BMW Mechanic in Cape Town

[DieselFan]

Yes they have no relation anymore and are completely separate! I wouldn't send me car to maitland.

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[Dr Evil]

R600 with a filter change? I would be skeptical at that price. Going by dealer price. Half an hour labour is already 400...

At brilliant I pay half an hour labour R200 my own filter from bmw R200 and 5l oil R400 and engine flush R70...

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It's true. I had an oil change done there as well. My invoice shows:

Engine oil: 286.65
Windscreen additive 10.25
Oil filter 90.04
Labour 122.35

Total including vat 580.59




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That's a good price

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Yep, that's why i called them first, only thing is, they quoted me between 4-5k for an inspection 2, that's why i decided to book it in by mech1 rather

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[Budleigh]

I also got quoted between R4k AND R5k for an oil service at Donford BMW, so it seems that SMG are the only peeps who will do it for that amount of money.

 

[Bayn46]

Oh yes ok. Didn't know they were also brilliant mechanical. Just know them as Bruce Craigs.

Where is there workshop?

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not a workshop., but a scrapyard / salvage yard.

so maitland not an option.

They started as a scrap yard but have opened a workshop in the same space.

I was there the other day and they've got a pretty decent operation going. Just as big as the current Kenilworth one, so both are good options depending on your location.

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hang on. these are 2 totally unrelated businesses. yes the 2 owners once ran a joint company (i.e old bruces) but that has not been for years. right now, these are 2 totally seperate businesses. no relation at all.

I never said that they were related.

They used to run Bruce's/Brilliance Mechanical Workshop together in Garfield road, then split.

Ralf stayed and renamed to M1 Auto (they have a website), and Bruce moved to Maitland and opened a scrap yard, which has now expanded into a service centre.

The reason I say that they are similar is because Bruce took some of the old guys with him so the level of knowledge is about the same between the two places and should therefore get roughly the same level of quality.

 

[Alexar]

Thank u guys.Got hold of 808.Lady replied and said delay in quotes etc due to burglary.I'm from Caledon bu started working here in Obs now,so don't mind where, as long it's decent service I'm getting...need someone to check out stuff like swirl flaps on my car as well(and all those other stuff).

 

[madness_inc]

Oh yes ok. Didn't know they were also brilliant mechanical. Just know them as Bruce Craigs.

Where is there workshop?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

not a workshop., but a scrapyard / salvage yard.

so maitland not an option.

They started as a scrap yard but have opened a workshop in the same space.

I was there the other day and they've got a pretty decent operation going. Just as big as the current Kenilworth one, so both are good options depending on your location.

Sent from my HTC One X

hang on. these are 2 totally unrelated businesses. yes the 2 owners once ran a joint company (i.e old bruces) but that has not been for years. right now, these are 2 totally seperate businesses. no relation at all.

I never said that they were related.

They used to run Bruce's/Brilliance Mechanical Workshop together in Garfield road, then split.

Ralf stayed and renamed to M1 Auto (they have a website), and Bruce moved to Maitland and opened a scrap yard, which has now expanded into a service centre.

The reason I say that they are similar is because Bruce took some of the old guys with him so the level of knowledge is about the same between the two places and should therefore get roughly the same level of quality.

I've never received anything more than mediocre service from either of them. Even sourcing second hand bits, their (respective) pricing is ludicrous

 

[Bayn46]

I've never received anything more than mediocre service from either of them. Even sourcing second hand bits, their (respective) pricing is ludicrous

I've had decent service on simple things, but when I told them my flywheel was bad, they told me I needed a new gearbox. Lucky I had someone else check it out.

I take my car to SMG Cape Town for servicing as they aren't that expensive.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Thank u guys.Got hold of 808.Lady replied and said delay in quotes etc due to burglary.I'm from Caledon bu started working here in Obs now,so don't mind where, as long it's decent service I'm getting...need someone to check out stuff like swirl flaps on my car as well(and all those other stuff).

Hopefully this thread can get back on track. Glad you got sorted! Garage 808 has great service and its the only place I take my car.

 

[madness_inc]

Thank u guys.Got hold of 808.Lady replied and said delay in quotes etc due to burglary.I'm from Caledon bu started working here in Obs now,so don't mind where, as long it's decent service I'm getting...need someone to check out stuff like swirl flaps on my car as well(and all those other stuff).

Hopefully this thread can get back on track. Glad you got sorted! Garage 808 has great service and its the only place I take my car.

808 are worth the wait. Colin and his wife are a pleasure to deal with

 

[Straight six]

Just to add...

Seeing that they are booked for the next two weeks....Colin's wife referred me to RSM(Repair,Service,Maintanance) who is close by....as I could not wait that long(trip coming up)

If 808 referred them means they at least know what they are doing....

Owner there is Martinus...very helpful bloke

 

[DieselFan]

not a workshop., but a scrapyard / salvage yard.

so maitland not an option.

They started as a scrap yard but have opened a workshop in the same space.

I was there the other day and they've got a pretty decent operation going. Just as big as the current Kenilworth one, so both are good options depending on your location.

Sent from my HTC One X

hang on. these are 2 totally unrelated businesses. yes the 2 owners once ran a joint company (i.e old bruces) but that has not been for years. right now, these are 2 totally seperate businesses. no relation at all.

I never said that they were related.

They used to run Bruce's/Brilliance Mechanical Workshop together in Garfield road, then split.

Ralf stayed and renamed to M1 Auto (they have a website), and Bruce moved to Maitland and opened a scrap yard, which has now expanded into a service centre.

The reason I say that they are similar is because Bruce took some of the old guys with him so the level of knowledge is about the same between the two places and should therefore get roughly the same level of quality.

I've never received anything more than mediocre service from either of them. Even sourcing second hand bits, their (respective) pricing is ludicrous

The claremont M1 auto doesn't do second hand parts... ? And if they do they get it from IPC in joburg. Which quoted me 10.5k for a gearbox... needless to say I never got it through IPC.

@Bayn46 was this clarmont or maitland that said you need a new gearbox? Doesnt sound like claremont...

 

[Bayn46]

The claremont M1 auto doesn't do second hand parts... ? And if they do they get it from IPC in joburg. Which quoted me 10.5k for a gearbox... needless to say I never got it through IPC.

@Bayn46 was this clarmont or maitland that said you need a new gearbox? Doesnt sound like claremont...

Claremont, after Bruce had moved to Maitland.

I gave them a massive write up of the symptoms, spoke to the mechanic, etc. Hour or so later I get a call saying my gearbox needs replacing, which I go along with because I assume they know better, and looked at the information I gave them...

Thankfully after thinking it through, I started doubting their diagnosis and asked whether they checked the flywheel (they didn't) - there was so much play in it. They then proceed to tell me that my gearbox is in amazing condition.

A half-hearted apology and full price later, I had my car and the issue was resolved.

 

[anton-sa]

As a business owner myself since 1998 i can say this, no business can do everything right all the time, under pressures of time constraints you will make mistakes from time to time, you will have an employee or 2 along the lines that will make an error of judgement.

What is important was the mistake rectified ? in this case yes.

I think its important to sometimes be just a little patient, often great service or workmanship is not a instant quick fix...

I also think many folk make the mistake of taking their cars to many different places, different people have different ways of doing things. also you build up a case history with a workshop....

So i would be weary of labeling or passing permanent judgement too soon... because those companies out there that promise the earth will very rarely be able to MAINTAIN this indefinitely.

#just saying