Servicing. Am I missing something here??
Discussion
My car needs a service. It's a 2001 3 series, so it's over 4 years old. It's just an oil service so they change the oil and filter and check the car over.
Am I unreasonable/naive/stingy to think that £185 for BMW to do this is quite frankly ridiculous???
They change the oil and replace it with new oil. That's it, unless I'm missing something. 30 minutes work tops.
Who do they get to do this work to justify nearly 200 sheets?
Mario Thiessen? Joachim Winklehock? The Queen? A crack team of mythical Unicorns?
Even the local indy wants £120!
muzzer79 said:
Am I unreasonable/naive/stingy to think that £185 for BMW to do this is quite frankly ridiculous???
Without being too direct; Yes! 
I know what you mean, but it's pretty much par for the course. If you had a Boxster or 996 it would probably be double that.
But think yourself lucky. I used to have a Smart Roadster, and the inspection/minor/A service on that was £110, for an oil filter and IIRC two litres of oil. And that was every 7500 miles!
Don't forget their labour rate is between £120-£150 an hour (depending on location/greed).
Do it yourself! I do mine in an e34 M5 every 3,000 miles (schedule is every 6,000) and it costs me £50 for the oil and £12 for the filter. I can afford to do two regular oil services for two-thirds the price my local dealer charges for one, and for the same as my local specialist charges!
It's really simple...
0) ensure you have all the parts you need (i.e. oil & filter) before starting
1) warm the engine up (not hot, just warm to help the oil flow better)
2) put something to collect lots of oil under the sump
3) remove oil filler cap and dipstick (to allow better air flow & remove and vacuum effect)
4) remove sump plug carefully and clean
5) leave to drain for 20 minutes
6) replace sump plug with new seal attached (may depend on whether or not your's has one in the filter kit)
7) put the required amount of oil in, bit by bit (depending on your oil capacity, you can put a gallon in straight away and then do it litre by litre)
8) replace dipstick and oil filler cap and top up as necessary
9) buy a bottle of Cristal with the savings
Do it yourself! I do mine in an e34 M5 every 3,000 miles (schedule is every 6,000) and it costs me £50 for the oil and £12 for the filter. I can afford to do two regular oil services for two-thirds the price my local dealer charges for one, and for the same as my local specialist charges!
It's really simple...
0) ensure you have all the parts you need (i.e. oil & filter) before starting
1) warm the engine up (not hot, just warm to help the oil flow better)
2) put something to collect lots of oil under the sump
3) remove oil filler cap and dipstick (to allow better air flow & remove and vacuum effect)
4) remove sump plug carefully and clean
5) leave to drain for 20 minutes
6) replace sump plug with new seal attached (may depend on whether or not your's has one in the filter kit)
7) put the required amount of oil in, bit by bit (depending on your oil capacity, you can put a gallon in straight away and then do it litre by litre)
8) replace dipstick and oil filler cap and top up as necessary
9) buy a bottle of Cristal with the savings
That does sound expensive...Although the oil is pricey.
I did an inspection (including oil+filter, rear brake pads and pollen filter) for £200.00 at the independent I bought the car from. They have the diagnostics machine to check the car and reset the indicators so as good as BMW for me.
They even let me hook up my laptop and work in their spare office for the 2 hours I waited. Bet BMW don't do that for you??!!
I did an inspection (including oil+filter, rear brake pads and pollen filter) for £200.00 at the independent I bought the car from. They have the diagnostics machine to check the car and reset the indicators so as good as BMW for me.
They even let me hook up my laptop and work in their spare office for the 2 hours I waited. Bet BMW don't do that for you??!!
mmm-five said:
Don't forget their labour rate is between £120-£150 an hour (depending on location/greed).
Do it yourself! I do mine in an e34 M5 every 3,000 miles (schedule is every 6,000) and it costs me £50 for the oil and £12 for the filter. I can afford to do two regular oil services for two-thirds the price my local dealer charges for one, and for the same as my local specialist charges!
It's really simple...
0) ensure you have all the parts you need (i.e. oil & filter) before starting
1) warm the engine up (not hot, just warm to help the oil flow better)
2) put something to collect lots of oil under the sump
3) remove oil filler cap and dipstick (to allow better air flow & remove and vacuum effect)
4) remove sump plug carefully and clean
5) leave to drain for 20 minutes
6) replace sump plug with new seal attached (may depend on whether or not your's has one in the filter kit)
7) put the required amount of oil in, bit by bit (depending on your oil capacity, you can put a gallon in straight away and then do it litre by litre)
8) replace dipstick and oil filler cap and top up as necessary
9) buy a bottle of Cristal with the savings
Do it yourself! I do mine in an e34 M5 every 3,000 miles (schedule is every 6,000) and it costs me £50 for the oil and £12 for the filter. I can afford to do two regular oil services for two-thirds the price my local dealer charges for one, and for the same as my local specialist charges!
It's really simple...
0) ensure you have all the parts you need (i.e. oil & filter) before starting
1) warm the engine up (not hot, just warm to help the oil flow better)
2) put something to collect lots of oil under the sump
3) remove oil filler cap and dipstick (to allow better air flow & remove and vacuum effect)
4) remove sump plug carefully and clean
5) leave to drain for 20 minutes
6) replace sump plug with new seal attached (may depend on whether or not your's has one in the filter kit)
7) put the required amount of oil in, bit by bit (depending on your oil capacity, you can put a gallon in straight away and then do it litre by litre)
8) replace dipstick and oil filler cap and top up as necessary
9) buy a bottle of Cristal with the savings
Reflect on the two grand you just wiped off your car's value due to lack of service history.
Vesuvius 996 said:
mmm-five said:
Don't forget their labour rate is between £120-£150 an hour (depending on location/greed).
Do it yourself! I do mine in an e34 M5 every 3,000 miles (schedule is every 6,000) and it costs me £50 for the oil and £12 for the filter. I can afford to do two regular oil services for two-thirds the price my local dealer charges for one, and for the same as my local specialist charges!
It's really simple...
0) ensure you have all the parts you need (i.e. oil & filter) before starting
1) warm the engine up (not hot, just warm to help the oil flow better)
2) put something to collect lots of oil under the sump
3) remove oil filler cap and dipstick (to allow better air flow & remove and vacuum effect)
4) remove sump plug carefully and clean
5) leave to drain for 20 minutes
6) replace sump plug with new seal attached (may depend on whether or not your's has one in the filter kit)
7) put the required amount of oil in, bit by bit (depending on your oil capacity, you can put a gallon in straight away and then do it litre by litre)
8) replace dipstick and oil filler cap and top up as necessary
9) buy a bottle of Cristal with the savings
Do it yourself! I do mine in an e34 M5 every 3,000 miles (schedule is every 6,000) and it costs me £50 for the oil and £12 for the filter. I can afford to do two regular oil services for two-thirds the price my local dealer charges for one, and for the same as my local specialist charges!
It's really simple...
0) ensure you have all the parts you need (i.e. oil & filter) before starting
1) warm the engine up (not hot, just warm to help the oil flow better)
2) put something to collect lots of oil under the sump
3) remove oil filler cap and dipstick (to allow better air flow & remove and vacuum effect)
4) remove sump plug carefully and clean
5) leave to drain for 20 minutes
6) replace sump plug with new seal attached (may depend on whether or not your's has one in the filter kit)
7) put the required amount of oil in, bit by bit (depending on your oil capacity, you can put a gallon in straight away and then do it litre by litre)
8) replace dipstick and oil filler cap and top up as necessary
9) buy a bottle of Cristal with the savings
Reflect on the two grand you just wiped off your car's value due to lack of service history.
It's not a 'lack of service history', just a lack of 'overcharging, underperforming, unsupervised apprentice monkey, BMW franchise dealer history'
People will only pay that premium while they continue to believe that dealer history is the pinnacle of quality :rolleyes
My 'proper' services (Inspection I, II and valve clearances) are all done by specialists at half the labour rate of BMW dealers - and they're less arrogant with it.
Edited to add smiley's as the post was too whingey otherwise
Edited by mmm-five on Thursday 19th October 17:38
mmm-five said:
Vesuvius 996 said:
mmm-five said:
Don't forget their labour rate is between £120-£150 an hour (depending on location/greed).
Do it yourself! I do mine in an e34 M5 every 3,000 miles (schedule is every 6,000) and it costs me £50 for the oil and £12 for the filter. I can afford to do two regular oil services for two-thirds the price my local dealer charges for one, and for the same as my local specialist charges!
It's really simple...
0) ensure you have all the parts you need (i.e. oil & filter) before starting
1) warm the engine up (not hot, just warm to help the oil flow better)
2) put something to collect lots of oil under the sump
3) remove oil filler cap and dipstick (to allow better air flow & remove and vacuum effect)
4) remove sump plug carefully and clean
5) leave to drain for 20 minutes
6) replace sump plug with new seal attached (may depend on whether or not your's has one in the filter kit)
7) put the required amount of oil in, bit by bit (depending on your oil capacity, you can put a gallon in straight away and then do it litre by litre)
8) replace dipstick and oil filler cap and top up as necessary
9) buy a bottle of Cristal with the savings
Do it yourself! I do mine in an e34 M5 every 3,000 miles (schedule is every 6,000) and it costs me £50 for the oil and £12 for the filter. I can afford to do two regular oil services for two-thirds the price my local dealer charges for one, and for the same as my local specialist charges!
It's really simple...
0) ensure you have all the parts you need (i.e. oil & filter) before starting
1) warm the engine up (not hot, just warm to help the oil flow better)
2) put something to collect lots of oil under the sump
3) remove oil filler cap and dipstick (to allow better air flow & remove and vacuum effect)
4) remove sump plug carefully and clean
5) leave to drain for 20 minutes
6) replace sump plug with new seal attached (may depend on whether or not your's has one in the filter kit)
7) put the required amount of oil in, bit by bit (depending on your oil capacity, you can put a gallon in straight away and then do it litre by litre)
8) replace dipstick and oil filler cap and top up as necessary
9) buy a bottle of Cristal with the savings
Reflect on the two grand you just wiped off your car's value due to lack of service history.
It's not a 'lack of service history', just a lack of 'overcharging, underperforming, unsupervised apprentice monkey, BMW franchise dealer history'.
People will only pay that premium while they continue to believe that dealer history is the pinnacle of quality.
My 'proper' services (Inspection I, II and valve clearances) are all done by specialists at half the labour rate of BMW dealers - and they're less arrogant with it.
Fair play. But when you come to sell the vast majority of buyers will run a mile, no?
Vesuvius 996 said:
Fair play. But when you come to sell the vast majority of buyers will run a mile, no?
If you put something obvious like 'no service history' then yes, some might. However, you'd still have and state 'full service history', rather than "full BMWSH"*
What if you're a BMW technician yourself and do all the work to the same standard yourself? It's not a BMW service history, but it's identicial except for the cost!
* which when I see it makes me run a mile as it makes me believe the owners don't give a damn about their cars, they just want to maintain their warranty as the dealer has probably warned them that they'll not be covered by the warranty if they take it elsewhere and it'll ruin your resale value (remember, there's no warranty issue anymore to force you to go to BMW for servicing, you just have to ensure the work is carried out with original parts to BMW standard - which in my experience is not very high)
ps - you can probably see how cynical I am when it comes to BMW dealers, but if you'd had as many broken promises, extortionate bills for work not done, liquids not refilled & filters not replaced during £600-£1000 inspections, you would be too (and it's not just one local dealer either).
Edited by mmm-five on Thursday 19th October 17:52
From £49 at my tame BMW trained speciaist and also did far more than just change the oil, (did virtually an inspection I!)
www.allenpmw.co.uk
www.allenpmw.co.uk
Since my 330 has been out of warranty I'd serviced it myself.
Plenty of DIY guides available on the net.
There is a metal 'hatch' which needs to be removed to get to the sump plug - it is missing on mine.
I know that only BMW have done anything to this car in the past so they've forgotten to refit it.
I'm glad I'm not giving them £145 + VAT per hour any more !
In the past year I've done an Inspection II (local indy charges £30 to read the fault codes), changed wishbone bushes, rear pads and the alternator. Must be a hefty saving there.
Everything photographed coming off and the new ones going on. About as good a history as you'll get.
OK, a BMW dealer wouldn't touch my car now but its getting to the age where they'd pass even if it had full BMW history.
For basic servicing, assuming you have a drive or some space, all you need is a decent socket set, ramps/stands and a trolly jack.
Personally the satisfaction of having done a proper job means more than the £ saved.
Plenty of DIY guides available on the net.
There is a metal 'hatch' which needs to be removed to get to the sump plug - it is missing on mine.
I know that only BMW have done anything to this car in the past so they've forgotten to refit it.
I'm glad I'm not giving them £145 + VAT per hour any more !
In the past year I've done an Inspection II (local indy charges £30 to read the fault codes), changed wishbone bushes, rear pads and the alternator. Must be a hefty saving there.
Everything photographed coming off and the new ones going on. About as good a history as you'll get.
OK, a BMW dealer wouldn't touch my car now but its getting to the age where they'd pass even if it had full BMW history.
For basic servicing, assuming you have a drive or some space, all you need is a decent socket set, ramps/stands and a trolly jack.
Personally the satisfaction of having done a proper job means more than the £ saved.
They charge it because they know they can get away with it. They play on the fact that joe public assumes that a car with main dealer history has in some way been taken better care of than one with Indy, or home service history.
Whether you go to Ford, BMW, Jag, Porsche, Skoda, Subaru, or whoever, the fitters (can't call them mechanics really these days can you?) get largely the same salary. The "main stealers" seem to think they can charge dependant on badge.
Whilst people keep going there, they will keep charging.
Did you know, a recent European ruling (focusing on fair trade and stopping monopolys) stated that a manufacturers warrenty must be honoured as long as the published service schedule had been adherred to. The work does not need to be carried out by a dealer franchise for the same brand!!
Whether you go to Ford, BMW, Jag, Porsche, Skoda, Subaru, or whoever, the fitters (can't call them mechanics really these days can you?) get largely the same salary. The "main stealers" seem to think they can charge dependant on badge.
Whilst people keep going there, they will keep charging.
Did you know, a recent European ruling (focusing on fair trade and stopping monopolys) stated that a manufacturers warrenty must be honoured as long as the published service schedule had been adherred to. The work does not need to be carried out by a dealer franchise for the same brand!!
This really is a conundrum.
As Vee said there is very little that's actually difficult about any of the basic servicing jobs. Even I with fairly limited mechanical skill (and even less patience!) can do a full Insp II (bar reading any fault codes)on almost any BMW right up to a 4.4L V8. Sure, somethings are tedious like changing all 8 spark plugs on the V8's...but it's not difficult. Changing Microfilters on some models like E36's and E34's can be a bit of a fiddle the first time you do it but once you've done it a few times it's pretty easy.
And yet even I because of fears of how an unstamped service booklet might affect re-sale still take my cars for servicing by someone else either BMW Maindealer (which I hate 'having' to do!) or my Independent Specialist (Moseley Motorsport...which I don't mind because at least there I know it'll be done properly). However, I'm now beginning to wonder if it is worth it at all on some of our cars?
For example, my wife drives an E34 525i Touring with circa 130K miles on the clock. The car has always been serviced on the button and has the stamps in the book to prove it. However, what is the re-sale value of this car now? Is the differential between having a stamped up service book and me doing it myself going to be worth it? I'm beginning to wonder! It's due for a service now and probably the only reason I'll take it somewhere else is because I can't be ar$ed to do it myself.
The other place the 'budget-minded' BMW owner can make even bigger savings is doing simple replacement of consumables themselves. As said, I'm not the most skillful or patient mechanic but even I recently replaced the front discs and pads on my E39. I scoured the 'net and got very good deals on the parts and did the job myself by reading up on the 'net. I reckon the whole exercise cost me under £70 (and a nasty scrape on my hand!) but I'm sure I wouldn't have walked out of my BMW Maindealer with much, if any change out of £400. That saving has paid for our flights for our holiday to Italy next year!
However, I haven't got the nerve to omit 'the stamp in the book' on my more valuable BMWs because of the fear of making a sale much more difficult in the future...and I certainly wouldn't have the nerve to omit it if I owned a much newer BMW.
As Vee said there is very little that's actually difficult about any of the basic servicing jobs. Even I with fairly limited mechanical skill (and even less patience!) can do a full Insp II (bar reading any fault codes)on almost any BMW right up to a 4.4L V8. Sure, somethings are tedious like changing all 8 spark plugs on the V8's...but it's not difficult. Changing Microfilters on some models like E36's and E34's can be a bit of a fiddle the first time you do it but once you've done it a few times it's pretty easy.
And yet even I because of fears of how an unstamped service booklet might affect re-sale still take my cars for servicing by someone else either BMW Maindealer (which I hate 'having' to do!) or my Independent Specialist (Moseley Motorsport...which I don't mind because at least there I know it'll be done properly). However, I'm now beginning to wonder if it is worth it at all on some of our cars?
For example, my wife drives an E34 525i Touring with circa 130K miles on the clock. The car has always been serviced on the button and has the stamps in the book to prove it. However, what is the re-sale value of this car now? Is the differential between having a stamped up service book and me doing it myself going to be worth it? I'm beginning to wonder! It's due for a service now and probably the only reason I'll take it somewhere else is because I can't be ar$ed to do it myself.
The other place the 'budget-minded' BMW owner can make even bigger savings is doing simple replacement of consumables themselves. As said, I'm not the most skillful or patient mechanic but even I recently replaced the front discs and pads on my E39. I scoured the 'net and got very good deals on the parts and did the job myself by reading up on the 'net. I reckon the whole exercise cost me under £70 (and a nasty scrape on my hand!) but I'm sure I wouldn't have walked out of my BMW Maindealer with much, if any change out of £400. That saving has paid for our flights for our holiday to Italy next year!
However, I haven't got the nerve to omit 'the stamp in the book' on my more valuable BMWs because of the fear of making a sale much more difficult in the future...and I certainly wouldn't have the nerve to omit it if I owned a much newer BMW.
Edited by Derin100 on Friday 20th October 09:23
Derin100 said:
This really is a conundrum.
As Vee said there is very little that's actually difficult about any of the basic servicing jobs. Even I with fairly limited mechanical skill (and even less patience!) can do a full Insp II (bar reading any fault codes)on almost any BMW right up to a 4.4L V8. Sure, somethings are tedious like changing all 8 spark plugs on the V8's...but it's not difficult. Changing Microfilters on some models like E36's and E34's can be a bit of a fiddle the first time you do it but once you've done it a few times it's pretty easy.
And yet even I because of fears of how an unstamped service booklet might affect re-sale still take my cars for servicing by someone else either BMW Maindealer (which I hate 'having' to do!) or my Independent Specialist (Moseley Motorsport...which I don't mind because at least there I know it'll be done properly). However, I'm now beginning to wonder if it is worth it at all on some of our cars?
For example, my wife drives an E34 525i Touring with circa 130K miles on the clock. The car has always been serviced on the button and has the stamps in the book to prove it. However, what is the re-sale value of this car now? Is the differential between having a stamped up service book and me doing it myself going to be worth it? I'm beginning to wonder! It's due for a service now and probably the only reason I'll take it somewhere else is because I can't be ar$ed to do it myself.
The other place the 'budget-minded' BMW owner can make even bigger savings is doing simple replacement of consumables themself. As said, I'm not the most skillful or patient mechanic but even I recently replaced the front discs and pads on my E39. I scoured the 'net and got very good deals on the parts and did the job myself by reading up on the 'net. I reckon the whole exercise cost me under £70 (and a nasty scrape on my hand!) but I'm sure I wouldn't have walked out of my BMW Maindealer with much, if any change out of £400. That saving has paid for our flights for our holiday to Italy next year!
However, I haven't got the nerve to omit 'the stamp in the book' on my more valuable BMWs because of the fear of making a sale much more difficult in the future...and I certainly wouldn't have the nerve to omit it if I owned a much newer BMW.
As Vee said there is very little that's actually difficult about any of the basic servicing jobs. Even I with fairly limited mechanical skill (and even less patience!) can do a full Insp II (bar reading any fault codes)on almost any BMW right up to a 4.4L V8. Sure, somethings are tedious like changing all 8 spark plugs on the V8's...but it's not difficult. Changing Microfilters on some models like E36's and E34's can be a bit of a fiddle the first time you do it but once you've done it a few times it's pretty easy.
And yet even I because of fears of how an unstamped service booklet might affect re-sale still take my cars for servicing by someone else either BMW Maindealer (which I hate 'having' to do!) or my Independent Specialist (Moseley Motorsport...which I don't mind because at least there I know it'll be done properly). However, I'm now beginning to wonder if it is worth it at all on some of our cars?
For example, my wife drives an E34 525i Touring with circa 130K miles on the clock. The car has always been serviced on the button and has the stamps in the book to prove it. However, what is the re-sale value of this car now? Is the differential between having a stamped up service book and me doing it myself going to be worth it? I'm beginning to wonder! It's due for a service now and probably the only reason I'll take it somewhere else is because I can't be ar$ed to do it myself.
The other place the 'budget-minded' BMW owner can make even bigger savings is doing simple replacement of consumables themself. As said, I'm not the most skillful or patient mechanic but even I recently replaced the front discs and pads on my E39. I scoured the 'net and got very good deals on the parts and did the job myself by reading up on the 'net. I reckon the whole exercise cost me under £70 (and a nasty scrape on my hand!) but I'm sure I wouldn't have walked out of my BMW Maindealer with much, if any change out of £400. That saving has paid for our flights for our holiday to Italy next year!
However, I haven't got the nerve to omit 'the stamp in the book' on my more valuable BMWs because of the fear of making a sale much more difficult in the future...and I certainly wouldn't have the nerve to omit it if I owned a much newer BMW.
This is exactly the way I feel. The car's 5 years old and, those who believe it, would tell you that it's perfectly acceptable to pack it off to an indy to get it serviced. However, Joe Public likes their FBMWSH when it comes to re-sale time. Financially, it probably wouldn't make a lot of odds with the age and mileage of the car (65k) however, in my opinion, it makes re-sale easier and attracts more buyers with the FBMWSH.
I'll investigate costs with supplying my own oil - it just boils me pi55 that they can charge over £100 for 30 mins work. Would this be acceptable in any other industry??
Worst part? My old man's in the motor trade and could probably do the whole thing inc. oil for about £50 but I'm thinking about selling next year and I'm thinking is it really worth losing the BMW history for the sake of a 100 quid?
Vesuvius 996 said:
Fair play. But when you come to sell the vast majority of buyers will run a mile, no?
Actually I wouldnt. The E34 M5 is getting a bit old now and the chances are a Main Dealer wont have the kind of knowledge needed. So an enthusiast owner who can do the basics and cares for the car is something that I would look for. From what I understand, regular oil changes on the E34 M5 are something to look for anyway and I would suggest that those "in the know" would regard a well treated car like that as a premium....
off_again said:
Vesuvius 996 said:
Fair play. But when you come to sell the vast majority of buyers will run a mile, no?
Actually I wouldnt. The E34 M5 is getting a bit old now and the chances are a Main Dealer wont have the kind of knowledge needed. So an enthusiast owner who can do the basics and cares for the car is something that I would look for. From what I understand, regular oil changes on the E34 M5 are something to look for anyway and I would suggest that those "in the know" would regard a well treated car like that as a premium....
Fair point well made.
If I was buying a two year old M3 I would want a full set of stamps.
If I was buying a 15 year old E30 M3 then I would look for indy stamps or satisfy myself that the guy who owned it knew what he was doing and didn't put Halfords piss oil in it.
Why do you slate the dealers for their prices yet form part of the system that drives the prices up.
If you are prepared to spend £180 for 30mins of your time then fine. If not why the hell don't you do it yourself rather than whinge about the cost of having someone else do it?
If everyone did their own oil changes then the dealers prices for it would plummet to try and get trade. Frankly I would trade 30mins of my time for £180 cos I'm not worth that much.
I'm afraid you sitting on a conundrum entirely of your own making.
If you are prepared to spend £180 for 30mins of your time then fine. If not why the hell don't you do it yourself rather than whinge about the cost of having someone else do it?
If everyone did their own oil changes then the dealers prices for it would plummet to try and get trade. Frankly I would trade 30mins of my time for £180 cos I'm not worth that much.
I'm afraid you sitting on a conundrum entirely of your own making.
I have had 2 cars that I have failed (through cost) to keep them serviced at a mail dealer (or even an indy for that matter)
Had a 316 compact from 30k to 97k , sold it on ebay, after 50k all I did was look after it myself, oil/filter, air filter, plugs, brakes, suspension bushes etc. Sold it easily.
Second one was a 2002 Smart car (wifes) MB quoted £180 or something silly for a service. I got the parts and some oil and did it for about £40 and a morning. We ran that car from 8000miles to 22000miles and sold it easily (on ebay again)
I just don't see the value of paying a garage to do menial tasks on a car...ok you dont't want to be doing clutches or headgaskets on the driveway (I don't have the tools or real space to work on the car to that degree) on your main car (if it goes wrong etc you are stuffed).
Most basic servicing is easy, but most people seem scared about warranty/resale and I suspect lots of Joe Public don't even check their tyres or fluids so the idea of a garage servicing is probably a good idea for them.
One question I ask myself is how much time do they spend checking over the car on a basic oil service. I would hope for that price they check underbody, bushes, brakes, bearings, body condition, interior, all electrics working... I bet they wouldn't even realise any faults in these areas......................
Had a 316 compact from 30k to 97k , sold it on ebay, after 50k all I did was look after it myself, oil/filter, air filter, plugs, brakes, suspension bushes etc. Sold it easily.
Second one was a 2002 Smart car (wifes) MB quoted £180 or something silly for a service. I got the parts and some oil and did it for about £40 and a morning. We ran that car from 8000miles to 22000miles and sold it easily (on ebay again)
I just don't see the value of paying a garage to do menial tasks on a car...ok you dont't want to be doing clutches or headgaskets on the driveway (I don't have the tools or real space to work on the car to that degree) on your main car (if it goes wrong etc you are stuffed).
Most basic servicing is easy, but most people seem scared about warranty/resale and I suspect lots of Joe Public don't even check their tyres or fluids so the idea of a garage servicing is probably a good idea for them.
One question I ask myself is how much time do they spend checking over the car on a basic oil service. I would hope for that price they check underbody, bushes, brakes, bearings, body condition, interior, all electrics working... I bet they wouldn't even realise any faults in these areas......................
When my 540 went in for a service the other month, i investigated the price of supplying my own oil - and the price difference wasn't actually that great - the long-life oils used in the cars IS expensive.
However, the wifes e36 - i done myself, without even getting underneath - just used a vacuum drainer. Service cost about £45 using fully synth oil. Punched the service lights out too - info is on the 'net. Cant see any value in FBMWSH on a car that's depreciating like a stone.
However, the wifes e36 - i done myself, without even getting underneath - just used a vacuum drainer. Service cost about £45 using fully synth oil. Punched the service lights out too - info is on the 'net. Cant see any value in FBMWSH on a car that's depreciating like a stone.
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