Independent BMW Shops
 

Hello all,

I'm come across an E39 M5 that I might potentially be trading for. However, I'm relatively unschooled in the local Euro scene. As such, I've been looking around for independent BMW shops that I could contact for estimates on servicing/repairs etc in order for me to gauge if I can afford the cost of ownership of the car. So far from my research, I've come across Bimmerhaus (but have read they're not great?), CG Motorsports, as well as Nixon. However, I was wondering if anyone knew of any other shops I should be contacting/looking into? Any help would be appreciated.

CG and Nixon are the big two, for sure.

There is also Jeremy who is an ex-Brian Jessel tech, now working independently, you can get ahold of him at:

Mobil Autowerks
Specializing in BMW
Repairs, Maintenance, Diagnosis, High Performance
(778) 708-7708

Mark

Great, thank you very much! Any feedback on either of the big two?

I have only ever had one experience with CG, and it wasn't a positive one, but others swear by them if you can make peace with their prices.

I have used Nixon for years to maintain my racecar and some of my DDs and have been happy with them for the most part. They aren't cheap either, but they have the right tools and fairly knowledgeable techs - I wouldn't be unhappy with having them do any work that was necessary, just would want to do my homework about the price of the parts and labour.

Mark

Thanks for the feedback, that makes sense. With a BMW, I realize it's silly to really be picky about prices, but I was hoping the independent shops would still be a savings over the dealers. Sounds like it'll be pricey either way.

They are definitely a savings over the dealer. The M5 is a specialized car that requires proper maintenance - valve adjustments, for example, are not something that you can have done at Mr. Lube while you change the oil. With that said, they are not unreliable by nature, they just simply cost more to maintain. That is different, and better in my eyes, than cars that are unreliable by nature, ie an older Land Rover, etc.

Mark

Very true. I've sent a few emails, so we'll see what the results are. I really appreciate the help and feedback!

Don't be shy with the "Thanks" button... ;)

Mark

Hah, it's been a while since I've been on the forum. I didn't even notice that!

try GAS as well (german auto sports)

+1 for German Auto Sports. Good prices and quality work.

I've personally had good experiences with Nixon and Blitzkrieg Autowerkes. Rates are the same I believe. Just a matter of what you need done and location. I did not have a good experience with CG but I am privy on the details. I would never go back.

Jeremy is an excellent tech!

does nixon or CG have the machine that reads the CBS codes off of your bmw key so it tells them what needs to be done.

Not sure but I believe Nixon and Blitzkrieg have the most up-to-date software and equipment. They're always on top with newer models. You may also want to give Jeremy a call (lowside67 posted his info several posts above.)

Too bad your car is 2008. freakshow and I both have a Peake Research diagnostic scan tool but they're only good up to 2007 models. :p

All my euro inquiries that I can handle I send to Lionsgate Autohaus in North Van I've been dealing with Walt jr there for about ten years now.

Gold Wrench Automotives handles most of the needs for my BMW. Tune-ups, brakes, basic maintenance.

For anything more BMW related, i go over to Park Shore BMW. They have always been great to me. Specialized work like valve adjustments, and subframe/trailing arm bushings is what I use them for. They now have a "older car" discount for BMW's 6 years and older. 10% off geniune parts with a $98/hr shop rate. I believe this is valid until end of March? they seem to also have veteran techs that knows the in's and out's of these vehicles since they were new!

While the $98 labour rate is on par with most independent shops, the prices for parts that a dealer will charge will break your wallet. Park Shore has a small selection of parts online and what they charge for anything other than oil filters is ridiculous. An air filter for $50? A fuel filter for $170? You can buy OEM parts for 50-75% from parts suppliers in the States. Even autopartsway is typically 50% cheaper.
Maybe genuine BMW parts last longer? I suppose it would be worth paying a bit more for things like expansion tanks or sensors. But, things like brakes (e.g. Textar or Pagid) and bushings, you should be okay going with OEM.

Just to satisfy my curiousity, I got quotes for Inspections 1 and 2 from Park Shore. Inspection 1 was about 600 and Inspection 2 was about 1400. An Inspection 2 doesn't even cover differential, gearbox, or brake fluid changes!

But, you do get a nice lounge to sit in while your car is being serviced.
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Man, if your car doesn't qualify for the "classic car" service rate, you get raped up the ass @ $140/hr.

Yeah...I'm taking my car to the indy shops.

bff should be done every other year

inspection 2 should include rear diff fluid, fuel filter and an inspection of the tranny fluid (if need changing, then extra). 1.5hr of that should be to a general overal inspection of the vehicle. you can always request a copy of the inspection sheet, especially things the recommend to be done soon. inspect II is done around the 80,000 mark.

Yet what shop is going to install them? Most shops won't work on customer supplied parts anymore :(

I'm swapping a Vanos solenoid, $150 for a core exchange. There's no way I'd want to pay $500+ that an indy would get the part for, nor the bricks of gold the stealerships would demand.

Every 2 years is really overkill. I prefer to wait for when a brake job is needed, which is ~4 years.

Here's the checklist for Inspection I and II:
BMW Inspection I & II: Bimmerzone.com

and the checklist for my M3:
E46 M3 Inspection I / II list - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum

I see no reason to pay out the nose for these services, especially for any self respecting car forum member who can check most of these things with a jack and a flashlight. I stopping paying for Service A and B at my Mercedes dealership once I realize they checked things I checked when I swap winter/summer wheels, the rest are fluid changes that any shop can do. With the exception of the checking/adjusting the valves in my M3, I see no reason to have a shop inspect the car.

When Inspection I comes up I plan to DIY including checking the valves. If they need adjustment, it'll go to a shop.

There are indies who are still willing to perform work with customer supplied parts. They are fewer of them for sure since they don't want to deal with the hassles of poor parts and because they likely markup the parts a bit, but they are around. Most likely, they won't be BMW specialists like Nixon, CG, Blitzkrieg, etc.

It still is nice to get a car on a hoist to see everything. Call me an oddball, but for whatever reason, I don't feel comfortable putting my car on 4 jackstands. I simply can't get the height required to perform a proper inspection of vital components such as bushings, ball joints, etc. I don't mind paying a shop an hour's labour to see what condition my car is in.

But, if you look at what an Inspection II covers, you can do everything yourself. Fuel filter, spark plugs, an oil change, and air filter - all doable in an afternoon. Fortunately aside from suspension work, most of the common issues that an E46 suffers from (window regulators, cooling system) are easily within the reach of a weekend mechanic. If you have to replace the VANOS unit, my sense is that if you're comfortable replacing belts, doing your own valve adjustments, and taking off the valve cover, you should be able to tackle it. After all, the book time is about 2-3 hours.

2 years in vancouver's wet climate is not overkill.

the braking system isnt fully enclosed, in dryer climates you may be able to go with longer intervals.

Not to mention it is dead simple to do with a power bleeder.. fluids are cheap and makes you check the integrity of the brake tubing while bleeding. I usually flush mine in the fall, takes about 1/2 each car when they are on my lift getting their tires swapped.

Can you recommend a good bleeder? I think that's one of the last tools I need. I asked for recommendations recently here cause I want to remove the CDV from my M3:
http://www.revscene.net/forums/66326...er-clutch.html

I've heard its simple to bleed brakes, just never attempted it cause I was always worried about snapping a valve and being stuck unable to drive it to a shop.