BMW Service Price?

Gunog

Hi, I got my 08 BMW 320 D serviced today with a BMW service operator in Galway. All filters, oil and brake fluid were changed. The total price including VAT was 502 Euros! I think it was around 250 for labour.
I was very alarmed by the price. Im just wondering was I ripped off? Ive just the BMW and never had one previously so is this fairly standard. Theres 57,000 miles n the clock if that helps. Thanks

Nissan doctor

Gunog wrote: »

Hi, I got my 08 BMW 320 D serviced today with a BMW service operator in Galway. All filters, oil and brake fluid were changed. The total price including VAT was 502 Euros! I think it was around 250 for labour.
I was very alarmed by the price. Im just wondering was I ripped off? Ive just the BMW and never had one previously so is this fairly standard. Theres 57,000 miles n the clock if that helps. Thanks

It sounds extremely expensive but you'd have to post and exact list of what was changed. But when you say you were alarmed? Did you not know the price before they did the work? I assumed the days of handing your car to a dealer and then just paying whatever bill they give you were long gone!

If its was just oil+filter, air filter, fuel filter, pollen filter, breather filter and brake fluid changed + vehicle inspection/diagnostics etc then we'd be charging no more then €300-€350 with correct oil and O.E spec parts which should be similar to most independent garages.

Having said that....BMW service book stamps are expensive:rolleyes:

El Guapo!

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Having said that....BMW service book stamps are expensive:rolleyes:

Very true.
I had a customer in recently who said she got her front pads changed on a 08 BMW 320 and she was charged €320 in the main dealer!!:eek:
Bit of a coincidence that its €320 for pads on a 320. I think they just make up the prices as they go along sometimes.

George Dalton

Crazy money. I don't understand why people don't find out the prices in these places before leaving their cars in to have the work done. A service and brake fluid change is a pretty standard job so there is no excuse for not giving exact pricing in advance.

Gunog

Yes I did enquire about pricing prior and they said nothing in relation to the end price. I paid the required money but am following up with BMW Ireland complaints procedure. The real reason im putting up this post is so that knowone else gets ripped off aswell.
Im going to list the exact print out and hopefully ye can comment, pro/cons please. Please highlight where you think discrepancies exist, thanks


Labour 264.50 ( Car was in about 2hr 30min)
Filter 1@ 13.80 13.80
Glass Clean 1@ 2.53 2.53
Air Filter 1@ 36.10 36.10
Fuel Filter 1@ 30.00 30.00
Poll Carbon Filter B 1@ 31.75 31.75
LL04 BMW 5W30 FYLLY 6@ 8.95 53.70
Brakeflu250 2@ 4.00 8.00
Pipeclamp 2@ 0.62 1.24

Net 441.62
VAT 59.62
Total 501.24

El Guapo!

The price of the parts would be about right for a main dealer. You got ripped off on the labour though in my opinion.

George Dalton

As above the main issue is the labour. There would be some saving on the parts with an independent but not that much.

I would price it as follows:
Labour 125 (2hr 30min)
Filter 1 @ 10
Glass Clean 0
Air Filter 1@ 28
Fuel Filter 1@ 30
Poll Carbon Filter B 1@ 30
LL04 BMW 5W30 FYLLY 5.5@ 8 = 44
Brakeflu250 2@ 4.00 8.00
Pipeclamp 2@ 0

Total 275 + VAT = €312. In reality I would round that down to €300.

dharn

i started a thread on this subject some time back, and quoted prices just like the op, and wondered what other people had paid, i got the impression the bmw dealers had brought down their labour charges . that bill was real celtic tiger price, op you were not ripped off as such but certainly was dear, i recon most bmw main dealers a still charging 100 euro per hour, they say that they have a max allowed time for each job and that rate applies so if a job takes longer than bmw allow for it ,they can only charge the specified amount

Stheno

I was onto a citroen main dealer recently and labour was 80e an hour or part thereof plus vat, which fits to 240 for 2.5 hours.

cgarrad

That labour is correct for a BMW dealer.

Voodoomelon

Parts are fine, labour is far from fine. Incredibly over priced, both in terms of the amount of time and the amount per hour. But the amount per hour has always been high with BMW, the amount of time they spent is what would concern me.

George Dalton

2.5 hours is about right for a major service and brake fluid change on an E90 in my opinion. They take a bit longer than average to service. For example air and fuel filters are more time consuming to change on them than on most other makes.

Nissan doctor

I agree, the parts price is ok and the amount of time taken is perfect too. As said, its simply the price being charged for the labour is crazy and its not like your getting anything better then a decent independant......in fact, there is no mention of a diagnostic check(always part of a major service IMO) or a breather filter change(extremely important to turbo life on Diesel BMW's) on your bill. As for charging for screen wash:rolleyes:

Did you even get a service checklist showing all items checked and remaining life of pads/disks/tyres etc etc?

As with the car its self...your paying for a name and nothing more IMO.

Gumbo

Dean09 wrote: »

The price of the parts would be about right for a main dealer. You got ripped off on the labour though in my opinion.

I would be of the same opinion, Parts list is ok, but the labour charge is way too much. at 57k i am assuming this is the third oil change, which you really really should of got the Breather Filter done.

The only thing is the fuel filter which is throwing me, as i was quoted about 50e as a nixer to fit one to my old E90 if i supplied the part, so that throws the labour up a bit in your case.

swhyte027

kceire wrote: »

Dean09 wrote: »

The price of the parts would be about right for a main dealer. You got ripped off on the labour though in my opinion.

I would be of the same opinion, Parts list is ok, but the labour charge is way too much. at 57k i am assuming this is the third oil change, which you really really should of got the Breather Filter done.

The only thing is the fuel filter which is throwing me, as i was quoted about 50e as a nixer to fit one to my old E90 if i supplied the part, so that throws the labour up a bit in your case.

But the fuel filter isn't hard to change.someone was going to charge you 50e just to change that it only takes genuinlly 10mins to change that.and that includes dropping the panels and refitting them

Gunog

Thanks for all the info, I posted a thread recently asking about should I go to a BMW dealer, wish ye guys seen that one!!

Well I know for the next time, just wondering about the breather filter? Does that need changing? Apologies for my lack of knowledge.
Thanks again.

Nissan doctor

Gunog wrote: »

Thanks for all the info, I posted a thread recently asking about should I go to a BMW dealer, wish ye guys seen that one!!

Well I know for the next time, just wondering about the breather filter? Does that need changing? Apologies for my lack of knowledge.
Thanks again.

I'd be shocked if you got no advice telling you to go to an reputable indy on this forum.


The breather filter certainly does need changing. BMW say every 3rd oil change but given that not changing it is sited as the main reason for premature turbo failure on these engines most people in the know would have them changed at least at every second oil change.

Gunog

Thanks Nissan Doctor, Would it be down as breather filter on the checklist? As not sure if it was done! How much do they cost to buy as a part? Are they difficult to fit? i know a man whol fit it for me. Cheers

Eddie Smart

100 euro / an hour is a daylight robbing. Main dealers reduced the prices on parts a bit, but they still rip off in labour charges. The customer pays for big glass show rooms, radio/tv advers, free coffee etc.

lomb

Id say thats the going market rate, your paying partially for the BMW brand name and main dealer feel good factor.

http://www.joeduffybmw.ie/contentv3/index.cfm?externalID=17319
On an older car it would be 389+ brake fluid change+pollen filter
So maybe you got a good deal considering your car is not in the value program?

Redzah

Had one of my run flat tyres blow out today and seeing as i was overdue a service, i said i'd get it all done as one. They rang me back and said one of the other tyres was bald and due a change which i suspected and then came the quote;

€1,070 :eek::eek:

€330 per tyre x2 - 18 inch Bridgestone run flats
€410 for service

Crazy prices. I managed to haggle and amazing €20 off to make it €1,050. They wouldn't even budge on this to make it €1,000 despite me threatening to get the service and other tyre done elsewhere :mad::mad:.

Idbatterim

id always go to your local motor factor and get the parts and then bring them to a good indy in most cases. I had my rear brakes and discs changed for E60 with my local indy a few weeks back.

Jarren

Redzah wrote: »

Had one of my run flat tyres blow out today and seeing as i was overdue a service, i said i'd get it all done as one. They rang me back and said one of the other tyres was bald and due a change which i suspected and then came the quote;

€1,070 :eek::eek:

€330 per tyre x2 - 18 inch Bridgestone run flats
€410 for service

Crazy prices. I managed to haggle and amazing €20 off to make it €1,050. They wouldn't even budge on this to make it €1,000 despite me threatening to get the service and other tyre done elsewhere :mad::mad:.

You didn't have to haggle for tyres at all

660 for 2 tyres is a pretty steep price , don't you think ?

http://www.discounttyres.ie/offers.html

Idbatterim

Op in future maybe go with bloomfield motors or chelmsford motors both bmw specialists and I believe Scully in Clontarf also have a good reputation...

Redzah

Idbatterim wrote: »

id always go to your local motor factor and get the parts and then bring them to a good indy in most cases. I had my rear brakes and discs changed for E60 with my local indy a few weeks back.

Ya i know, fact is that i'm from Limerick, live in Dublin and the blowout happened in Sligo while working so i wasn't left with much choice except use a sligo dealership for the new tyre.

The service i'd rather use the BMW dealership until my 2 year warranty runs out at least. Still sickened though

Redzah

Jarren wrote: »

You didn't have to haggle for tyres at all

660 for 2 tyres is a pretty steep price , don't you think ?

http://www.discounttyres.ie/offers.html

I wasn't really left with much choice as it happened close to sligo which is unknown territory to me. Furthermore your link is for smaller tyres that do not fit and 18inch rim. Furthermore, all the other 3 tyres are run flats so i was reluctant to change to a cheaper non run flat in case it changes the drive/traction. Of course €330 for a tyre is steep but im wondering what the best price out there would be?? €250?

I've limited knowledge of this and i know that its very expensive but just wondering how much over the odds i've paid. My guess is a similiar quality tyre in a non-bmw dealership would cost me around €250ish.

Ronnie Beck

Being the DIY thread I have to ask is it possible to service these new beemers yourself or is the specific tools and knowledge required that much more than say an 98 almera or something? ( I have visions of removing 400 easy to break plastic covers)

Would your resale value drop that much by not having a main dealer stamp? Can't an independant just sign and stamp it.

Redzah

Ronnie Beck wrote: »

Being the DIY thread I have to ask is it possible to service these new beemers yourself or is the specific tools and knowledge required that much more than say an 98 almera or something? ( I have visions of removing 400 easy to break plastic covers)

Would your resale value drop that much by not having a main dealer stamp? Can't an independant just sign and stamp it.

It would impact the resale value (not sure by how much) but the main thing for me is I think it might void my premium selection 2 year warranty if i don't get it serviced by an authorised dealer.

I'm no DIY expert so i can't answer the above but i do know a lot of it is computerised.

cram1971

Once my car is out of warranty I service it myself I have a 2007 x5.

The oil change and filters take about an hour parts cost about 140e. Main dealer is over 500 euro.

Front brake pads 460 euro ( I think could be 360) from a main dealer. Same pads not in a bmw box 90 euro from otto takes about an hour without a ramp.

If you think the dealer service history is going to add value to your car maybe it will mine new 94k now not worth 30k

When my car was under warranty I had 2 issues and I had to bring bmw to the small claim court to get them to resolve them. So I reckon there is no chance of them looking after anything once it is out of warranty

Last month my electronic handbrake failed and had to manually release it joe duffy wanted 160 euro plus vat to look at it. I bought some bmw diagnostic software on eBay for 45 euro and reset the error and not a problem since. I had been getting an error every week or so since I bought the car but the main dealer could not trace the problem.

On a lot of forums bmw dealers have earned the the reputation as BMW Stealers

And buy and large no special tools required

Redzah

cram1971 wrote: »

Once my car is out of warranty I service it myself I have a 2007 x5.

The oil change and filters take about an hour parts cost about 140e. Main dealer is over 500 euro.

Front brake pads 460 euro ( I think could be 360) from a main dealer. Same pads not in a bmw box 90 euro from otto takes about an hour without a ramp.

If you think the dealer service history is going to add value to your car maybe it will mine new 94k now not worth 30k

When my car was under warranty I had 2 issues and I had to bring bmw to the small claim court to get them to resolve them. So I reckon there is no chance of them looking after anything once it is out of warranty

Last month my electronic handbrake failed and had to manually release it joe duffy wanted 160 euro plus vat to look at it. I bought some bmw diagnostic software on eBay for 45 euro and reset the error and not a problem since. I had been getting an error every week or so since I bought the car but the main dealer could not trace the problem.

On a lot of forums bmw dealers have earned the the reputation as BMW Stealers

And buy and large no special tools required

Cheers, once mine is out've warranty (May 2013) i'll be looking at getting it done cheaply or by myself. Thanks for your input.

Redzah

Just an update to say that i collected the car today and got them to an even €1000 which is still a ludacrious amount of money.

I also inquired of the non-standard items the fixed under the premium selection warranty which included something to do with the ignition and also indicators remapping or something like that (i'm no expert). Anyways the value of the work that was covered by the warranty was €871 which again is a ludacrious amount.

mickdw

I think BMW pricing is just silly now. The people who are willing to pay these prices are few and far between at this stage. I figure the service departments would be deserted if they were depending on private drivers who actually pay their own bills.
Alot of the work coming through there shops must be from the service inclusive package and additionally perhaps from company car / fleet drivers.
I have noticed that Audi part prices have now become quite reasonable at the dealer compared to about 3 years ago.

dharn

bmw dealers are very clever at blackmailing owners with their service history speil , you really have no choice if you buy new or premium selection secondhand car

Wheelnut

I bought a 5 year service package for my 320d for €300 (I think). In the light of prices quoted above, that seems good value. The snag is that it has to be purchased within the first year. I will get the stamps in the book, but they really do very little for the money, for instance an oil + filter change and brake fluid change every two years. I have also found that if something doesn't come up on their computer they know nothing about it and they certainly will not do it!

mickdw

dharn wrote: »

bmw dealers are very clever at blackmailing owners with their service history speil , you really have no choice if you buy new or premium selection secondhand car

Yes, I figure the 2 year used car warranty is a masterstroke. Helps no end with sales I'd imagine of cars which would otherwise be well overpriced. It also helps the service depart no doubt.

BigChap1759

Idbatterim wrote: »

id always go to your local motor factor and get the parts and then bring them to a good indy in most cases. I had my rear brakes and discs changed for E60 with my local indy a few weeks back.

Can you share who you went to Id?

naughtysmurf

If the op got an indy to look after the brakes etc and just brought it to the main dealer for the oil & filter changes, diagnostics & updates so they didn't have too much to do at those labour rates would that still be considered a full main dealer service history?

dharn

probably not