Hidden service costs
Discussion
My car is wanting a service; oil change and micro filter. Seen on the Bmw website it’s £256 so got prices from specialists of £220. Thought for £30 or so I’ll get Bmw to do it so went back on to book. Put details in then it comes up with £256 plus £22 cbs standard scope and £15 environmental disposal charge taking it up to £293! So comes out at £73 extra.
I know they have to dispose of the oil but £15 really! Then a standard scope service which says is resetting the service and logging it with the car! £300 is hard to justify for an oil change and a micro filter that takes 5min to replace.
So I’ll save the difference and take it to the specialist opposite.
They have to make money but their prices aren’t exactly cheap to entice you to use them before they add on the extras. Surely getting rid of the oil and resetting my service indicator should just be part of. Why do they have to charge extra instead of giving me total price to begin with.
Just a rant as I just hate places having hidden charges after enticing you with cheap prices to start with.
If I can’t have a service without the other 2 charges then include them in the initial price.
I know they have to dispose of the oil but £15 really! Then a standard scope service which says is resetting the service and logging it with the car! £300 is hard to justify for an oil change and a micro filter that takes 5min to replace.
So I’ll save the difference and take it to the specialist opposite.
They have to make money but their prices aren’t exactly cheap to entice you to use them before they add on the extras. Surely getting rid of the oil and resetting my service indicator should just be part of. Why do they have to charge extra instead of giving me total price to begin with.
Just a rant as I just hate places having hidden charges after enticing you with cheap prices to start with.
If I can’t have a service without the other 2 charges then include them in the initial price.
The dealership is likely charging over £20 a litre plus VAT for oil.....
Mine takes £5.25 litres and the dealership charge is over £120
Go on line and look at prices for oil of the required grade that meets the BMW spec - usually LLO4 and see how much you can save.
Ask / tell the dealership you are providing the oil, in sealed containers of the right BMW spec and ask for a service cost on that basis.
Save yourself £60 - £75 immediately
Mine takes £5.25 litres and the dealership charge is over £120
Go on line and look at prices for oil of the required grade that meets the BMW spec - usually LLO4 and see how much you can save.
Ask / tell the dealership you are providing the oil, in sealed containers of the right BMW spec and ask for a service cost on that basis.
Save yourself £60 - £75 immediately
edthefed said:
The dealership is likely charging over £20 a litre plus VAT for oil.....
Mine takes £5.25 litres and the dealership charge is over £120
Go on line and look at prices for oil of the required grade that meets the BMW spec - usually LLO4 and see how much you can save.
Ask / tell the dealership you are providing the oil, in sealed containers of the right BMW spec and ask for a service cost on that basis.
Save yourself £60 - £75 immediately
You could also ask for the old oil back (in your containers) and drop it off at the tip on the way home.Mine takes £5.25 litres and the dealership charge is over £120
Go on line and look at prices for oil of the required grade that meets the BMW spec - usually LLO4 and see how much you can save.
Ask / tell the dealership you are providing the oil, in sealed containers of the right BMW spec and ask for a service cost on that basis.
Save yourself £60 - £75 immediately
Realistically, BMW price for those who either can't or won't know any better imo.
I’m amazed other marques haven’t seen the opportunity and copied BMW. I wonder if leasing companies pay these trumped up charges?
Although the ‘free’ service under the service plan on wife’s VW cost £250 with ‘additional items’. On my Merc, they give you a price and it includes everything needed.
Although the ‘free’ service under the service plan on wife’s VW cost £250 with ‘additional items’. On my Merc, they give you a price and it includes everything needed.
Sheepshanks said:
I’m amazed other marques haven’t seen the opportunity and copied BMW. I wonder if leasing companies pay these trumped up charges?
Although the ‘free’ service under the service plan on wife’s VW cost £250 with ‘additional items’. On my Merc, they give you a price and it includes everything needed.
That’s what I’d expect as you had from Mercedes to be given a price and that’s it. Although the ‘free’ service under the service plan on wife’s VW cost £250 with ‘additional items’. On my Merc, they give you a price and it includes everything needed.
If I’m pricing for a job I don’t tell them one price and when they accept add on other costs
Geffg said:
doc261 said:
Did you check the price at more than one dealer. I found Sytner were more expensive than other dealers.
It was online so do you think if I tried individual dealers I’d get various prices?We've had this with Nissan, when we took my wifes Qashqai for a service. They quoted us a price, I was told that was the price we'd be paying. But they didnt include VaT, and they didnt include some other hidden stuff too. Plus, on the day they tried to upsell a few things we absolutly did not need.
She wanted it done by a dealer because of the warranty, but this year we'll use a trusted independent who'll still use genuine parts but charge a fraction of the price and not sting us with anything extra.
(by contrast, my Honda was main-dealer serviced for a couple of years and they only charged me what they told me when I booked. Never tried to sell me anyhting I didnt actually need - just windscreen wipers one time when they were found to be smearing, but I had some at home - so I was happy to go with them. Just a bit expensive really)
She wanted it done by a dealer because of the warranty, but this year we'll use a trusted independent who'll still use genuine parts but charge a fraction of the price and not sting us with anything extra.
(by contrast, my Honda was main-dealer serviced for a couple of years and they only charged me what they told me when I booked. Never tried to sell me anyhting I didnt actually need - just windscreen wipers one time when they were found to be smearing, but I had some at home - so I was happy to go with them. Just a bit expensive really)
Edited by thatdude on Monday 3rd July 08:20
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
edthefed said:
Ask / tell the dealership you are providing the oil, in sealed containers of the right BMW spec and ask for a service cost on that basis.
If I was the dealer I'd politely tell you to do one! 
Me: can I bring my own oil and save cash
Sytner: yes siree, no worries
Me: great, can you tell me exactly what I need do avoid any hassles or warranty quibbles
Sytner: yes of course, we'll get back to you
Me: hello, are you still there????
The above email thread, plus phone calls, lasted from 2 weeks before the date Id booked up until when I arrived and they never did tell me
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