15K Service Boondoggle

shendrick · 07-11-2010, 09:23 AM

So I take my car in at 15K to get my annual oil change done. I read the service manual very carefully since the CBS system was not calling yet for the oil change and I figured the dealer would push back. The car was actually calling only for a brake fluid change - but better to batch it all up. I ask if the air filter would be changed. SA says no. I mention the book says change the air filter when you change the oil, so that's 1 demerit. The RO did list an air filter so I assume they put one in. I get the car back and am about 3 miles from the dealer running through the menus to confirm what they did and get oil> max (2nd demerit). Head back to dealer. They say that its OK for it to be high since the motor will burn it off over time. 3rd demerit. I tell them that since I have no idea how much they overfilled the oil - it would be crazy to drive the car this way and of course there is that texzt in the book... So they take the car back in. I ask them if they know about the front sump trick and they say yes. Get the car back. This time I just drive outside and check the oil level. Now it says down 1/2 liter. Turn around and drive back in. Tech comes over and looks at the display. He goes "look, its fine, it says OK". 4th demerit. I try really hard not to attack the guy. I tell them I'll get the book out of the trunk and show them if they like. I also give them an alternative: make it right or gve me a liter of oil and I'll figure iut out. They take the car the car back. Get the car back and the oil is perfect - but there is oil on the arm rest. 5th demerit. I have them clean it off. The good folks @ Herb's Sudbury dealership have now wasted an extra 1.5 hours on my time simply because they are either inept or careless. Great knowing that you have these kind of people standing behind you for 40K miles.

So the key to all of this is knowing you are entitled to when it comes to service. This is not easy since the service book on the car is not well organized and key phrases are littered all over the place, like "change the air filter when you change the oil". There is no "15K" service actually listed. My CBS wasn't going to call for an oil change until about 17K - so off cycle changes are really key as a way to back fill for either CBS or the annual cycle. It seems as if the dealer is going brain dead and prefers to simply rely on CBS only for advice. This doesn't explain the difficulty getting the oil level correct. That's just a tech who doesn't care.

JCtx · 07-11-2010, 11:52 AM

That's pretty much the typical dealer service I've always received, be it Lexus, BMW, Acura, and almost all other brands I've owned over the years. That, the fact there's only ONE of those dealers (if at all) in this town and all are far away from my home, plus BMW not offering a loaner, I decided to do my own services. I only drive it about 4K miles a year, so it's not that much expense, plus I like doint it, and I do it right.

If you have the option, find a different dealer man. Take care.

DP8 · 07-12-2010, 05:46 PM

So far service at BMW of Peabody has been good. Its pretty far some Sudbury but the Centennial drive location is right off the highway and might save you some hassles. I've brought my car in for an annual oil change, CBS system brake fluid change, and I had the idle control valve issue (i have an 2008) and they ordered the part and had the car back to me in a couple days. So far so good. The Centennial drive location is service only so it seems like they have put at least some emphasis on service quality.

Service may vary if you didn't buy your car from them so maybe its not a good option? Just my experience so far.

07-11-2010, 09:23 AM	#1
shendrick Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3, 05 e46 zhp, 07 X3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Boston MA iTrader: (0)	15K Service Boondoggle So I take my car in at 15K to get my annual oil change done. I read the service manual very carefully since the CBS system was not calling yet for the oil change and I figured the dealer would push back. The car was actually calling only for a brake fluid change - but better to batch it all up. I ask if the air filter would be changed. SA says no. I mention the book says change the air filter when you change the oil, so that's 1 demerit. The RO did list an air filter so I assume they put one in. I get the car back and am about 3 miles from the dealer running through the menus to confirm what they did and get oil> max (2nd demerit). Head back to dealer. They say that its OK for it to be high since the motor will burn it off over time. 3rd demerit. I tell them that since I have no idea how much they overfilled the oil - it would be crazy to drive the car this way and of course there is that texzt in the book... So they take the car back in. I ask them if they know about the front sump trick and they say yes. Get the car back. This time I just drive outside and check the oil level. Now it says down 1/2 liter. Turn around and drive back in. Tech comes over and looks at the display. He goes "look, its fine, it says OK". 4th demerit. I try really hard not to attack the guy. I tell them I'll get the book out of the trunk and show them if they like. I also give them an alternative: make it right or gve me a liter of oil and I'll figure iut out. They take the car the car back. Get the car back and the oil is perfect - but there is oil on the arm rest. 5th demerit. I have them clean it off. The good folks @ Herb's Sudbury dealership have now wasted an extra 1.5 hours on my time simply because they are either inept or careless. Great knowing that you have these kind of people standing behind you for 40K miles. So the key to all of this is knowing you are entitled to when it comes to service. This is not easy since the service book on the car is not well organized and key phrases are littered all over the place, like "change the air filter when you change the oil". There is no "15K" service actually listed. My CBS wasn't going to call for an oil change until about 17K - so off cycle changes are really key as a way to back fill for either CBS or the annual cycle. It seems as if the dealer is going brain dead and prefers to simply rely on CBS only for advice. This doesn't explain the difficulty getting the oil level correct. That's just a tech who doesn't care.
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07-11-2010, 11:52 AM	#2
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	That's pretty much the typical dealer service I've always received, be it Lexus, BMW, Acura, and almost all other brands I've owned over the years. That, the fact there's only ONE of those dealers (if at all) in this town and all are far away from my home, plus BMW not offering a loaner, I decided to do my own services. I only drive it about 4K miles a year, so it's not that much expense, plus I like doint it, and I do it right. If you have the option, find a different dealer man. Take care.
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07-12-2010, 05:46 PM	#3
DP8 Private First Class 6 Rep 175 Posts Drives: 08 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	So far service at BMW of Peabody has been good. Its pretty far some Sudbury but the Centennial drive location is right off the highway and might save you some hassles. I've brought my car in for an annual oil change, CBS system brake fluid change, and I had the idle control valve issue (i have an 2008) and they ordered the part and had the car back to me in a couple days. So far so good. The Centennial drive location is service only so it seems like they have put at least some emphasis on service quality. Service may vary if you didn't buy your car from them so maybe its not a good option? Just my experience so far.
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