General BMW Service Quiestions

[Doom5003]

I am looking at installing a aftermarket stereo (wow is that a lot of research as to what is needed and required, what works with what and how), but I have two questions before hand.

Firstly, is there going to be any problems after the installation, like does anything have to be coded by BMW, will I still be able to have my car be serviced at BMW without any hassles or problems.

Secondly, and this is something unrelated to the above, is it okay to have my car serviced at any other service centres other than at BMW?
Will they be able to code/recode/reset etc.
The reason for asking is, currently I only take my car to BMW, which is on the other side of town, but very close to me there's a service centre that I would like to give a go, if they do service BMWs. And hopefully save so cash in the process.

I believe they are quite good since they always have a bunch a vehicles parked and in the shop and have heard great things about them.

 

[JollyJamma]

1) I prefer non OEM services as I find that the actual dealer tends to be full of shit.

2) the new sound system shouldn’t impact anything. I’d just make sure that you get speakers that don’t require you to mod anything. Modding your BmW reduces the resale value

3) my mechanic has 4 different makes of diagnostic devices that all can read error codes and reset the onboard computer, perform firmware updates and get you into the cars brain. Each cost R80 000.

4) the only reason I’d use a dealer is for the stamp to retain resale value but at some point, the age of the car means that as long as it was done at a proper garage, it doesn’t matter.

 

[DannyBoyOPC]

I stand to be corrected but i dont believe that you will any issues with regards to to changing the head unit in your car, you might lose steering controls if you dont have a canbus integration.

As for servicing you can use other garages without having to use the dealers. Just make sure they are reputable place and go from there.
As for diagnostics tools, there are many available. for you BMW you can download a copy of the BMW ISTA software and you can do diagnostics and all sorts on your own car without the need to spend a fortune on tools.
I also have Carly BMW installed on a android tablet that i built into my 1 series. It does the usual scanning, coding and all sorts. Can be used with their dongle or can be used with a USB OTG adapter cable and D/K can cable

 

[JollyJamma]

I stand to be corrected but i dont believe that you will any issues with regards to to changing the head unit in your car, you might lose steering controls if you dont have a canbus integration.

For that stock look, I'd keep the stock head unit and install a media processor into the recesses that handles Blueteeth, MP3 and USB.

It irks me when I get into a nice car, even an old BMW, and there's a shitty aftermarket head unit installed. It just makes the car look cheap.

 

[Maxwell]

@JollyJamma do you have examples of these processors? Do they maintain the Canbus integration of the original H/U? I agree aftermarket looks bad

@Doom5003 Take your BMW to a RMI approved workshop that specialises in BMW. If you are based in Jhb you can PM me for an example, otherwise check the BMW fanatics forum. I've driven BMW my entire life and have learnt the lesson, countless times, that the agents are, in my experience, absolute rubbish. They once quoted me R22 000 for a new sunroof, when it just had to be reset. Yes BMW Clearwater, I'm talking about you. They once had my 320D for 3+ weeks and simply could not find the reason my aircon had stopped working, and eventually gave me an amazing trade-in deal just to cover their technical incompetence. Yes Northcliff Auto, I'm talking about you. I've almost resorted to take an issue to court where they were in breach of contract with me, and did not want to cover parts that they had replaced that broke again, but the costs to me wasn't worth it. They know this and they simply don't care. The reason they always have a lot of cars parked around the garage, is because they don't fix things the first time (if ever).

 

[JollyJamma]

@Maxwell

There was one for sale here in the Car sales section. I’ll try find an exact model for you.

Here, Dension Auto Entertainment Unit
[Sale] - Dension Auto Entertainment Unit | Parts and Accessories

@Flex has it for sale.

 

[MSI1104]

@JollyJamma do you have examples of these processors? Do they maintain the Canbus integration of the original H/U? I agree aftermarket looks bad

@Doom5003 Take your BMW to a RMI approved workshop that specialises in BMW. If you are based in Jhb you can PM me for an example, otherwise check the BMW fanatics forum. I've driven BMW my entire life and have learnt the lesson, countless times, that the agents are, in my experience, absolute rubbish. They once quoted me R22 000 for a new sunroof, when it just had to be reset. Yes BMW Clearwater, I'm talking about you. They once had my 320D for 3+ weeks and simply could not find the reason my aircon had stopped working, and eventually gave me an amazing trade-in deal just to cover their technical incompetence. Yes Northcliff Auto, I'm talking about you. I've almost resorted to take an issue to court where they were in breach of contract with me, and did not want to cover parts that they had replaced that broke again, but the costs to me wasn't worth it. They know this and they simply don't care. The reason they always have a lot of cars parked around the garage, is because they don't fix things the first time (if ever).

Ummm BMW Auto Atlantic are the worst. Ran 17 trial days against them over a R80000 bill they gave a client after 4 months and then falsely telling BMW they found a modchip thereby cancelling his Motorplan. They lost took it on appeal and lost with costs in the High Court with a full bench. Lets just say the Appeal costs on my side was over R80000.00 Dunno about their advocates and africas biggest law firms fees.

BTW court papers had no mention of mod chip i fact they claimed they found anothers cares ECU in vehicle. Investigation showed that that ecu had disappeared from THEIR workshop and when we finally inspected the car the ECU we found was new and not coded to a specific vehicle. I wish I still had the transcripts, 1200 pages of interesting reading especially about how Motorplan actually works.

 

[JollyJamma]

A boss of mine from a job I had ages ago took his BmW for new tyres at a regular shop.

He hated the run flats so he put normal tyres on. Took his BMW in 6 months later for a service and was told that his warranty was now void because of the regular tyres.

I’d still buy BMW over Mercedes though.

 

[Skalabala]

I can re-calibrate BMW auto gearboxes. This is important. As the stock software does not adapt well to variations in line pressure due to ware/age.