F10 M5 - service schedule before hand back (contract hire)

[Harris_I]

My car is due back to BMW Financial Services in early March, however my service indicator shows the next one is due in 1400 miles. My current usage probably won't get close to that by March.

I had been under the impression that the lessor requires the lessee to service the car if below a certain number of miles predicted by the computer (e.g. <500 until service). Can't see anything in the contract and I called BMWFS today to check. The answer was as long as the indicator is still counting down and the brakes are not immediately serviceable, then the logistics team will take the car away on handover and I will not be charged for an impending service.

I was surprised to hear this as I'm sure somewhere on PH someone noted that the lessor has a threshold for impending service items. Can't find the thread.

It sounds odd to ask this but I have limited faith in what I've been told by BMWFS (it took several goes to find the right person and I was on the phone for a good 20 minutes to get a clear answer). The last thing I want is to hand the car back with 100 miles remaining till the next service and then get stung for £500.

Would appreciate hearing people's experiences.

[Harris_I]

Ah wait, I've found the thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=155...

Here's the comment I recalled that prompted my question:

"I've got a feeling & don't quote me on this but whatever's due within 1000 miles or less of the handback is your responsibility (brakes & servicing), but anything over 1000 miles it's BMW's responsibility."

As I say, the BMW people were essentially clueless. I got passed from pillar to post until one lady gave me an answer but didn't exactly sound confident.

Anyone?

[Sheepshanks]

Harris_I said:

I had been under the impression....

What does the contract say?

[Harris_I]

The contract is non-specific.

"...keep the vehicle in good repair and condition and have it serviced... in accordance with mfr's recommendations...you must keep a full service and repair history."

Ordinarily I would be satisfied there's nothing more for me to do, but BMW's own confused faffing on the call plus a previous comment on this forum lead me to conclude I might get a surprise at handover.

Any first hand real life experience would be appreciated.

[mondie]

If its not due a service or brakes at handover then you are fine. >1.6mm on tyres. Mine went back on Tuesday, absolutely no hassles.

[Harris_I]

Thanks mondie.

[Sheepshanks]

Harris_I said:

The contract is non-specific.
.....
Ordinarily I would be satisfied there's nothing more for me to do, but BMW's own confused faffing on the call plus a previous comment on this forum lead me to conclude I might get a surprise at handover.

They can't just make stuff up. That's not to say they won't try - other marques are notorious for this.

[W8PMC]

mondie said:

If its not due a service or brakes at handover then you are fine. >1.6mm on tyres. Mine went back on Tuesday, absolutely no hassles.

Whilst i agree with that, at what point does the service 'become' due? Is it once the indicator hits zero & thus the service is now 'overdue' or is a few miles prior to zero? That being the case, what's the few miles?

Hardly an indicator, but i'd probably be looking to get my car serviced around the due in 500 miles mark as no advantage getting it done earlier.

[Soov535]

I imagine from reading the contract below - it becomes due at zero miles to go.

So long as there is 100 miles to the next service and >1.6mm on the tyres you are fine.

[mondie]

W8PMC said:

Whilst i agree with that, at what point does the service 'become' due? Is it once the indicator hits zero & thus the service is now 'overdue' or is a few miles prior to zero? That being the case, what's the few miles?

Hardly an indicator, but i'd probably be looking to get my car serviced around the due in 500 miles mark as no advantage getting it done earlier.

Paul,

I would say its clean cut. If its due its due and if its not then BMW have no argument against you whether its 10 or 1000 miles to service.

[W8PMC]

mondie said:

Paul,

I would say its clean cut. If its due its due and if its not then BMW have no argument against you whether its 10 or 1000 miles to service.

Could well be but given BMW don't state this or a decent clarification anywhere, it would be interesting to see what happens at hardback time. Agree that should be the case & fingers crossed it is.

Although i still adore mine, after 20mths my feet are starting to twitch. Was offered a brand new Audi S8 yesterday for LESS per month than i'm paying for my M5 & that car has an £82k list price & i got my M5 during the crazy deal period. Was also offered the opportunity to pretty much swap out into a brand new M6GC, however mine being a Contract Hire car prohibits this, but if i'd been on PCP the deal could likely have been done.

[michael_JCWS]

W8PMC said:

Could well be but given BMW don't state this or a decent clarification anywhere, it would be interesting to see what happens at hardback time. Agree that should be the case & fingers crossed it is.

Although i still adore mine, after 20mths my feet are starting to twitch. Was offered a brand new Audi S8 yesterday for LESS per month than i'm paying for my M5 & that car has an £82k list price & i got my M5 during the crazy deal period. Was also offered the opportunity to pretty much swap out into a brand new M6GC, however mine being a Contract Hire car prohibits this, but if i'd been on PCP the deal could likely have been done.

Who offered the S8 deal, I'm tempted to swap my M5 for an S8 or RS6 next, I don't think the new G30 M5 or E213 E63 will be out or affordable on PCP to start with

[shim]

got a similar issue with my m135, due to go back March but my have to extended to April before I pick up my new car and mileage will be close to 20k over 2 years.

does anybody know if the 2 year rule still applies to BMW (ie if no service still has to be serviced every two years?)

[forest172]

W8PMC said:

Could well be but given BMW don't state this or a decent clarification anywhere, it would be interesting to see what happens at hardback time. Agree that should be the case & fingers crossed it is.

Although i still adore mine, after 20mths my feet are starting to twitch. Was offered a brand new Audi S8 yesterday for LESS per month than i'm paying for my M5 & that car has an £82k list price & i got my M5 during the crazy deal period. Was also offered the opportunity to pretty much swap out into a brand new M6GC, however mine being a Contract Hire car prohibits this, but if i'd been on PCP the deal could likely have been done.

What you mean by swap out Paul for m6gc?

[W8PMC]

michael_JCWS said:

Who offered the S8 deal, I'm tempted to swap my M5 for an S8 or RS6 next, I don't think the new G30 M5 or E213 E63 will be out or affordable on PCP to start with

Was offered the insane S8 deal by Preston Audi. My contact is Shirley Johnston.

[W8PMC]

forest172 said:

What you mean by swap out Paul for m6gc?

Get a brand new M6GC for the same I'm paying for my M5. Was offered this by the dealer who supplied my M5 so they know what I'm paying, however hadn't spotted I'm on Contract Hire not PCP so wou.d have cost me a big chunk of change to hand my M5 back, but if PCP they'd have dealt. I'd have likely taken a punt had I not been on CH, but saying that the S8 wou.d possible have alluded me more as that was silly cheap.

[Harris_I]

Hi chaps. Just updating this thread for your reference.

My contract is due to end on 5 March and the handback was originally booked for 4 March. However, I hadn't realised that the service indicator will change from amber (impending service) to red (overdue) if the date on the computer is overrun (currently showing February 2016 or 700 miles to go till next service). I had incorrectly assumed only the mileage counter was relevant. BMW Guildford have confirmed the service will be overdue on 1 March.

On that basis I have brought forward the handover to the last week of Feb.

[HoHoHo]

Harris_I said:

Hi chaps. Just updating this thread for your reference.

My contract is due to end on 5 March and the handback was originally booked for 4 March. However, I hadn't realised that the service indicator will change from amber (impending service) to red (overdue) if the date on the computer is overrun (currently showing February 2016 or 700 miles to go till next service). I had incorrectly assumed only the mileage counter was relevant. BMW Guildford have confirmed the service will be overdue on 1 March.

On that basis I have brought forward the handover to the last week of Feb.

I'd be interested in how the handover goes once done if you don't mind.

Thanks

[Harris_I]

So am I!

Will update in due course.

[mikeN54]

I had a similar quandry with my lease E63, the "miles to service" had plenty left, but the "time to service" was an issue, so I arranged collection 2 weeks early to avoid the service light coming on by time rather than miles. Not such a chore when the new M6GC was here already

Saved me £500 on a B service too.

Also, remember to cancel your direct debit after the last monthly payment, then they'll have to write to you and argue for any moneys due, including any damage etc.

Edited by mikeN54 on Tuesday 23 February 14:47