New Member in Melbourne

[Naz]

Hi and welcome.
You can also try:
German Autohaus
Unit 18/64 Balmain Street, Richmond, Victoria, 3121, Australia
Telephone: (03) 9427 0766 Fax: (03) 9429 7881

If you need any parts and accessories also check:

eBay Australia Shop - formyx5:

Again welcome and enjoy this site.

[DanX5d]

The only places near me SE Suburbs that I would trust (given that I am a mechanic and semi perfectionist, which annoys most workshops because they really struggle with not being able to con or BS me) are-
German Autohaus in Richmond. Andreas looked over the X5 for a Pre purchase inspection and he told me everything I needed to know about it.
AutoLogic in Bentleigh. They now look after my X5.

[julezw]

Welcome Friend!

Based on the Autologic website I considered going there.....until I saw the shop front. Looks like a drug front! Still you can't judge a book by its cover. I have found the indy closest to me really wasn't much cheaper than the dealer and they didn't do many Xs so I'm back at the dealer now,....

[DanX5d]

Ah you see Jules that is the point. Spend money on the quality of the job, not the perception through image or shopfront. If you are happy with a Dealer looking after your X5 then go ahead. As a mechanic, I will only pay for work that is better than I can do. I know of X5s and E60s that have been serviced by the book and stamped at the BMW dealers in Melb, only to have engine failures later on in life (2nd or 3rd owners) because the oil and fuel filters were never replaced for the first 3 years.

Currently my X5 has the Battery Charge light coming on intermittently about 1 min after starting from cold and the BMW solution worldwide (online mechanics BMW UK) is to change the alternator. Fine if your loaded $$$$, but that is not the problem, just the symptom. The Alternator is controlled by the CBus and works perfectly when the CBus signal tells it too, hence what is causing the CBus to stop transmitting or drop out?

To find out, Ian at Autologic has loaned me some very nice data logging equipment to monitor everything on the local Cbus like the glow plugs, glow plug module, and the alternator. Try getting that from your Dealer or worse still, the so called specialist who replaces one item at a time until the problem goes away. Guess who pays for all the parts you don’t need!

Cheers Daniel.

[julezw]

Originally Posted by DanX5d

Ah you see Jules that is the point. Spend money on the quality of the job, not the perception through image or shopfront. If you are happy with a Dealer looking after your X5 then go ahead. As a mechanic, I will only pay for work that is better than I can do. I know of X5s and E60s that have been serviced by the book and stamped at the BMW dealers in Melb, only to have engine failures later on in life (2nd or 3rd owners) because the oil and fuel filters were never replaced for the first 3 years.

Currently my X5 has the Battery Charge light coming on intermittently about 1 min after starting from cold and the BMW solution worldwide (online mechanics BMW UK) is to change the alternator. Fine if your loaded woth $$$$, but that is not the problem, just the symptom. The Alternator is controlled by the CBus and works perfectly when the CBus signal tells it too, hence what is causing the CBus to stop transmitting or drop out?

To find out, Ian at Autologic has loaned me some very nice data logging equipment to monitor everything on the local Cbus like the glow plugs, glow plug module, and the alternator. Try getting that from your Dealer or worse still, the so called specialist who replaces one item at a time until the problem goes away. Guess who pays for all the parts you don’t need!


If owning and driving your X5 is about image, then the dealers showroom lounge and coffee machine is for you.


Cheers Daniel.

Ah Dan if if only some of us could pass on knowledge and advice and not be patronising. Have you heard of humour? Like I said you can't judge a book by its cover. If I was loaded $$$$ I wouldn't be scourging these forums whenever I had issues with my X nor would I have bought it 2nd hand or taken it for expensive service and repairs at indys. I have experienced some outstanding advice and knowledge from indys but I have also received bad diagnosis which proved costly. The dealer has also been a hit and miss affair for me but has been more hit than miss and for me they were charging comparable rates. Sitting on expensive leather while sipping great coffee and watching a pioneer plasma while a bunch of secretaries and assistants who don't look very busy pass over me at the dealer doesn't do anything for me.

If you felt the need to dispel illusions that you thought my post might conjure in others than don't direct it at me, instead make a general statement. If you want to continue a "indy vs dealer" debate maybe we should start a new thread, as I thought this was a welcome new owner thread?

[Schtonky]

Having said all that, I am getting closer to service time with a brake sensor as well and still haven't decided I am hearing good things about BMW Doncaster service in bundoora and autohaus seems a positive too . Be toeing is too far and BM tech too expensive/greedy.

[Schtonky]

Bentlleigh is too far ( darn spell check)

[Fraser]

For me, having a full service history with a BMW dealer is a positive in terms of second-hand value. Personally, I wouldn't buy a used BMW without a full service history from a dealer.

[curry]

Personally I would be worried if the car was only serviced by a dealer

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by curry

Personally I would be worried if the car was only serviced by a dealer

Why?