Difference Between Audi/VW and BMW Maintenance

Hey guys, kind of a random question. I need to take my car in for service and the dealership I bought it from is paying for the service. They are part of a larger network of dealerships which include an Audi and a Volkwagen dealership. They said either of those two could work on the car (that or the Hyundai mechanics I bought it from), otherwise they wouldn't be paying for it. My question is, are people who aren't trained to work on BMW's capable of doing the service? I'd rather take the car to my independent mechanic but so far that's not an option. What are your guy's opinions, is it safe to let Hyundai/VW/Audi mechanics work on my car?

I am sure they may have great experience and skills. Personally I'd rather find a local shop that works on BMW's and has specific BMW diagnostic tools. I was quite surprised to learn how many local shop perform work on the German automobiles.

I prefer specialists. That said, I'm sure they'll provide you with a warranty for their work so you'll be ok.

If they are good mechanics, depending on the specific job, and the dealership is paying for the work....take it to them. What is the maintenance issue though? I can tell you, an Audi Mechanic is pretty good at tearing the front end of A4, A6, and replacing timing chains and all the failure items. Most BMW issues are pretty easy. Not all indy mechanics are perfect either. Fill us in on what you need done they are paying for to take care of, that would help.

Originally Posted by MileHiXi

I prefer specialists. That said, I'm sure they'll provide you with a warranty for their work so you'll be ok.

I do when it comes to electrical work or transmission work.....that is about it.

Originally Posted by carcus

If they are good mechanics, depending on the specific job, and the dealership is paying for the work....take it to them. What is the maintenance issue though? I can tell you, an Audi Mechanic is pretty good at tearing the front end of A4, A6, and replacing timing chains and all the failure items. Most BMW issues are pretty easy. Not all indy mechanics are perfect either. Fill us in on what you need done they are paying for to take care of, that would help.

I bought the car at a big chain of dealerships in the Denver area and they had left an internal invoice inside the car detailing all of the problems the car had. I took it to an independent mechanic to have them check it out before I bought it and they said they had done a PPI about a month before when someone traded to car into the dealership, at that point in time he hadn't found anything. Part of my problem is I'd love to do the work myself minus a few things because I want to do the VCG and Vanos seals so I know how. Right now the car needs the following done:
Valve Cover Gasket
Trans pan gasket
Headlight washer pump
New style 79 wheel and tire
Passenger side kidney grille
Both side inner CV boots
New Master Key
There are a few other things, I can't really remember them off the top of my head, none of them are all that difficult I just don't want someone pulling apart my engine who hasn't work on the 330 before.

Originally Posted by AlpinWeissM3

I bought the car at a big chain of dealerships in the Denver area and they had left an internal invoice inside the car detailing all of the problems the car had. I took it to an independent mechanic to have them check it out before I bought it and they said they had done a PPI about a month before when someone traded to car into the dealership, at that point in time he hadn't found anything. Part of my problem is I'd love to do the work myself minus a few things because I want to do the VCG and Vanos seals so I know how. Right now the car needs the following done:
Valve Cover Gasket
Trans pan gasket
Headlight washer pump
New style 79 wheel and tire
Passenger side kidney grille
Both side inner CV boots
New Master Key
There are a few other things, I can't really remember them off the top of my head, none of them are all that difficult I just don't want someone pulling apart my engine who hasn't work on the 330 before.

If the dealer you got the used car is going to pay for all that....HELL YES!!! TAKE IT TO THEM!!! None of them are major repairs but if you pay out of pocket yourself....ouch. I might have understood you wrong though, the dealer you bought the car from will fix this or is this what the indy said and you are on your own?

Personally, if it had these problems, I would have never even bought the car without a dealership fixing the issues.

Originally Posted by carcus

If the dealer you got the used car is going to pay for all that....HELL YES!!! TAKE IT TO THEM!!! None of them are major repairs but if you pay out of pocket yourself....ouch. I might have understood you wrong though, the dealer you bought the car from will fix this or is this what the indy said and you are on your own?

Personally, if it had these problems, I would have never even bought the car without a dealership fixing the issues.

The dealership I bought the car from said they would fix it. It helps to have an uncle who is a very high profile lawyer in the Denver area but, I still am not satisfied with the idea of anyone who is not familiar with BMW's to be wrenching on mine. I didn't know the car had any of these issues, I only found out after having found an internal invoice from the dealerships inspection of the car.

If they're a licensed dealer they warranty their work so don't worry, besides you'd be surprised how many mechanics read from a manual, you really think they know it all off the top of their head even if they only work on one brand of cars? Anyone that knows anything about cars and can read will do just fine even if they aren't BMW specific, plus they're already familiar with German cars so no worries. If they **** up and then something else happens down the line then think about your uncle. Don't worry so much, there's nothing out-of-this-world about a BMW mechanically that can't be done by competent people.

Originally Posted by AlpinWeissM3

The dealership I bought the car from said they would fix it. It helps to have an uncle who is a very high profile lawyer in the Denver area but, I still am not satisfied with the idea of anyone who is not familiar with BMW's to be wrenching on mine. I didn't know the car had any of these issues, I only found out after having found an internal invoice from the dealerships inspection of the car.

Let the dealer fix all the problems to your liking or bring the car back. You got hosed once, let them fix all of it. Do not pay a penny and make sure you have all that documented when you bought the car. If it is not on the fix/repair list when you bought the car....you are OWNED!!!! Force them to fix it. The repairs are minor and any mechanic should be able to fix those issued. Heck, you might be able to tell them you want parts from sponsors that might cost them less.

That car sounds like it was ragged out.

EDIT: I would have them change all the fluids on it if you can talk them into it. And make them give you the old parts back so you know it was done.....with the mechanical stuff. Just a few tips. Good luck to you and let us know how it turns out.

Originally Posted by carcus

Let the dealer fix all the problems to your liking or bring the car back. You got hosed once, let them fix all of it. Do not pay a penny and make sure you have all that documented when you bought the car. If it is not on the fix/repair list when you bought the car....you are OWNED!!!! Force them to fix it. The repairs are minor and any mechanic should be able to fix those issued. Heck, you might be able to tell them you want parts from sponsors that might cost them less.

That car sounds like it was ragged out.

EDIT: I would have them change all the fluids on it if you can talk them into it. And make them give you the old parts back so you know it was done.....with the mechanical stuff. Just a few tips. Good luck to you and let us know how it turns out.

The car really doesn't have any problems other than the ones listed, it's just been such a pain in the ass trying to gather estimates from as many different places as I could to try and put the highest estimate for each thing on the amount they needed to write us a check for. I don't care about saving them any money, I have already said that every part needs to be BMW OEM and they need to provide me with whatever the part came in. I also said another stipulation would be they have to provide the old part, to assure me the work was done and they weren't trying to screw me over again.

The only reason we bought the car was because it was in such great condition, the exterior and interior looked brand new for a car with 117,000 miles, it's just the other stuff that makes me regret it, and also the fact that there's power going to the front wheels but that will have to wait until I can afford a 330cic.

experience of mechanic > name of dealer they work for

you'll find terrible mechanics at bmw dealerships, you'll find great ones at yugo dealerships. If they're paying for it, leave the car with them and go.

i cant work on my bmw because im not trained to work on them. but i have built about 10 different engines including one that is in the 550hp range on pump gas.. oh and i can do clutches, tranmissions, rear differentials, among other things. but nope, was never trained to work on bmws so i dont have a clue.

let them fix the issues, then find a good independant mechanic that knows what hes doing for in the future. or learn how to do the work yourself.

Originally Posted by AlpinWeissM3

Hey guys, kind of a random question. I need to take my car in for service and the dealership I bought it from is paying for the service. They are part of a larger network of dealerships which include an Audi and a Volkwagen dealership. They said either of those two could work on the car (that or the Hyundai mechanics I bought it from), otherwise they wouldn't be paying for it. My question is, are people who aren't trained to work on BMW's capable of doing the service? I'd rather take the car to my independent mechanic but so far that's not an option. What are your guy's opinions, is it safe to let Hyundai/VW/Audi mechanics work on my car?

i haven't been trained to work on BMW or VW/Audi, but i still do it.
not being a tech of a particular manufacturer only means they are unfamiliar with the brand, it does not mean they are unfamiliar with automotive repairs. as long as it's a tech that takes a little pride in their work, you should be fine.

Reading your list it seems any mechanic could do those. I know this because I'm not a mechanic and did most of that myself...except the headlight washer pump and that can't be too hard. Besides, if they're paying for it...well, just wait till they don't! take advantage of it now.

... you mentioned axle boots. Do you think it was driven in rain and crap? If the boots are torn and junk got in... could be trouble.