Independent BMW Specialist - Ayrshire?
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URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=21360
Printed Date: 16-June-2024 at 03:34
Topic: Independent BMW Specialist - Ayrshire?
Posted By: Whitey83
Subject: Independent BMW Specialist - Ayrshire?
Date Posted: 28-August-2005 at 08:49
 New to the forum.I am probably taking a 98 328i Sport in px for my Civic Type-R this week. I would like to get the car inspected by a Specialist for piece of mind. Is there a Specialist in Ayrshire that would be able to inspect it for me or where is the nearest place. Cheers, Robert |
Replies:
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 28-August-2005 at 09:10
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Welcome to the forum Newbie! There is a good specialist in Law (which isn't in Ayrshire but at t'other end of the A70 or there abouts) that the boys on here rave about. BM Motors in Law. I don't know if he will come out and look at the car for you but give him a try as you have nothing to loose. Ah ha just found http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=20545&PN=1 - this post about BM Motors - have a read thru it the contact details appear further down. So why get rid of the Type-R? They are certainly quick, I have been left for dead from the lights at Charing X by one recently. Had enough of driving a go-kart or have you broken your thumbs with the amount of torque steer from it. I have been a passenger in one - entertaining shall we say but I don't think I could have one as my daily drive. Make sure your 328i was built after March 98 to avoid the dreaded Nikasil issue. http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/nikasil.htm - Click here for more info on Nikasil. The build date will be on a black sticker on one of the front wings I think. Not to sure about the 3 Series models. Andrew ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Posted By: Whitey83
Date Posted: 28-August-2005 at 09:44
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I didnt think Law is near Ayrshire. R u thinking off Ayr? Getting shot of the CTR as feel like a change and needing to free up some cash. Dont get me wrong its a cracking motor when driven hard but I am now board of it. The car was bulit in March 98. My mate came with me 2 see it with me on Saturday and it does have the Nikasil block. The car has less than 59k on it. Will a garage be able to tell if the Nikasil block is failing/is going to fail? The car idled perfectly. Cheers Robert |
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 28-August-2005 at 10:32
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Yeah I know Law isn't in Ayrshire but it was the only one I could think of from the top of my head that gets good write ups. Would be a bit of a trek if you were from some parts of Ayrshire right enough but you say your location is Glasgow? Do you live in Glasgow but the car is in Ayrshire? There are loads of independents in the Glasgow area. One out in Rutherglen or is it Cambuslang and one in Clydebank that I can think of. A compression test would indicate if there is block wear present at the precise moment of the test but who knows it may develop it in the future or it may never show signs of it. Personally if I could afford it I would buy one which is guaranteed to be free from a Nikasil block. Just incase. Just out of interest does it have FBMWSH? Andrew ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Posted By: Whitey83
Date Posted: 28-August-2005 at 11:34
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Yes I stay in Glasgow and the car is in Ayrshire. It really depends if
the guy is willing to travel into glasgow to get it checked out. The car has full service history, part BM. Was told it wa FBMWSH but turned out not to be when I checked the book. The last service was 3000 miles ago @ Harts (I think that what it was called). Im going to give them a call and ask about the car. Im going to get a compression test done. Do you think I should get the rest of the car inspected at the same time? The current owner suggested getting the car MOT'd but im not sure if this would be a thourough check of the condition. The car is imaculate. Except from 1 very small mark on the driver side quarter pannel, it looks like new. How much would you say the car is worth? Is there a directory somewhere of the independant garages? Cheers Robert |
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 28-August-2005 at 12:01
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I am assuming you are buying privately. How much is the car advertised for? An MOT test will check most of the areas you would want checked but it won't pick up things like a knackered water pump or worn fan belts etc. But it is a fair test on the condition of the vehicle. A compression test isn't a 5 minute job so it would be quite expensive to get someone to come and do it. You could get an RAC or AA inspection done they might do a compression test. Cost is up to you. Sounds a bit iffy if the previous owner told you it was FBMWSH and it turned out not to be. What else has he neglected to tell you? When I'm buying a car I am only interested if I see a rubber stamped manufacturers service book. i.e FBMWSH. But that is just me. Andrew ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Posted By: Whitey83
Date Posted: 28-August-2005 at 12:20
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The BMW wasnt advertised for sale at any point it just been offered in px for my car. The person has only had the car for 5months/3000 miles and hasnt had it serviced. He though it was a FBMWSH, until I pointed it out to him. It has had 2 previous owners, last was a friend of his family. Im not fussed about FBMWSH as long as it has a FSH. Im sure independant garges do just as good a job. |
Posted By: grahame34m5
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 07:08
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I know your looking for an independent dealar but I could recomend Harry Fairbairn, Irvine (I don't work for them honest) but I've taken mine in a few times and they've got some experiened guys. I'm pretty sure they'd give you a decent inspection without any bull. Hope the 328 works out. |
Posted By: Whitey83
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 08:02
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I have just called Harry Fairbairn, Irvine and the woman at the
service desk did not know anything about this Nikasil issue. I assured her there was such a thing and she then checked with the mechanics, one of which had been there for 20years. All of whom knew nothing about this. This doesnt really help me much as this is what i was wanting them to check. Is there another name for this problem? I have callled BMW Customer Service to ask them about it but they are shut today They will do a used car inspection for £165 which seems an alright price. |
Posted By: Del64
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 08:03
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I would tend to agree with Graham in Ayrshire H.F are fine John McAleese in Troon is the body guru but not really mechanical, RW Weaver is the Southside of Glasgow, so really only Fairbairn would be the choice. ------------- 2009 520d SE Business Edition Never argue with an idiot, they drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience. |
Posted By: Del64
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 08:05
Get the chassis number and there are a few online sites that can check for Nikasil. BUT if the car is double Vanos it is fine start there. Sorry I cant recall the websites for you. ------------- 2009 520d SE Business Edition Never argue with an idiot, they drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience. |
Whitey83 wrote:Posted By: Whitey83
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 08:12
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Thanks. Im not to sure what you mean about if the car is double Vanos and im not upto date with all this BM speak as yet  |
Posted By: Black Betty
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 08:27
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welcome to the mad hoose , keep your car away from small weans (espesially if there called mathew) ------------- 2009 45th anniversary Mustang GT / Black / 8 spark plugs / rubber tyres / twin exhaust / STOCK / pine magic tree :) 
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Posted By: Del64
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 08:43
Early M52's were single Vanos on the front of the front of the Rocker cover one half had a projecting lump facing forward to adjust the timing on the intake cam only (sorry for the extreme tech attitude  )
The later ones had a nice deep uniform front I.e. about 120mm from the end of the rocker cover to the front of the engine i.e. double vanos, I know that is not a well detaild xplaination but I hope it helps Gee whizz I got this tech stuff goin' on  ------------- 2009 520d SE Business Edition Never argue with an idiot, they drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience. |
Posted By: Chas C
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 08:53
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I can't believe this!! A spotty teenager with one week on the job might not have heard of Nikasil but a mechanic with 20 years behind him? If the car idles well after 70k miles it's probably a safe bet. Mine's a '95 with 135k and no such problems... ------------- 
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Posted By: Whitey83
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 08:57
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Cheers Del but that all a bit to technical for me I also read that car in Week 10 in march the started using steel liner instead of nikasil liners on the M52 block so hopefully this will be the case. Looks like I will have to wait till 2morrow to phone BMW Cusotmer Services and hopefully they will beable to tell me what materials were used on the block. |
Posted By: Whitey83
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 08:58
| Has any one heard of an independant garage called Harts, as this is what was stamped on the book "Harts BMW Specialist" and I cant find anything about them, phone no etc. |
Posted By: coupe king
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 09:01
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My mates old man owns John McAleese in Troon, they are very good mechanically, but as you say body work is their strong point.
------------- http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/coupe_king/IMG_1101-1.jpg - My Car - Click Here 
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Posted By: Whitey83
Date Posted: 29-August-2005 at 09:04
Cheers, I'll take that on board. |
Posted By: Whitey83
Date Posted: 02-September-2005 at 07:03
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Car has nikasil block. Got car mot and a compression test. All ok so bought the car |
Posted By: Del64
Date Posted: 02-September-2005 at 07:06
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Good on you.
The car has got to this point fine so regular quality oil changes avoid running the engine on very short trips so that it gets fully warmed and you will never have any problems that were not there to begin with ------------- 2009 520d SE Business Edition Never argue with an idiot, they drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience. |
Posted By: grahame34m5
Date Posted: 02-September-2005 at 09:55
| Glad the car worked out, enjoy |
Posted By: Reli328
Date Posted: 02-September-2005 at 10:43
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Good on you Whitey, bout time you bought a proper car |
Posted By: Reli328
Date Posted: 18-September-2005 at 16:15
Better than you disAstra 
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Posted By: Whitey83
Date Posted: 18-September-2005 at 16:18
Thanks Reli  ------------- |