[anibap]

I will be having my first service and oil change next year.
It is my first BMW and I love my 330i.

One of the BMW ownership experience factors apart from the driving pleasure is related to service, support, and maintenance experience.

Dearlerships are often called 'Stealerships' for a number of reasons that can dent the overall experience.
My previous 8 years of VW Golf ownership and dealership experience were amazing at Citigate Collindale.

For my BMW, I am willing to go extra miles if recommendations suggest outside of London.
My current aftersales and service partner is BMW Park Lane in Park Royal, London and it appears to be run by BMW themselves.

I am looking for recommendations from members in terms of which dealerships in England (particularly in and around London) get the most love and respect.

I appreciate your feedback and thoughts on your own experience.

Are service rates and charges the same for all dealerships?
If you have recommendations for any independent BMW specialists in and around London, I'd like to hear that too if that does not impact service history and warranty.

[lnlyssg]

Originally Posted by anibap

Are service rates and charges the same for all dealerships?

No, they vary. You can see some examples of the differences for a brake fluid change over at https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2073793

[IfSh3r]

Contacted my local dealer in Huddersfield asking about their monthly service package, got a response four days after by email advising they don't offer anything, yet it's clearly advertised on their website as well as BMW's main website?!

[Kennywoo]

Originally Posted by IfSh3r

Contacted my local dealer in Huddersfield asking about their monthly service package, got a response four days alter by email advising the don't offer anything, yet it's clearly advertised on their website as well as BMW's main website?!

I contacted the local dealer in Bolton asking for a quote for a service plan and their price came to more than buying direct from bmw online!

[IfSh3r]

That sounds really quite disappointing, coming from driving Audis (15yrs+), the service from dealers was really good.

Looks like I'll have to search for decent BMW dealers local to W.Yorks...

[paulockenden]

The problem with buying from a dealer is that the plan will often be restricted to their own outlets. Whereas buying from BMW means you can use any BMW garage.

[IfSh3r]

Sorry, I wasn't that clear. I never actually purchased the cars from the same dealers, only got them serviced there, maybe I just stumbled across a couple of decent dealers? I'm going to try a few more, can't come to any conclusions after encountering one negative response...

[Riccardog]

I'm based in London and have owned BMW/MINIs for 20+ years now. The one thing that I have still not found is a good BMW specialist or main dealer. With my other cars, no problem, BMW... no luck.

I've been to BMW owned service centers in Battersea / Nine Elms / Park Royal, and approved dealer Group 1 Kentish Town. None are great. Group 1 managed to break the microfilter support last service... don't even want to know what else they did to the car which I may not be aware of. Park Royal every time I take an older car try it on, last time was a brake caliper (which suddenly wasn't required once I put my foot down), time before it was a wheel bearing £400 thank you.

Not much better with specialists. Tecnosport closed down. CPC Amersham impossible to communicate with (every little thing takes like 5 calls going back and forth with kind but clueless PA).

Last I tried BM Auto Services in Camden, so far so good, but its been only an MOT on wife's old MINI. Not sure I'd take the G21 there as long as under (extended) warranty.

So... if you find any good dealers that actually care please do share! Dying to find one.

[AlfaM]

The problem I’ve found is there’s no consistency. You can get great service from a dealer one year, then swap out the service manager and a couple of the techs (seems to be happening more and more often) and you’re firing off emails to BWM customer services threatening to buy a Merc!

[IfSh3r]

Contacted group head for some feedback but not heard anything yet, I am getting a little disillusioned by them at least.

Going to try JCT600 next week, let's see how they are like.

[andbrads]

I have used https://www.hpmotorcompany.co.uk/about-us/ in the past, good but not that much cheaper than a main dealer!

[IfSh3r]

Thanks for sharing, though London might be a little too far for me to get servicing, also I prefer main dealers for future values, goodwill should something go wrong etc...

[paulockenden]

I know it’s cars not laptops, but this applies:

[IfSh3r]

Lol! Very true, all they seem to do is replace control modules, sensors etc, anything slightly complex and the 'Master' Tech is rolled out!

[IfSh3r]

So, updates from Sandal BMW Huddersfield have been very disappointing, I had to forward my communication to BMW CS, they got involved which forced Sandal to respond and advise that they do not offer a monthly service plan as Emac service plans are under review hence they cannot issue a quote. Yet, their website clearly advertises this as well as the cost and requests the user to contact them! ( https://www.sandalgroup.co.uk/bmw/se...g/pay-monthly/ ). Summing up it took them around four weeks to detail why they cannot offer a service they are advertising!

BMW CS haven’t been great either as I asked them whom else I can contact ref this, their response was that as each centre is independent I should contact them directly, yet they too advertise for this service on their UK website so you’d imagine whomever they show as an approved centre would offer this service, so confusing and disappointing.

[Funboy78]

Sadly, it’s pretty much most dealers across most brands. I can tell you that my area (Wiltshire/Berkshire) I wouldn’t touch BMW, AUDI or MERC. Absolutely shocking service and experience from them all. However, Kia I have nothing but 110% positive things to say about them!

I don’t even think it’s regionalised either, I think it’s just dealerships nowadays and I expect average service. I bought an RS5 London way, £71k, day of collection I signed the paperwork and was told he was busy but the car was parked round the back and given the keys! My RSQ3, £60k, Hull, same thing, pointed in the rough direction the car was parked and sent on my way. Merc in Exeter, great handover, got home and noticed a broken control, weeks of chasing, being ignored, shocking experience even though under warranty as only a few months old…. List goes on and on…..
I even noticed having complained to both Merc and BMW HQ in the past, both openly state despite it being their name, the dealerships are franchised and they can only act as middlemen, so basically useless!

Unfortunately I think your hands are tied. Expect the worst and hope for better. I agree perhaps purchase an online package and just take it to your local. People still fight to get updates at their local as OTA not working, I had the same at my local, finally got mine done by making something else up!

[IfSh3r]

Incredible, I guess they know we have little choice. Having said that I found Audi Bradford were excellent in terms of service, they did make the odd mistake (missed a balding tyre even though I asked them to check it during a service, it was identified by my local Kwik Fit!), when I complained they apologised and installed a free fuel filter that was due shortly.

I also found Audi Huddersfield were quite good, I do think it depends on the service manager, both sites had great service managers.

I'm going to try JCT600 BMW Bradford next after the holidays, let's see how we fare, failing that it'll be Stratstone Leeds, the search goes on...

[k755]

I am on my third Bmw from Bowker Preston they also have a dealership in Colne may be a bit far. Always a positive professional experience for service and warranty work. Can book courtesy cars if given enough notice.