Need mech recommendation

    Hello esteemed folks,


    I have recently developed a spongy brake pedal (well it travels all the way to the floor) and require imediate repair. The problem has reappeared after my local BMW (Sytner) has already attempted the repair twice.


    To save the aggro I was wondering if anyone can recommend (not plug!!) a mechanic that knows how to tinker with an 8.


    I am worried that I will be caught out again, so was wondering if anyone can recommend a mechanic/firm in Gtr London or Essex.


    Thanks in advance for your advice.


    Nik - 94 840Ci 69K

    I hope you haven't paid Sytner for their failure to effect a repair! If it was me I would go back to them (if you haven't already done so) demand to speak to the main man and tell them to fix it properly with a threat to expose them to all and sundry if they don't.
    From your description of the fault it sounds as though the master cylinder has an internal leak; what exactly did Sytners do?

    Cheers,


    John.


    E. Yorkshire, UK


    K8PPL 1993 850Ci

    Sytner = Joke!


    Hiya,
    thanks for your reply.


    Haha, it certainly seems I have paid them stacks to do nothing relevant to the repair!


    This is the history:


    - Last May the car developed a brake fluid leak. Although I was a 100% sure it was down to a perished grommet, when I took the car in I was whacked with a £700 repair as they 'had to replace the master cylinder'. While they confirmed the grommet was faulty, they fittted it all as it 'came in a set'. OK..... one would expect that at least I would have a great brake system again.
    Until 4.5 months later, when *paff* got another leak - took it in again, and kicked a massive fuss. this time it was the reservoir which perished, so paid only for the part - no testing and bs.


    The guarantee is valid for three months on parts, and six months on labour.


    However, since that day it has been veery slowly leaking up until one day the whole thing went again - this time I suspect the pressure valve as I can see the leak, but seems like the only option left to me would be to kick a fuss tomorrow.


    Been pondering if I trust Sytner to fix the car again - I mean if they failed twice before.. what is it 3rd time lucky?


    However, having said that I will enjoy having work done for free labour - on the understanding that they never fixed it properly in the first place!


    Not to mention that this time they have to tow the car, as it seems the brake bomb might be gone.


    Disgusting it is, and you are right - shouldnt let them get away with it!


    Thaks for the reply, and hope you never have to deal with them again. Ever.


    Will give an update on the board tomorrow - all fired up now!


    Cheers ,
    smiley33 (nik)

    Update


    Hello folks,


    well I did call Sytner in Chigwell and after explaining, they appeared accomodating enough to book my car in for a service.
    After haggling about them sending a tow truck , we arranged that the car will be collected this am to investigate the reason for the brake failure.


    Surprise!!! No one has turned up, and no one has called to update me. Considering this is a shortcoming from their previous two repairs, I am disgusted to say the least.


    Will wait another half hour and will cancel the booking, as clearly Sytner do NOT want my business.



    It is sad to see that they have once again failed to impress, and not even bothered calling back. I appreciate that due to the recent explosion in BMW ownerships they are a wee bit busy, but that is no way to conduct a succesfsul business.


    Looking for a good mechanic again - thankful if there is anyone that can recommend a technician to work on my baba.



    Beware....


    Nik

    Nik man, you'll never get anywhere if you give in to Shytners as easily as that! Give them a 'phone now and demand that they keep to their word! Do not accept anything less.


    What do the rest of you 8ers think? Am I right or am I right?


    Best of luck Nik; don't give in to the bar-stewards! :!:

    Cheers,


    John.


    E. Yorkshire, UK


    K8PPL 1993 850Ci

    They ain't getting my custom!


    I hear you loud and clear Beam - but just to illustrate the point,


    called after posted message and 'someone will get back to me'. As sure as Acapulco is in Uzbekistan!


    Me thinks the best way to do it is through a formal letter of complaint to them with a copy to the local paper. Then we will see whose boat wil be rocking!


    Took your advice, called them to argue my case and they let me down yet again. Nah, wwill think of something else.


    Thanks for the support - and besides I might have just saved myself another imaginary repair which I can do without (running on lean budget!).

    Whatever happened to 'accountability'? People seem to lack this from the PM down. The Service Manager at your branch of Sytners must have slopey shoulders like ski slopes! He should be named and shamed!

    Cheers,


    John.


    E. Yorkshire, UK


    K8PPL 1993 850Ci

    His name is Craig!


    Will advise of the surname after I have sent my letter of complaint - as for accountability - if everyone was as accountable as perhaps you and I are , this would be a very boring world!


    Either way I think it is the whole establishemnt which is sloppy - and they can keep their expert knowledge for some other sucker.



    Still, the best thing is that I ended up not going to work - so all in all not that bad :D


    Cheers,
    Nik

    Recommendation


    G'Day Nik


    I can recommend Boxer Motor Works in Feltham - http://www.boxermotorworks.co.uk/default.htm for all the details.


    They have worked on my CSi and other BM's for the past 15 years and provide the sort of service you want. Tell you the problem, give you the options and you make the decision.


    Another mob you might want to check out is Hartlake Specialist Cars in Gravesend - 01474 326626. Not used them myself but have had good reports


    Hope this helps


    Martin

    Sytner tried putting it right


    Hi,


    Duly noted the address of Boxer Motoroworks - my baba will need an oil change etc, so will gladly use them


    For all the folks that kept abreast with this story, you will be pleased to hear that I had some unexpected developments. Had the words of Beemer echoing in my head (ACCOUNTABILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, W*****S, ACCOUNTABILITY etc) so did the honourable thing and persevered. This is roughly how the story goes:


    Following my decision to fix the problem myself, identified the grommets I needed together with a pressure valve.


    I ordered the parts to complete the repair myself , and on the Monday at work they announced this
    partnership with Sytner BMW - a big dealership company here.


    Did the right thing and emailed (dodgyname@bigbank.com - I guess looked
    important) my complaint to customer services, and within the hour I had a
    person from the dealership on the phone. They arranged a two no questions
    asked - even the tow man was surprised as to how that happened, and the car
    went in.


    I received a call to say that they needed to order the parts:
    - Oh yeah, which ones that mate?
    - Er, the rubber grommets that the tank clicks on to, they are torn.
    - Oh really?
    - Tell you what - you go to the parts department, there is set waiting for
    you.


    I asked him if they spotted the H31 leak. ' The what? er, no Sir, we didnt
    see anything.


    OK son, never mind.


    Sytner went as far as fixing the brake leak, and also fitted the valve as it was with the parts I ordered - bless them. However , had it not been about my knowledge of the H31 (thanks to this site!) they would still treat me as a plonker.



    It just goes to show how well it pays being clued up - picked the car up this morning, and she drives - and brakes like a dream.


    Thanks for the tips and recommendation - OK Feltham might be a bit further out - but as long as I can have a car and not a deathtrap.. should be good!


    Thanks again and happy tearing,


    Nik aka s33

    dodgy bm dealerships


    hi yer all


    this topic has made interesting reading and am really sad that any 8 series owner has to put up with this kind of sh-t a similar thing h


    appened with my local dealer ,unfortunatly for them ocean bmw falmouths
    service department had to witness some of the worst behaviour i am capable of needless to say i do not use their service department any more butwhenever iphone their parts department which was situated insame area as the servive dep ialways get warm friendly greeting as i think i said all stuff that most people never do.
    needless to say i now use only independent specialist service centres and not the dealerships that seem intent on occupying all available space with MINIS !!!!!!!!!!!! :

    Those who risk nothing,achieve nothing,become nothing.

    DIY


    You are so right!


    Said dealership jump when I call, be in the parts deprtment or servicing- nah hang on, there IS NO servicing department from what I understand.


    So much so that I did decide to fix my own car myself. The resources on this site and love for my pimp mobile means no one can look after herbetter than me.


    And that is including all the expensive tools .


    Happy Driving,


    s33 aka nik

    42


    Go o the Gaydon meeting link open the Heritage Site information. Thats the venue. It is the National Festival for BMW Owners Club which some of us are members.
    CYA.
    Alasdair

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