BMW oil service?
Discussion
Just wondering if anyone knows if a BMW oil service at a BMW dealer is anything more than change of oil, oil filter and I believe a microfilter?
Got a quote for my OH’s 18 month old 118i (the cars first service) and was a bit surprised that the cost would be £270. Got me thinking it must be more than just an oil change and a couple of filters?
Also got a quote from a local MINI/BMW indy (that we used when my OH had her 2007 Cooper) and his cost is £150 less. Seems to be quite a hefty premium to just say the car will have full BMWSH as appose to full SH?!
Just got to make sure the indy can log the service correctly in the iDrive and the official BMW system (if there is one).
Ta.
Got a quote for my OH’s 18 month old 118i (the cars first service) and was a bit surprised that the cost would be £270. Got me thinking it must be more than just an oil change and a couple of filters?
Also got a quote from a local MINI/BMW indy (that we used when my OH had her 2007 Cooper) and his cost is £150 less. Seems to be quite a hefty premium to just say the car will have full BMWSH as appose to full SH?!
Just got to make sure the indy can log the service correctly in the iDrive and the official BMW system (if there is one).
Ta.
It is what it is, as you described, main dealers charge more, you can decide which route you want to go.
Some main dealers allow you to provide the parts oil and filters which can reduce the cost, it's their labour rates that mark the price up.
I always use the dealers and haggle on price to get it to something reasonable, that way if something goes bang I don't get into an argument about the other garage causing the issue, but it all depends on what you want to do.
Some main dealers allow you to provide the parts oil and filters which can reduce the cost, it's their labour rates that mark the price up.
I always use the dealers and haggle on price to get it to something reasonable, that way if something goes bang I don't get into an argument about the other garage causing the issue, but it all depends on what you want to do.
Oil service, it’s an oil and filter change each time then at different age/mileage intervals additional filters are changed depending on the model of BMW you own.
Anyone can update BMWs online service history if they subscribe to BMWs system, which records servicing on a central database. It complies with block exemption laws yet in reality is a tad expensive for small independent specialists to subscribe to, hence achieving BMWs aim of keeping cars in the dealer network.
Anyone can update BMWs online service history if they subscribe to BMWs system, which records servicing on a central database. It complies with block exemption laws yet in reality is a tad expensive for small independent specialists to subscribe to, hence achieving BMWs aim of keeping cars in the dealer network.
Edited by helix402 on Monday 24th September 07:28
Wills2 said:
It is what it is, as you described, main dealers charge more, you can decide which route you want to go.
Some main dealers allow you to provide the parts oil and filters which can reduce the cost, it's their labour rates that mark the price up.
I always use the dealers and haggle on price to get it to something reasonable, that way if something goes bang I don't get into an argument about the other garage causing the issue, but it all depends on what you want to do.
I did ask about providing our own oil etc but don't think this is a goer!Some main dealers allow you to provide the parts oil and filters which can reduce the cost, it's their labour rates that mark the price up.
I always use the dealers and haggle on price to get it to something reasonable, that way if something goes bang I don't get into an argument about the other garage causing the issue, but it all depends on what you want to do.
It's always worth asking if the 270 is their best price...I'll get onto that!
helix402 said:
Oil service, it’s an oil and filter change each time then at different age/mileage intervals additional filters are changed depending on the model of BMW you own.
Anyone can update BMWs online service history if they subscribe to BMWs system, which records servicing on a central database. It complies with block exemption laws yet in reality is a tad expensive for small independent specialists to subscribe to, hence achieving BMWs aim of keeping cars in the dealer network.
I'll have to check with the indy, to see if he can updated the 'central database' [I wasn't 100% sure if there was one]. I would imagine he's good to log it on the iDrive.Anyone can update BMWs online service history if they subscribe to BMWs system, which records servicing on a central database. It complies with block exemption laws yet in reality is a tad expensive for small independent specialists to subscribe to, hence achieving BMWs aim of keeping cars in the dealer network.
Edited by helix402 on Monday 24th September 07:28
He's actually used to work as a mechanic at the dealership, before starting his own place so he knows his stuff.
Have you tried https://www.bmw-service.co.uk/ ?
I've just got a quote of £183 for an oil change and microfilter for my 2011 1 series.
I've just got a quote of £183 for an oil change and microfilter for my 2011 1 series.
nw942 said:
Have you tried https://www.bmw-service.co.uk/ ?
I've just got a quote of £183 for an oil change and microfilter for my 2011 1 series.
Pretty sure the car doesn't have a service package but I could pop in the details just in case.I've just got a quote of £183 for an oil change and microfilter for my 2011 1 series.
£183 would be more acceptable certainly.
BUG4LIFE said:
Pretty sure the car doesn't have a service package but I could pop in the details just in case.
£183 would be more acceptable certainly.
As you say it will tell you if you have a service package.£183 would be more acceptable certainly.
But if you don't, it will also give you a list of prices for the different services: oil, oil with microfilter, spark plug, brake pads etc.
If it gives you a lower price than your dealer is quoting then you can point that out to them.
Acidrop said:
I service my own cars. Not only is it dirt cheap compared to a garage, but I know it's done right. I'm long past worrying about stamps in the service book when time comes to sell. Like minded people much prefer a well maintained car with invoices over a fully stamped service book.
Fare enough if it's an out of warranty enthusiast's car, like my Forester STi, which I bought knowing the previous owner dealt with the oil changes himself...but my OH's BM is within warranty and will be bought in the future by someone who just wants a 'nice' white BMW! Full SH by someone THEY think they can trust will be a must, or it'll be a pain to sell.I spotted on that BMW Service site that an oil and filter change 'should' be £209. I'll see what the dealer has to say about that!
The BMW dealer doesn’t seem like they want to budge on the £270 quote they originally gave us so indy it is I reckon (for less then half the price).
As much as our preference is to get the car serviced at the dealer (as we also bought it from them), I feel £270 for an oil change and a couple of filters really isn’t value for money...or am I being tight?!
As much as our preference is to get the car serviced at the dealer (as we also bought it from them), I feel £270 for an oil change and a couple of filters really isn’t value for money...or am I being tight?!
BUG4LIFE said:
The BMW dealer doesn’t seem like they want to budge on the £270 quote they originally gave us so indy it is I reckon (for less then half the price).
As much as our preference is to get the car serviced at the dealer (as we also bought it from them), I feel £270 for an oil change and a couple of filters really isn’t value for money...or am I being tight?!
It may depend on how long you expect to keep the car. As much as our preference is to get the car serviced at the dealer (as we also bought it from them), I feel £270 for an oil change and a couple of filters really isn’t value for money...or am I being tight?!
If only for a few years it may be worth maintaining main agent history for when you sell, but if you plan to keep the car long-term I can't see having SH from a specialist being much of an issue.
BUG4LIFE said:
The BMW dealer doesn’t seem like they want to budge on the £270 quote they originally gave us so indy it is I reckon (for less then half the price).
As much as our preference is to get the car serviced at the dealer (as we also bought it from them), I feel £270 for an oil change and a couple of filters really isn’t value for money...or am I being tight?!
Is there another dealer you could use or too far away?As much as our preference is to get the car serviced at the dealer (as we also bought it from them), I feel £270 for an oil change and a couple of filters really isn’t value for money...or am I being tight?!
I agree with you that £270 seems too much for what they do. On another BMW of ours we have been quoted £293 for an oil change and it was £169 when last done two years' ago. I suspect that I will be going to an Indy too.
I got a main agent service on my E86 Z4 for £260.32 in May 2016. Oil and filter, microfilter and brake fluid change.
If I had been keeping it I would have used an Indy, but I had taken a deposit on it and the buyer wanted to keep the full BMW history as part of the deal!
So the OP's quote looks pretty dear to me.
ETA I had my current E86 serviced by a local BMW Indy in June 2017. Had oil and filter, microfilter, (Insp1), brake fluid change and gearbox oil change for £293.51.
If I had been keeping it I would have used an Indy, but I had taken a deposit on it and the buyer wanted to keep the full BMW history as part of the deal!
So the OP's quote looks pretty dear to me.
ETA I had my current E86 serviced by a local BMW Indy in June 2017. Had oil and filter, microfilter, (Insp1), brake fluid change and gearbox oil change for £293.51.
Edited by Mr Tidy on Thursday 4th October 23:00
I've just gone in and re-checked the £293 price I was quoted and it has now come ddown to £129 - it's an offer price. A very good offer actually.
My 1 series is still att he original price, but it may be worth checking your car in case it's come down in price.
I'm sure someone has realised that they may be losing business at nearly £300 for an oil change.
My 1 series is still att he original price, but it may be worth checking your car in case it's come down in price.
I'm sure someone has realised that they may be losing business at nearly £300 for an oil change.
its a gamble isn't it, the ONLY reason why people choose main dealer servicing (or independent dealer approved servicing) is to preserve a warranty or for the better resale value. ok fair enough for the piece of mind whereby something goes wrong then the dealer covers it under warranty (not always as simple as that after reading posts on here), but just for a better resale value possibly in my opinion dealer servicing isn't worth it. when I see cars on line advertised with FBMWSH or what ever they put, they don't seem to sell them for much more than cars without, so the 250+ you spend year on year for the better resale value cant be worth it, I serviced my car myself, Opie oils on ebay generally sell castrol edge for less than HALF price from the dealers, I got a set of spark plugs for 35 quid on ebay for my 335i and yes that's the proper bosch ones for the car no doubt the dealer would want 80 quid for those and a bosch oil filter is £6 from ebay or GSF etc now that lot is just over 100 quid, add the costs for what dealer want over the years you would never see back in resale value. ok im stirring up a debate now but that's how my brain works and i'm happy to get my hands dirty to save 200-300+ on servicing, ok it helps that my mechanic is a bmw specialist and his rates are £35 an hour so when I do need work done he is great. But do understand OP's dilemma, its a brand new car so its different to the cars I buy, but understand your wincing at 250 quid for £45 worth of work you can do yourself for less than an hour of your Saturday afternoon (now I prepare for the onslaught of abuse)
"Full Main Dealer Service History" has to be one of the biggest cons in the motor industry. I'm quite sure everyone believes their own main dealer is servicing their car properly but I'll bet in the majority of cases it's not, I've certainly struggled to find a main dealer who is anywhere near as honest or good as a respected local indie. They even make their first task to hunt down and switch off your dash cam. I wonder why?
When I'm car hunting a "Full Main Dealer Service History" translates to "Only done oil changes with the cheapest possible oil". It really is a scam yet for some reason the industry is suckered into it.
When I'm car hunting a "Full Main Dealer Service History" translates to "Only done oil changes with the cheapest possible oil". It really is a scam yet for some reason the industry is suckered into it.
[quote=ninjag]"Full Main Dealer Service History" has to be one of the biggest cons in the motor industry. I'm quite sure everyone believes their own main dealer is servicing their car properly but I'll bet in the majority of cases it's not, I've certainly struggled to find a main dealer who is anywhere near as honest or good as a respected local indie. They even make their first task to hunt down and switch off your dash cam. I wonder why?
When I'm car hunting a "Full Main Dealer Service History" translates to "Only done oil changes with the cheapest possible oil". It really is a scam yet for some reason the industry is suckered into it. [/quote
I've no doubt they use the best quality stuff if just what they charge for it in relation to what I know Joe public can buy it for, we all know castrol edge is between 35 and 40 quid depends if you shop around but a dealer would charge at least £80 and people are happy to pay it. 250 quid for probably less than an hours work to them now that's solicitors or accounts fees nearly just to have a bloke with no more education than me change oil. A skilled expensive plumber is only 200 quid but that's a day not an hour
When I'm car hunting a "Full Main Dealer Service History" translates to "Only done oil changes with the cheapest possible oil". It really is a scam yet for some reason the industry is suckered into it. [/quote
I've no doubt they use the best quality stuff if just what they charge for it in relation to what I know Joe public can buy it for, we all know castrol edge is between 35 and 40 quid depends if you shop around but a dealer would charge at least £80 and people are happy to pay it. 250 quid for probably less than an hours work to them now that's solicitors or accounts fees nearly just to have a bloke with no more education than me change oil. A skilled expensive plumber is only 200 quid but that's a day not an hour
Mr Tidy said:
BUG4LIFE said:
The BMW dealer doesn’t seem like they want to budge on the £270 quote they originally gave us so indy it is I reckon (for less then half the price).
As much as our preference is to get the car serviced at the dealer (as we also bought it from them), I feel £270 for an oil change and a couple of filters really isn’t value for money...or am I being tight?!
It may depend on how long you expect to keep the car. As much as our preference is to get the car serviced at the dealer (as we also bought it from them), I feel £270 for an oil change and a couple of filters really isn’t value for money...or am I being tight?!
If only for a few years it may be worth maintaining main agent history for when you sell, but if you plan to keep the car long-term I can't see having SH from a specialist being much of an issue.
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