Bay Area Maintenance

[SF Silver M3]

Can anybody recommend a good place in the bay area, preferably in or as close to San Francisco as possible, to get general maintenance work done (e.g., inspection I and II and oil changes)?

By the way, this is the best M3 bulletin board I've been able to find. Thanks for all the informative postings, Kevlar.

[Jon97]

I go to BMW of San Francisco. I have not been entirely satisfied with their actual mechanics work, but they are top-notch when it comes to attentiveness, promptness, and customer amenities. As far as mechanics, I would say they're better than Weatherford in Berkeley, which is the only other BMW dealership I've dealt with.

[SF Silver M3]

Thanks for the response. I've gone there before, and that's actually where I bought my M3. However, my Inspection II was beyond the service coverage. And, they were charging $800 for it!! I got a recommendation in Santa Clara, and that shop did it for $450. So, I know BMW SF way overcharges. I was hoping to find a reasonably priced place that does good work.

[Jon97]

For what it's worth I have heard the most negative comments about Alison BMW in (I believe) San Mateo.

So, BMW SF over-charges? I'll be on the lookout for this. If you do go back to BMW SF, make sure you go upstairs and check out the 3.0CSL Batmobile! (I'll have photos online in two weeks).

[FatBoyM]

Try Phaedrus in SF.

I've never used them, and don't know their prices, but have heard good things about them. I dropped my car off there to ship the car off to get some body work done, and the place was really clean. They only do BMW's, people were great, and have been around for a long time. Seemed a lot better then SF BMW.

Let me know how you like 'em if you use 'em.

1641 Jackson Street
San Francisco, ca 94109
(415) 567-8000

[Jon97]

Can Phaedrus do warranty work? And Inspection I and II approved by BMW NA?

[SF Silver M3]

I'll have to check that Phaedrus place out. I'll post my experience there afterwards. Thanks, Fatboym.

[FatBoyM]

Jon,
I don't think they can do work under BMW warranty/service - that's why I haven't used them yet.
They've got some nice cars there.
Jon

[umnitza]

Who can do CPO BMW warranty service besides BMW dealers?

Anyone?

Also, If I diagnose the problem at another "more specialized" shop, can I bring the results to the dealer and say "Here, fix THIS!"?

BTW - in terms of service - I've received nothing but the best service from everyone at Concord BMW and @ East Bay BMW...best two dealership experiences I've ever had...

[Alan Taur]

I highly recommend Phaedrus. I go there for all my maintenence needs. They're the ones who performed my tilt-steering retrofit in my 95 M3. Very fair, very professional. If you're in the East Bay, however, I would highly recommend Bavarian Professionals in Berkeley. They do a great job, and the wait for an appointment is never more than a few days. These guys are the ones to go to, especially if you're in a hurry to get your car into service. Stay away from Claridge's and BMW of Stevens Creek. Those shops are substandard at best.

[C.Yang]

I concur with Stevens Creek. They suck nuts.

[SF Silver M3]

In response to Fatboym's question--I haven't gone to Phaedrus yet. I may not b/c it takes weeks to get an appointment and even then it was kind of pricey. They told me $400 for Inspection I. I think that's about the same as the stealer except that I wouldn't have to wait. But, I might give Phaedrus a try anyways.

[FatBoyM]

Thanks for the update. good luck, and let us all know where you end up/experience, etc.