PPI - Dealer vs Independent Shop?

[M3Mark]

Hello,

I was wondering what you guys prefer when having a PPI done on a vehicle you are interested in purchasing. Is it better to go with a dealer or a specialized independent shop?

I apologize if this has been covered before but I was unable to find anything in the search.

Thanks

[pleasecorrupt]

if its a specialized independent shop, itll most likely check it more thoroughly than dealership and for less. its like the experience between going to a mom and pop store vs walmart, but in this instance, mom and pop store is cheaper.

[imola red zhp]

Good question.
My expierience is that a certified independent is much more thorough, as far as price it's about the same I've paid $127 for the independent and $122 at a dealer. Just as an example the dealer gave me a checklist of what was inspected with check marks and some notes as to recommendations of maintenance to be done. The independent gave a detailed list as to what and condition of items inspected shock "RR leaking", "CABS replaced w/aftermarket", oil leak from cam sensor "recommend monitor until next inspection", oil from valve cover gaskets "recommend monitor" appears to be recently replaced.
These are some that I had recently done before my new ZHP purchase.
I hope this helps.

[edlvrt]

I agree that an indy may give you a more thorough check as he wants to show you that he is competent and knowledgeable if you are not already his customer. The times I have been to the various BMW shops in the area, I feel like I am treated as some other generic owner who knows nothing about cars and is given the same cookie cutter response.

For example, the only place I could schedule a PPI for my car was at the dealership as I was 300 miles away and the owner was not able to bring the car to a more distant shop than the dealership. I was hit with a bill for $225 and a report telling me that there was a small chip in the windshield, and that the hood cowling (?), control arm bushings, and tires (which had 8k miles on them and looked new) all needed replacing. They were right on the bushings and I was able to use that to negotiate price, but they obviously did not test the windows as the right rear regulator broke while I was playing with the switches when I finally drove the car.

While a dealer PPI is better than nothing, I would recommend a indy shop that specializes in BMWs. Let us know where you are, and hopefully someone on here has a shop they can recommend. Good luck.

[aurelius]

Indie BMW specialist who has autologic or similar diagnostic tool (call ahead and ask if they do).

You want mechanical, electronic, and paint/body checked out.

As mentioned above, check the windows (and sunroof) before you make a firm deal.

Note: not all fault codes indicate a real problem.

[Washburn]

Make sure that the shop has a pre-determined/specified list of things they check during a PPI. If they don't have one, that means they don't take PPIs seriously.
I got mine at an indie BMW shop and they had an extensive, 3-4 page list and descriptions of each item they check, and was able to obtain a PDF of that list and make sure all the items I was interested in were included on their list, before i authorized the PPI;

They also emailed me the PDF of the completed check list afterwards; they commented on what each item needed/not needed, etc., as well as a phone call and discussed all the findings.