You already know how much it matters to you if you own a Beemer. You always take excellent care of and never mistreat your Beemer since you love it. And with it being among the best vehicles available, why wouldn’t you? You should take pride in your BMW. So where are you going to take your pride and joy for maintenance or repairs? Can you have a standard mechanic work on it?
You can, is the response. There is a good medium, though: going to a BMW-specific mechanic. If you’re uncomfortable with that, though, and you don’t want to spend through the roof at the BMW dealership for maintenance. In the following paragraphs, we’ll go over this happy medium in more detail.
While certain routine maintenance, like changing the oil and filter, may be handled by a regular technician, there are several issues that you should definitely have a BMW professional handle. Here are a few benefits of using BMW specialists rather than regular mechanics:
The main benefit of BMW specialists is obvious from their title: they are experts in BMW maintenance and repairs. This indicates that they have a track record of effectively maintaining and repairing BMWs, know your model of Beemer like the back of their hands, and have worked on countless others. It must be acknowledged that your automobile will receive much greater attention and care at a BMW specialist repair than at an ordinary mechanic.
Any automobile owner who takes their vehicle to the dealership for repairs frequently makes this error. It’s practical and gives the impression that you are safe. Dealership repairs, however, are well recognized for costing much more than those performed by other mechanics. This implies that you can have the highest caliber servicing from a BMW specialist for less money than you would pay for a typical service from the dealership.
Really enjoyable encounter! For a road trip, we needed to fix our coolant tank, and the service was excellent. In a polite and knowledgeable manner, they immediately fixed the automobile and described the necessary repairs. Excellent communication throughout; strongly advised.
The best possible service! I recall being anxious the first time (six or more years ago) about how much the automobile would cost and being treated rudely. However, the GSS staff is nothing but professional, transparent, truthful, and incredibly competent. They have always gone above and beyond for me and have been understanding when I have had several inquiries.
I can’t express how highly I recommend the staff; I’ll be back for many years to come!
I initially arrived here to seek a second opinion on a 2001 BMW e39, and I haven’t left since. The entire time I’ve handled owning an older vehicle, Brad, Sven, and the team have provided competent and realistic advise. Before starting any job, they are realistic about the choices I have and the costs involved. I have complete faith in them to take care of my car and would recommend them to anyone.
They were incredibly understanding, trustworthy, diligent, and effective. went above and above to get me out of a REALLY tricky position! Again, many thanks.
In This Article...
Does My BMW Need To Be Serviced At The Dealer?
If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’re looking for information on whether you have to take your BMW to the dealer for maintenance or an oil change. Can I take my BMW to any mechanic? is a question you may have already questioned yourself. In summary, you can take your BMW to whichever mechanic you choose for maintenance and oil changes. There is a little more to it than that, but overall, you are under no need to visit the BMW dealer ever again if you choose not to.
You must keep in mind that not all mechanics are certified to operate on your BMW, even though you have a choice in who does so. Even though all modern cars have four wheels, many of them are very specialized, and sometimes that’s where the similarities between various manufactures end. We’re going to go into the specifics of getting your BMW serviced today, including some warning signs you should watch out for. In the end, we’ll provide you with enough knowledge to locate a skilled BMW mechanic in your neighborhood. Since it’s in their best financial interest to have you return to them for everything, including the needless nitrogen for your tires, you probably won’t hear this information from your BMW dealer.
The dealership industry has a little-known secret: “Service and repair” is their “bread and butter.” They make every effort to prevent you from taking your repairs elsewhere because of this. They advocate against independent mechanics since it will put more money in their own wallets even though they are fully aware that they provide the same services for less money. You need to hear this if you’re still wondering, “Can I take my BMW to any mechanic for service?”
Can I bring my BMW to any shop for service?
Is it possible to transport one’s car anywhere to get it serviced or repaired? is one of the most often asked questions of automakers, dealerships, and mechanics. The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, each of which can help you determine whether the automobile can be fixed in a particular place and whether the cost will be justified. It may be advisable to take a high-end vehicle, such as a BMW, to a BMW-certified dealership or repair.
The mechanic themselves must be kept in mind as the initial factor. The majority of automotive manufacturers explicitly train mechanics in the details of their engines due to the complexity of today’s automobile engines. As a result, mechanics at Ford dealerships and VW dealerships are trained especially to work on VWs, whereas mechanics at BMW shops are trained to work on BMWs.
Again, pay attention to the certificates the mechanic has when determining whether they will be able to operate on your BMW. Due to the fact that BMW also owns Mini and Rolls-Royce, auto shops with mechanics qualified to operate on these vehicles are likely to be able to fix your car as well.
Local experts can still be able to work on your car if there are no certified BMW mechanics in your vicinity. BMW has frequently been a benchmark manufacturer in the auto sector. Because of this, many mechanics have some background working on BMW engines or engines that function just like other engines.
The availability of tools required for BMW-specific engines is the sole issue that has to be solved. The Internet has been extremely helpful in providing mechanics with the equipment they need for the work, much like with other types of cars. Extra time and money will be used to buy the tools your mechanic needs if he doesn’t already have them in order to fix your BMW.
It is always a good idea to take your vehicle to a professional when something is wrong with it, as is frequently said to car owners of all stripes. Working on your own car can be quite satisfying but also come with significant risks that, if not taken care of, could endanger your life or that of your car. Although taking it to a professional can be expensive and time-consuming, it is more affordable than having your car entirely destroyed and is always worthwhile when you consider your safety and wellbeing.
Individualized care comes from independent businesses.
The question of “Where can I have my BMW serviced besides the dealership?” is among the most often asked ones concerning owning a BMW. We frequently get this question, and we have an answer: You can take your BMW to any repair you choose! Let’s examine the specifics.
Not a showy motorcycle did you purchase. You didn’t purchase a flashy SUV or minivan for the family. In truth, you didn’t even purchase a car. You made an investment when you entered the dealer’s lot that day and spent hours discussing every tiny upgrade option and add-on you knew you had to have with a salesperson.
We view imports like BMWs, Mercedes, and Minis in that way. We’re here to dispel the fallacy that, warranty or no warranty, you should always get your maintenance done at the dealership.
The simple truth is that when it comes to car repairs, a dealership is nearly always more expensive than a local technician.
We can understand your initial reluctance; you want to ensure that your newborn receives only the best care, so it stands to reason that the dealer would always be aware of what it is. One thing you should always bear in mind is that the dealership’s devotion to the brand is still tied to its financial health.
The dealership wants to sell, from the showroom to the service area. Because of the significant expense associated with their daily operations, they feel comfortable selling to you at a markup when they can. This indicates that they take advantage of the trust you established with them the day you purchased your car and use it to their advantage.
Sadly, this is a tale we frequently hear from new customers, but if you come to Shores Automotive first, it won’t be the case. In this situation, the second part of the question—”Should I service my BMW at the dealership?—comes into play. The short answer is again no.”
Here are three compelling arguments for choosing an independent shop to handle all of your BMW or Mercedes’s specialized needs.
Do BMWs require specialized repairmen?
Bimmers are stunning, high-performance vehicles that treat their owners well, as every BMW lover knows. Providing their owners treat them nicely in return, that is. BMW automobiles require specialized maintenance from qualified professionals. Their high-performance engines, which range from four to twelve cylinders, set them apart from other vehicles. Your BMW’s age will also have a big impact on the kind of maintenance it needs. For an older car to run at its best, specific knowledge or more frequent maintenance may be necessary.
In light of this, you might be wondering if you can bring your BMW to any technician or vehicle repair facility. In other words, the question is not whether you can or should do something; you CAN and SHOULD do anything. No, you shouldn’t take your BMW to just anyone, is the answer. You should look for an auto repair shop with specialists that are skilled in repairing BMW vehicles if you want the greatest treatment and care for your car. The intensive months-long training required to become a BMW Certified technician teaches technicians how to properly maintain both BMW and MINI automobiles.
Look for a repair and service facility that uses STEP-trained professionals if you want a mechanic to service your BMW as efficiently as possible. The Service Technician Education Program, or BMW STEP Certification, calls for 16 weeks of specialized training on BMW vehicles, particularly the most recent models. The program offers extensive instruction in diagnostic techniques specific to automobiles made by BMW, as well as in new engine and body electronics. Modern BMWs have sophisticated electronic systems, therefore it’s critical to select a repair who is knowledgeable with those systems. If at all feasible, try to locate specialists who have experience with older models by asking around. That skill set is very different and demands a unique level of knowledge.