Hey everyone,
I’ve been thinking about the maintenance options for my BMW M5. Do you guys think it’s worth sticking with authorised services for the expertise and OEM parts, or is it smarter to save some cash and go with a good independent shop? I’m curious about your experiences and whether the extra cost at the dealership is justified.
Thanks in advance!
Is it new? If not, how many miles on it? If you live in a high population area it is likely that there are several shops to choose from, not just a BMW dealership. Because of the uniqueness of the M5, you probably want to stick with BMW parts. A friend has owned several 5-series and he upgrades parts like to water pump to racing grade factory parts. Those are likely standard equipment on your car.
I have BMW M5 2019, but I’m thinking to take a risk or better pay more.
Are you in Sweden?? (your link to the older BMW seems like you are)
If in the USA, I would look for a Euro shop that specializes in BMW’s…
Even a good independent BMW specialty shop will likely use OEM BMW parts unless there is a better alternative. I would use the independent shop rather than dealer.
From the USA, the older link was just for an example
Be careful posting links around here, people tend to freak out… lol
Thanks for the advice 
I’d use an independent shop if they were experts on recent BMWs, otherwise the dealer. That M5 has every complex system BMW can create, I’d imagine.
I have just anecdotal experience but I have found the dealer has been actually cheaper than the independent shop, depending on the service and the shop. I use both. There are good and not so good staff at both so it just depends. I know one thing though, a bmw is not a Chevy and you know that buying it. Where $500 may be the base charge on a Chevy, $2000 may be the base for a bmw. Just replacing the battery requires a long procedure compared to doing it myself in 30 minutes on my own car in my own garage.
Like usual, ask the question and select the answer you want.
Even some newer domestic vehicles require the new battery to be registered with a scanner, fwiw, in case that’s what you were alluding to
Me too. I had the timing belt replaced in 2012 on my Accord V6. I got 3 estimates, including a good yet inexpensive shop that my son in law’s family has used for decades. The dealer was at least $50 less for the same level of service.
It’s not a long procedure to register the battery. I just had it done, took less time then for me to finish a smoke.