Which Sytner for servicing in London?

[markxwilson]

Hi guys, I know this subject is done to death but my particular query is slightly different so figured I’d ask.

F30 B3 LCI is due annual service and still under warranty. If not for the warranty I’d go with CPC or BMR, but since a schlep to Nottingham is out of the question, and I’ve read enough about Sunningdale to avoid, wondering if there’s any pref for Chigwell or Harold Wood (or any other non sytner MD) when it comes to Alpina servicing down south and avoiding the dreaded ‘wrong part’ or ‘M labour rate’ problems?

Cheers
Mark

[Bob]

I’m pretty sure BMR are suitably authorised/approved that all their work is recognised by BMW should a warranty claim be necessary. I’m sure Barry will confirm but he has previously completed routine servicing and logged the work in the BMW database. Only the actual warranty claim/recall work needs to be done at a BMW dealership.

Before i purchased the car i conducted various checks which included the warranty history and if there were any outstanding recalls. Checking up on the warranty history found that the B3 has had all 6 injectors and High pressure fuel pump replaced along with a couple of other minor parts but those checks also revealed two recalls outstanding which were the Battery B+ cable and the heater blower motor cable which respectively can cause the failure of pretty much all of the cars electrical system or cause it to catch fire.

Being out of the dealer network for some time now meant i could not do these myself and also left me with the predicament of having someone i trust to do it. Luckily during my time as a senior tech I got to work along side some great guys (as well as some terrible ones!) but so many of the good ones have left to move onto different career paths or woking in different countries earning a better wage but i still have one or two contacts that I would trust to do a great job!

Cue a drive from Sussex to Essex one evening where a good friend and brilliant tech works at Sytner Harold wood on the night shift so he could carry out said recalls while i got to chill alongside and catch up.



Behind the glove box where the JBE and Blower motor are located.



Battery B+ cable repair kit.



Heater blower cable repair kit.

All back together and another job ticked of the list.

[B10BRW]

Go with Barry if you can, I avoid BMW dealers at all cost.

[Gee.Singh]

Chigwell Sytner

[Norrie]

BMR are not authorised to carry out BMW approved Warranty work. If they were I would have had my supercharger changed by them, this year. They may be authorised to carry our warranty work by other service providers.

However all their work for servicing and parts is fully recognised and I had no issues when making a warranty claim from a main dealer. The parts they use come from Vines BMW main dealership at Gatwick. BMR also enter all the work into a BMW on line system which is shared by main dealers. Ironically, Sytner Nottingham failed to enter two services I had there and thank god I had the service book stamped and kept all the invoices.

Otherwise I take both my cars to BMR.

Sytner Chigwell, I spoke to the service manager there one time who told me that they had only seen 2 x D3 in a year and no other ALPINA.

Sytner Harold Wood, I went there and walk around the show room and no one asked anything, looked in the car park and in the show room not one ALPINA visible. That is save for 1 x new B5 which has been placed in a hedge so close you could not read the ALPINA on the rear or open a door along one side. Never been back since was probably 2 years ago.

[markxwilson]

Thanks all. There will be a few bits and pieces on warranty work so makes sense to do it all at once I think.

[bss325i]

Thanks for the recommendations for BMR!

If you have to go to a BMW dealer you are at the mercy of the staff and its pot luck who you end up dealing with and who works on your car.

The pic caesarbob posted is of my old B3 that I took to Sytner HW for recall work. Mathew Spina is the tech working on the car, I have offered him a lot of money to come and work at BMR but the commute would be too much for him.

If you go to HW ask specifically for him to work on your car.

[Norrie]

I think the HW post is pretty typical of the lottery of BMW dealerships, but it is alleged that pressure to produce "workshop" hours for profitability exists. Many do not want difficult on complicated jobs, just a quick service and push them through the door. Many car owners with PCP, Lease plans, Company Cars take little or no interest in what has been done.

I have to admit that was true for me for many years and I always had new vehicles and never kept them long.

[markxwilson]

Thanks for the recommendations for BMR!

If you have to go to a BMW dealer you are at the mercy of the staff and its pot luck who you end up dealing with and who works on you car.

The pic caesarbob posted is of my old B3 that I took the Sytner HW for recall work. Mathew Spina is the tech working on the car, I have offered him a lot of money to come and work at BMR but the commute would be too much for him.

If you got to HW ask specifically for him to work on your car.

Appreciate that and will do. Will certainly look into BMR for regular service work in future!

[440]

Hi guys, I know this subject is done to death but my particular query is slightly different so figured I’d ask.

F30 B3 LCI is due annual service and still under warranty. If not for the warranty I’d go with CPC or BMR, but since a schlep to Nottingham is out of the question, and I’ve read enough about Sunningdale to avoid, wondering if there’s any pref for Chigwell or Harold Wood (or any other non sytner MD) when it comes to Alpina servicing down south and avoiding the dreaded ‘wrong part’ or ‘M labour rate’ problems?

Cheers
Mark

Hi Mark, I was just wondering if you took your car to one of the dealerships in London and what was your opinion.

[Trilly-Uk]

I had a run in with Sytner Sunningdale but recently needed to have some warranty work undertaken. On my previous disaster visit the Service Manager left me his details and said to contact him next time so I did. Have to say they made a point of ensuring I was looked after and I noticed the difference. If you want his details let me know and will PM them .

[440]

I had a run in with Sytner Sunningdale but recently needed to have some warranty work undertaken. On my previous disaster visit the Service Manager left me his details and said to contact him next time so I did. Have to say they made a point of ensuring I was looked after and I noticed the difference. If you want his details let me know and will PM them .

Hi Kevin, that would be great as I didn't take Sytner Sunningdale into account but if it's worth it, I'll give them a try! I'll wait for your PM, thank you.

[markxwilson]

Hi guys, I know this subject is done to death but my particular query is slightly different so figured I’d ask.

F30 B3 LCI is due annual service and still under warranty. If not for the warranty I’d go with CPC or BMR, but since a schlep to Nottingham is out of the question, and I’ve read enough about Sunningdale to avoid, wondering if there’s any pref for Chigwell or Harold Wood (or any other non sytner MD) when it comes to Alpina servicing down south and avoiding the dreaded ‘wrong part’ or ‘M labour rate’ problems?

Cheers
Mark

Hi Mark, I was just wondering if you took your car to one of the dealerships in London and what was your opinion.

Nothing booked yet!

[markxwilson]

I had a run in with Sytner Sunningdale but recently needed to have some warranty work undertaken. On my previous disaster visit the Service Manager left me his details and said to contact him next time so I did. Have to say they made a point of ensuring I was looked after and I noticed the difference. If you want his details let me know and will PM them .

Yes please! My parents live in Sunningdale but discounted it due to the bad rep.

[markxwilson]

Thanks mate, not sure my PM replies are working properly. Much appreciated!