Someone to take care of the new toy

NigelM

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Evening all.

Newbie to the GSA. Just got my first one today. 2012 GSA. Last service in the book was the 600 miler. I was told it has been serviced since but the book isn't stamped so want to get it serviced straight away.

I could go to Coopers in Braintree. Alternatively I could look for an Indie.

What would you do and if it's an Indie can anyone point me at a good one somewhere near Chelmsford/Colchester in Essex?

Thanks for the help.
 
I rate Coopers but if I was in the North East I'd use Indie I always use. Not much help sorry. But Coopers are good.


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Why not go for a ride to Steve, top guy who knows his stuff, wait whilst he does it.

Motoscott
Motorcycle Servicing & Repairs
Unit 2, Haybuck Meadow
Woodside Road, Woodside
Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 4DJ

Tel: 01582 419812

email: [email protected]
website: www.motoscot.co.uk

Or take a ride to Steptoe (another top guy) who will also look after your pride

The GS Shop
London
SW15 3PJ
United Kingdom

By Telephone:

+44 (0) 20 8546 2600

Both are worthy of a ride out, both are on here and both have excellent reviews
 
A 'serviced' used bike with no service stamps or receipts?
My default position with a vehicle like this is to view it as 'un-serviced'. Defeats me why people buy a 12k bike and then don't spend the money on routine service...

But anyway, for the first service in your ownership I'd take it to a BMW dealer and explain that you've got no service proof. If there's no service information logged, they'll probably do the most 'major' service it's missed (will depend on mileage). They'll also check for any outstanding recalls etc.
 
Thanks for the advice.

Apologies, I meant Cannons not Coopers. Coopers are the car people I have used before.

Sounds like I'm probably best getting a service at Cannons and getting all the detail on history I can out of them at the same time and then investigating someone like Steptoe. I have always preferred using Indies as you tend to find people passionate and knowledgable looking after your toys rather than younger lads who come and go.

Reading the posts on the site over the past few weeks it sounds as if a DeCat and a visit to Hilltop should be high on my list of things to do as well. I don't suppose there is a tuner in the SE who is as good as Hilltop is there?
 
MattW said:
A 'serviced' used bike with no service stamps or receipts?
My default position with a vehicle like this is to view it as 'un-serviced'. Defeats me why people buy a 12k bike and then don't spend the money on routine service...

But anyway, for the first service in your ownership I'd take it to a BMW dealer and explain that you've got no service proof. If there's no service information logged, they'll probably do the most 'major' service it's missed (will depend on mileage). They'll also check for any outstanding recalls etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks Matt.

It's a 2012 bike with 9k on the clock. 600 miles service recorded in the book but nothing else.
 
NigelM said:
Thanks Matt.

It's a 2012 bike with 9k on the clock. 600 miles service recorded in the book but nothing else.
Click to expand...

That's not too bad then.
Even if it's not been serviced (quite likely in my view), then it's only missed one service by mileage (although three by age). All the fluids will be old by now, so I wouldn't waste time getting it done either by an indie or dealer. You'll be looking at a bigish bill as it'll be engine, gearbox and FD oils (possibly brake fluid too - not sure of the interval for that), together with the usual checks.
 
The Bear said:
Pop into the nearest BMW dealer, if its had dealer services then it will be logged on their computer.
Click to expand...

Dealers do not have access to a central servicing database or at least that wasn't the case 12 months ago when I was trying to find out the service history on a Twin Cam RT I bought with no service book :blast
 
I would have the brake fluid done anyway. It goes off by age and lack of miles accelerates the problems.

I've gone on a lot about the front cover corrosion on a 08 models which were especially bad. 2010 onwards is a lot better though not immune to paint issues. I believe the paint cracks under the screw heads but is not noticeable on an under-used bike. However if it starts to get some proper use the weather will get in and corrosion will take off.

Have a VERY close look around the screw heads for signs of paint bubbling on the cover at the front of the engine. If it is beginning to fail it will only get worse. That could be the cue to get it serviced by a BMW dealer and ask them nicely about a new cover being fitted.
 
Nice 'n' Fat said:
Dealers do not have access to a central servicing database or at least that wasn't the case 12 months ago when I was trying to find out the service history on a Twin Cam RT I bought with no service book :blast
Click to expand...

This is absolutely the case. The only records kept are by the individual dealers - there is no central database (at least that is what BMW Park Lane and Cannon Braintree told me).

I have recently used Dave Reid (son of Ollie Reid, ex chief mechanic at Cannon when they were in Chelmsford). Came in at 30% of what Cannon wanted to charge me ...
He is based in Maldon but can collect / deliver - phone number 07784 053518
 
Ask the previous owner. Or take a flying guess at the dealer he may have used from his address.

If a service has been missed it will rule the bike out from the "Approved Used" scheme which will affect trade in and resale values so it's worth a bit of detective work.
 
Mad_Accountant said:
Ask the previous owner. Or take a flying guess at the dealer he may have used from his address.

If a service has been missed it will rule the bike out from the "Approved Used" scheme which will affect trade in and resale values so it's worth a bit of detective work.
Click to expand...

'Approved used' bikes are only available from a main dealer (with attendant full history etc). You can't retrospectively turn a bike into 'approved used' if it was sold from outside the dealer network.
 
Yes you can if it has full BMW service history, ie you could buy privately then trade in to a BMW dealer who could then resell it in the scheme.
 
Mad_Accountant said:
Yes you can if it has full BMW service history, ie you could buy privately then trade in to a BMW dealer who could then resell it in the scheme.
Click to expand...

Ah - see what you mean.
To clarify what I meant - As long as you own it, you can't turn your bike into 'approved used' if it didn't start that way but if you trade it into a dealer, it could become approved used for a subsequent owner if it met the criteria.
 
I may be wrong but I thought that the key for the bike has a chip in it
if you take the bike to a dealer for a service the key gets an update of that service

so if I were you, take your key into your local dealer and ask them to check it.

there's no central database. the info is on/in your key.

I think

could be wrong tho

;)

Andy
 
ChasMill said:
This is absolutely the case. The only records kept are by the individual dealers - there is no central database (at least that is what BMW Park Lane and Cannon Braintree told me).

I have recently used Dave Reid (son of Ollie Reid, ex chief mechanic at Cannon when they were in Chelmsford). Came in at 30% of what Cannon wanted to charge me ...
He is based in Maldon but can collect / deliver - phone number 07784 053518
Click to expand...

Thank you Chas.

Seeing as I live just outside Maldon that might be a very good call. Did he do a good job?

Nigel
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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