BMW and M Power Owners

MrRockliffe said:
It's more the extra light than anything, but we're going to go and look at a few, so he can make the decision based on experience. But I agree, it definitely limits what can be found.


You're right about interior quality, and it has been brought up. We discussed whether it really makes a difference, and again we're going to look at some, so he can make the decision there.


He has other cars, though, and so he knows what the difference will be.


The touring is higher up on his list, as one of the best things about the Cayenne is practicality.


As I mentioned before, the main purpose of the move is going back to a petrol. He's got the V8 diesel, and while it is fantastic, it just isn't a petrol.



Is acoustic glass a thing on the G20? Is it part of a specific pack?
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Is he not tempted to just swap the cayenne for a petrol one?


If looking at the 5, given he likes cars I'd seriously look at the m550i if he can cope with a saloon, they're generally very well specced so more likely to get DAP and sunroof etc..also, that engine!
 
Anything outside of warranty/older than 5 years, you aren't gaining much with main dealer service history.
 
dLockers said:
Anything outside of warranty/older than 5 years, you aren't gaining much with main dealer service history.
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I decided the same for my 2015 428i.
floatindolphin said:
I'm due an oil/filter service on my 640D. Local BMW dealer is £300 (inc environmental disposal and some other £20 charge). Is that ridiculous? Would you just go to a decent BMW indy?
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The only thing I’d say is if you have the BMW Warranty then not getting it Main Dealer serviced does give them wiggle room to get out of claims if it’s something that they would check during a service. Other than that as, Mr Lockers has said there’s little benefit.
 
EvilRob said:
Anyone done the recent iDrive 7 update yet?
I've downloaded it and got it on the car via the app, but the status in the car just remains that I'll be notified when it can actually install. Been like that for a couple of weeks, pretty annoying.

I'm charging the battery as that seems the most likely reason it's getting stuck - any other ideas?
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Check you have all the prerequisites:
Prerequisites for the installation
▷ The vehicle battery is sufficiently charged.
▷ Outside temperature is above -10 ℃/14 ℉.
▷ Vehicle is standing on level ground.
▷ Hazard warning lights are turned off.
▷ Selector lever position P is engaged.
▷ Drive-ready state is turned off.
 
I don't think its fair to say there is little benefit. I've always serviced my car at the main dealer and continue to do so even now it's older.

Firstly, price. It's not that I find the pricing of main dealer service to be good, it's more that I don't really find specialist servicing pricing to be sufficiently cheaper as to make it worth it.

When my car is serviced by the main dealer, I arrive at a nice premises where I either drive off in a new loan car which is always interesting for a day or for smaller servicing enjoy a coffee and a walk around looking at some nice cars. By contrast, when I've used specialists I usually end up dropping off my car in a random industrial estate and getting the bus home because I've not booked the 150,000 mile loan car 4 months in advance.

I also have the warranty on my car - although this doesn't necessarily mean it has to be serviced at the main dealer, it does make things easier in the event that anything is found to need doing.

It only needs servicing once every 24 months anyway so I'm really not sure how much cheaper it would need to be at a specialist to make it worth doing that instead. Much cheaper, I'd imagine.

I don't think the quality of the work is necessarily any better at the main dealer, but it's just a better experience and more convenient.
 
rG-tom said:
Is he not tempted to just swap the cayenne for a petrol one?


If looking at the 5, given he likes cars I'd seriously look at the m550i if he can cope with a saloon, they're generally very well specced so more likely to get DAP and sunroof etc..also, that engine!
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They’re a fair bit more than he’s looking to spend at the moment, but it is a good shout :-)


At the moment he hasn’t decided on anything, but just looking into options.

As Fox pointed out, the quality of the cabin is a big difference, even compared to a 5 series, let alone a 3.



I don’t think a petrol version of his car would be the right thing either as it still won’t feel sporty enough :-)
 
I agree with Fox, there are also other considerations too.

If you have full BMWSH, it's worth keeping for a small extra cost on servicing. It means BMW will offer more for your car if you trade it in to them, as they can retail it AUC. It also looks better if selling privately - rightly or wrongly, full main dealer history is a resounding positive.

The costs aren't that bad, I have my G11 7 Series booked in this week for a minor service and brake fluid change for £309.

It also means, even if you're out of warranty, you're more likely to benefit from dealership goodwill discretion too.

On top of that, if anything went wrong, you have a much stronger recourse with a main dealer than a random garage. Hopefully anyway.
 
Also agree with Fox on this one. 520d went in for a "fast lane" minor service with the local BMW dealer last week at £235, which I didn't think was terrible. Worked via my laptop from the dealership, sipping coffee and using the wifi in comfort. Both their service and the facilities are spot on, plus I have the insured warranty, so I'd need to see a significantly cheaper indy quote to even consider going elsewhere.

As a side note, which runflats would people recommend now? Need 2 new fronts, currently on Goodyear F1 A3, which while fine seem to be approaching £200 a corner now for what is seemingly an old tyre. Non RFT variants are on F1 A6 now.
 
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A brake fluid service for our F55 Mini is £105 at the closest main dealer, versus £60 at TWG Automotive who are highly regarded and managed to replaced the battery last week a few days before the MOT was due. They were more than happy to show me that it was a BMW branded battery before fitting.

The "big" service that includes spark plugs is £365 vs £301.

Those savings are difficult to ignore, but I do like the main dealer experience.
 
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[TW]Fox said:
My last service visit was a brake fluid service on a Mini - £80.
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I checked 3 garages on mini.co.uk and they were all in the ~£105 range.

Ocean Mini Plymouth is quoting £105 too. How did you get it for £80?


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