j30fos Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 I went in to Bowkers in preston yesterday to get my engine number on my Z4, whilst I was there I asked them to put a wheel bolt I'd lost back in the rear wheel. I got a bill for £11.95 the bolt was only £1.95 so £10 to fit a bolt EASY MONEY Got a free wash and vac though Quote
peterg Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 well if Bananaman's figure is anything to go by they only charged you for two minutes and it probably took them at least that so think yourself lucky, it could have been £20 Quote
Bananaman Posted February 16, 2007 Author Posted February 16, 2007 Don't you have an E46...?If you have the oem towbar the electics are already twin electrics... do you have the euro plug or the normal electrics plug? Also in terms of the ipod adapter, don't get the bmw interface, there are much better ones out there such as the Denison products which you can get from halfords. It's also very easy to install yourself.... Drop me a PM if I can be of any help as I've done both jobs on an E46 touring... BMW towbar electrics (nightmare) and denison icelink. Have swoped for X5, it's got factory fit removable towhitch with single electrics, apparentley the bits for upgrading to twin electrics are £75 I belive that there are some clever electrics to assist with anti-wag, WETF that is??? what's this denison thingy Quote
rm163603 Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 Ah OK. On my E46 the factory wiring is twin electrics but it uses a 13 pin european connector. I'm sure you can get an adapter to convert from the 13 pin into twin electrics if that's what you have. It would be easier than ripping out all the electrics you have assuming that you have the 13 pin euro connector already. I know that is what comes with the OEM wiring kit for the detachable towbar. The denison product is called an Ice link plus and basically allows the IPOD to replace the autochanger (only downside is you loose the changer but you can sell this on ebay for more than the icelink cost so not so bad) The BMW adapter also means loss of the changer so it's no disadvantage. Which version you need depends on if you have sat nav or not but I would recomend it over the BMW unit. The biggest difference is that the icelink plus allows you to browse the ipod while it's connected (the bmw one doesn't) Also the track names appear on the head unit (again I don't think the BMW one does this.) It's dead easy to fit, the BMW interiors come apart surprisingly easily ) and it's plug and play. Icelink plus Quote
Norman Verona Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 I know one dealership that pays that to it's Master Technician. I know it's true as we supply the computer system (DMS) Since the demise of the apprenticeship and easy money working in the financial services sector (and clean hands) good mechanics are few and far between. Supply and demand...... Quote
Mark Stanton Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 QUOTE X5.. Have you no shame I never take my car anywhere near BMW dealer for any work Local garage who I've known for years do servicing using BMW parts and to BMW spec at far less than any main dealer, service book fully stamped Quote
rm163603 Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 X5.. Have you no shame I never take my car anywhere near BMW dealer for any work Local garage who I've known for years do servicing using BMW parts and to BMW spec at far less than any main dealer, service book fully stamped Agreed I only go the the stealer as a last possible resort (or to buy parts) Their attitude sucks and they think everyone is stupid and buys all the BS they spout. Generally I find they usually know less than I do. Quote
oioi Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 for the Ipod i bought a FM transmitter that is powered of a cigarrete socket (much better than battery/ipod powered) no intereference from other radio stations. mate following me complained that every time he got close to me he had to listen to my music as the signal was stronger than from his battery powered device. 99 pence of ebay (plus the usual fleecing on postage) Quote
Kevin Wood Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 ... and for those of you who are wondering what this has got to do with the thread subject, being subjected to Oioi's choice in music probably would take the pi$$! ;-) Then again, you'd have to be keeping up with him to do so. Kevin Quote
oioi Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 ... and for those of you who are wondering what this has got to do with the thread subject, being subjected to Oioi's choice in music probably would take the pi$$! ;-) Then again, you'd have to be keeping up with him to do so. Kevin peter doesnt like the pixies on that run we were delivering peters old focus up to the borders, so were pretty much nailing it all the way, in the rain, in tin tops. first (and only) time ive had the laguana fully airborne... Quote
jamieashcroft Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 Its 11 years since I worked in a main dealer bodyshop but wages then and now are still sh*te For some reason Paintsprayers were always on slightly less hourly than the spanners.. i have a one man shop and i get paid more in the long run for body work than i do for spanners Quote
Bananaman Posted February 20, 2007 Author Posted February 20, 2007 Just a quick update, tried fitting BMW towhitch the otherday and found that i needed a key for it, the guy who i bought the car off had not used the hitch and didn't have a clue where the keys were... So along i went to BMW in Stockport to see if i could get a replacement key..... Yes sir what's the number on the key (I don't have the 'ucking key so how the hell would i know!!!!!) If you don't have the key we cannot replace it , this is after beeing told over the phone that they have a master set of some 100 keys and that i could try these and find which key it was to get copies done.. ................ Oh no we don't do that now sir (why the 'uck not )....... you'll have to buy a new removable ball..........How much is that then ? £279.00. Anyway i was going to buy the kit for twin electrics(£65) at the same time and i just thought you lot can go 'uck yourselves... A quick look on t'internet this morning and Towequipe and they are sending me out a set of master keys £100 deposit and a refund of £75 when they get the keys cut, also they do a plugin adapter for twin electrics for £22...here So the moral of this story is BMW can go sick it up there collective Rant over............... Quote
Mike H Posted February 20, 2007 Posted February 20, 2007 Rang up Willimams BMW Manchester yesterday to get some prices for upgrading from single electrics to twin and fitting an Ipod connector to my new (to me ) X5.. £277.50 for upgrading to twin electrics, parts are £75, so i asked the question how come it's £202.50 for fitting, answer was it could take 1.5 Hrs @ £135/Hr..... Ipod connector was £400....£130 for parts and 2Hrs@£135/Hr. Think i'll be contacting local Auto Electrician....... Just phoned a guy and he can fit the lot for £90.... You buy a new X5 and complain about prices of upgrades - my heart bleeds for you. No really it does. Quote
Bananaman Posted February 20, 2007 Author Posted February 20, 2007 Rang up Willimams BMW Manchester yesterday to get some prices for upgrading from single electrics to twin and fitting an Ipod connector to my new (to me ) X5.. £277.50 for upgrading to twin electrics, parts are £75, so i asked the question how come it's £202.50 for fitting, answer was it could take 1.5 Hrs @ £135/Hr..... Ipod connector was £400....£130 for parts and 2Hrs@£135/Hr. Think i'll be contacting local Auto Electrician....... Just phoned a guy and he can fit the lot for £90.... You buy a new X5 and complain about prices of upgrades - my heart bleeds for you. No really it does. You think them prices/policies are OK then Quote
Buzz Billsberry Posted February 20, 2007 Posted February 20, 2007 I belive that there are some clever electrics to assist with anti-wag, WETF that is??? It's actually 'anti Lag' (turbo) etc....its just that the guy who told you had a speech impediment.. All this high labour cost talk is a load of wubbish as far as I'm concerned ! Buzz Quote
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