E30s and the main dealer

[bss325i]

Because it was rusty.

EFA

Typical BSS response as per usual.

Don't be coy, it's not a dig but the truth which you seemed reluctant to admit.

I recall rusty front floors, wing bottoms, some on the rear panel by the tow eye and a bit on the scuttle. I remember the pics (which you've conveniently have deleted from you photobucket account) of it that you posted up after it had been off the road for a number of years and when it went into the dealer Bodyshop.

[bss325i]

In the late 90's when I had my best 325i I used Rydale Sutton Coldfield for an inspection 2 on their 4+ scheme - cost me an arm and a leg BUT I got the impression they cared about what they were doing, the car was fully valeted, the radiator cap recall was done FOC whilst it was in which I didnt even know about until I picked it up - they even left a tin of expensive sweets in the car with a customer service questionnaire making sure I was happy - there were a couple of advisory points mentioned but no high pressure to get the issues dealt with there and then.
Yes it was expensive but I felt I had been treated very fairly and the full valet was a bonus I wasnt expecting.

In contrast when I used Sytners a couple of years ago for the E36 oil service they could not have cared less - they knocked it out in less than half an hour and when I said no to the big relentless sales pitch they couldnt get me out of the door quick enough. It left a very bad taste in my mouth and I havent been back since.

I dont intend to use a main dealer for servicing again. I'm sure there are good ones out there but its just too expensive a punt each time trying to find them.

Welcome back anyways Baz

Thanks.

That's fair enough if you have had a bad experience with "front of house" staff but to tar the whole dealer and its staff with thr same brush is unfair. Service advisors are generally a nightmare to be honest, I prefer to cut out the middle man or woman and deal direct with customers as much as possible.

[capnmchl]

I did but at a hell of a price!

Probably a bit far from you, but I remember going to this garage in Bergen Op Zoom a few years ago which was full of older BMW's and a couple of enthusiastic mechanics.

[pac1982]

I never have and never will use a main dealer, mostly because I either do it myself or use friends/mechanics that I trust.

Problem with a main dealer is that chances are it will either be an apprentice working on your car or someone with only a few years’ experience