Recommend a good BMW garage/mechanic in Wellington?

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lchiu7

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#238196 6-Jul-2018 13:55

My older 540i has developed a leak in this part

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=HE62-EUR-10_1992_E34_BMW_540i&diagId=34_0479#34331161950

A new one is about US$1000(!) so that might be the entire brake assembly.

I think I can find this specific part from a wrecker but my usual garage said they won't install it since it might develop the same leak as my one and it is an important part.

I don't think it's risky since the mechanic can eyeball it before it's installed. So I am wondering if somebody here can recommend a Welly garage who are good BMW mechs and could do the job.

Thanks

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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#2050462 6-Jul-2018 14:12

"they won't install it since it might develop the same leak as my one and it is an important part.

I don't think it's risky since the mechanic can eyeball it before it's installed."

its a Brake Servo, so yip I'd call that important,

I don't think you will find many mechanics willing to install brake parts that you have sourced from a wrecker...

You can't really tell much about a pretty vital part by "eyeballing it"

JeremyNzl

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#2050465 6-Jul-2018 14:24

Depending on what's wrong with it this is a tad ridiculous (from the garage).

Two things could have happened

It could be as simple as a seal kit, it's basically a hydraulic piston, the seals harden as they get older and loose there seal against the sleeve they run on.

Or Brake fluid is hygroscopic, absorbs moisture, and if not replaced as scheduled can lead to rust in the brake servos(pistons) and similar in the master cylinder(your failed part).

A non-leaking replacement is a perfectly acceptable part as it either works or it will leak, a not suitable second-hand part would have signs of leakage.

Too often the new breed of mechanics are swap and pay breed,

lchiu7

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#2050491 6-Jul-2018 14:41

I have been told it's just a slow seal leak near part 7 in the picture.

They have that topped up the fluid and the cavitation noise went away until it leaks more again I guess.

The wrecker part is not leaking.

So I guess I will ask another garage to see what they say.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

JeremyNzl

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#2050532 6-Jul-2018 14:46

This looks like a good resource for your car if you're not there already

http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/10-5-Series-BMW

Even with a discussion about rebuilding master cylinders on other models

http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/showthread.php/44198-DIY-Hydraulic-brake-servo-booster-10-piece-repair-kit-e23-e32(735-only)-e24-e28

I had an older Fiat 132 in my day , replaced everything in the brake system except the pedal. Didn't learn my lesson now have an Audi

mclean

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#2050545 6-Jul-2018 15:02

lchiu7:...so I am wondering if somebody here can recommend a Welly garage who are good BMW mechs and could do the job.

Mike Page European in Paraparaumu.

morrisk

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#2050552 6-Jul-2018 15:09

Ray Hartley Motors in Te Aro

I had my Volvo looked after by them for many years - they seemed to have mostly European cars in the workshop and they are good to deal with. Real car enthusiasts.

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

Mattmannz

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#2050628 6-Jul-2018 15:26

Toy Shop, they are good.

Personally if it's a car you are looking to keep then don't bother with second hand parts for brakes and suspension. Labour is expensive and there is no guarantee that the second hand part won't fail a few days later which is common with parts that are required to be submersed in fluid all the time but are then removed and handled and refitted.

martyyn

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#2050860 6-Jul-2018 22:00

lchiu7: So I am wondering if somebody here can recommend a Welly garage who are good BMW mechs and could do the job.

Vijay and Bo at Page European in Wellington or Mike and Jeff at Mike Page European in Paraparaumu.

End thread, there is no one else I would give my BMW to.

Aredwood

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#2050902 7-Jul-2018 00:38

lchiu7: I have been told it's just a slow seal leak near part 7 in the picture.

They have that topped up the fluid and the cavitation noise went away until it leaks more again I guess.

The wrecker part is not leaking.

So I guess I will ask another garage to see what they say.

Just because it wasn't leaking when removed, doesn't mean that it is ok. It could have been sitting on a shelf for ages, seals dried out, and wetted surfaces exposed to the air and now rusted. Part of installation and bleeding the brake system, the pistons move more than usual, so the seals run over the rusted section and quickly get damaged.

I fully agree with the mechanic not wanting to install such a secondhand part. As when it fails there are people out there who have a habit of forgetting that they were warned before hand, that what they wanted to do is not going to work. And they then want the tradie to fix the customers mistake at the tradies cost.

This happened at my old work. Customer was building a sleepout with a bathroom and laundry, and they specified an instant electric water heater. Boss told them that such a heater is not suitable. But the customer still insisted that one be installed, as they claimed that it won't be used very often, and they didn't want to keep a hot water cylinder switched on all the time.

Instant electric heater got installed, as soon as the council signed off the sleepout, a sink got installed and it was rented out. Tenant complained that the hot water didn't work properly. Customer complained and threatened legal action unless my boss fixes it for free. Boss pulled out all of the old quotes and emails of him saying that it won't work, and the customer wanting it done anyway. Customer had to eat humble pie. Especially as their claim of the heater not getting used very often is completely false due to the sleepout being rented out.

It's due to the above type of customers that some tradies insist on only installing brand new parts. And / or being very conservative in their work.

I'm not saying that the OP is such a customer. But the mechanic has probably had it happen to them, and doesn't want to take any risk.

BlinkyBill

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#2050937 7-Jul-2018 08:16

Toy Shop are no more in Wellington; Wellington European has replaced; I recommend Wellington European.

lchiu7

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#2050943 7-Jul-2018 08:49

Well I think I'm going to ask if the parts can be bought new in New Zealand first. And see what sticker shock I get! I do know I can source it for us 1000 but that excludes shipping to New Zealand and GST.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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fearandloathing

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#2050946 7-Jul-2018 09:02

morrisk:
Ray Hartley Motors in Te Aro

I had my Volvo looked after by them for many years - they seemed to have mostly European cars in the workshop and they are good to deal with. Real car enthusiasts.

I’d recommend Ray Hartley as well.

Aredwood

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#2050953 7-Jul-2018 09:22

Have you considered getting your old unit repaired / rebuilt? As there are places that repair brake parts on classic and vintage cars. Often where the original manufacturer has long since disappeared.

Try contacting Race Brakes in Auckland.

lchiu7

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#2050985 7-Jul-2018 10:27

Aredwood: Have you considered getting your old unit repaired / rebuilt? As there are places that repair brake parts on classic and vintage cars. Often where the original manufacturer has long since disappeared.

Try contacting Race Brakes in Auckland.

The problem is that have to have it removed first which means a visit to the mechanic and then the car could be out of action for a while.

As another thought I could buy one from a dismantler and then have it reconditioned. That must be cheaper than new and the car is not off the road too long and there's only one job to be done.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

Rickles

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#2051312 8-Jul-2018 10:19

Get a professional assessment and opinion from Auto Brake & Clutch in Martin Square … they do the whole lot from servicing/rebuilding through to parts sourcing.

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