but for piece of mind you do it yourself soon after only to find an oil filter collapsed

anyone particular in mind? :D

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On my 2.0 when I first did it the oil filter was in 2 pieces and not just collapsed :head:
2000 BMW Z3 2.8 Titanium Silver Roadster with too many mods to list :-D :drive
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pingu
Joined: Fri 30 Apr, 2004 16:01
Posts: 3412

  M roadster S50

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by pingu »

g8jka wrote:
gookah wrote: Image
On my 2.0 when I first did it the oil filter was in 2 pieces and not just collapsed :head:
BMW don't recommend engine flush, but I'd make an exception here and flush it, followed by new oil and filter, followed by new oil and filter after a couple of hour's "fun" :drive .
Pingu
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
Posts: 818

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by lightning »

That's not been changed in a while.

I bet the engine is fine though. Not that l'd ever recommend leaving it anywhere near that long.
Juvvajuvva
Joined: Sun 06 Nov, 2016 16:52
Posts: 87

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by Juvvajuvva »

Cooper BMW Norwich.
In 2010 I bought a £28k M3 e46 cab.
It was mint with 30k on it.
I have a fair bit of mech knowledge.
Would you crawl under a car at a main dealer or insist to see the underside on a ramp?
Please take my advice,do so!
When I test drove it,it was wet and only 3mm on the tyres.I couldn't floor it.
I sent them new boots.
I collected it and the weather again was drizzley.
50miles of tyre bedding in 26 degree heat.Five minutes later, synchromesh 2nd/3rd chatter! Oh no!
2 more minutes of spirited driving, crunch! Stuck in 3rd.Trashed gear box (replacement = 6k!)
I told them to come and collect their car and get me another and they refused.
They wanted me to wait a month so they could claim on their insurance ( Lloyds)
They cannot claim for 30 days as they could buy any old crap and claim all day long.
They just did.
So a friend and I got it up on a ramp before they came to get it and the underside was smashed and appeared to have been through a gravel trap at the Nurburgring.
Basically BMW main dealers go to auctions like anyone else and bid on cars with a full BMW history.
However if that car has been repossessed and before the bailiffs came the discruntaled owner tracked it, they want to shove it up yours and get their money.
Anyhow,after asking if I could get a different e36 M3 or pay another 15k for the e90 and being told to f&€k off,being a broadcast sound engineer,I recorded all the calls at 96kz and closed them on the sale and got my money back, plus the money for my tyres.
Believe me it is highly unusual to get any money back from a main dealer on a car sale,ever!
I have to say,Colchester BMW tried very hard to sort it out,even to take the car on and find me a replacement and Norwich refused!
So, they are hit and miss, some good some bad. The moral is go on recommendations,use the forum knowledge.
Good luck and all the good people stick together :)
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OldskoolRS
Joined: Mon 06 Feb, 2012 14:23
Posts: 412

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Wokingham

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by OldskoolRS »

lightning wrote:When l advertised my Z3 for sale recently somebody rejected the car outright as it only has a part BMW service history. There's a five year gap but l have receipts for the owner at the time carrying out service work during this time.

Since l got the car l have serviced it myself, people should not be put off by owner servicing, it can be better than the dealers doing it.
Funny; the same thing happened to me when I was selling my 3.0 (and I had the same 5 years of receipts and even photos of various jobs I'd done to post on here). I wonder if it was the same guy and whether he ever did find a 16 year old Z3 with a full BMW service history and for a low price too. :roll:

I have a company car so it gets 'serviced' at the main dealer, but when I had my 3 series estate I used to ask them not to wash it (since I'd detailed it and given it a full going over with decent wax), so it makes me wonder if they actually did anything to it as the oil looked as black as it was beforehand...
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motco
Joined: Tue 18 Aug, 2009 18:12
Posts: 728

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: B*stard main dealers

Post by motco »

lightning wrote:There was no need to worry about oil filters on my 1932 Standard Little Nine as there wasn't one. No worries about water pumps as it didn't have one of those either. No timing belts, although there was a chain clattering round on the front of the engine.
When l took off the cover l found that the tensioner was missing. It was quieter after l fitted one. The oil was to be changed "every 1,000 miles"
There was no heater but the windscreen "can be opened fully for better visibility in fog" Those were the days.
My father had a 1939 Flying Standard 9. My recall is hazy but it was 'interesting'...
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