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Thread: Independent garage for BMW

  1. #1
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    Independent garage for BMW

    My F11 is showing me an annoying chassis alert. I believe it is suspension related, as the car seems to sag on the driver's side when it says put a few days. A few miles further and all is back to normal.
    Also, there seems to be a hissing sound sometimes at the rear after I cut it off, so possibly a leak in the pneumatic system.
    I would like it to be looked at by someone with the equipment (like a BMW dealer) and who knows how to use it (not like them) without having wet dreams of having me over a barrel (not like them either).
    If the guy could be in the Kent area, or at least in the South East, it would be a great bonus.

    Then there will be my wife's 1 series
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  2. #2
    Maybe have a chat to Brystone BMW near Southampton
    They’re ever so helpful in my experience ....I know they’re not close to you but I’ll bet they can help with a “telephone diagnosis”

  3. #3
    Master
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    Hi,

    I used these guys over the years for my BMW and then Porsche and was always very happy with their work. They are Chelmsford, Essex so i guess it depends how far you want to travel.

    https://www.pmwltd.co.uk/


    Also used Power Developments which is Basildon, Essex. Prices were good and no issues but haven't used them for a few years.
    https://powerdevelopments.co.uk/

  4. #4
    Master yumma's Avatar
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    I can recommend PMW (Peter Moule Works) German car specialists in Chelmsford Essex.

  5. #5
    Craftsman
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    BMR performance are amazing, did great work on my M3.
    Genuinely one of the best, plus you get to look at old M3 evos and Alpina goodies when you go down.

    http://bmrperformance.co.uk/

    They are all ex bmw and they use the correct kit so you will get the electronic log book updated etc.

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by GOAT View Post
    Maybe have a chat to Brystone BMW near Southampton
    They’re ever so helpful in my experience ....I know they’re not close to you but I’ll bet they can help with a “telephone diagnosis”
    Brystone are great. Great service and quality workmanship, and prices are fair. Definitely worth a trip if there isn’t a good indi local.

    That said, they were never open to telephone diagnosis in my experience. They always want to see the car.

  7. #7
    Craftsman
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    Quote Originally Posted by RobM View Post
    Brystone are great. Great service and quality workmanship, and prices are fair. Definitely worth a trip if there isn’t a good indi local.

    That said, they were never open to telephone diagnosis in my experience. They always want to see the car.
    Another vote for Brynstone if you're prepared to travel, they were fantastic to deal with when I had my m3. I suspect there will be independent BMW garages closer to Ashford though that will also be highly recommended. I'd have a search on the m3cutters forum or similar for advice

  8. #8
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gerald Genta View Post
    Another vote for Brynstone if you're prepared to travel, they were fantastic to deal with when I had my m3. I suspect there will be independent BMW garages closer to Ashford though that will also be highly recommended. I'd have a search on the m3cutters forum or similar for advice
    Thank you. Gatwick and Chelmsford are considered at the moment, dashboard of the 1 series looks like a Christmas tree and my local garage (great guys and good friend too) cannot help without the equipment.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  9. #9
    Master
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    Good for you. Can’t help as not local but after today’s experience at a bmw dealer over a recall and subsequent “health” check “luckily” finding things they could charge me 99 quid to investigate properly I am glad I am well out of their money grabbing hands and using a nearby indy. The whole experience felt like a ruse to bring me into the fold. Very condescending when I declined their chargeable “help”.

  10. #10
    Craftsman
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    Not very local but BMS Surrey in leatherhead are great. The only garage Ive used for the last 8 years

    I’ve heard good things about ETA near brands hatch but not used them myself

  11. #11
    Master
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    I can’t help with a recommendation but would suggest getting it fixed ASAP. I had something similar on my X5 and it turned out to be a leaky air suspension bag. Because it was running all the time to try and maintain proper pressure it burned out the pump and was £2k+ to replace.


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  12. #12
    Munich Legends in Chelwood Gate are good.
    Gilberts in Ealing are good too also.

  13. #13
    Master
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    If anyone has any recommendations for a good independent in the vicinity of the M62, that would be helpful. Thanks.

  14. #14
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by David_D View Post
    If anyone has any recommendations for a good independent in the vicinity of the M62, that would be helpful. Thanks.
    which bit its a big area between Hull and Liverpool. These guys in york I find good. http://www.autohausdiagnostics.co.uk


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  15. #15
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by aa388 View Post
    which bit its a big area between Hull and Liverpool. These guys in york I find good. http://www.autohausdiagnostics.co.uk
    Thanks. Would happily travel to York - not a million miles away.

    Is that a place you’ve used yourself?

  16. #16
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by David_D View Post
    Thanks. Would happily travel to York - not a million miles away.

    Is that a place you’ve used yourself?
    I used them all the time and would go back if this 5 series had problems.

    Craig and Michael at Autohaus are great lads and do a good job at decent money. I’m sure Micheal is one of the few Bmw master technicians, they always looked after me well.


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  17. #17
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by aa388 View Post
    I used them all the time and would go back if this 5 series had problems.

    Craig and Michael at Autohaus are great lads and do a good job at decent money. I’m sure Micheal is one of the few Bmw master technicians, they always looked after me
    Thanks - that’s very helpful. Sorry I didn’t see your reply last week.

  18. #18
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    As a follow up to starting this thread I went to Munich Legends on Wednesday.
    Steward obviously knows his stuff. within 30 minutes the diagnostic came back from interrogating the car's motherboard (or whatever they call it) and it was indeed a suspension issue.
    They had ordered all the parts that could be required because they knew I came from afar, but only changed the faulty rear suspension air spring, and a bulb that was faulty.
    The price was really reasonable, with reasonable hourly rate and very reasonable time taken.
    The only issue is that despite numerous attempts (simulated sleep cycles) , the car hasn't yet "learnt" its new settings so it looks like a lame duck when cold in the morning. The driving experience is much improved, though.
    I will take it back when we go for my wide's car sometimes in a couple of weeks.
    As a side note, you only have to cross the road to be in Ashdown forest, much nicer than waiting while they fix your car.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  19. #19
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    As a quick update, I wanted to thank those who came up with suggestions.
    I ended up visiting Munich Legends and they have been absolutely excellent.
    So much so that they are currently taking care of our second Beemer, my wife’s car, despite being an hour and a half away.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

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