BMW service price independent vs dealer

cr-07

Looking at the BMW Main dealer in Galway (Colm Quinn), the prices seem off the wall, right?

400 quid for an oil change.

kirving

That's nut alright - I'm almost certain I paid in the region of €200 for an oil change at Frank Keane and did the microfilter (cabin air filter) myself. I seem to remember the Brake Fluid was around €65 which is a bargain compared to the hassle of doing it myself.

It's pretty disingenuous to call it a microfilter instead of a cabin air filter too, it would make you think you're getting an oil filter with the oil. They can be pricey, but when doing an oil change at over 20k km service intervals, it really should be done for the sake of a €30 part.

Did my own 330e recently, and it was actually a much easier process than I expected as the undertray has a little door you can flip open, whereas I've has to take it off in previous cars. No dipstick is a pain though.

Goose81

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121980705#Comment_121980705

It's an insane price. Was a discussion on here a while ago about whether to service with main dealer or not. Seems to only make sense when car is under warranty.

Like at that price for an oil change you would never make the money back when you go to sell the car regarding if you had full main dealer service v an independent garage which would charge half that so it literally makes zero sense to go main dealer once out of warranty

kirving

€395 is outrageous.

At €200 though, it's actually hard to justify doing the oil myself, and I'd nearly recommend going to a dealer even out of warranty.

Did the oil last week:

• €50 5L Oil (I has some extra left over as it takes 5.25L)
• €30 Filter/O-Ring/Crush Washer Kit

It's a 2hr job all in, if your competent but not readily set up for it. Not counting time to buy the stuff or return old oil to the dump as you'd be driving to a dealer anyway.

Now I'm being a bit pedantic, but if I value the basic tools too:

• €50 socket set, €50 ramps, €20 oil can, €20 foam pad under the car, €80 overalls, gloves and glasses

Split that over 10 services over 10 yrs, and it's €22 worth of tools to do the job. Add in some cloths you can't reuse, time and cost to wash your clothes after rolling around on the ground, a place to store the tools and you're at €105 at bare minimum.

Valuing my own time on top of that, I'd be better going to work, but I kinda enjoy those jobs.

Goose81

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121981713#Comment_121981713

2 hours job? How is it taking so long, it's 25 min job max, Well it was for me doing my old polo with a jack and blocks. Haven't done on my 5 series but wouldn't have thought would take much longer unless the sump is covered by plastic trims

I agree in the main though, you want legitimate service history so even if a garage charges 200 quid it's probably worth it to get the invoice and throw it in the book

bazz26

A BMW dealer is going to charge you upwards of €140 per hour in labour for servicing. Also most garages charge by the hour even if the job actually takes less than that. I've only ever seen Fred in his shed type garages charge less than hourly rates on certain jobs.

cr-07

Got the following estimate for a service from a BMW Specialist. Does this look about correct in terms of price?

They mentioned that they have checked the online service record, and that the spark plugs & pollen filter need changing. Any way to confirm this?

mcw92

As someone interested in buying a 330e, 530e or 520d in the west of Ireland, how much would I be paying for general yearly/10k services?

Independent garage.

I don't mind the prices, just trying to gauge. Would 500 be expected?