service my BMW at a Toyota dealership?

plasma23 · 04-09-2014, 03:55 PM

Hello, the nearest garage from my house happens to be a Jemca Toyota dealership, only a minutes drive from where I live. For convenience, it would be easy for me to get a service plus MOT from there.

I have a 2007 BMW 330i M Sport with the uprated 272hp N53 engine. I would need a full service and possible front brake pads/disc change. I have briefly spoken to the Toyota dealership and they confirmed they are able to do the job. Price is actually very reasonable too! Comes up to £300 for the full service including MOT. Not entirely sure about the brake discs/pads as they arn't sure about the price of the parts.

Shall I go ahead with this? Is it worth the risk of them screwing up my car...perhaps I might be better off travelling the extra miles and go to a independent specialist?

RoamPT · 04-09-2014, 03:57 PM

Its just brakes, if it's a good price for you go ahead, make sure they install good stuff tho.

Agentphish · 04-09-2014, 04:02 PM

What do you define as "Full Service"?

If they are using proper OE spec parts it shouldn't matter too much where it's done as long as they are using proper parts/torque values/etc... But for instance, putting the wrong spark plugs in even though they "fit" could cause poor performance/rough idle.

hongsc · 04-09-2014, 04:21 PM

Do you want to risk your life with Toyota? Half joking, sort of. If a BMW dealership is too far then why not go to an Indy shop that specializes in BMW?

Jermainiac · 04-09-2014, 04:35 PM

I have to agree with hongsc..... Some of these guys don't use BMW parts which are not always the best. If you are not bothered about where you get your service done then I would got to a recommended independent garage.

MDecals · 04-09-2014, 04:36 PM

For basic services, I can't image any dealer screwing up a procedure.

Jermainiac · 04-09-2014, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDecals

For basic services, I can't image any dealer screwing up a procedure.

Also true!

plasma23 · 04-09-2014, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agentphish

What do you define as "Full Service"?

If they are using proper OE spec parts it shouldn't matter too much where it's done as long as they are using proper parts/torque values/etc... But for instance, putting the wrong spark plugs in even though they "fit" could cause poor performance/rough idle.

by full service i mean oil change, full vehicle inspection, lube hinges, fuel filter replacement, brake fluid change, transmission oil change, spark plugs, air filter, inspect suspension etc etc

El Cheapo Loco · 04-09-2014, 04:58 PM

I wouldn't let them touch your transmission as I doubt they will have OEM fluid. Using the correct ATF is critical to the health of the transmission.

Agentphish · 04-09-2014, 06:08 PM

Yeah. Only if you can confirm from the service manager with certainty (in writing in my opinion) that they are using all the proper parts/fluids as specified by BMW for your car.

Nicky92 · 04-09-2014, 07:04 PM

I have a 3 year service plan with a Chrysler dealer..

I'm scared to bring it there...

s!ke · 04-09-2014, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicky90

I have a 3 year service plan with a Chrysler dealer..

I'm scared to bring it there...

lol I would be too

smithf80 · 04-09-2014, 09:20 PM

I had my rotors done at a toyota dealership since a friend there was a service writer. I just supplied the parts and watched him put them on. All in all uneventful process.

chronos6 · 04-09-2014, 09:37 PM

If you'd like your car to be come apart of Toyota's 6.4million car recall, then sure go ahead.

Chriztofor · 04-09-2014, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasma23

by full service i mean oil change, full vehicle inspection, lube hinges, fuel filter replacement, brake fluid change, transmission oil change, spark plugs, air filter, inspect suspension etc etc

Where do I start. I think this is a bad move, you are better off having an independent shop who fixes BMWs work on your car. Do you think:

1) they know that BMWs don't have dipsticks or know the amount of oil to use? Do you think they know what LL-01 (US, not sure about UK) approved oil is? Also, that they shouldn't rely on the electronic oil level gauge because it may take some time to get an accurate reading.
2) same goes for the transmission oil (except it doesn't have an electronic oil level gauge) . Moreover, do you think they know that once emptied (and refilled) they will have to run the car, go through the gears, and then top off. If they don't do that then you will be about 1 quart low.
3) Do you think they know the Gas filter is located under the back seat and it is not a $10 part.
4) do you trust them to take apart all the plastic bits carefully in order to get to your spark plugs. Also, not to use anti-seize because they may strip the head?

In other words, do you think a Toyota dealership or other non-Bmw dealership will take the time to learn how to service a car that they don't normally service.

Good luck, let us know how it goes and keep us updated.

TopBack_Mack · 04-09-2014, 10:10 PM

For the servicing you need done, your safe. I use to work for a Toyota dealership and our service department would take on those type of jobs. Anything that was more in depth or that needed special diagnostic/tools to repair would be sent to pour nearest BMW service center.

Efthreeoh · 04-10-2014, 05:46 AM

Considering how many people on this Forum have difficulty understanding how the BMW CBS works regarding the replacement of brake pads/wear sensors/reset procedure, my suggestion, as always with BMWs, is take it to a certified BMW mechanic.

Replacing brakes on BMW is not as easy as just replacing brake pads on a Rav4.

Meeni · 04-10-2014, 08:18 AM

They may source rotors/pads from the lowest bid on ebay. IF they garantee they use OEM (or you can tell what you want), then ok.

Not for transmission, it requires a specific oil available readily only at german automakers garages.

AzureHaze · 04-10-2014, 10:46 AM

I would look a bit silly rolling up to a Toyota stealership with my bimmer...

OP, try and find a BMW or even a German vehicle specialized indy shop.

plasma23 · 04-10-2014, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

Where do I start. I think this is a bad move, you are better off having an independent shop who fixes BMWs work on your car. Do you think:

1) they know that BMWs don't have dipsticks or know the amount of oil to use? Do you think they know what LL-01 (US, not sure about UK) approved oil is? Also, that they shouldn't rely on the electronic oil level gauge because it may take some time to get an accurate reading.
2) same goes for the transmission oil (except it doesn't have an electronic oil level gauge) . Moreover, do you think they know that once emptied (and refilled) they will have to run the car, go through the gears, and then top off. If they don't do that then you will be about 1 quart low.
3) Do you think they know the Gas filter is located under the back seat and it is not a $10 part.
4) do you trust them to take apart all the plastic bits carefully in order to get to your spark plugs. Also, not to use anti-seize because they may strip the head?

In other words, do you think a Toyota dealership or other non-Bmw dealership will take the time to learn how to service a car that they don't normally service.

Good luck, let us know how it goes and keep us updated.

Thanks for all the input guys. Chriztofor after reading your post you have me concerned. I think for a basic service (just oil change, cleaning and oiling my Performance air filter and general vehicle inspection) I will take it to the Toyota stealer, anything more complicated (i,e, transmission etc) I will go to the nearest BMW garage (which just happens to be a BMW stealer).

When I spoke to Toyota the other day (in person) they confirmed that they will use original BMW parts and will double check everything with BMW just to make sure, but I'll have that in writing by them just in case. They did find it rather peculiar (not surprisingly) that I'm getting my car serviced with them. The receptionist even called out the Toyota mechanic, who seemed rather eager to service my car.
In any case I’ve booked my service with them and taking it to them on Saturday! They said I can have a Toyota Prius loaner car! Can’t wait to try one of them, always wanted to!

plasma23 · 04-10-2014, 01:15 PM

oh one more thing, my car is actually remapped.
(check out my post for that, it shows the graph: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...330i+n53+remap)

Shall I bother telling Toyota about this just in case they remove the ecu setting and put it back to stock?

ctuna · 04-10-2014, 04:37 PM

Do you think Toyota has BMW diagnostics?
Also I thought the fuel filter was buried in the gas tank
and impossible to service. (or really hard to service)
Closest thing we have to MOT is smogging but that all it
does in Cali.
I doubt they can read anything but common engine codes
these cars do not speak and entirely common digital languages.

04-09-2014, 03:55 PM	#1
plasma23 Private First Class 27 Rep 101 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Comp Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: London UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 330i N53 [0.00]	service my BMW at a Toyota dealership? Hello, the nearest garage from my house happens to be a Jemca Toyota dealership, only a minutes drive from where I live. For convenience, it would be easy for me to get a service plus MOT from there. I have a 2007 BMW 330i M Sport with the uprated 272hp N53 engine. I would need a full service and possible front brake pads/disc change. I have briefly spoken to the Toyota dealership and they confirmed they are able to do the job. Price is actually very reasonable too! Comes up to £300 for the full service including MOT. Not entirely sure about the brake discs/pads as they arn't sure about the price of the parts. Shall I go ahead with this? Is it worth the risk of them screwing up my car...perhaps I might be better off travelling the extra miles and go to a independent specialist?
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04-09-2014, 03:57 PM	#2
RoamPT First Lieutenant 27 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2016 Dodge Charger SRT 392 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Dodge Charger ... [9.00]	Its just brakes, if it's a good price for you go ahead, make sure they install good stuff tho.
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04-09-2014, 04:02 PM	#3
Agentphish Major 130 Rep 1,052 Posts Drives: '08 328i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	What do you define as "Full Service"? If they are using proper OE spec parts it shouldn't matter too much where it's done as long as they are using proper parts/torque values/etc... But for instance, putting the wrong spark plugs in even though they "fit" could cause poor performance/rough idle. __________________ '08 328i \| TiAg \| 6MT \| CDV Mod \| RevMotoring Silicon Intake Tube \| AG M310 \| Cold \| Premium \| HiFi \| V1 Hardwire \| AirPlay - FiiO DAC '15 Golf SE Sport \| Pure White
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04-09-2014, 04:21 PM	#4
hongsc Captain 153 Rep 982 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Amazon Prime iTrader: (1)	Do you want to risk your life with Toyota? Half joking, sort of. If a BMW dealership is too far then why not go to an Indy shop that specializes in BMW? __________________ 2011 BMW 328i Space Grey\|18" Avant Garde m359\|Michelin Pilot Sport A/S2\|Eibach Pro-Kit Springs\|Koni FSD\|M3 U+L Control Arms\|Lux Angel Eyes\|Stoptech\|Hawk 5.0\|aFe Race Pipes\|BMW PE
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04-09-2014, 04:35 PM	#5
Jermainiac Enlisted Member 3 Rep 44 Posts Drives: E90 325i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I have to agree with hongsc..... Some of these guys don't use BMW parts which are not always the best. If you are not bothered about where you get your service done then I would got to a recommended independent garage.
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04-09-2014, 04:36 PM	#6
MDecals BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 64 Rep 587 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Glendale, CA iTrader: (9)	For basic services, I can't image any dealer screwing up a procedure. __________________ Your Source For All Things Vinyl! Official Decals: Bimmerpost \| E90post\| M3post \| F30post
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04-09-2014, 04:58 PM	#9
El Cheapo Loco douchebaggo 186 Rep 972 Posts Drives: stick Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	I wouldn't let them touch your transmission as I doubt they will have OEM fluid. Using the correct ATF is critical to the health of the transmission.
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04-09-2014, 06:08 PM	#10
Agentphish Major 130 Rep 1,052 Posts Drives: '08 328i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Yeah. Only if you can confirm from the service manager with certainty (in writing in my opinion) that they are using all the proper parts/fluids as specified by BMW for your car. __________________ '08 328i \| TiAg \| 6MT \| CDV Mod \| RevMotoring Silicon Intake Tube \| AG M310 \| Cold \| Premium \| HiFi \| V1 Hardwire \| AirPlay - FiiO DAC '15 Golf SE Sport \| Pure White
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04-09-2014, 07:04 PM	#11
Nicky92 Fastest 335 on Earth 39 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Levittown, NY iTrader: (0)	I have a 3 year service plan with a Chrysler dealer.. I'm scared to bring it there...
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04-09-2014, 09:20 PM	#13
smithf80 Major General 2813 Rep 5,316 Posts Drives: G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G20 330i [9.00] 2018 F80 M3 [9.75]	I had my rotors done at a toyota dealership since a friend there was a service writer. I just supplied the parts and watched him put them on. All in all uneventful process.
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04-09-2014, 09:37 PM	#14
chronos6 Banned 13 Rep 210 Posts Drives: '11 335xi Le Mans Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Clifton, NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 1987 Buick Grand Na ... [0.00] 2011 BMW 335xi [9.00]	If you'd like your car to be come apart of Toyota's 6.4million car recall, then sure go ahead.
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04-09-2014, 10:10 PM	#16
TopBack_Mack Major 41 Rep 1,474 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335XI COUPE [10.00]	For the servicing you need done, your safe. I use to work for a Toyota dealership and our service department would take on those type of jobs. Anything that was more in depth or that needed special diagnostic/tools to repair would be sent to pour nearest BMW service center.
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04-10-2014, 05:46 AM	#17
Efthreeoh General 17480 Rep 18,825 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Considering how many people on this Forum have difficulty understanding how the BMW CBS works regarding the replacement of brake pads/wear sensors/reset procedure, my suggestion, as always with BMWs, is take it to a certified BMW mechanic. Replacing brakes on BMW is not as easy as just replacing brake pads on a Rav4.
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04-10-2014, 08:18 AM	#18
Meeni Gateropode 329 Rep 2,846 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	They may source rotors/pads from the lowest bid on ebay. IF they garantee they use OEM (or you can tell what you want), then ok. Not for transmission, it requires a specific oil available readily only at german automakers garages.
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04-10-2014, 10:46 AM	#19
AzureHaze Lieutenant Colonel 69 Rep 1,766 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Sport Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	I would look a bit silly rolling up to a Toyota stealership with my bimmer... OP, try and find a BMW or even a German vehicle specialized indy shop. __________________ JBD @ 100% \| KW ST Coilovers \| M3 rep. front bumper \| 888Concepts AE Upgrade \| GP Thunder 7500k fogs \| Cyba 4" carbon tips \| BSW Stage 1 \| APEX ARC-8 W/ Michelin PSS \| Ziza LED interior \| Weisslicht LED side lenses \| Sprint Booster \| Euro side mirrors \| M-Sport semi-conversion \| Coded \| LOTS of carbon fiber
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04-10-2014, 01:15 PM	#21
plasma23 Private First Class 27 Rep 101 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Comp Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: London UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 330i N53 [0.00]	oh one more thing, my car is actually remapped. (check out my post for that, it shows the graph: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...330i+n53+remap) Shall I bother telling Toyota about this just in case they remove the ecu setting and put it back to stock?
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04-10-2014, 04:37 PM	#22
ctuna Lieutenant General 1926 Rep 13,134 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Do you think Toyota has BMW diagnostics? Do you think Toyota has BMW diagnostics? Also I thought the fuel filter was buried in the gas tank and impossible to service. (or really hard to service) Closest thing we have to MOT is smogging but that all it does in Cali. I doubt they can read anything but common engine codes these cars do not speak and entirely common digital languages.
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