BMW Full Service History

David, that's really bad service, glad I haven't experienced anything like
that. If i had, like you I wouldn't go back for more!

Corr this is difficult one. My Sport Evo has part BMW, part Independant
specialists and has done 52k. When I was looking for a Sport I was
looking for a car, which was both mint and that had a full
comprehensive history, which preferably was FBMW. As we've all
probably found once you start looking it doesn't take long to realise that
just because a car has FBMWH it doesn't necessary make it a good clean
car; as Phil C says it really is a combination of good bodywork, interior,
engine etc and SH that makes a good car and that's what most people are
looking for when they are buying.

Since owning my car I've had my car serviced (insp 1) at the local BMW
dealers and they did a very good job, but at that time I knew that the guy
that did all the maintenance on the E30 M3' was a bit of fanatic, knew his
stuff and so I felt confident that it was going to be done well. Trouble is
he has now moved on from the workshop so what do you do? To my
knowledge I appreciate that the remaining BMW guys are well trained but
they are not working on these cars every week and i kind of like the
idea that a tech is very familiar with any vehicle that they are working on.
In addition, my local dealers have informed me that they no longer have
the equipment to check the diagnostic/fault codes on these cars so it all
is done manually.

The thing is I have been using my local dealers since 1991. I know the
service manager quite well and remember when he was still on the front
desk so I do feel confident about using them. I guess I really won't know
if the workmanship is still as good until after the next service! If it's not
I'll re-think and maybe take my car to Bexleys as I've heard a lot of good
reports about them, but seems like a bit of grief dropping the car off and
getting back from my area (Hertford)?

Craig, as your car does have a FBWSH and only 65k it would be a shame
to loose it. There are some purists that will ensist on nothing else but
FBMWSH, if you have really clean car and want to be be in the position to
sell it to those people then BMW it is, if you're not fussed and there's a
superb independant specialist in your area, go with them dude.

If I were in your position I would probably get it serviced at the main
dealer so long as I knew that they are good. If they are not up to your
standard then maybe go for independent.

You could just take the approach to let BMW service the car just to get the
stamp and then do all the gritty work yourself, if you like doing it that is?
that's kinda what I do really, you just can't beat working on an M3,
ahhhhh bliss, the smell in the engine bay, if only it were available in a
bottle!

Sorry folks getting carried away there, but they do have a very distinctive
smell, oops I'll stop now.......

evosport, If I were buying your car off you which I'm not (I have my own thanks!) I would be more impressed with a specialist history than a dealer’s. To be honest I'd be more impressed with your own servicing provided it is well documented than a dealer’s. Full dealer history is a scam! Who is it that tells us that it affects resle values? The very people that sold us the car in the first place, the very people who set to profit from your servicing bills.

Unfortunately it is true that service history has an affect on car values which sadly are fashion accessories to most and as such loose value faster than yesterday’s newspaper. But a 15 year old car has little to gain from the bullpoo and in fact will only become a poorer car because of the lack of care it will receive. In a dealership techs are interested in one thing...Money! The more services the knock out in a day the better as there bonus will be bumped up. They won't want to be working on an old banger that is if they can find the special tools and know what they are doing with it in the first place.

I worked as a dealership tech for 8yrs and I have seen what goes on and have a few stories.

No apologies for being controversial.

Take it to a specialist.

Steve

The fact is that taking a car with FBMWSH, no matter how old, to somewhere that will stop it having FBMWSH will adversely affect its resale value (no matter where you take it).

As it stands, you have a very rare example.

When an independent has finished with it, it'll be no different from the others out there.

Honestly, I just wouldn't be thinking about it.  Why ruin FSH?

But, if you don't think it'll affect value, then why ask the question?

It's personal opinion but there is fact with it.  Regardless of age, Full Dealer History or Not Full Dealer History....it affects price.

Coasting, i was surprised by your response, the car in question is my 1990 Sport Evo.

Do not really think that using an independant specialist will affect the value of a 15 year old car, especially when time comes to sell, it would be that specialist that i would get to sell the car, rather than a main dealer.

1990 M3 Sport Evo

1988 M3 Dog

2002 330d Sport Touring

Sorry J Dog, mine is black.......

Just spoken to local; BMW main dealer cost of inspection 1 £482, would need the car for 2 days as they need to work on it when engine cold!!!!! But i would get a nice new loan car for 2 days. Plus they wanted to charge 39.00 to refresh the AC.....

Subsquently spoke to well known specialist same would be £350..

No brainer really.

Craig

1990 M3 Sport Evo

1988 M3 Dog

2002 330d Sport Touring

Stone-IslandM3 wrote: I'm not trying to slate dealers but value and saleability on a car will be affected by the owner showing how much care and attention to detail has gone into the car's care. I personally would rather buy an E30/E36 M3 with servicing done by a good knowledgeable indy who's experienced with these cars such as Bexleys,Moseleys,ML etc than a dealer who is a jack of all trades be it BMW. I'd go on the dealer too-how many dealers these days have techies working there who were trained on E30s? Most of em have young 'uns trained on E46s only. I accept that FBMWSH still holds some sway but I would have thought anyone looking for a specialist car like this will appreciate and know the difference on servicing and attention to detail.

I totally agree with this post. Take your car into a dealer and it will most likely be serviced by someone who   wouldn't even realise that you were referring to a BMW if you mentioned your E30 M3 Sport Evo to them.

Take it to someone who knows the cars and their quirks/faults you'll get much better value for your money.

I'm not trying to slate dealers but value and saleability on a car will be affected by the owner showing how much care and attention to detail has gone into the car's care.

I personally would rather buy an E30/E36 M3 with servicing done by a good knowledgeable indy who's experienced with these cars such as Bexleys,Moseleys,ML etc than a dealer who is a jack of all trades be it BMW.

I'd go on the dealer too-how many dealers these days have techies working there who were trained on E30s? Most of em have young 'uns trained on E46s only.

I accept that FBMWSH still holds some sway but I would have thought anyone looking for a specialist car like this will appreciate and know the difference on servicing and attention to detail.

I cannot see any adverse effect on value as long as you use a good Mpower independant specialist

Personally I wouldnt let a dealer come within spitting distance of mine.