Best place for a service

[jay edd]

Hi All,

got my z3 2.0 this week. I am looking for the best place for it to have a full service. I live in Lancashire. who would you suggest?

 

[Pond]

When you say a 'full service', what do you mean?
If it's just fluids and filters, plugs etc, any garage can do that. If it's more specific like vanos overhaul (does the 2.0 litre have VANOS?), gaskets, etc then somebody who knows the engines IMO.

 

[137699]

Do you want the "best" place for a service or a "local" place for a service?
As if you're after the best then I'd suggest either Redish Motorsport in Bristol or Munich Legends in Sussex.

Both a long trek from Lancashire but I think the consensus is those two garages are the best BMW specialists in the UK.

 

[Jam03]

I don’t think that for a 2.0 Z3 it is worth travelling to Bristol or Sussex for a service. Also, Reddish and Munich Legends really specialise in M cars. There are others as well and I’m sure many would argue that some others are better.
My advice would be to get on a local BMW club forum of FB group and ask the same question.

 

[Andyboy]

Do you want the "best" place for a service or a "local" place for a service?
As if you're after the best then I'd suggest either Redish Motorsport in Bristol or Munich Legends in Sussex.

Both a long trek from Lancashire but I think the consensus is those two garages are the best BMW specialists in the UK.

They are certainly expensive.

For Lancs, I'd suggest Darren Wood in Manchestershire:

Darren Wood Ltd. - Independent BMW Specialists

We are an independent BMW garage based near Manchester, specialising in servicing, repairs & diagnostic work on all models of BMW. All manufacturers are covered with our wealth of knowledge and experience gained working at franchised dealerships.

www.darren-wood.com

 

[Peewee]

Agree with all the above and would suggest looking for your nearest independent BMW specialist. I did this when I first got my Z3 and have not been disappointed. You will likely find that at least some of the staff are fully BMW trained mechanics who have left employment at a main dealer and set up on their own. You are than assured of work being done by those most familiar with the kit. Try to make sure that they are indeed BMW specialists and not just saying they are!
Good luck!
Peter

 

[t-tony]

Finding someone who is well trained on a Z3 is going to be very challenging.

Tony.

 

[Andyboy]

Most of us trained ourselves.

I'll work on cars but not for peanuts. About three years ago a lady brought along a Fiji green 1998 1.9 to see what it needed.

Everything.

She'd been royally ripped off by all and sundry, 'maintained' by the local garage so it scraped an MOT every year. Some clown had changed the cam cover gasket and stripped the threads in the front timing cover, another had 'repaired' the front wings. They were so rotten the rust was pushing them out at the front. It needed both window regulators, an exhaust and seat bushes just to make it useable and for an MOT (looming), rear beam bushes, brake pipes, a handbrake rebuild and you just know the rear backplates will be scrap. The rear axle looked like Titanic memorabilia.
How can you quote for that?

I said it would be at least £1000, probably £1500. Never heard back.

 

[jay edd]

thank you everyone for the advice