Where do you get your BMW serviced?

Give John Hind a try at Brunswick Street (runs parallel to Prince Regent Street) in Stockton-on-Tees.  He has a Indy garage called J & S, I've used him for around 14years since he set up on his own. He's BMW trained (ex Cowies), he looked after my M635 for over 10 years and he's currently looking after my Z3MC since the BMW Warranty ran out middle of last year.

Another Teesside lad on the Z3MC forum takes his car there also plus a couple of neighbours take BMW and Audis to him aswell.

I did get a few BMW Warranty jobs carried out at Preston Hall plus an Inspection 2 in Nov 2005 (including replacement of rear brake discs and pads), cost £1,370.  Only good bit was I got a 118d as loan car as they needed car for 2 days to set the tappets cold. Work was OK but as you can see very expensive!!  I'll be interested to see what John charges when he does next Inspection 2.

I have used Fawdingtons in Newcastle & Elvert in Durham.

Was not impressed with Fawdingtons at all.  Elvert were much better.  F'tons wnated to replace an entire Xenon headlight unit at £450 + £80 fitting because they "it wasn't broken, but they couldn't fix it"?!?!?!?   Elvert reset it for free and it has been working perfectly ever since (6 months) !!!!!!!

I know Chris (Coasting) always used to use Priory/Victoria at Silverlink, and always spoke highly of their service department.

Although these might be to far away for you Peter.

Mark (Floody) uses another independant in Teeside/Stockton.  Not the one mentioned above, I can't remember what they are called, but he speaks highly of them.  Do a search in the NE section on here or PM Floody for details.  

Nearly all BMW main dealers that I know of charge the same nowadays in respect of labour, at £100 per hour.

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've used the other indy in thornaby/stockton and will not use them again. IMO they ripped me off on two occaisions.

The thing that puts me off BMW dealers is the high price. An inspection 2 at a dealer is £350+. Add to that the cost of the brake fluid/coolant change the car is due and a couple of niggles it has and I can't see me getting much change from £800. 

I rang J&S and was quoted £160 for the service. I also inquired about changing the gear box oil to which i was told it wasn't possible (BMW sealed for life crap). I rang another place in Middlesbrough, Falcon performance whop specialise in BMW servicing amongst others and they quoted £298 for the service and the brake fluid/coolant change. They also said they would do the gear box oil but for £142!!

I guess i'm going to have to make a decision soon.

petecossie wrote: Give John Hind a try at Brunswick Street (runs parallel to Prince Regent Street) in Stockton-on-Tees.  He has a Indy garage called J & S, I've used him for around 14years since he set up on his own. He's BMW trained (ex Cowies), he looked after my M635 for over 10 years and he's currently looking after my Z3MC since the BMW Warranty ran out middle of last year. Another Teesside lad on the Z3MC forum takes his car there also plus a couple of neighbours take BMW and Audis to him aswell. I did get a few BMW Warranty jobs carried out at Preston Hall plus an Inspection 2 in Nov 2005 (including replacement of rear brake discs and pads), cost £1,370.  Only good bit was I got a 118d as loan car as they needed car for 2 days to set the tappets cold. Work was OK but as you can see very expensive!!  I'll be interested to see what John charges when he does next Inspection 2.

I too use John Hind and have found him brilliant to deal with. Hope this helps.