discussion Service Recommendation (Dealer or Independent Mechanic) in Durban, KZN

[SynicalFox]

Hi All

So my BMW 120d MSport is coming up for it's Major Service in +/- 3000km.
This will include a Brake Fluid flush as well.

I'm looking for recommendations on a great dealership to use or to possibly go with an independent mechanic in Durban/KZN area.

So far the dealership's quotes received (as of Apr 2024):

1. BMW Durban South (Supertech):
   1. Quoted: R8300 (Major Service + Brake Fluid flush)
2. BMW Pinetown (Supertech):
   1. Quoted: R5500 (Major Service + Brake Fluid flush)

Also willing to consider another BMW if they have better service, will just need to get quotes.


Independent Mechanics Advised to use:

1. Glazier tech - RMI approved (German car specialist)
   1. Quoted: +/- R6300 (Major Service + Brake Fluid)
2. Landon Auto - RMI approved (Audi specialist)
   1. Around R5500 (Major Service + Brake Fluid change)
3. BMW Master Tech - Private guy carrying out services in Pheonix - recommended by a member on here
   1. Haven't yet called for a quote

Consideration:
Pinetown seems very reasonable for their service which would then also give me full agent service history on the vehicle (this doesn't mean they are the best though):

• I'm also not very pro dealerships outside of maintenance plans. I've heard too often of dealer's trying their luck to do extra unnecessary part replacement when it isn't the direct cause of an issue. Or they just didn't inform the client of something and a couple months later a major component goes wrong.
• I also feel they aren't as attentive or informative of preventative maintenance items.

After this service I intend to do the oil change every 10000km.

• The dealerships Black Oil service plan at R4300 for 3 changes is quite reasonable for carrying out these changes.

I also don't know if it's a good idea to be using a dealership for some things and a 3rd party for other work.
Wouldn't it be best to do most services/work at a single dealership to avoid a situation where 1 blames the other?

Just my thoughts, your advice and assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

[SynicalFox]

*crickets*

Did I post in the wrong place?

 

[Yulz9081]

Check out Roopesh at RM Autotech as well but personally I would just go with Supertech. That is quite reasonable at R5500 and if anything goes wrong, simply take it back and make them fix.

 

[r0ckf1re]

Check out Roopesh at RM Autotech as well but personally I would just go with Supertech. That is quite reasonable at R5500 and if anything goes wrong, simply take it back and make them fix.

Agree with this!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[user06]

Recently had my car serviced at SMG durban city. service advisor - santosh. excellent service.

 

[Yuvirp05]

Good morning guys ,

I recently went in to BMW Umhlanga (18th May) with my 120d coupe and got myself the black oil service ... little did I know my car had sustained damages whilst at the dealer ... I went in yesterday to notify the service advisor and he tells me it's my word against the tech that worked on my vehicle ... absolutely arrogant... the attitude I got was absolutely despicable. The power cable box that runs over the engine cover was broken and resting over my engine cover which they cable tied and the side skirt extension was scratched ... most likely from the ramp/lift the service advisor then tells me that my car had been in the wash bay the whole time .... I didnt know they service cars in the wash bay ... I was a technician at Nissan for 4 years ... I know how a workshop operates and I know that an Incompetent person worked on my car.

 

[TurboLlew]

Good morning guys ,

I recently went in to BMW Umhlanga (18th May) with my 120d coupe and got myself the black oil service ... little did I know my car had sustained damages whilst at the dealer ... I went in yesterday to notify the service advisor and he tells me it's my word against the tech that worked on my vehicle ... absolutely arrogant... the attitude I got was absolutely despicable. The power cable box that runs over the engine cover was broken and resting over my engine cover which they cable tied and the side skirt extension was scratched ... most likely from the ramp/lift the service advisor then tells me that my car had been in the wash bay the whole time .... I didnt know they service cars in the wash bay ... I was a technician at Nissan for 4 years ... I know how a workshop operates and I know that an Incompetent person worked on my car.

There is a 'body guard' system at many of the dealers now. They will be able to show you pictures of all angles of the car as it was booked in. It is not foolproof but in your case it will be easy to show the exterior damage giving you more ammo for the rest

Ask for that footage.

 

[YozTruly]

Good morning guys ,

I recently went in to BMW Umhlanga (18th May) with my 120d coupe and got myself the black oil service ... little did I know my car had sustained damages whilst at the dealer ... I went in yesterday to notify the service advisor and he tells me it's my word against the tech that worked on my vehicle ... absolutely arrogant... the attitude I got was absolutely despicable. The power cable box that runs over the engine cover was broken and resting over my engine cover which they cable tied and the side skirt extension was scratched ... most likely from the ramp/lift the service advisor then tells me that my car had been in the wash bay the whole time .... I didnt know they service cars in the wash bay ... I was a technician at Nissan for 4 years ... I know how a workshop operates and I know that an Incompetent person worked on my car.

Sorry man. It’s frustrating when your car is not well looked after at the one place you would expect them to take the best care of it.

Places I dread as a car owner:

1. Dealership - one cannot shake off the feeling of being scammed as you drive away. Not to mention the worrying that they didn’t reassemble something correctly.
2. Car wash - they once cracked my windscreen and I only noticed it when I got home. Decided to just claim from insurance instead of returning to fight it.
3. Shopping malls - door dings and trolley bumps galore. Even people with super nice cars don’t seem to mind letting their doors swing wild.

 

[Yuvirp05]

Hi @TurboLlew

The service advisor was very unprofessional... I have put the complaint through to BMW SA and as much as my car isnt a brand new car ... I am very meticulous about the cars I own ... also being a detailer I know what's cosmetically wrong with my car and mechanically... I await feedback from BMW SA ... I will surely ask for the footage aswell.

 

[Yuvirp05]

Sorry man. It’s frustrating when your car is not well looked after at the one place you would expect them to take the best care of it.

Places I dread as a car owner:

1. Dealership - one cannot shake off the feeling of being scammed as you drive away. Not to mention the worrying that they didn’t reassemble something correctly.
2. Car wash - they once cracked my windscreen and I only noticed it when I got home. Decided to just claim from insurance instead of returning to fight it.
3. Shopping malls - door dings and trolley bumps galore. Even people with super nice cars don’t seem to mind letting their doors swing wild.

I totally agree with you... I even asked the service advisor if it was possible that I do the service on my car at the dealership as I do not trust any of their technicians and he said unfortunately a tech will have to service the car ... I'm sorry to hear about the car wash incident ... I would lose my marbles... and I park super far if using my car to a shop or mall alternatively use my wife's X5

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Hi @TurboLlew

The service advisor was very unprofessional... I have put the complaint through to BMW SA and as much as my car isnt a brand new car ... I am very meticulous about the cars I own ... also being a detailer I know what's cosmetically wrong with my car and mechanically... I await feedback from BMW SA ... I will surely ask for the footage aswell.

Good luck with this one.

From personal experience and given what the guy with the X5 50D went through you have a better chance of winning the lotto than getting any sort of assistance.

 

[Yuvirp05]

And I'm here guessing I will get justice for my car after the punk broke it at the dealership ... oh well ... I just have to wait on and see what happens ... no news yet from BMW SA or the dealer principal from Umhlanga bmw

 

[hansi06]

At SMG Durban, they do take photos of your car as you enter. I'm sure you can ask for the photos.

 

[Yuvirp05]

At SMG Durban, they do take photos of your car as you enter. I'm sure you can ask for the photos.

There was no pictures taken of the car neither was a vehicle check sheet filled out on arrival the service advisor called a random technician and my car was taken to the workshop or as the service advisor says to the wash bay

 

[SynicalFox]

There was no pictures taken of the car neither was a vehicle check sheet filled out on arrival the service advisor called a random technician and my car was taken to the workshop or as the service advisor says to the wash bay

Now that you mention it, they didn't do that upfront check on mine either.
I need to remember this for next time, quite strange not to have some form a sheet.

 

[Yuvirp05]

Now that you mention it, they didn't do that upfront check on mine either.
I need to remember this for next time, quite strange not to have some form a sheet.

@SynicalFox , I have made a mate at Ballito BMW and will be using them in future ... The service advisor from Umhlanga that I dealt with is a complete waste.

 

[SynicalFox]

@SynicalFox , I have made a mate at Ballito BMW and will be using them in future ... The service advisor from Umhlanga that I dealt with is a complete waste.

I just had my major service done there.
Everything went smoothly and was done to my exact requests. Also ended up being quite reasonable due to me having contact with a mechanic there.

Mechanic was referred to me by another member on the forum. I'm grateful for the support of this forum 😁 🙏

 

[Yuvirp05]

That's awesome news @SynicalFox , we just got to be weary of the problem dealerships... and as many people say it's just a car , it's our pride and joy , a representation of us in a way ... I wont want for anyone's car to get damaged whilst on the road or dealership going in for a service ... I just wish people would think like me .

 

[DrussTW]

I find BMW Umhlanga has the worst service. Walked in there the once to have a look at their cars. No help at all. I feel like they're a bit stuck up just because they're in a fancy building in Umhlanga. I'll never deal with them.

Anyone had experience with BMW Pinetown? Service advisor I been in contact with to check vehicle history seems polite and efficient, but that doesn't mean the mech's are good

 

[Mrvaughng]

Hi All

So my BMW 120d MSport is coming up for it's Major Service in +/- 3000km.
This will include a Brake Fluid flush as well.

I'm looking for recommendations on a great dealership to use or to possibly go with an independent mechanic in Durban/KZN area.

So far the dealership's quotes received (as of Apr 2024):

1. BMW Durban South (Supertech):
   1. Quoted: R8300 (Major Service + Brake Fluid flush)
2. BMW Pinetown (Supertech):
   1. Quoted: R5500 (Major Service + Brake Fluid flush)

Also willing to consider another BMW if they have better service, will just need to get quotes.


Independent Mechanics Advised to use:

1. Glazier tech - RMI approved (German car specialist)
   1. Quoted: +/- R6300 (Major Service + Brake Fluid)
2. Landon Auto - RMI approved (Audi specialist)
   1. Around R5500 (Major Service + Brake Fluid change)
3. BMW Master Tech - Private guy carrying out services in Pheonix - recommended by a member on here
   1. Haven't yet called for a quote

Consideration:
Pinetown seems very reasonable for their service which would then also give me full agent service history on the vehicle (this doesn't mean they are the best though):

• I'm also not very pro dealerships outside of maintenance plans. I've heard too often of dealer's trying their luck to do extra unnecessary part replacement when it isn't the direct cause of an issue. Or they just didn't inform the client of something and a couple months later a major component goes wrong.
• I also feel they aren't as attentive or informative of preventative maintenance items.

After this service I intend to do the oil change every 10000km.

• The dealerships Black Oil service plan at R4300 for 3 changes is quite reasonable for carrying out these changes.

I also don't know if it's a good idea to be using a dealership for some things and a 3rd party for other work.
Wouldn't it be best to do most services/work at a single dealership to avoid a situation where 1 blames the other?

Just my thoughts, your advice and assistance is greatly appreciated.

Give m series auto a call, their RMI approved and is also owner managed by Solly, he takes great pride in all customers work, they only do BMW and Mini and when u rock up there the place is also packed. They in escombe