[Josh1a1h]

Hi Guys..

I have just taken delivery of a BMW 335i 2006. It is in great condition and has had FBMWSH... I even decided very recently to continue the BMW Extended warrenty...

But i have just got a quote of how much it will cost to replace just the Oil and microfilter from BMW... £264.00!
A vehicle check is £132 (Which i dont think is that bad)
Air filter - £43.99 (not bad either)
brake fluid £99.00 (quite a bit)
Spark plugs £227! (Thats silly money!)

We all know of the potential problems these cars can go through... BUT It is a lot of money for an oil change!


Is it maybe worth going to a highly qualified work shop that really know how to look after a 335i? then i wont have any warrenty issues with a JB4 tune and other mods etc...?

Do any of you guys know a decent UK BMW Garage in the North London region?


THANKS GUYS!

[Falmouthboy]

My view is that you either go with the BMW Insurance Warranty - and accept the additional cost of dealer servicing, or take the 'risk' of no warranty and use a good indi for the service work. There is no 'middle way' - all I ever read is 'problems' with other Insurance Warranties when you need to claim.

It may be worth getting a quote from an indi for the work - with OEM parts, and see if your dealer will match it - they often will.

[edowen]

Originally Posted by Falmouthboy

My view is that you either go with the BMW Insurance Warranty - and accept the additional cost of dealer servicing, or take the 'risk' of no warranty and use a good indi for the service work. There is no 'middle way' - all I ever read is 'problems' with other Insurance Warranties when you need to claim.

+100

[Josh1a1h]

Thanks for the responses guys!

I will be keeping this guy for a little while yet.

I think i will cough up the money for BMW Costs and keep my warranty for the next year. I will see how the car runs, and if it still feels strong i may cancel my warrenty next year...

I just hope that if something goes wrong, i can remove the JB4 without BMW every knowing it was there.

I do not drive hard. I do not track the car. I do not drag the car... I do few miles to work and back and occasionally go for a spirited drive on the weekends.

I will leave intercoolers, downpipes, air filters and exhaust for the time being and just run the JB4. It will be more than enough power.

Thanks guys...

BUT Does anyone know any reputable indi in the london area???

Many Thanks

[J3NGOe90]

wow i didnt know there were 335s in 2006

[Nick999]

Originally Posted by J3NGOe90

wow i didnt know there were 335s in 2006

Yep, the 335i was launched in SE version September 1st 2006. The M Sport version was launched a year later.

[Josh1a1h]

Originally Posted by Nick999

Yep, the 335i was launched in SE version September 1st 2006. The M Sport version was launched a year later.

Yep... your right... Mine was a September version...

Luckily never had any probs with the HPFP or wastegates or turbos... Still runs very strong and smoothly... Quiet, with absolutely no knocks... hitting 59,000 miles...

The previous guy had the M tech kit installed at his cost. Bumpers and suspension.

I cant believe people would consider getting a lip on the mtech bumper... Mine already scrapes over some over the speed bumps around my area!

[Nick999]

Originally Posted by Josh1a1h

Yep... your right... Mine was a September version...

Luckily never had any probs with the HPFP or wastegates or turbos... Still runs very strong and smoothly... Quiet, with absolutely no knocks... hitting 59,000 miles...

The previous guy had the M tech kit installed at his cost. Bumpers and suspension.

I cant believe people would consider getting a lip on the mtech bumper... Mine already scrapes over some over the speed bumps around my area!

I wouldnt run a BMW without a breakdown warranty, but never needed it.

The 3.0 N54 is pretty bullet proof engine. Even when tuned to 400+ bhp.

Any car can suffer fuel pump or wastegate issues. Just nice to know you have piece of mind with a £300 BMW warranty!

[Josh1a1h]

Try a £500.00 warranty with no excess. A lot... but should be worth it...

I went all out, but thoguht it would be worth it if anything ever went wrong...

I think i can feel a JB4 coming my way ...

[SelSol]

Take a proper AUC warranty out - period. I haven't checked but I think mine is going to weigh in at about £500 next year, which is precisely 3.3 hours of BMWS arse raping labour.

My early 2007 SE has had some £7000 of work done (and its about to have more), I think the general consensus is that if you run a 335i/d without a warranty you're a brave soul (with deep pockets).

Have you joined four plus? Gives you 10% of servicing and you get a cheaper labour rate.

[Josh1a1h]

Originally Posted by SelSol

Take a proper AUC warranty out - period. I haven't checked but I think mine is going to weigh in at about £500 next year, which is precisely 3.3 hours of BMWS arse raping labour.

My early 2007 SE has had some £7000 of work done (and its about to have more), I think the general consensus is that if you run a 335i/d without a warranty you're a brave soul (with deep pockets).

Have you joined four plus? Gives you 10% of servicing and you get a cheaper labour rate.

I know!!! Extortionate Right! I am actually hoping my turbos or wastegate fails this year so i get everything covered by warranty!

I have taken out the most fully comprehensive warranty on offer with no excess to pay in a bad circumstance.

[SelSol]

Originally Posted by Josh1a1h

I know!!! Extortionate Right! I am actually hoping my turbos or wastegate fails this year so i get everything covered by warranty!

I have taken out the most fully comprehensive warranty on offer with no excess to pay in a bad circumstance.

Is that a BMW one, or a third party one? I've never had anything but shit from third party warranty companies. Wriggling bastards could worm their way out of fort knox.

[Josh1a1h]

BMW one... never had a third party one

[Reggie-g75]

Originally Posted by Nick999

I wouldnt run a BMW without a breakdown warranty, but never needed it.

The 3.0 N54 is pretty bullet proof engine. Even when tuned to 400+ bhp.

Any car can suffer fuel pump or wastegate issues. Just nice to know you have piece of mind with a £300 BMW warranty!

Nick,

Do you have yours serviced at Dick Lovett? I have 1000 to my first oil service.

Cheers

[confused.com]

Probably best to call around a few BMW garages and get quotes for service work, i had my vehicle check done at North Oxford BMW - cost £85 - which is a little off what you have been quoted....for the service, supply your own oil and that price should drop some.

[335iLondon]

Originally Posted by Josh1a1h

Thanks for the responses guys!

I will be keeping this guy for a little while yet.

I think i will cough up the money for BMW Costs and keep my warranty for the next year. I will see how the car runs, and if it still feels strong i may cancel my warrenty next year...

I just hope that if something goes wrong, i can remove the JB4 without BMW every knowing it was there.

I do not drive hard. I do not track the car. I do not drag the car... I do few miles to work and back and occasionally go for a spirited drive on the weekends.

I will leave intercoolers, downpipes, air filters and exhaust for the time being and just run the JB4. It will be more than enough power.

Thanks guys...

BUT Does anyone know any reputable indi in the london area???

Many Thanks

http://www.autodeutsche.co.uk/
I have been to these guys in the past.

Not the most well versed in N54 BMW's but very honest and helpful. And Labour rate of 65 ph (iirc).
Ex BMW guys so they know a fair amount, and have good links with BM for info - parts etc.
I have been for MOT - oil change - brake pads- brake fluid - no issues and very easy to deal with.

[Nick999]

Originally Posted by Reggie-g75

Nick,

Do you have yours serviced at Dick Lovett? I have 1000 to my first oil service.

Cheers

Yep have used Dick Lovetts several times with previous BMW's. Latest 335i not due second service untill next March.

[zltm089]

if u have a 335i...i'd keep the bmw warranty...I've had the extended warranty for 3 years now...and i think i've claimed each year!...

[Josh1a1h]

Yea i think i am going to keep it...

i am just going to keep engine mods to a bare minimum i think.

A JB4 is easy to remove i hope with little or no possibility of BMW finding it...
Intercooler would be great but i do not drive hard...

But eventually and exhaust and intake may be required for better breathing, but thats all down the line.

Thanks for re assurance that im doing the right thing and keeping my warranty...

I actually need to take it in because my speedo needle is acting up... Upon braking from say 70mph, the needle doesn drop smoothly but looks as if it gets stuck and then drops...

VERY ODD...

also when stopped at lights for example, and with my foot on the brake (auto) , upon rleasing the brake, the car wont move forward smoothly but lurch forward as if the pads were stuck ...

[SelSol]

Originally Posted by Josh1a1h

BMW one... never had a third party one

Do check, but most third party warranties require you to pay up front and then claim back from them, which is a pig, and there's often a claim limit. The RAC one for my Saab was £1000 max, which is OK on a Saad at independant prices, but that barely buys you a power wing mirror from BMW.

I'll let you guess how much the proprshaft bearing kit & labour is that BMW are currently putting in mine.....

[Kerr]

The third party warranties all seem to be more expensive by a good margin.

Secondly they don't cover as much and often have low limits of repair costs.

I'm sure if you added it up a BMW warranty+BMW servicing would be about the same cost over the year as a third party warranty+indie servicing costs.

There would not be that much in it I'd like to think.

Also if your car has a BMW warranty and service history come time to sell, that's going to be more desirable and helpful for the value too.