[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
service in SJ
>From: "Ahmad Hamzawi" <hamzawi@domain.elided>
>
>Hi all, I've got a 98 M3 and I'm at 39000 miles and due >for a service
>inspection. (Cluster says I need inspection I where some >mechanics tell me
>to
>do the II since bay area is rougher...!?).
>
>Anyone have good experiences with specific shops in the >San Jose, Mountain
>View, Sunnyvale area?
- --------------------------
I've had good results with Palo Alto Independent BMW on Alma Ave. (I think
they may have changed their name to Palo Alto Beemer recently, but the key
identifier is Alma Ave.) Also, Dinan in Mountain View has a well-regarded
shop in addition to their upgrade equipment. However, Dinan is kind of
expensive (although they do have a 10% BMWCCA discount). I like the Palo
Alto shop better as you can speak directly with the mechanic, vs Dinan where
you talk to a service writer who then passes the info to the mechanic.
Dealers tend to be expensive, have long waits for appointments, and
misdiagnose problems to those which require more expensive solutions.
Does the cluster call for inspection I vs II? I don't think mine does, but
it is a 92 E36. If the cluster calls for Inspection I, that's what I would
get. But actually, at 39k you could be at the inspection II timeframe. One
thing to check if you do get an Inspection I is if you are overdue for a
coolant or brake fluid change, as they are time related as well as mileage
related.
The Bay Area is not particularly hard on cars, unless you have a stop and go
commute - roads are fairly smooth compared to other parts of the USA, no
salt, no temperature extremes. The biggest effect of the stop and go
commute would be accelerate clutch and brake wear, but the inspection II
does not address those anyhow.
Greg
_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at
http://profiles.msn.com.
------------------------------