2001 E46 330i Sport Thoughts.

[numnutz]

I think I'll be keeping it a while, it has plenty of power for cruising around effortlessly, something this was designed for. I'll never pretend it's something it isn't, and it isn't anything like my old 200.....

Anyway, I've always got the other half's 182 when I want to have a bit of fun round the b roads

 

[[TW]Fox]

Looks very nice! Makes me miss my old 330i - i loved that car!

I have to say though, paying dealer prices for a 11 year old car does not make sense to me.

With value service dealers are barely any more expensive than independants. You did well to find one that would do an Inspection 2 for 200 quid. Very well. Most are much more.

but genuine parts alone are £180ish.

Quite. If you run a car like this because you like them rather than because its all you can afford then the savings are not worth the bother at times.

 

[numnutz]

Looks very nice! Makes me miss my old 330i - i loved that car!

I got my InspII service for £210 and they did a really thorough job on it. I've said it time and time again, i would much rather take my car to a small independent specialist (and not one of those places who just call themselves a specialist) that i trust rather than a dealer.

Needs to be done at a dealer if I want to maintain the Driveline warranty, and £369 for an Inspection II isn't bad at all, I'd rather maintain the BMW history. I'm more than capable of doing the service myself, but genuine parts alone are £180ish + VAT (Sparks alone are £100, yes it's a rip off compared with non oem plugs, but that's the price for Genuine parts!) If I was going to self service etc, I should have picked up a ratty one for £1500 and not cared so much, but I already seem to a strange affection growing for it.....

 

[Gaygle]

Needs to be done at a dealer if I want to maintain the Driveline warranty, and £369 for an Inspection II isn't bad at all, I'd rather maintain the BMW history. I'm more than capable of doing the service myself, but genuine parts alone are £180ish + VAT (Sparks alone are £100, yes it's a rip off compared with non oem plugs, but that's the price for Genuine parts!) If I was going to self service etc, I should have picked up a ratty one for £1500 and not cared so much, but I already seem to a strange affection growing for it.....

Course it does, my fault.

Can't say i would pay £38pm for the lowest level of cover you can get either though. An air filter/oil filter/6 spark plugs are around £115inc. Plus a bit of brake fluid - £15? Plus fuel filter - £40. So i make that £170 inc VAT for parts. They're charging you £460 for the entire service inc brake fluid. Minus the £170 for parts = nearly £300 for labour.

I'm sorry, but that is ridiculous to me. Throwing money at a car doesn't mean it's a good car - genuine care, love of cars and taking time over things means it's mint.

The 330i is a properly brilliant car, and i can't say enough good things about mine, but there is simply no need to spend this much on one. Spending money on it is good, wasting money is not. I'd much rather take the £200 i saved on the service and spend it on 2 new front bushes.

I know this just comes down to the individual way you like to run your car and i'm not taking a swing at your or anything like that, just giving my point of view

 

[Gaygle]

With value service dealers are barely any more expensive than independants. You did well to find one that would do an Inspection 2 for 200 quid. Very well. Most are much more.

I seem to have done - but there are plenty of independent BMW guys out there who will work for a third of the price of BMW. I don't want ditsy blonde receptionists who have no idea about cars or mechanics, nor do i want to talk to them because they simply don't understand. I like to be able to talk to a technical person who says "Ah! yeh, i've heard of this. Ok that could be a couple of things, i'll check this this and this for you etc etc".

At BMW dealers all i seem to get is "oh...hm... what was that you said? Not really sure what that is, but i'll get the technician to have a look at it" and who then go a deliver a message to the technicians which is nothing like what i said.

This is the place i took my car to:

http://www.warnemotorsbury.co.uk/

Quite. If you run a car like this because you like them rather than because its all you can afford then the savings are not worth the bother at times.

I love these types of cars, but you wouldn't find me taking it anywhere near a dealer.

 

[[TW]Fox]

So the parts alone in your figures are £155 and you are expecting to pay only 50 quid labour for a decent Inspection 2? Your indy was exceptionally cheap - most are north of 300 quid. I couldn't find a single indy for under £300 for an I2.

You seem to have invented the price for the brake fluid change too. A value brake fluid change at BMW is 58 quid.

It's becoming slightly less good value as they keep jacking the price up but BMW servicing isn't that expensive. Plus some of us like the dealer experience. If my car is just having a service I prefer a brand new loan car, nice coffee and a nice showroom. It's nice.

If my car is having something more complex done, ie some repair work, then I'll usually entrust it to a decent indy where I value the different approach they have. But for routine servicing? I'll just drop it off, drive off in my brand new loaner and pick it up at the end of the day thanks.

My last service was an Oil Service at £110. Before that an Inspection 2 at £329. Before that an oil service at £110. Before that an Inspection 1 at 200 quid. Every 2 years they do the brake fliud for 58 quid.

This is not expensive and it's not worth going elsewhere. When it is worth going elsewhere is when I'm not sure what needs doing and where the fixed price approach of the dealer isn't possible.

 

[Gaygle]

but genuine parts alone are £180ish + VAT (Sparks alone are £100, yes it's a rip off compared with non oem plugs, but that's the price for Genuine parts!)

They are? Um....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Air-O...arParts_SM&hash=item2c5ef6e142#ht_1865wt_1396

 

[numnutz]

I'm not sure where you got £460 from as a price, it's £369 for the Inspection II, that's the only price I've quoted, brake fluid is additional to that, but not £91. I've run cars on a shoestring, self serviced, etc but with this It feels different, it has been looked after all it's life, there is evidence of that with it's history and paperwork. Yes I don't have to chuck it through a dealer, but it's on my doorstep and it's not *that* expensive in comparison to an Indy.

£38 a month for peace of mind on an automatic gearbox that's known to have some issues is peace of mind for me, that's my choice and I'm cool with that, I know most wouldn't be, and the theory of saving £38 a month instead is a fine alternative. That's insurance though, it's the gamble.

I'm not defending or justifying, I'm just explaining the rationale -It's all friendly

 

[[TW]Fox]

They are? Um....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Air-O...arParts_SM&hash=item2c5ef6e142#ht_1865wt_1396

+ the oil = about what he said. (Though you can get that pack for just under 100 quid elsewhere).

I don't get why you are being so hostile about this?

 

[Gaygle]

So the parts alone in your figures are £155 and you are expecting to pay only 50 quid labour for a decent Inspection 2? Your indy was exceptionally cheap - most are north of 300 quid. I couldn't find a single indy for under £300 for an I2.

I didn't use genuine BMW parts - i used OEM parts (yes, that's right, identical parts, but in a Bosch box or a ATE box instead of a "BMW+25% mark up box"). I also didn't get the brake fluid done then as it had been done the year before.

You seem to have invented the price for the brake fluid change too. A value brake fluid change at BMW is 58 quid.

It seems i have - apologies i think this was the price i got quoted a couple of years ago when i called. I remember almost choking on my tea.

What i'm getting at is that running a BMW does not have to be as expensive as it's often made out to be, but this absolutely does not mean running it on a shoestring budget - it just means not giving money to BMW to fund their profit margins even though their customer service could do with a LOT of work at times. I would MUCH prefer to give my money to a local business, filled with people who look after the customer first, and worry about profit margins second. These businesses thrive on word-of-mouth and so the incentive to do well for the customer is much more than at a dealership who have what seems to be an unlimited amount of customers at all times.

 

[Gaygle]

I know this just comes down to the individual way you like to run your car and i'm not taking a swing at your or anything like that, just giving my point of view

I don't get why you are being so hostile about this?

I'm really not, hence why i said what i did above! I just like talking about cars, there is a topic i'm interested on Motors, i have the evening free - hence i'm having a good discussion!

+ the oil = about what he said. (Though you can get that pack for just under 100 quid elsewhere).

Oh yeah. £46 for Castrol Edge from ECP. £100 for the service pack using all genuine BMW parts. £146 for parts - £250 for labour? Is the fuel filter included in the £369 or is that an extra too?

And i also notice BMW want £389 for an E39, yet £339 for an E46. Brilliant. I wonder how they justify that extra £50? I might call them if i happen to be insanely bored one day to ask.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Not all dealers are the same though. Some are local businesses and some do care about customer service (or they know that pretending to care looks the same, and frankly from a perception point of view they are pretty much right).

You know what I'm like. I don't waste money on poor value pap. I wouldn't use BMW for servicing if I didn't feel it represented value for money. It's not hugely more expensive than using an indy like for like for scheduled maintenance. Some indys even charge MORE than BMW value prices for servicing.

- i used OEM parts (yes, that's right, identical parts, but in a Bosch box or a ATE box instead of a "BMW+25% mark up box").

When you can identify the OEM supplier reliably this is the way forward and I've advised as such in the past. Sometimes you can't, though and when this is the case, genuine parts are best.

What i'm getting at is that running a BMW does not have to be as expensive as it's often made out to be

The dealer prices quoted here are far from expensive. Infact servicing is one of the areas where running a BMW is VERY reasonable. I doubt you'd get change from 400 quid at Ford for a major service on a Mondeo.

btw, I just bought a set of 324mm front discs for my 530i - genuine BMW, from a BMW main dealer - for £39.95. Sometimes dealers offer excellent value. Sometimes they don't. When they do, I use them. When they don't, I won't.

 

[numnutz]

This seems to have descended into a general against dealers rant, yes dealers charge a premium over an indy, and your paying extra for certified genuine parts over what could be an identical part in a different box. I'm not sure you get the 2 year warranty though, and cover if a part fails for labour cost?

I don't think running a BMW is expensive though, independent or dealer. But you've not considered other running costs such as tyres which are more expensive then a normal family hatchback given their size and profile.

They are? Um....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Air-O...arParts_SM&hash=item2c5ef6e142#ht_1865wt_1396

Didn't know about bmw parts direct from eBay, that's quite good.

 

[Gaygle]

This seems to have descended into a general against dealers rant, yes dealers charge a premium over an indy

It's just a discussion

I'm not sure you get the 2 year warranty though, and cover if a part fails for labour cost?

Can't tell you how many times my £15 air filter or £10 oil filter has failed. Thank God for the warranty on these parts

I don't think running a BMW is expensive though, independent or dealer. But you've not considered other running costs such as tyres which are more expensive then a normal family hatchback given their size and profile.

Oh yes i have. I'm currently speccing £640 worth of Goodyear Eagle F1's for my car. After spending £670 on CS3's for my old 330i i know how crippling good tyres can be on BMW's.

Didn't know about bmw parts direct from eBay, that's quite good.

Yeah it's great. Although BMWland.co.uk is fantastic also and you get a 10% discount, plus free delivery. I normally use the BMW Shop and Real OEM to get part numbers then go straight to BMWland. Bought loads off there.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Yeah it's great.

No, it really isn't. It's actually the most pointless thing ever. It's just everything at LIST price - ie the same price any dealer will sell it to you for. Seems like a waste of time, might as well get it from your local dealer and not pay postage!

The only useful thing about it is being able to see colour pictures before you buy it elsewhere for less

Although BMWland.co.uk is fantastic also and you get a 10% discount, plus free delivery. I normally use the BMW Shop and Real OEM to get part numbers then go straight to BMWland. Bought loads off there.

BMWLand is a forum not a shop, do you mean Cotswold BMW who offer 10% discount on parts and have request forums on most of the BMW forums?

 

[RandomNoob]

Looks a nice car. Welcome to the 330i sport club
Dealer rants aside there are some parts which are only available at dealers. In regards to servicing not sure a 10+ year old car is sometimes worth the extra cost of servicing at the main dealer but then again if the cost is reasonable I don't see why not.

Older bmw's are not that expensive to maintain as many people think.

 

[numnutz]

It's just a discussion
Can't tell you how many times my £15 air filter or £10 oil filter has failed. Thank God for the warranty on these parts

Theory applies across all parts though.....

Yeah it's great. Although BMWland.co.uk is fantastic also and you get a 10% discount, plus free delivery. I normally use the BMW Shop and Real OEM to get part numbers then go straight to BMWland. Bought loads off there.

That's great, and If I ever find the time and need to do so, I might have a look, but as Fox as said Dealer prices don't seem too bad anyway, and same day parts delivered down the road at the dealership seems a lot easier then having to wait for a parcel to arrive.

 

[Gaygle]

Not all dealers are the same though. Some are local businesses and some do care about customer service (or they know that pretending to care looks the same, and frankly from a perception point of view they are pretty much right).

Perhaps, although i think when they have so many customers they are fully booked for the next 2 weeks - it kind of makes them less inclined to provide that good customer care.

You know what I'm like. I don't waste money on poor value pap. I wouldn't use BMW for servicing if I didn't feel it represented value for money. It's not hugely more expensive than using an indy like for like for scheduled maintenance.

Fair enough. Dealers can be very reasonable when they are pushed. I recently got my 335i serviced for £320 inc spark plugs, air filter, oil filter, microfilter (i provided oil though), which almost matched the independent i had got a quote from. However, the dealer did start their bidding at well over £500 before i presented them with a quote from the independent.

Some indys even charge MORE than BMW value prices for servicing.

I think PMW do this. I was confused.

When you can identify the OEM supplier reliably this is the way forward and I've advised as such in the past. Sometimes you can't, though and when this is the case, genuine parts are best.

I agree. I will normally only buy BMW parts if i have to. Having said that, i did buy BMW wipers a few weeks back, but only because they were £30 inc del and Bosch ones were £28 plus del.

The dealer prices quoted here are far from expensive. Infact servicing is one of the areas where running a BMW is VERY reasonable. I doubt you'd get change from 400 quid at Ford for a major service on a Mondeo.

That's a reflection on how expensive Ford prices (and most dealers) are, rather than how cheap and reasonable BMW's are.

btw, I just bought a set of 324mm front discs for my 530i - genuine BMW, from a BMW main dealer - for £39.95. Sometimes dealers offer excellent value. Sometimes they don't. When they do, I use them. When they don't, I won't.

That's pretty good going! The BMW value brake disc/pad servicing is very reasonable IMO. As is the Oil Service price.

 

[Gaygle]

Yeah it's great. Although BMWland.co.uk is fantastic also and you get a 10% discount, plus free delivery. I normally use the BMW Shop and Real OEM to get part numbers then go straight to BMWland. Bought loads off there.

No, it really isn't. It's actually the most pointless thing ever. It's just everything at LIST price - ie the same price any dealer will sell it to you for. Seems like a waste of time, might as well get it from your local dealer and not pay postage!

The only useful thing about it is being able to see colour pictures before you buy it elsewhere for less

Read man, read!!

BMWLand is a forum not a shop, do you mean Cotswold BMW who offer 10% discount on parts and have request forums on most of the BMW forums?

lol apologies, i wasn't clear. BMWland is indeed a forum, i was referring to the "Parts" subforum they have which is run in collaboration with Cotswold BMW. I mentioned this one as this is the one i have experience with and found best. Other forums have "Anneka@Sytner" as their "Parts" finder, but i don't rate her/them as their prices aren't great, takes a while to get a response and they don't include delivery for free. Oh and she's left Sytner now.

 

[[TW]Fox]

You said it was great, its not, it isnt even any use for part numbers as you can just get them off RealOEM more easily

It was such a good opportunity, quite why they've adopted the pricing model they have I've no idea. I'd buy shedloads of discounted parts from them, I'll buy zero list price parts from them.