I'll probably get shot for this - BMW alert - Page 2

Hanuman · 07-01-15, 02:09 PM

I'd consider canvassing a few specialists for their input, with the car in tow. Preferably not ones that he's already been to. If there is a positive view about how to get it fixed, then make a decision based on that. If he's not willing, walk. It's a car that will need all the kit and knowledge which will be paid for in a hefty hourly rate, and easily soak up the potential 'bargain value'.

Not being at the mercy of specialists for as much as possible is highly desirable.

Daveymaclad · 07-01-15, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Real MSH!

I'd consider canvassing a few specialists for their input, with the car in tow. Preferably not ones that he's already been to. If there is a positive view about how to get it fixed, then make a decision based on that. If he's not willing, walk. It's a car that will need all the kit and knowledge which will be paid for in a hefty hourly rate, and easily soak up the potential 'bargain value'.

Not being at the mercy of specialists for as much as possible is highly desirable.

Hi forum posts and his own comments are that he's not taken it to a specialist or a main dealer, dealing with the AA and his mate with a garage and a snap on diagnostic tool.

BMW main stealers have quoted £105 for full diagnosis, then whatever it is from there.

Agree I'd rather not venture into the specialist tools/systems world but the only way that'll happen is if I stick with older lesser specced cars!

On a side note my UR is still at the garage, just been to see the guy and they've not started on it yet (knowing it wasn't my daily and I'm in no hurry!) so at least no bills coming for that just yet!

Hanuman · 07-01-15, 02:49 PM

As with any top marque, I'd imagine that a main dealer will have a much higher overhead and associated rate. Worth taking it to an independent, maybe. Having said that- £105 to start the diagnostic trail for real seems about normal.

I'd be curious exactly how much he expected to get done by not tackling it in earnest.

Daveymaclad · 07-01-15, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Real MSH!

As with any top marque, I'd imagine that a main dealer will have a much higher overhead and associated rate. Worth taking it to an independent, maybe. Having said that- £105 to start the diagnostic trail for real seems about normal.

I'd be curious exactly how much he expected to get done by not tackling it in earnest.

Forum diagnostics I'm afraid - really useful for say older Audi's, not so good for computers on wheels where the main diagnostic screen is blank!!!

All in he's replaced a module and a relay at a combined cost of £110 - so for a proper BMW diagnosis he could have an exact idea what's amiss.

There's two very highly regarded bmw specialists in the area, I plan to call them in a mo and see if the car's set foot at their place. If it has then it's a walk away for sure as they would have diagnosed something that made him decide to sell!

b2_sport · 07-01-15, 03:33 PM

these can be remapped quite well

Daveymaclad · 07-01-15, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2_sport

these can be remapped quite well

You're not wrong there, but to be honest it wasn't hanging around in standard guise

Minty · 07-01-15, 06:44 PM

If the i-Drive is suspect don't take it on, period.

vorsprung durch technik · 07-01-15, 07:06 PM

By all means buy a BMW. I'm an Avid Audi freak and yet if i had the space money and a centrally heated garage to keep BMW rust at bay

i would really love to own a E30 318is.

ChrisG · 07-01-15, 07:15 PM

E30 318is.... nice car ( takes cover! )
I had a ride in a 3 series CSL about 5-6 years ago. I found the seats superb, car as a whole very nice, wasn't keen on the bark from the engine, however I was impressed and they were going for about £32+k at the time.
There's a 5 diesel in the road opposite me, in stealth grey,very quiet purr and shoots off up the road nicely, looks OK.

Daveymaclad · 07-01-15, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minty

If the i-Drive is suspect don't take it on, period.

What makes you say that?

Brand new iDrive unit straight from BMW with 2 year warranty is £628 inc VAT and that's by far the most expensive part of the whole computer unit. I've agreed a price which is £1,500 below the next cheapest 535d that's for sale and that one has 60k more miles on it.

I've factored up to £800 to get it fixed into the price of the car, making £5,800 in total for an otherwise clean example with 104k miles (which checks out on the car check I did last night).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1415235117...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

07-01-15, 02:09 PM	#11
Hanuman Trickster Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Heckling from the cheap seats, Phnom Penh, KoW Posts: 7,026	I'd consider canvassing a few specialists for their input, with the car in tow. Preferably not ones that he's already been to. If there is a positive view about how to get it fixed, then make a decision based on that. If he's not willing, walk. It's a car that will need all the kit and knowledge which will be paid for in a hefty hourly rate, and easily soak up the potential 'bargain value'. Not being at the mercy of specialists for as much as possible is highly desirable. __________________ I wish they would keep the damned Chinese away now that I can go home, so that I can enjoy Fish amok and a draught Angkor

07-01-15, 02:49 PM	#13
Hanuman Trickster Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Heckling from the cheap seats, Phnom Penh, KoW Posts: 7,026	As with any top marque, I'd imagine that a main dealer will have a much higher overhead and associated rate. Worth taking it to an independent, maybe. Having said that- £105 to start the diagnostic trail for real seems about normal. I'd be curious exactly how much he expected to get done by not tackling it in earnest. __________________ I wish they would keep the damned Chinese away now that I can go home, so that I can enjoy Fish amok and a draught Angkor

07-01-15, 06:44 PM	#17
Minty Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,528	If the i-Drive is suspect don't take it on, period. __________________ 1984 GT5E Topaz Green 1982 GT5S Helios Blue - now in Ireland 1983 GT5E Topaz Green - donor 1986 GT 2.0 Tornado Red - long gone 2001 A6 2.4 V6 - exported to Ireland

07-01-15, 07:15 PM	#19
ChrisG Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bracknell, Berks. Posts: 1,465	E30 318is.... nice car ( takes cover! ) I had a ride in a 3 series CSL about 5-6 years ago. I found the seats superb, car as a whole very nice, wasn't keen on the bark from the engine, however I was impressed and they were going for about £32+k at the time. There's a 5 diesel in the road opposite me, in stealth grey,very quiet purr and shoots off up the road nicely, looks OK. Last edited by ChrisG; 07-01-15 at 07:17 PM.

07-01-15, 03:33 PM	#15
b2_sport Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 820	these can be remapped quite well

07-01-15, 07:06 PM	#18
vorsprung durch technik 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Near Watford. Posts: 7,762	By all means buy a BMW. I'm an Avid Audi freak and yet if i had the space money and a centrally heated garage to keep BMW rust at bay i would really love to own a E30 318is.