Private workshops vs AD workshops

[Bentanlh70]

When I had my first car many years ago, a used Toyota, I used to visit a private workshop in Tampines for my regular servicing. During every visit, the workshop will always tell me that this or that spoilt and had to be replaced. I always ended up with 4-figure bills. At the time, I was young and naive.

After that, I changed to Honda, which is bought first-hand. I always go to AD workshop for servicing. I noticed that the workshop only advised me to do whatever was necessary, nothing more and nothing less.

Now with BMW, I also go to AD workshop. Their fees are definitely high compared to outside, but at least they don't anyhow suggest that I change this or that when the parts are still working. The only time was when they offered to check my tyres and recommended that they be changed. Yes, it was obvious that the threads were quite worn out, but I decided that I would save lots of money if I get my tyres from outside tyre shops. Furthermore, I wanted non-RFTs, which AD will not agree.

From my personal experience, I feel that for wear and tear items, it's OK to change them at any reputable shops which offer reasonable prices. As for servicing and repairs, I would rather go back to AD workshop. That's just me and my preference, you don't have to agree with it.

 

[Viper Warrior]

Well, for what is worth, I have never go back to AD for servicing. It is always my trusted outside workshop and was never being told to change stuff unnecessarily. In fact most of the time its me that said "I think its about time to change, pls change for preventive maintenance".
Bottom-line is if you have gotten an honest outside workshop, there is nothing to worry about and get to save a lot of money too. My personal experience from the day I own a Bimmer, many site sponsor here are all very professional and honest.
P.S. AD doesn't repair stuff, they only change new no matter how small the damage is.

 

[Citizen69]

Well, for what is worth, I have never go back to AD for servicing. It is always my trusted outside workshop and was never being told to change stuff unnecessarily. In fact most of the time its me that said "I think its about time to change, pls change for preventive maintenance".
Bottom-line is if you have gotten an honest outside workshop, there is nothing to worry about and get to save a lot of money too. My personal experience from the day I own a Bimmer, many site sponsor here are all very professional and honest.
P.S. AD doesn't repair stuff, they only change new no matter how small the damage is.

+ 1

 

[rssid]

AD servicing and repairs only when in the warranty period. Otherwise I'm smart enough to know what needs to be changed and when to change with a bit of research and know how and diagnostic software.

Yes a workshop that knows what's going on is required but even they have different quotes due to the process they use to get the same job done. Perfect example is I was looking around to replace engine mounts and the quotes I get range from 180 to a sky high 600+ just for labour to install. When questioned why it cost so much the workshop said they had to drop the subframe just to install 2 engine mounts and sent me pics of a dropped subframe that they said needed to happen just to install. Now while dropping the subframe is 1 possible method its excessive and not required and also tells me its just a money grab hoping I'll do it with them. I'm not going to tell them how to do their work and there are plenty of YouTube videos showing a engine mount replacement without resorting to dropping the subframe so I know it can be done. So perfect example there.

If you don't know and can't be bothered then go ahead and pay the bmw tax for laziness and ignorance. Bottom line is if you're trading time for $ in simply paying what the 1st workshop or ad quotes you.

It pays to shop around even at non bmw specialist workshops and build a relationship with the workers and guys running the place. Plan ahead know what's going to need replacing early and shop around.

My thread for referance: Pics and breakdown of costs included where possible.

https://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/threads/f10-528i-mods-and-maintenance-pics.87979/

Just my 2 cents as well

 

[dvd7117l]

Anyone knows what is the usual labour charge for changing of F10 suspensions?

 

[dvd7117l]

I was quoted between $250 to $280 from 4 reputable workshops.
Reasonable?

 

[afmcbeemer]

Now with BMW, I also go to AD workshop. Their fees are definitely high compared to outside, but at least they don't anyhow suggest that I change this or that when the parts are still working.
From my personal experience, I feel that for wear and tear items, it's OK to change them at any reputable shops which offer reasonable prices. As for servicing and repairs, I would rather go back to AD workshop. That's just me and my preference, you don't have to agree with it.

@Bentanlh70 Genuinely curious - What repairs does PML do that an independent wksp cant .PML would also do a replacement for most things which would work out more expensive.

 

[The Guardian]

PML is s**t!
They dun know much of the stuff they are selling.
Now I only go back for BSI just to keep my warranty and will change out the oil within the week.
I just did my ATF and axle oil change outside @ 36k mileage for a 3.5 year old car where PML refused to take the job citing various risk factor and "life time oil"... shiok and smooth now.

 

[Bentanlh70]

@Bentanlh70 Genuinely curious - What repairs does PML do that an independent wksp cant .PML would also do a replacement for most things which would work out more expensive.

my key point is that pml would not suggest doing "extras", which are the good-to-have but not must-have
.

 

[Bentanlh70]

PML is s**t!
They dun know much of the stuff they are selling.
Now I only go back for BSI just to keep my warranty and will change out the oil within the week.
I just did my ATF and axle oil change outside @ 36k mileage for a 3.5 year old car where PML refused to take the job citing various risk factor and "life time oil"... shiok and smooth now.

hmm, isn't that a very low mileage to change ATF? for me, i won't touch the gb unless it's really jerky or behaves oddly.

 

[clemgoh]

hmm, isn't that a very low mileage to change ATF? for me, i won't touch the gb unless it's really jerky or behaves oddly.

By then it could be too late and can pay them for a new one.... $$$

I Change it at 50,000km or every 4 years is the Max for me. After 20 Years of 4 bmws, I know what happens when I don’t. Walau kick in butt + wallet damage

 

[Flyer31]

PML is s**t!
They dun know much of the stuff they are selling.
Now I only go back for BSI just to keep my warranty and will change out the oil within the week.
I just did my ATF and axle oil change outside @ 36k mileage for a 3.5 year old car where PML refused to take the job citing various risk factor and "life time oil"... shiok and smooth now.

Will it be ok if we do regular oil change outside instead of PML? Will it affect the warranty? Read somewhere that policy has changed and owners are actually allowed to service their car outside without voiding the warranty.

 

[afmcbeemer]

Will it be ok if we do regular oil change outside instead of PML? Will it affect the warranty? Read somewhere that policy has changed and owners are actually allowed to service their car outside without voiding the warranty.

yes.must use original parts.but it won't be reflected under the service heading in idrive though service intervals can be reset at other wksps.But I would still suggest doing the regular servicing at PML unless u want to do extra oil changes .

 

[The Guardian]

PML will not take in your car for BSI till its within 2k of the due mileage.
I will still change my oil following the BSI schedule at PML since its free and also to clock my record for the warranty. But I will change out out to better oil later. End of the day, you wouldn;t know if they change out the used oil or just update the counter for the next cycle.

 

[Eljay]

my car is 2nd hand and left with 6 mths warranty. may i know if it is advisable to go back to AD or outside workshop for servicing?

 

[Bentanlh70]

my car is 2nd hand and left with 6 mths warranty. may i know if it is advisable to go back to AD or outside workshop for servicing?

if it’s just normal oil change, either is ok. For PML, if you buy their package, it’s not that expensive. Your I-drive will show that it’s serviced by them. But repair wise, outside workshops should be cheaper. Just have to find a reliable one.

 

[Eljay]

if it’s just normal oil change, either is ok. For PML, if you buy their package, it’s not that expensive. Your I-drive will show that it’s serviced by them. But repair wise, outside workshops should be cheaper. Just have to find a reliable one.

Noted many thanks for your thoughts!