Independent BMW Repair in Birmingham, AL

Import Specialists Since 1992, Now Servicing BMW

Quick Takeaways

Makes: BMW joins the import makes Franklin Automotive services in Birmingham.
Models: the 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 Series, the X SUVs and the Z4.
Common BMW repairs: oil leaks from the filter housing and valve cover, cooling system parts, front suspension bushings and routine maintenance.
Our warranty: at least 12 months or 12,000 miles on our work.

Franklin Automotive has serviced imports in Birmingham since 1992, and BMW is now on the list. If your BMW is past Ultimate Care and the dealer’s estimate made you wince, an independent import shop is worth a look. Our ASE-certified technicians have over 150 combined years of experience. You’ll find us at 2880 Acton Rd.

The BMW Models We Service

We service these BMW models:

2 Series
3 Series
4 Series
5 Series
7 Series
8 Series
X SUVs, from the X1 to the X7
Z4

Most BMW Oil Leaks Start at Two Gaskets

On a BMW, oil usually escapes at the oil filter housing gasket or the valve cover gasket. Both are rubber, and years of heat harden them. The filter housing leak is the sneaky one, because it drips onto the drive belt and softens the rubber, and once the belt frays, it can get pulled in at the front of the engine and turn a gasket job into a much bigger repair.

A valve cover leak shows up differently. Oil drips onto the hot exhaust, and you smell it. It can also seep into the spark plug wells and cause a misfire. If you smell hot oil at a stoplight or spot it on the belt, bring the car in within the week.

→ Import auto oil leak repair in Birmingham

BMW Cooling Parts Wear Out Before the Engine Does

A BMW’s engine will usually outlast the plastic parts that keep it cool. Heat makes that plastic brittle, so expansion tanks crack and hose connections split. Many BMW six-cylinders also use an electric water pump, and when one quits, it can quit without much warning.

A temperature warning on the dash means pull over and shut the engine off, because driving with the warning on can warp the aluminum cylinder head. Stop there. When one plastic part fails on an older BMW, have the parts beside it looked at too.

→ Engine repair for import vehicles

Worn Front Bushings Make a BMW Shake

If your steering wheel shimmies when you brake from highway speed, look at the front control arm bushings before you blame the rotors. Many BMWs use fluid-filled bushings up front. They ride beautifully when new. Once they tear, the car wanders and clunks over bumps, and new rotors won’t stop a shake that comes from a torn bushing.

Have the bushings, ball joints, and tie rods checked together.

→ Suspension repair in Birmingham

BMW Maintenance After Ultimate Care Ends

Every new BMW comes with BMW Ultimate Care, which covers scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles. After that, unless you bought or extended a BMW maintenance plan, the oil services and inspections your BMW tracks and shows on the dashboard are yours to pay for.

Fresh oil is the cheapest protection a BMW engine gets, so book the oil service when the dashboard calls for it, not a few thousand miles later. The dealer isn’t your only option. The Federal Trade Commission says it’s illegal for a dealer to deny warranty coverage because someone else did your routine maintenance or repairs.

→ Oil change service for imports

What BMW Owners Get at Franklin Automotive

BMW owners get the same warranty and technicians as every other import customer here. Your BMW repair is covered by the shop’s minimum 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. Need a car while yours is on the lift? Ask for a loaner, or take the shuttle anywhere within 10 miles of the shop, and Synchrony financing is available. Every customer gets free key fob battery replacement, BMW owners included.

The shop serves drivers from Vestavia, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Hoover, Pelham, and Trussville.

→ Import auto service for Vestavia drivers