WTF £950+VAT for Insp 2??

I had Insp II done last month at private specialist for £250 and the car runs great again. My opinion on FBMWSH once the car is 10 years old or high mile(ish) is that your depreciation issues are offset by the money you don't spend being ripped off at the $tealers.

You may find this useful:

http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/garages_seng.html

Cheers.

I too was shocked to see the cost of my last inspection ii in the service history. £1050!! i was quite shocked. I thought they were around £500, but they included labour too and £100 to dispose of old parts and oil!!

There was a wheel wobble issue resolved by alignment, which added a little but this is still a shocking price. My car is only 40k miles so was thinking of keeping the dealer servicing going but getting repairs done by an independant. Luckily the next ii is not due for 2 or 3 more services.

I agree with the point above about the depreciation vs cost of servicing. Does anyone know how much difference in sale prices there is when serviced by independants???

I have used a specialist for repairs which mostly do a good job but occasionally they make the odd little mistake, I think because they do not see many 8 series'.

I wouldnt bother taking your car anywhere near a BMW dealer. Look at it this way.Chances are its worth about 10k and even if you have a full main dealer histiory it wont be worth a penny more. When was the last time a dealer asked you whether the car you were selling had a main dealer history? It just doesnt happen. All the lazy toads do is look in their silly CAP or Glasses book [ where the 8 series no longer appears] and gives you a price. If you try and sell a car over the phone how many times has the dealer paid you more on seeing it in the flesh? Never!
I refuse to sell to dealers who insist on seeing the car as if they dont believe my description I'll buy elsewhere.

I bet also that none of the staff at your local dealer were ever trained on the E31 so pretty pointless. I find they make more mistakes than independants and charge the earth. When I last took mine in to get some mats I was told their was never an E31!

Now I'm angry....heart attack looming!

Did you ge tthe 15% off for cars over 4 years old? Also most dealers offer 10% off for BMW car club members

Interesting point, thanks.

If you look at it that way then it would probably be better to use the independant that is familiar with the car than start from scratch with the BMW dealer.

I would but then I may have just been lucky. Plus the guys on here are so helpful!