Service/Repair preferences

Can somebody specify what an "indie" shop is. I keep seeing this term used

Originally Posted by TX_Bullet

Can somebody specify what an "indie" shop is. I keep seeing this term used

Indie = Independent - local shop that specializes in (or is at least familiar with) BMWs.

Thank you, I thought it was something like that.

I use an independent BMW specialist. Prices aren't much cheaper than the dealer but the shop owner is alot more careful than any dealer would be about doing the job right.

Who do you use in NJ?

DIY everything. Except major engine work, then it's hook up's, or trade work for that.

of course i diy everything lol

I'm not sure it counts if you personally represent ALL of the poll options!

everything! i have a lift at my house and im a tech at toyota.

Here's my growing list of things I've done to my car; everything myself. Some easy, some hard. It's a '99 328i and has 125,000 miles now so been doing lots of preventative maintenance this year. I've, knock-on-wood, not had to resort to using anyone else and have not gotten stuck in the middle of a job and had to abort. List does not include normal maintenance items like changing the oil. I'm just a regular guy with a 3-car garage (which is helpful), a decent set of tools but I truly couldn't have done them without the DIYs from this forum.

Oct 09 Replaced/overhauled cooling system: water pump, thermostat, radiator hoses, temperature sensor, coolant level sensor, temperature sending unit
Oct 09 Replaced power steering reservoir and reservoir to-cooling coil and to-pump hoses
Oct 09 Cleaned Idle Control Valve
Sep 09 Cleaned DISA/adjuster unit
Aug 09 Replaced CA/CABs (control arms, control arm bushings), sway bar links
Jul 09 Replaced struts
Jun 09 Replaced A/C belt tensioner
Jun 09 Replaced rear shocks and shock mounts
May 09 Replaced accessory belt tensioner and deflection pulley
Apr 09 Replaced accessory and A/C belts
Mar 09 Replaced rotors with drilled rotors and replaced pads and brake sensors
Jan 07 Replaced front passenger window regulator
Dec 06 Replaced fuel filter
Nov 06 Replaced hood roundel and wheel center caps
Nov 06 Replaced valve cover gasket, new plugs, plug connectors, rubber seals
Jun 02 Replaced camshaft position sensor -exhaust side

As a first time e46 and BMW owner Ive been greatly happy with the amount of work ive been able to do myself. Ive done mostly pm stuff, rear struts strut mounts brakes disks plugs fuel filter and have been impressed with how easy it has been. I have found some things to be less of a hassle to take to the dealer. I have a extended warranty that has come in handy. Had a 1300 bill when they told me a "wheel bearing locked up" causing it to take out the caliper and brakes. Well here to find out the caliper locked up. I was pissed because I could have done all of that myself. Needless to say I no longer go to Kelly BMW Columbus Ohio and now go to MAG BMW and really watch what they say. I let them find the problems then I go and fix it for a fraction. Had dealer do auto tranny fluid at 75k while under warranty incase it stopped working i could blame them and use the warranty for a new tranny

I voted DIY everything because I have done everything since I bought it three years ago (with the exception of rear brakes immediately after purchase).

There are probably things I would not do, like engine or transmission overhaul, but that's because it's my daily driver and I can only really do things that take less than three days.

After lied to by some shops about damage to my 320d engine 47N code D20A diesel when the timeingchain snaped at 75mph------------- I found a bmw mechanic who worked in A main B M W shop to overhaul it PRIVATE'LY :