That's what BMW want for an oil service on a 135i.. I near shat myself when the lassy on the phone told me that. £297.50 to be exact but that was "before any discounts".
I asked if she could discount it by 50% to a more sensible level but she said I'd need a written quote from another garage before starting to negotiate.. However, I'm guessing the local independent isn't going to be writing quotes on the basis that they'll know exactly what people are doing with them. I may just take it straight to the indie and save the hassle.
Has anyone else strayed away from main dealer servicing from the off? My understanding is that the warranty is intact as long as genuine parts are used.
That's about £120 less than Seat charge me for a minor service. Same amount of oil.
BWM do have fancy service boxes though you'll never see them, but they are cool little boxes with everything.l they need in including a pair of gloves and screen wash - they might even email you a video of them doing it.
Blimey, that's a big sump! Pretty sizable engine though.
If I understood from my boss who has a 1 series, the service log is programmed into the key so unless your indie is a BMW specialist with the correct doo-dah, you've lost the history.
What if you use your spare key?
My understanding is that the warranty is intact as long as genuine parts are used.
Yep, you are correct. Take to local indy. £300 for an oil and filter change is crazy.
P-Jay - I don't follow - are you saying Seat charge you £420? On my service plan I get a full & interim service - both for £360.
Mine done that last time without me even asking, just got a text message with a link to a video showing the guy working on my car. Even done a walkaround with commentary pointing out things.they might even email you a video of them doing it.
I think my Porsche costs less than that at a main dealer (averaged out as service intervals are 24 months). Note they are not bad at negotiating and agreed a competitive price for 4 tyres. Also an an fyi its a lot cheaper to get work done in France, I have a fairly big list for next service at 10 years and its a lot cheaper there (Paris main dealer price = uk independent). We get royally ripped off.
Personally no I would not risk warranty for £150
Main dealers do more. They check a load of stuff and actually maintain things that the manufacturer says like pollen filters and other consumables. Also they do things like lube door hinges.
I once called to book in my car at a local £100 place. I told them this time it was a major service, so they had more to do, and they said they didn't bother with any of that, they just change the fluids.
Er ta, I can do that myself.
Sorry, I meant more. It's about £170, I believe the cost is the same across the VAG range too.
ATS Euromaster do an online quote for a service, you could try showing them that?
Main dealers do more.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that, you might even believe it.
Some interesting points above. I'll try that ATS online quote see what it comes back as. Even if I can get them down to £200 it would sit a little better with me.
For info - this is the first service it's needed and it is a 2 year / 20,000 miles one. Nonetheless, that shouldn't be an excuse for them to pull your pants down!
I hadn't considered the fact that I don't seem to have a hardcopy service log.. cheers for the heads up. I guess the first question is, does my indie even have the gadget for logging the service at all..
molgrips - Member
Main dealers do more. They check a load of stuff and actually maintain things that the manufacturer says like pollen filters and other consumables. Also they do things like lube door hinges
Not true. BMW work on something called CBS servicing. This means that the you don't really have what you'd expect as a traditional service. If it's just and oil service that is exactly what you get an oil and filter change. They will also do a vehicle health check each time you visit which checks the safety items.
If you move away from the main dealer you must use original parts and keep any receipts to keep you warranty valid. If your BMW has electronic service history the service light can be reset but the electronic service history has to be validated by the dealer and imprinted in the car via diagnostics from the server in Germany. You could always buy a paper service book I guess.
The vast cost of the service will be the oil. The labour will be probably only 20 mins and the filter will be a bit more.
Will they let you supply your own oil?
As long as it's a vat registered garage and they use genuine parts (or at least part numbers on the invoice) then you get a stamp in your book. Check your paperwork but with other brands am sure it doesnt affect the warranty and it's down to the main dealer to prove something was wrongly done .
Not sure if they'll let me supply the oil. I guess not as this is probably where they're making the money. I've logged a request with ATS for them to quote me a service so will be interesting to see what comes back.
I've come across this CBS thing before on the Mrs' Mini Cooper. I was adamant it needed an oil change but the BMW indie plugged it in and said it wasn't due but it did need brake fluid doing.. I'm sure the car has some clever algorithm based on mileage/rpm/runtime etc etc.
Sorry for the daft question but did you not buy/get a service pack when you bought the car?
it would sit a little better with me.
OP this is the key point - you are rightly cheesed off .... but you bought a new BMW for a decent amount of money. Pay the "extra" £100-150 above what you think and move on. Get it Indy serviced when it's outside the warranty. As an aisde ignore or take with a very large pinch of salt all the "BMW recommends" shopping list they [b]will[/b] call you with. Audi are particularly shocking at this imo altougn I suspect bmw are the same, they got a friend of mine to change all 4 tyres once at inflated ( 😉 ) prices as supposedly one had some "damage"
I've come across this CBS thing before on the Mrs' Mini Cooper. I was adamant it needed an oil change but the BMW indie plugged it in and said it wasn't due but it did need brake fluid doing.. I'm sure the car has some clever algorithm based on mileage/rpm/runtime etc etc.
yep same thing and pretty much.
I'd play a couple of dealers off against each other regarding getting quotes, see how that pans out.
Why would they stop you using your oil? you could ask especially if you use the recommended branded stuff.
Greed is good..hadn't you heard?
The fantasy income from doing a £30 oil change and calling it a £300 service is ome reason no one is rushing to electric.
Main dealers do more
Marketing mainly it seems
They publish a list of all the stuff they do. Then they give you a check list with it all on.
If they haven't done it, well that's a problem with that particular dealer being fraudulent.
My '06 5 series does the same, massive oil capacity so high initial service price and everything else just based on what the computer says. I use an independent specialist but I would want to be sure that the right oil was used, regardless of car age.
Nope definitely no service pack on the car from when I purchased. I'll try a couple of other dealers as well as ATS and see where that gets me.
Good point above re. the extra £150 vs the layout for the car itself. This will be the 1 and only service inside the 3 year warranty as well.
Perhaps I'll wait another year or two before taking it to the indie.
Junkyard - lazarus
Main dealers do more
Marketing mainly it seems
Probably but if you can find a decent dealer that suits you will generally will get a good service. People get sucked in with Fred in the sheds (there are good and bad of these also) Cheap labour rates especially. Dealers however obviously have higher labour rates but generally will have fixed hours for jobs where you'll find Fred has a cheap rate but probably will charge you 3 times the labour time of the dealer. You really have to check as with everything you buy.
This oil service is an example I guess the dealer will charge 20mins for the labour time. Fred will probably charge an hour.
At least the OP will get his car washed and a video for his 300 quid.
They publish a list of all the stuff they do. Then they give you a check list with it all on
Reads impressively but doesn't mean anything "check wiper blades" stuff the car owner should be doing or if there broken will be obvious anyway.
Dealers pay a fortune to the brands and have to maintain shiny showrooms so they can rinse owners. Cars need an occasional oil change an even more occasional other filter change and a few basic checks that any driver ahould be able to fulfill.
Check wiper blades is obvious. Check condition of CV joint boots, engine seals etc etc is beyond most people. Ok so MOTs do some of it but not all of it.
wilburt - Member
stuff the car owner should be doing
A bit like tyre pressure/condition, checking their lights and fluid levels. 🙄 haha
They publish a list of all the stuff they do
You can go on Ford ETIS, put in a number plate (of a Ford, obvs) and it will generate a service list for you. TBH, 90% of it is things like
"-visually check wiper blade condition
-Apply grease to door catches if necessary
-Check operation of handbrake, adjust if necessary
-Check all wheel nuts are present and tight
-check coolant level
-check washer fluid level
-Check power steering fluid level
-Check brake fluid level
"
It's the sort of stuff that can be done within 30 seconds by walking round the car and having a quick look under the bonnet, it's not all rocket surgery. Of course, you do sometimes need bigger things like timing belts changing.
edit: People above have said pretty much the same while I was typing.
Main dealers do more. They check a load of stuff and actually maintain things that the manufacturer says like pollen filters and other consumables. Also they do things like lube door hinges.I once called to book in my car at a local £100 place. I told them this time it was a major service, so they had more to do, and they said they didn't bother with any of that, they just change the fluids.
Er ta, I can do that myself.
And if you can change the oil then you can change a pollen/air/fuel filter and put some lube on a hinge, surely?
Funny you should mention the car getting a clean.. Me and this particular dealer have previous about them washing my car on account of me being a pure fanny..
It was in about 12 months ago for some warranty work and I explicitly told them NOT to wash my car and they did anyway. There was a couple in the showroom when I picked it up looking rather perplexed as I booted off with them for washing my car!
nickewen If you bought it brand new then fair enough reference the service pack. If not get the dealer to check in case it has. It wouldn't be the first time someone has tried to pay when the car already has a service pack.
Do any of your local dealer have any offers on service packs that you can buy that would include your current service that's due?
Prices probably vary in different areas so might be worth checking if your in a different location for hols or business in the coming weeks.
And if you can change the oil then you can change a pollen/air/fuel filter and put some lube on a hinge, surely?
I do.
Changing brake fluid is a bit of a PITA though but I think I'll do it next service.
Ford have a fixed price service plan at £150/year taken monthly so £12/month. The Mrs signed up for it as it seemed a decent way of keeping the service history of the car and a bit of perceived value as it was new.
My Alfa has never seen a main dealer from new in 1999. 165,000 miles later, all is good.
Fords servicing is fixed at £150 these days anyway iirc
My Ford is being serviced by the main dealer while in warranty (and not after that if I can avoid it). Last year the fixed price was £125. They quoted me £185, so I asked why: it turn out that they charge more if it's under warranty "because we have to use the proper oil" !
Ford also chuck in free breakdown cover if you get your car serviced with them.
Ha ha ha, Ford Main Stealer in Eastbourne never changed the pollen filter on our focus (even though the scumbags charged me 3 times for it). Two Nissan dealers charged for but never changed the pollen filter in our X Trail either when I looked through the paperwork when we bought it.
As it's new and in warranty I'd go with the dealer service but do ring around for a better price, this is where the dealer actually makes their money.
Makes me glad my main dealer - Skoda - is so good and cheap. Every time I've had my car serviced it's been no more expensive than the independents around and usually cheaper than the stated price. Basic service is £125 but I don't think I've ever paid more than £110. They also give the car a good valet - clean but no sticky dash treatments etc - and I get to see all the bits taken off when I collect it, can take them home if I want too! They've occasionally fixed little things they've found for free too, even out of warranty. The only time I've queried anything was when the first big, big service came up and the price was double what I was expecting but then they explained it was due to the cambelt change. I did ring round a few indies for that one but they wanted more or would only do fluids at that mileage so it went in the main dealer, I wasn't risking the engine going pop for saving £100.
Don't know if having a FDSH will have any value when it comes to selling the car as I plan to keep it a long time but it should make it easier to shift.
An "improvement" that some dealers make is to use unnecessarily high-spec oil
Ring the parts dept and find out the lowest price of the correct oil for your car
A dealer did that to me years ago charging £50 for oil. The manufacturer's own was £29 for 5 litres, which left me with a spare litre for a top-up 🙂
"Sundries" is another...£££s per car for a pair of gloves and some copper grease that will be used on several cars that day
Just had a major service on my van , Peugeot expert 2.0 hdi - all fluids and filters £200.00 inc vat . Thwrs at a warranty approved indie .
Op, have you tried using https://www.bmw-service.co.uk to book your service as the official price is usually cheaper than the dealers.
Sounds like a bargain compared to some Mercedes services. You do have a fancy small BMW, they come with sometimes surprising maintenance charges. £300 doesn't sound bad considering the likely courtesy car, labour, premium oil, disposal, and coffee and biscuits. Oh, and the list of extras that will be recommended with a 'free' car health check.
The fantasy income from doing a £30 oil change and calling it a £300 service is ome reason no one is rushing to electric.
not sure what you mean. Can you elaborate?
With respect to the BMW service video, my boss showed me his, it was a bit of a novelty as the first one he'd had. CV joint boots, check. From the front, visible side. Didn't put his hand round the back to check the back seam wasn't spit. 😆 🙄
It means they make LOTS of profit from overcharging on oil and filter replacements etc.
Electric cars have much fewer things to service, hence manufacturers lose out on servicing profits etc.
Changing oil, cambelts and brake pads is very profitable and not needed on electric vehicles.
I'm certain there will inspection plans for electric vehicles that will replace some but not all of that income (and jobs).
So its going to be a hole in several business plans.
YGM
Electric cars still have brake pads. Anyway it'll be batteries and electrodes in charging points that are profitable in the future.
As for dealer servicing.
Parents evoque piece of shit has been religiously dealer services since new. Imagine their surprise when an oil filter was produced dated with pretty much the sale date 5 years ago and an air filter that was the colour of coal when we did it at home
Apparently it's like a different car to drive now.
Not like the dealer was cheap either.
I had a mate who worked briefly as a mechanic at a Ford garage. Standard practice was to wipe the oil filter with and oily rag to clean it and just drain the oil and replace it.
He didn't stay long.
This is why I don't trust my car to a garage full stop. If I need anything big doing I might take to an indie.
With dealer servicing you DON'T get what you pay for.
Op, have you tried using https://www.bmw-service.co.uk to book your service as the official price is usually cheaper than the dealers.
Some of those prices are not [i]too[/i] outrageous for a main dealer but it's still £139 for an oil and filter change. Scheduled work according to the website is
Engine oil is removed
Oil filter is removed
Genuine BMW oil filter is fitted
Engine is filled with BMW approved oil
Oil and removed parts are environmentally disposed of
Exterior is washed
Interior is vacuumed
BMW Service history is updated
I did an oil and filter change on mine yesterday, granted I missed out the washing and vacuuming but I can do without those for a £100 saving.
Add microfilter, air and fuel filter (OK, not BMW prices but £80 the lot at ECP) to the job and the price leaps to a staggering £343! That's a lot for swapping out easily accessible parts with no special tools involved.
Yes. A lot of main dealers are crooks. Mine are good though (Sinclair VW of Cardiff).
I wouldn't tar all with same brush however equally the number of people I trust to work on my car and do a good job equals the same as get to go near my bike.
Any time I've trusted others to do the work I've been disappointed - and it's not because of high standards it's due to poor quality of work /rush job/corners cut.
Mines £230 through dealers. £160 at a local indie.
4L of Castrol 0-60 for M cars is nearly £50. I keep an eye out for offers at Euro car parts and change the oil between services.
Inspections 1 and 2 are good ones. £700 and £900 to shine a torch in places.
Christ on a bike - this thread is making me think that the £1600 I was quoted by Audi to replace a faulty coolant level sensor on my A6 was reasonable.
molgrips - Member
Mine are good though (Sinclair VW of Cardiff).
Based on anything in particular?
Customer service
Jobs get done
Willingness to talk tech even though it doesn't necessarily result in a sale
Showing me VW tech bulletins (that they aren't supposed to do) to help me out
Taking pity on me and waiving diagnostic charges even though I didn't have work done
Being quite well priced
Not leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth
BMW Service history is updated
I did an oil and filter change on mine yesterday, granted I missed out the washing and vacuuming but I can do without those for a £100 saving.
I could do my own servicing cheaper too but it is my time that I can't afford at the moment and £100 is still a bargain for someone else to do the work compared to me doing it after getting the parts and disposing of the used oil. I wouldn't be able to update the BMW service history either which is all electronic now as will be the OP's.
I have been using the main dealers (Stratstone, Leeds) for a while now but booking through BMW Service and saving money that way for both our 1 and 3 series. We had previously used Cramag independent BMW at Yeadon as they were cheaper than direct with the dealers. They had also missed out updating the service records for brake fluid changes which when brought to our attention ended up such a farce that it was easier and just as cheap to have the fluid changed again by the dealer. Finding we could get the servicing done cheaper than an independent by booking through the service through the BMW Service website made it a no brainer.
The only downside is the sales pitch you get to change cars when using the dealer after they've tempted you with a courtesy car for the day.
I could do my own servicing cheaper too but it is my time that I can't afford at the moment and £100 is still a bargain for someone else to do the work compared to me doing it after getting the parts and disposing of the used oil. I wouldn't be able to update the BMW service history either which is all electronic now as will be the OP's.
All valid points. I've got more time than money and an 8 year old car.
Self servicing and not paying for warrenty is what currently is preventing me getting out of a diesel car.
Seems my only way way is to buy brand new car as it seems every one of of the type of vehicle that suits our needs and is between 4-6 years old was bought with a dv6 diesel engine (the 1.6turbo unit that's in most fords/Peugeot's/Citroen's)
That then ties me in to garage servicing and such to take advantage of the warrenty I'd be paying for.
So it'll most likely be a new gearbox for the old jalopy
OP can I just say, a 3.5l petrol in a 1-series! 😀 My Skoda Superb has a 3.6l V6 and goes like stink but that's a barge compared to the 1-series.
How do you keep it on the road? (or maybe you don't now you've seen the service bill!)
135 is a 3litre engine I believe. But yes still pretty sprightly.
How do you keep it on the road?
iirc it comes with a full suite of tyres, pedals and a steering wheel 😉
Electric cars still have brake pads
Hardly used due to regen. You could add other stuff to the list too, exhausts, air filters.
Electric cars will be to the motor industry what streaming was to music unless they come up some new wheeze " lube your electrodes sir"?
It'll cost £40 - 50 + time and muck to do it yourself so I think £100 - 130 is about right for someone else to change the oil and filter in a car.
£300 is profiteering unless its a seriously more difficult.
unless they come up some new wheeze " lube your electrodes sir"?
Unidirectional gold plated wiring loom upgrades?
wilburt - MemberElectric cars still have brake pads
Hardly used due to regen. You could add other stuff to the list too, exhausts, air filters.
Electric cars will be to the motor industry what streaming was to music unless they come up some new wheeze " lube your electrodes sir"?
The purchase price will just go up inordinately once they become the standard.
I have the upmost sympathy with the OP.
I have the same engine (35i) but in a Z4. BMW Williams "look after" my car. Absolute cartel in Greater Manchester so they can basically do what they want.
Every single time I go into Williams Manchester I come out raging, 30 minutes is normal just to take the key off you and the same to get them back and pay. I have never seen incompetence like it. They actually think you want to sit there for 30 minutes having a cappucino! GET SOME F*CKING WORK DONE!
I tell them exactly what I think of them every time I sit down in front of them. Sign and stamp the book that's all I'm here for as I do NOT trust you to do the work and I will check. I tell them the parts have been marked - that's how much I hate them.
Looking at craigxxl's https://www.bmw-service.co.uk my next service is £361 booked through the site - which I recall Williams telling me will be £500ish + vat so go figure!!!!
The prices reflect the fact that 6 or 8 bays have to pay for about 30 staff in the servicing team. What are they all doing!!!!
Local RRG Toyota have 3 staff keeping 6 technicians going and your keys are taken instantly and you get them back instantly.
BMW Williams are really putting me off buying another bimmer. If I recall correctly Mercedes had dealer problems 10 years ago and they took it all in house. BMW need to do something similar. Won't be getting my custom in future.
Rant over!
In another universe, i bought a car off ebay unseen for £800 two years ago, i have spent nothing on it apart from fuel and a pair of wiper blades.
I did check the oil about six months ago and it was still sparkly golden, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
In third universe I have bought cars from main dealers and had them serviced there too. The service prices have been fairly high but they haven't been cheating on jobs and have also done all mfgrs running updates to cars.
I also have a 135i and I've got an M6 currently being rebuilt in part due to having had the wrong oil put in it by an indie.
Whilst my 1'er is out of warranty now, I still take it to BMW more for the piece of mind than anything else. I called BMW when the M6 went pop and had it been serviced at a main dealer they'd have been more amenable to meeting me half way on the rebuild costs. As it was they didn't want to know and I'm stumping up the £14k for the rebuild costs.
What I have found is that BMW cars in general are very particular about the oil you run them on. More so the M models. I'd rather pay a premium and have an 'expert' stick the right oil in than saving a few £ with an indie and be waiting for the 'ticking' noise to start. The 135i is slightly different to other models with the 3 litre engine and as such are a bit more highly strung, hence the higher cost of oil. Making 320bhp and being expected to last 100k+ miles it needs the good stuff and not whatever is on sale at Unipart..
Cooper Tunbridge Wells are pretty good (they even gave me a lift to the station and picked me up). Cooper BMW Ipswich are dreadful...
Electric cars still have brake pads.
That are likely to last the life of the car if you drive smoothly and don't brake hard enough to get beyond the braking provided by energy recovery until less than 5kmh
Main stealers well known for using low grade oil, ok spec for fixed 12month intervals on vehicles configured for long life service intervals but charging customer for the expensive long life spec. Well know rip off in VAG networks. Given increasing uptake of pcp deals and customers getting rid of car sooner the dealer knows the engine will last the warranty period and they get to cream some extra profit from a duped customer. Next owner pays out a few years later by then outside dealer network.
Brakes of full electric smaller in size than combustion engine equiv so wear still a problem, equally given Joe public drive like morons and won't ever drive smoothly in case someone pulls in front of the the braking events will be as large as today's cars.
Dealerships pay a premium for their franchise, yet pay the service guys a pittance regardless of brand, anyone happy enough to justify cost of new car is fair game for extortion it could be argued I guess.
I hadn't considered the fact that I don't seem to have a hardcopy service log.. cheers for the heads up. I guess the first question is, does my indie even have the gadget for logging the service at all..
It's not unusual for me to pick up a car and find the service book is just a manual on getting the car serviced regularly, with no stamps or dates in.
More the higher-end cars, though, cars like the Focus and Corsa I drove today still have a proper service book with stamps in.
Re the electric car servicing, this is interesting, a car hire company in California has just had its Tesla S hit 300,000 miles:
http://jalopnik.com/this-is-what-happens-when-you-put-300-000-miles-on-a-te-1798662230
There's some particularly interesting info about the batteries and firmware updates in it.
Electric cars still have brake pads.
electric cars have regenerative braking. This means that much of their braking force is turned into electrical energy rather than heat. Brake pads apparently last a lot longer on EVs than on ICEVs.
Re the electric car servicing, this is interesting, a car hire company in California has just had its Tesla S hit 300,000 miles:
There was a news story about Helsinki taxi Tesla which had just hit 400 000km in 4 years and was still running well. The vehicle was driven something like 400km per day which is fairly impressive. There had been few issues with battery and motors but they were all taken care under 8 year warranty.
Lucky enough to have just sat in my local BMW dealers for the last hour and a bit waiting on a car to be scanned on their diagnostics machine (strangely cheaper that the indi @ £33!)
I can see where all the extra money goes on the dealers quotes now - stupid amounts of staff walking around and chatting, free coffee, plush carpets and toilets etc. Lovely if you're into that type of thing - myself I just want to drop the car off, get it fixed /serviced as cheaply as possible using quality parts.
For example I have recently just had a set of rear brakes done for £150.00 using Brembo discs and pads - BMW wanted £379.99 using inferior OEM parts - a £220.00 saving which could of paid for the dealers toilet perfume!!
Makes you wonder where the money goes if the independent isn't much cheaper than using a main dealer when there is no fancy waiting room
BMW wanted £379.99 using inferior OEM parts
I doubt that they're inferior, particularly as the BMW name rests on the parts used
[url= http://www.brembo.com/en/car/original-equipment/clients ]Brembo supply BMW with OEM parts[/url]
If you think main dealers do more, you're deluded. They happily rip you a new one to pay for their fancy showrooms. Look around you. That's what you're paying for, the designer sofa and the brand image.
This was a bit of a hot topic in the motorcycle world a few years ago and eventually they thrashed it out that warranty was still valid no matter who did the servicing...... This was becaus in general motorcyclists are more hands on than car drivers and bike are easier to work on, so lots more bikers do their own servicing. Dealers were trying to say this invalidated the warranty but it doesn't.
A few examples - My Honda is about £340 a service at a Honda dealer, I've just had it done at an independent for £410 including £220 worth of tyres. I do every other service myself as I'm crap at vale clearences, and the air filter is a pig to get to.
Last service I bought spark plugs, which were something like £24 each from Honda and about £9 each off eBay. That's the same plugs, same make, same code, identical.
An OE chain and sprockets which might do 15,000 miles is well over £150 from Honda
A better quality set which should do over 20k (with a gold chain) is £95 from Busters.
It's the same for cars. Don't be taken in.
Lotta fake spark plugs on eBay/Amazon . Big business.
As for warranties being valid. That may be so but the good will if something big shits it's self just outside warranty is gone.