Getting old, the car not me!

[sapphireblack]

So i posted recently about an MOT visit that was fine but a smell of burning oil, just a whiff when parking needed investigation. It was booked for yesterday at my regular dealership but before that happened a dramatic coolant loss over the weekend brought more issues.

There are no good independents i know of locally and the main dealer is just nine miles away and therefore convenient. So, it was limped into them yesterday morning and they were pretty sure after a quick once over the Rad was split, never just an inexpensive hose is it

They just called and confirmed it needs a new Rad. Now the car is where it is and effectively immobile what choice do i have !? I don't doubt the Rad could be repaired by a specialist, assuming there is one within striking distance but as a job from BMW c£500 fitted even with 10+ labour deals and a discount on the parts. The car is partly stripped anyway so what would I do? Moving a car around with no coolant is not so easy!

To add more joy to my morning the burning oil whiff is diagnosed as the cam cover gaskets. Both were replaced December 2009 but have seemingly failed again. Parts are not so bad perhaps at £33 each but labour at three hours drives up my total bill to approaching £1K on a car recently valued at £5K

I think a downsizing sale to a boring but unimportant ‘Kia’ may be investigated rather soon. I'm tired of cars haemorrhaging money and costing an arm and a leg to keep running if you keep a 'worthless' older vehicle instead.

I will be ‘chatting’ to them vigorously regarding the failed gaskets despite the two year part warranty being expired by just a few months.

Right now a pretty pi$$ed off Easter bunny.

[Chompers]

Sorry to hear about your issues SB it's never great news to get unexpected bills like the ones you have and yes the thought of spending £1k on vehicle valued @ £5k must be painfull. Would the dealer be friendly enough to let you try and get the rad repaired? worth a shot and yes would push for a contribution re: gaskets.

[weirdfish]

I hear what you are saying, but surely it's "better the devil you know" you could quite easily go out and buy some thing really cheap and horrible, not enjoy it and still it costs you money.
On the rad front, why don't you ring up a rad. specialists to get a quite on recon unit, they carry a 12 month warranty usually, and will be quite a bit cheaper than a new one from BMW. Then as long as it's fitted correctly you should have no issues, or, as your gaskets are just out of warranty, try and get them fitted free if you go down the new rad route.

[sapphireblack]

My man bits are in a vice regaeding the Radiator as it was already removed to confirm the issue. Refitting it to remove the car to elsewhere makes no sense now and of course a BMW dealer will only fit pukka BMW parts, so repairs or a Rad PX are not options

As i've reluctantly accepted the replacement scenario, i've stated forcefully that i don't expect to get a bill for the cam cover gaskets. Since they were changed in Dec 2010 the car has done less than 10K mikes

[sapphireblack]

[quote=""weirdfish""]I hear what you are saying, but surely it's "better the devil you know" you could quite easily go out and buy some thing really cheap and horrible, not enjoy it and still it costs you money.
On the rad front, why don't you ring up a rad. specialists to get a quite on recon unit, they carry a 12 month warranty usually, and will be quite a bit cheaper than a new one from BMW. Then as long as it's fitted correctly you should have no issues, or, as your gaskets are just out of warranty, try and get them fitted free if you go down the new rad route.[/quote]


I agree entirely in reality and i have much history with this car now, i have the bills to prove it! Buying into an unknown pre-owned is not what i would seek regardless of brand.

I may look at warranty's again, though it won't be those bandits known as Warranty Direct

[pvr]

The only other way to look at is that depreciation on a newer model would be at least £1k per month, so it is relative to that ...

[sapphireblack]

[quote=""pvr""]The only other way to look at is that depreciation on a newer model would be at least £1k per month, so it is relative to that ...[/quote]


Oh indeed, i understand the economics of buying new/er which is exactly why i haven't done that in some years. I think though, as well as warranty investigations a non main dealer alternative needs to be found after all this time.

[X5Sport]

Nearest one that I know of to you and me (I'm about 15 miles north of you) is probably PCS Milton-Keynes at Bletchley, but that's not exactly close. Their labour rates are less than half of BMW Main Dealer and they will fit OEM parts - just not badged as BMW, or badged if you choose that option.

We used them in the last three years of ownership of the E53, and the E46 too.

[sapphireblack]

[quote=""X5Sport""]Nearest one that I know of to you and me (I'm about 15 miles north of you) is probably PCS Milton-Keynes at Bletchley, but that's not exactly close. Their labour rates are less than half of BMW Main Dealer and they will fit OEM parts - just not badged as BMW, or badged if you choose that option.

We used them in the last three years of ownership of the E53, and the E46 too.[/quote]

Maybe my location is not where you think?

I'm Mid Sussex close to Tunbridge Wells. MK is not an option i'm afraid. Ironically with the coolant leak yesterday, under 10 miles was 'iffy'.

I do have Munich Legends nearby but their charges based on past quotes, is not really better than the main dealer from whom i at least get a pukka service record, and back up with BMW when needed.

[X5Sport]

Note to self - don't mix threads up and read sig better next time.

[weirdfish]

Come on then guys, ( and gals ), musn't leave her out, there must be others in the Tunbridge wells area that use a good indie garage, own up.

[pvr]

Not a million miles away but dont know of any good independent. I agree re Munich Legend having a very variable reputation and are not much below main dealer costs.

[Chompers]

[quote=""pvr""]Not a million miles away but dont know of any good independent. I agree re Munich Legend having a very variable reputation and are not much below main dealer costs.[/quote]

Wheres AW8 when you need him He must surely know of a good indie in the Sussex area

[quote=""sapphireblack""]As i've reluctantly accepted the replacement scenario, i've stated forcefully that i don't expect to get a bill for the cam cover gaskets. Since they were changed in Dec 2010 the car has done less than 10K mikes [/quote]

Completely agree, good luck

[sapphireblack]

My dealer just called to advise BMW are picking up the tab for the cam cover gaskets, both parts and labour. I'm obviously pleased but was going to go on the warpath had they not obliged me.

Fairness seems to have prevailed, which is all i ever seek

I wonder how things would have been via an Indy? Cheaper in the first place i'm sure and cheaper to do it again i suspect, but this is a better result imo anyway, and why i've stayed with main dealer care. Sometimes it does pay dividends!

Just the small matter of a £500 radiator to cough up for tomorrow