Being a former BMW owner myself, I have to admit that we're spoiled when our car is still under warranty. As a customer we get top of the line customer service, free lattes, cozy waiting rooms with wifi and, best of all, we don't have to fork over the $250.00 service fee to diagnose the check engine light. Peace of mind with zero concerns for maintenance costs is a great way to live, but what do we do after our BMW hits the dreaded 50,000 mile mark or 4 years of ownership and the warranty has expired?
Here at MechanicAdvisor.com we work with over 100,000 independent BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Lexus, Audi, and Porsche shops nationwide and have learned a lot about the way these shops conduct business. Independent specialty shops can provide exceptional vehicle knowledge and customer service that is quite often superior to that of major dealerships. BMW owners typically see about 30-50% savings using an independent repair shop compared to using a dealership for post-warranty repair or maintenance.
Some of the common trends and characteristics of these shops include:
- The shop owner/head mechanic usually has experience working at a local BMW Dealership.
- The shop technicians typically have all the credentials and certifications necessary to work on all BMW makes and models.
- The shops have the correct diagnostic tools
- The shops are very clean and neat.
- The owner has an entrepreneurial spirit and the motivation to start a business that creates value for the post-warranty BMW customer.
- The shop technicians have been recruited from local dealerships to work at the independent repair shop.
- The shop owner is aware of the importance of their online reputation.
- The shop owner is a BMW enthusiast and you can typically be found at the local auto show or car race track.
All of this should give you some peace of mind when leaving your car with the repair shop. Of course as a consumer it's very important to do your research before choosing your repair shop. Below is a quick checklist for choosing a certified service provider for BMW Repair and maintenance:
- Is the shop BOSCH Certified or included in the BMW CAR CLUB OF AMERICA? (logos below)
- Does the shop have visible reviews or ratings online (Yelp, Angie's List, Mechanic Advisor)?
- Does the shop have customer referrals?
- Does the shop offer a warranty on parts or work performed?
- What type of parts does the shop use? OEM (original equipment manufacturer)/new/used?
- What is the shop's hourly labor rate? ($80.00 - $100.00/hr - is a good range depending on geographic location)
