Servicing costs - are you serious?

[ftypical]

Just been looking at the menu servicing of my local dealership and noted a remarkable disparity in the price of Inspection I between an E46 330ci and M3. They're doing exactly the same things, but while there is a difference in parts prices, it is no where near the all up price difference which is mind boggling.

Consider: 330ci - £249. M3 - £669

Inspection II is worse.

But then, they charge £63 pounds to change the micro filter...

[whatleytom]

Inspections on the M3 should include valve clearances, no such need on the 330i. This will be the main difference in price I'd imagine.

[V5Ade]

The E46 M3 needs more labour than the non ///M E46. Inspection II requires adjustment\shimming, also LSD fluids need replacing. Parts such as brakes are far more expensive.

[pidsy]

Everyone knows that M cars come with the "M Tax".

There's a huge difference between a 330 and an M3 - the servicing and parts costs are bound to be different. The reason there are so many e46 M3's for sale that most of us wouldn't touch with a barge pole is because people don't like the running costs.

[helix402]

M3 diff and gearbox oil too.

[528Sport]

When I bought my M3 I quickly learned M3 actually means "Multiply by 3"

[Jim1556]

pidsy said:

Everyone knows that M cars come with the "M Tax".

There's a huge difference between a 330 and an M3 - the servicing and parts costs are bound to be different. The reason there are so many e46 M3's for sale that most of us wouldn't touch with a barge pole is because people don't like the running costs.

And yet, the M3 is a world apart from a 330ci, especially in driving, the engine is a masterpiece. It's a £40k sports car (10-15yrs ago) at the end of the day, not gonna be cheap to run... Great fun though!

[pvogue]

Goto a specialist Indy instead just buy your own stuff, not worth going to $tealers unless you "need" the stamp!

[pidsy]

Jim1556 said:

pidsy said:

Everyone knows that M cars come with the "M Tax".

There's a huge difference between a 330 and an M3 - the servicing and parts costs are bound to be different. The reason there are so many e46 M3's for sale that most of us wouldn't touch with a barge pole is because people don't like the running costs.

And yet, the M3 is a world apart from a 330ci, especially in driving, the engine is a masterpiece. It's a £40k sports car (10-15yrs ago) at the end of the day, not gonna be cheap to run... Great fun though!

Don't talk to me about running costs.
It's been an expensive 2016.

[John Laverick]

ftypical said:

Just been looking at the menu servicing of my local dealership and noted a remarkable disparity in the price of Inspection I between an E46 330ci and M3. They're doing exactly the same things, but while there is a difference in parts prices, it is no where near the all up price difference which is mind boggling.

Consider: 330ci - £249. M3 - £669

Inspection II is worse.

But then, they charge £63 pounds to change the micro filter...

Inspection 1 = valve clearances ..... this is the difference in cost.

Ask for a quote without valve clearances if you want to skimp and it will be similar to a 330ci ... simples.

[Evolved]

Find a good Indy.

[Welshbeef]

528Sport said:

When I bought my M3 I quickly learned M3 actually means "Multiply by 3"

How about the M5

[helix402]

You need special mats too:

[jayemm89]

Don't forget the M3 also uses different oil to the cooking 3 series, which was traditionally always a lot more expensive. It seems to be cheaper now but I am sure I remember it being like £60 a litre at one point in time

[Patrick Bateman]

jayemm89 said:

Don't forget the M3 also uses different oil to the cooking 3 series, which was traditionally always a lot more expensive. It seems to be cheaper now but I am sure I remember it being like £60 a litre at one point in time

You sure you're not thinking of gear oil? £60 a litre sounds too crazy, even for BMW M.

[528Sport]

Welshbeef said:

528Sport said:

When I bought my M3 I quickly learned M3 actually means "Multiply by 3"

How about the M5

Never had the pleasure of an M5 yet :-)

[V5Ade]

Another reason that the E46 M3 is more expensive to service is that you need to replace the broken rear springs every other service (well, I did).

[andyman_2006]

V5Ade said:

Another reason that the E46 M3 is more expensive to service is that you need to replace the broken rear springs every other service (well, I did).

---

And the trailing arm bushes!

[andyman_2006]

helix402 said:

You need special mats too:

---

A very rare set of genuine mats....still wouldn't pay that, although genuine deep pile rs4 Audi ones are £420!!

Wouldn't mind but those m3 logo ones are exact same ones you can get now for £100 without the embroidered logo.

[AW10]

helix402 said:

You need special mats too:

If you post a non auction ad on ebay and sell out of the item you can do 1 of 2 things:

1. close the listing early. Should you get new stock you open a new listing and pay the listing fee again.
2. keep it open pending getting new stock. But if you can't supply immediately you just raise the price to something silly so that no-one will buy any. This allows you to save a second listing fee.

2 is probably what's happening here.