Best independent servicing

[B3FNA]

I have used Barry @ BMR and can highly recommend him. His knowledge and passion for Alpina and all things BMW really shows!

[ScooBeeFive]

You are spoilt for choice in that area. We need some of those guys to relocate a bit further north!

I've been looking around locally for a good specialist to look after my B5. Someone recommended a place called BM Automotive Solutions in Four Ashes near Wolverhampton, so I popped by to say hello. They had a B10 in the workshop and also looked after several other Alpinas. Chatting to the guys, they seemed to have a good understanding of the Alpina specific parts etc and I got a good feeling about them, so will be booking it in when the time comes.

I think the main thing is to go with a recommendation from someone you trust. I don't think you'll have any issues with any of the guys recommended here.

[Sab]

I made a point to go and meet Barry today and take a look around the workshop.

He a top bloke and full of knowledge.

I will be taking the B3 to him for its next service.

[floz61]

While we are on this subject, does anyone have any recommendations for Suffolk/Essex, eastern region. Not confident enough to use the main dealers, they never seem to have a good working knowledge of the Alpina range.

Thanks,
Mark

[Paisley]

I've just had my E46 B3S that I bought last month in for an Inspection 2 service and pressure test at Birds BMW in Iver.

They did a good enough job and Kevin seemed knowledgeable as mentioned on here, but I was left a bit disappointed and frustrated when picking up the car today.

On drop-off, I specifically asked them not to stamp the service booklet as I had some previous service invoices that hadn't been stamped, so I wanted to fill in the gaps, yet they still made a mistake and stamped it anyway. When I questioned why they'd done so, Kevin's reply was they can't keep track of everything followed by a hasty "it's done now, can't go back in time, can we?".

He just refused to care and was very defensive when I simply highlighted it was a shame the mistake had occurred. He said to ensure it doesn't happen again with future customers, he wouldn't hold onto their service booklet, yet he wanted to hold onto mine when I dropped it off, to reference the Alpina service checklist in the booklet.

Anyway, I didn't make a fuss about it, and yes, it's not the end of the world as I have the service invoices which matter more than stamps in a booklet, but it's a shame that I can't chronologically list out the services in the booklet now.

Maybe I'm being pedantic, but then again, isn't that what makes us fans of the Alpina's magic and not just go for standard bimmers

[Norrie]

I am slightly confused, if you have had service work carried out by (whoever) and have the invoices why not go back to them and get the booklet stamped. That is on the basis it make geographical and economical sense. If Birds just did service work why would you not want the book stamped, how does that have any effect upon missing stamps.

More Important is that the service work is entered into a compatible computer system linked to BMW dealerships. This may not be important unless you have warranty and then it is specifically important. But apart from carrying around a wad of invoices when you take your car to a service outlet that is on line, like BMR for example, they can see all the work carried out.

[Toasey]

I think it's because the stamps will now be out of chronological order.

[Norrie]

Looking at my old E65 B7 and E39 booklet the stamps are not dated, the date is hand written?

[Paisley]

I think it's because the stamps will now be out of chronological order.

Spot on

Looking at my old E65 B7 and E39 booklet the stamps are not dated, the date is hand written?

Yeah, the dates are handwritten, but the order of services will no longer be in chronological order when I get the others added to the booklet. Anyways, it is what it is. Thankfully I have the invoices for the other services, should I ever need to sell the vehicle (but hoping I'll never have to, as I love this beauty and that intoxicating straight-six )

[Norrie]

The stamps would be in the wrong place by date, ok. But I think I would still prefer a fully stamped booklet than one with missing stamps, even with copies of invoices.

[bss325i]

I've just had my E46 B3S that I bought last month in for an Inspection 2 service and pressure test at Birds BMW in Iver.

They did a good enough job and Kevin seemed knowledgeable as mentioned on here, but I was left a bit disappointed and frustrated when picking up the car today.

On drop-off, I specifically asked them not to stamp the service booklet as I had some previous service invoices that hadn't been stamped, so I wanted to fill in the gaps, yet they still made a mistake and stamped it anyway. When I questioned why they'd done so, Kevin's reply was they can't keep track of everything followed by a hasty "it's done now, can't go back in time, can we?".

He just refused to care and was very defensive when I simply highlighted it was a shame the mistake had occurred. He said to ensure it doesn't happen again with future customers, he wouldn't hold onto their service booklet, yet he wanted to hold onto mine when I dropped it off, to reference the Alpina service checklist in the booklet.

Anyway, I didn't make a fuss about it, and yes, it's not the end of the world as I have the service invoices which matter more than stamps in a booklet, but it's a shame that I can't chronologically list out the services in the booklet now.

Maybe I'm being pedantic, but then again, isn't that what makes us fans of the Alpina's magic and not just go for standard bimmers

A perspective from another independent.... mistakes happen and a service book with missing stamps and/or a chequered past can catch someone out so it's something we always check and question when there is any doubt.

But most importantly when mistakes happen its how you deal with them that counts!

[PhillV8S]

Personally I would prefer invoices stating parts fitted and other works carried out than stamps in a book that can be easily faked.
Stamps in a book don’t tell you what works have been carried out so hold little value to me.

[Norrie]

As I stated before the service records should be entered into the computer system which is accessible to all service providers who have that system. This is particularly important if anyone has warranty or extended warranty. Sadly in my experience many main dealers simply "could not be bothered", I discovered this when using BMR who have the full history in their linked computer system. Sytner and Vines carried out service for which I have the stamp and the all the invoices but did not enter the details into the BMW system? Another good reason I dont use them anymore.

I keep all the invoices for all work carried out, but when buying a used approved car from a main dealer you will not get access or copied of the previous work or copies of invoices due to GDPR.

I found when I made a claim the the warranty provider wanted a copy of all the service stamps in the book they did not ask for copies of invoices.

Point taken if you are buying a car privately and the seller give over copies of invoices.

No more modern cars the servicing is alleged to be recorded when complete into the cars own computer, I go not experience of this, so no comment on that aspect.

[bss325i]

Invoices are indeed more important than a stamp in the book as it will detail what was done, when and at what cost but if you have a car with a service book that can be stamped then it really should be stamped in chronological order.

As for recoding service history on the BMW database, this is only possible on cars with condition based servicing so with older BMW and Alpina cars on the oil service - inspection1 - oil service - inspection2 routine there is no facility on the database to record these services.

[Zion]

I highly recommend Andy Walker at Walkers Autotech. I drive over an hour to get to them. First class service and Andy has great Alpina knowledge.