[acerboo]

could we have a directory with comments of recommended garages, specialists, parts and accessories that people have had first hand experience of/

[SoYank]

OK. Simple one to start:


Kevin Bird Garages Limited
2, The Ridgeway, Iver, Buckinghamshire, Great Britain, SL0 9HW
Tel 01753 657 444, Fax 01753 655 963,
Web www.BirdsAuto.com

Excellent work, helpful, friendly, very very knowledgeable.

[Speedtrap]

Always use a guy called Micheal - CA Automotive garage in Kingsbury. Vouch for him personally.

[PeteJ]

For my 10 pence worth:-

All Mainline BMW Servicing and Parts - Grassicks BMW in Perth

Any Bodyshop work - Douglas Park - Glasgow

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by SoYank

OK. Simple one to start:


Kevin Bird Garages Limited
2, The Ridgeway, Iver, Buckinghamshire, Great Britain, SL0 9HW
Tel 01753 657 444, Fax 01753 655 963,
Web www.BirdsAuto.com

Excellent work, helpful, friendly, very very knowledgeable.

I work in Uxbridge so not far from Birds. Are they able to up-date software if required, what are the +/- than going to a Main BMW dealer, other than price.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

I work in Uxbridge so not far from Birds. Are they able to up-date software if required, what are the +/- than going to a Main BMW dealer, other than price.

Birds won't do any ECU updates as they don't have access to the BMW-dealer only ISTA software as it requires a direct computer hook-up to BMW Germany.

Anything else they can do, and they'll do it well. What's the +/- ?? Well, you get great service, technicians you can actually speak to, a willingness to go beyond what's normally required, adaptability, people who take great care over your car, and an absolute wealth of knowledge far beyond that of the regular BMW main dealer. They have four technicians, all BMW trained, led by a chap called Dennis who was one of the BMW UKs best Master Technicians. He left his old job because he was tired of having his hands tied due to politics and a narrow-minded works procedure.

Of course, the other upside is the labour cost, which is almost 50% less than most BMW main dealers!!

Downside? It's not BMW main dealer, so just a Birds BMW as opposed to a main dealer service stamp.

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

Birds won't do any ECU updates as they don't have access to the BMW-dealer only ISTA software as it requires a direct computer hook-up to BMW Germany.

Anything else they can do, and they'll do it well. What's the +/- ?? Well, you get great service, technicians you can actually speak to, a willingness to go beyond what's normally required, adaptability, people who take great care over your car, and an absolute wealth of knowledge far beyond that of the regular BMW main dealer. They have four technicians, all BMW trained, led by a chap called Dennis who was one of the BMW UKs best Master Technicians. He left his old job because he was tired of having his hands tied due to politics and a narrow-minded works procedure.

Of course, the other upside is the labour cost, which is almost 50% less than most BMW main dealers!!

Downside? It's not BMW main dealer, so just a Birds BMW as opposed to a main dealer service stamp.

Great reply, thanks. The +/- was supposed to be positives and negatives but I could not be bothered to type it all out, however I now have and had to explain as well which has kind of defeated my cunning time saving plan.

Like the sound of Birds, not much into the BMW service 'factory' who only care about takinh your money

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

Great reply, thanks. The +/- was supposed to be positives and negatives but I could not be bothered to type it all out, however I now have and had to explain as well which has kind of defeated my cunning time saving plan.

Like the sound of Birds, not much into the BMW service 'factory' who only care about takinh your money

You won't go wrong with taking your car to Birds - I trust them implicitly, and they've always looked after forum members very well...!


And ps... I knew what the +/- was ??!! I couldn't be bothered to type it all out either!!!