Birmingham Newbie Need Help!

hi all...

Guess i got all of your attention by using that subject headline.

Well, it's true... I'm in desperate need to get my 94 E36 316 into the hands of a reputable independent BM specialist in OR around Birmingham.

Reasons are :

1) I'm not parting 92++ squids for labour charge/per hour at Rydale Central for an hour job...coz I'm still a student and thus, I'm kinda tight.

2) Normal garages seemed dodgy. What i mean is that they go....  "Your window's motor packed up!" without even taking a look when actually, the regulator and the window seal were causing the problem.

As such, I would appreciate any information and recommendations for you lot.

Cheers!

hey dbanberry...

I'm based nearby the Birmingham City Centre. That's quite near to Wolverhamton. Called Sunbeam up just now. Unfortunately,  they're into body work & kinda busy till Christmas... The chap advised me to get a garage around my area but then again, he hadn't a clue of any specialists here.

 Anyway, I appreciate your info... Thanks mate!

hi Eminence..

as for now, i'm trying to get an Inspection II done... On top of that, my driver side electric window is in need of a new regulator & seal coz the whole glass dropped forward. (Common problem for E36s I guess).

Still gonna costs me a Big Mac or the whole meal?

glad i was of some help, hope you get it sorted mate..

havent got mine done for now. Ain't easy being a student & owning a BMW at the same time...   Well, there's a couple of places which you could check out.

1) Sytner Prophets Garage. 824, Stratford Rd, Solihull Tel: 0121 733 3444. It's 198 pounds for the InspectionII.

2) WDM Cars along the A453, PERRY BARR, B42 2TP Tel: 0121 331 1066. They're actually Merc Specialists but they apparently do InspII for 190pounds.

3) Martekmotorsport near Wolverhampton, B69 4ED Tel: 0121 544 6414. Reckon that it'll costs bout 230.

Hope this info would enlighten you a lil bit. If you know of any others, DO let me know...   Next best bet would be to get the bits and get a garage to do it for you. Though I'd personally wanna be there when they do it for me. Dun fancy the idea of leaving the car there when a couple of garages I've been to had NO clue which type of engine oil they were using...

Cheers!

Hi

Vatoloco.. did you not give that guy in Selly Oak a call that Eminence was talking about?

£198 from Sytner isn't too bad at all for an Inpsection II. Do you think an Inspection I will cost as much?

Thanks.

Mak

Hi

Do the do inspections at the Selly Oak garage? Do you have a number for them?

Did you not bother to get yours inspected then?

Thanks.

Mak

Hi

I'm still in the process of finding garages. Considering yours is a 94 L.. is it really worth the dealer stamp worry? I mean, I know it's good to have but once a BMW is past 6 yrs old as long as it has a FSH, I don't think a full BMW FSH makes that much of a difference?

What spec is yours?

Thanks.

Mak :)

Hi

What does the SE spec include?

Thanks.

Mak

HI all,

I have been quoted £129 for an Inspection I by a decent local garage which includes:

-Replace air filter
-Replace spark blugs
-Drain engine oil and replace filter, refill with oil

If required: replace gearbox oil, brake fluid, antifreeze

Plus all usual checks.

After checking the manual I have been advised that the coolant needs changing every 2 years? I think it's been 3 since mine was changed before. The same company is quoting me around £40 for this.

I rang Motormec and they quoted me 129 + 30 for the coolant change (10 quid less) but they are around 10 miles away. However, they did say that would include brake pads.. is that essential?

Thanks.

Mak