BMW servicing cost

adocholiday

Hi all,

I have a 2002 318ci and I want a full service: oil + filter, air filter, spark plugs etc. I have had 2 quotes from respected BMW indie's so far, one at €250 and one at €300. Now having never owned a BMW prior to this, my servicing costs haven't been nearly this expensive. I understand that BMW's require more expensive oil and that their parts are generally more expensive than other brands so that's probably the reason, but just wondering about people's opinions of the overall cost and what they might be paying in similar cars.

Alanstrainor

adocholiday wrote: »

Hi all,

I have a 2002 318ci and I want a full service: oil + filter, air filter, spark plugs etc....

Is it only oil + filter, air filter and plugs you are looking for? Or what do you mean by etc...extra parts and labor all adds up. If those prices are for just the above, and no etc etc, then it seems a bit on the high side.

adocholiday

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Is it only oil + filter, air filter and plugs you are looking for? Or what do you mean by etc...extra parts and labor all adds up. If those prices are for just the above, and no etc etc, then it seems a bit on the high side.

The quote for €240 (inc.VAT) is for:

Fully synthetic oil, oil filter, air filter, platinum spark plugs and a full nct checkover

The €300 quote is similar. I'm just looking for a service of oil, filters and other fluid top ups/replacements where needed. No other work required.

Idbatterim

try bloomfield motors and valdis motorconfidence, gary doyle in chelmsford is also highly recommended. Id get 2 or 3 quotes. To be honest, its work thats worth learning to do yourself. Given that its a 4 pot, seems expensive enough to me, can give you the name of a mechanic who would probably charge half that, just go to a motorfactor, buy the stuff, throw it in the car and leave it with him...

obezyana

Do it yourself all easy to do and it's a lot cheaper just keep all receipts record the mileage at the time of service.

adocholiday

Idbatterim wrote: »

To be honest, its work thats worth learning to do yourself. Given that its a 4 pot, seems expensive enough to me, can give you the name of a mechanic who would probably charge half that, just go to a motorfactor, buy the stuff, throw it in the car and leave it with him...

I was thinking that. The oil would be in and around €45 + say €10 for the filter, plugs about 4 x €20 each and air filter about €15 which all comes to about €150. That means paying between €100 and €150 for labour, but of course they're getting the parts/materials at trade price which means that its even more expensive.

Idbatterim

I was thinking that. The oil would be in and around €45 + say €10 for the filter, plugs about 4 x €20 each and air filter about €15 which all comes to about €150. That means paying between €100 and €150 for labour, but of course they're getting the parts/materials at trade price which means that its even more expensive.

often you can get the oil on amazon or ebay.co.uk for a fraction of what you would pay for it here, same with the plugs...

djimi

Just check that the plugs actually need to be changed; platinum plugs usually have a life of somewhere in the region of 80000-100000km.

€250 for a service like that isnt outrageous, however you should be able to find someone to do it for cheaper.

Cerco

Have you got a quote from a main dealer? You can go online to the BMW service site and get a uote. Apparently they are / were offering special rates. Worth a try anyway then you will know where you stand with the other quotes. I do think the €250 quote is good. I also think the €45 price for oil is low for fully synthetic.

almostover

Learn to do it yourself. None of that stuff is hard and you will need only very basic tools to do the job. All you need is a jack and axle stands to raise the car up for the oil change. I've always serviced my own car and the initial outlay for tools is quickly recouped with the savings for each service.

adocholiday

Thanks for all the input guys. Really appreciate it. I think the spark plugs might be ok until the next service so, and I can do the air filter myself. Given that the oil change/service is important in this car I think I'll leave that to the professionals but should come in a fair bit cheaper in the end. Thanks again