Service - Main Dealer or Specialists?

[sylonien]

46k~ miles, oil due. But I want to do the following while I'm there:

• oil
• diff oil
• gearbox oil (manual)
• full software update

Went to main dealer and this is what I've been quoted.



Urrr what do we think?

Some things to consider:

• car has main dealer service ever since
• brought car from Sussex independent bmw place
• owner from Cornwall
• car was brought from the dealer I went in to today randomly!

Should I keep OEM service because its M or does it really matter anymore for a '57 plate car thats nearly 50k on the clock? In terms of resale value. Should I just find a good specialist, "maybe" cheaper and still get a good stamp in the book. If its a reputable place.

Thannks people.

[hugehead]

mine just out of warranty from new and I have done all the service myself since

actually just changed the diff oil earlier today .....i think as long as you keep the reciepts of the parts and document the service work it should be fine .
As dealers sometime don't do as good a job as you would on the car .

but if your not good with a spanner ...you have no choice , but take it to a "good" specailist, as Bmw will be twice as much cost wise (as listed above )!!

oh re resale values...of cause its better with a Full bmw history , but if you document the work done by your self or a Indie specialist , the hit in resale will be less.

I personally never buy a car on service history alone ....rather on the condition of the car and work carried out is more important .

[NISFAN]

Get BMW to do the oil service. Do the rest at Indie or yourself. Best of both

Why do you need full software update?

[sylonien]

I think I've decided to go with Indie. Half the price, same parts, get to know and see the people working on my car. Can't get better than that.

Software cause apparently there is a speed boost? :P No, I'm serious. So want to know if its true with software update.

[dar2008]

I suppose it depends on how long you intend keeping the car. For oil services, i've always supplied my own oil (Opie Oils) SO much cheaper than BMW supplying the same 9litres.

[sylonien]

How much does it need btw? 2 x 4 litre + 1 litre bottle?

[hugehead]

8.8 litres to be exact.....so your correct, that will be £158.31 +vat from your local Bmw stealer(as above) or you can get it from opie oil for less than £100 delivered !

the choice is yours

[sylonien]

I will get it from opie or european car parts?
See what the indy says and quote me tomorrow.

[sylonien]

Cheap from euro car parts. But indy won't take own oil. Going to ask my main dealer again. Do you guys know which one might take your own oil for main dealer service?

[jonasaurus]

Early morning fogginess but whats the benefit of getting a full software update for a 6MT?

[hugehead]

Originally Posted by sylonien

Cheap from euro car parts. But indy won't take own oil. Going to ask my main dealer again. Do you guys know which one might take your own oil for main dealer service?

if the dealer or indie will not let you use yr own oil ...just go elswhere !!there are plenty that will

[sylonien]

I will hunt down a mains dealer that will do it. Not willing to pay the premium for the same oil. I've decided not to go for the software.

[New_m3]

I've always used independent specialists rather than the main dealer. Even it's first service at 10,000 miles was at an specialist. A main dealers labour rate is between £100 and £150 per hour depending on the garage, which to me seems exorbitant.

[hugehead]

Originally Posted by New_m3

I've always used independent specialists rather than the main dealer. Even it's first service at 10,000 miles was at an specialist. A main dealers labour rate is between £100 and £150 per hour depending on the garage, which to me seems exorbitant.

I agreed , but the first"running in " service should be done by the Dealer as the car is still on its new car warranty, but when its runs out after 3 years.... Indie or self service .
i actuallly supply my own oil to the dealer for my running in service(1,200miles) , but they got me back by charging me for the replacing the micro filter when actually should of be done on the car's second oil change(15,000 miles) .
That is why I do the servicing myself now , and anything I can't do will go the the Indie .

[sylonien]

* UPDATE *

Went to another dealer today to get a quote and they are happy to take my own supplied oil, glad to know that somewhere does it. But my questions are...

They said each time oil is changed, the micro filter needs to be changed?

(Following inclusive VAT)

Oil Service

service standard scope - £18
Labour - £36
Oil - £193.46 (ignore, going to supply own)
Filter element - £23.04
Micro filter - £132.71

total - £403.21.

I've brought my own oil from Halfords 9 litre - £78.97. Euro Car Parts totally out anywhere. Checked it everywhere.

Also...

Diff oil - £136.8
Gearbox oil - £113.36
Total - £250.16

Anyhow, I've compared 2 main dealers and they are both £100~ expensive compared to Indy, so I will stick with main dealer. Too close to skim on the stamp.

[hugehead]

Originally Posted by sylonien

* UPDATE *

Went to another dealer today to get a quote and they are happy to take my own supplied oil, glad to know that somewhere does it. But my questions are...

They said each time oil is changed, the micro filter needs to be changed?

(Following inclusive VAT)

Oil Service

service standard scope - £18
Labour - £36
Oil - £193.46 (ignore, going to supply own)
Filter element - £23.04
Micro filter - £132.71

total - £403.21.

I've brought my own oil from Halfords 9 litre - £78.97. Euro Car Parts totally out anywhere. Checked it everywhere.

Also...

Diff oil - £136.8
Gearbox oil - £113.36
Total - £250.16

Anyhow, I've compared 2 main dealers and they are both £100~ expensive compared to Indy, so I will stick with main dealer. Too close to skim on the stamp.

why the diff oil and gearbox so expensive !!
also try opie oil website next time , they always have it in stock .

[sylonien]

That's including labour though, so not that expensive?

I tried Opie oil, but they are selling it £39.98, Halfords £31.49 free delivery?

[hugehead]

ah ok , not that bad then, do halfords sell tws 10-60W then ? thought they only sell the 5-40W stuff

[sensi09]

Originally Posted by sylonien

They said each time oil is changed, the micro filter needs to be changed?

Roughly 15K miles or a year is a good time to change the microfilter. Doesn't "need" to be changed though.

For that difference, I'd stick to the dealer too. You can likely find another indy with cheaper labor rates though or at least try and bargain with the current one.

[rjwojcik]

Do indies typically have access to (and can apply) any software updates?

[hugehead]

Originally Posted by rjwojcik

Do indies typically have access to (and can apply) any software updates?

I also like to know

[sylonien]

Yes you can just order the 10w60 stuff through Halfords website and either deliver or pick up from the store next day usually. Its the cheapest I've found and being in stock. Its' the Castrol EDGE M stuff.

I might get the micro filter changed as well, but just wondered if it "needs" changing every time as suggested.

Yes most indy use the autologic system which can apply all the updates just like the dealer, but they're usually reluctant to do so in case they fry the ECU.