Why do E39's cost so much to service?
Discussion
Now, obviously, I'm speaking comparatively here. I actually find the servicing costs of my E39 reasonable, but it strikes me as odd that the E39 costs considerably more to service than an E46. I've always put it down to the fact that perhaps its the extra microfilters, after all, the engines are physically identical. Scothall Hampshire couldnt explain why the £285 Inspection II offer on their website was £50 more for an E39 530i than an E46 330i.
But now my local dealer has started offering even better value servicing, which is great news.
http://www.oceanplymouthbmw.co.uk/service/Ocean_Pl...
However, take a look at the pricing. Even a V8 BMW X5 4.8iS costs less to service, like for like, than an E39 6 pot. Why is this the case? Surely an X5 3.0 and an E39 3.0 should cost the same to service given they are virtually identical?
What is it about the E39 that is more expensive or more involved?
Why is an oil service on my 530i Sport more expensive than an oil service on an E46 M3 which takes more expensive oil?
This is not a criticism levelled at my local dealer (Who are excellent, IMHO) but it appears to be across the board. There must be a technical reason. What is it?
But now my local dealer has started offering even better value servicing, which is great news.
http://www.oceanplymouthbmw.co.uk/service/Ocean_Pl...
However, take a look at the pricing. Even a V8 BMW X5 4.8iS costs less to service, like for like, than an E39 6 pot. Why is this the case? Surely an X5 3.0 and an E39 3.0 should cost the same to service given they are virtually identical?
What is it about the E39 that is more expensive or more involved?
Why is an oil service on my 530i Sport more expensive than an oil service on an E46 M3 which takes more expensive oil?
This is not a criticism levelled at my local dealer (Who are excellent, IMHO) but it appears to be across the board. There must be a technical reason. What is it?
Swings and roundabouts. The M3 might be cheaper for oil but if it needs anything else M specific, it'll cost a good chunk more than a non-M E39.
I used to wonder why my Boxster S front discs were more expensive to replace than a 996's even though they're the same. Never did find out..
I used to wonder why my Boxster S front discs were more expensive to replace than a 996's even though they're the same. Never did find out..
I would agree - they are easy to work on and there is not really that much to do anyway. You could save a bit by sourcing the consumables yourself as garages always seem to put a percentage on top.
FYI there is a specalist with the words legends and munich in their name who charge £300 + vat for an inspection I on a 528 (no extras included). Besides all the 'checking' (which IMO is more or less pointless) all they do is change the oil and plugs. So £200+ labour for what, 40mins work?
FYI there is a specalist with the words legends and munich in their name who charge £300 + vat for an inspection I on a 528 (no extras included). Besides all the 'checking' (which IMO is more or less pointless) all they do is change the oil and plugs. So £200+ labour for what, 40mins work?
Familiar as I am with the concept of pricing at the level the customer would expect rather than the lowest you can, that still doesn't explain why a V8 X5 is cheaper than a 6 pot E39 to service.
The X5 is a more expensive car new, is a more expensive car used and is otherwise basically an E39 on stilts. Surely they should cost the same as the equivilent E39 to service?
There must be a technical reason why they don't. What is it?
The X5 is a more expensive car new, is a more expensive car used and is otherwise basically an E39 on stilts. Surely they should cost the same as the equivilent E39 to service?
There must be a technical reason why they don't. What is it?
Fox- said:
Familiar as I am with the concept of pricing at the level the customer would expect rather than the lowest you can, that still doesn't explain why a V8 X5 is cheaper than a 6 pot E39 to service.
The X5 is a more expensive car new, is a more expensive car used and is otherwise basically an E39 on stilts. Surely they should cost the same as the equivilent E39 to service?
There must be a technical reason why they don't. What is it?
The X5 is a more expensive car new, is a more expensive car used and is otherwise basically an E39 on stilts. Surely they should cost the same as the equivilent E39 to service?
There must be a technical reason why they don't. What is it?
maybe they don't want to pile agony upon agony onto a V8 X5 owner given they'll be burning 2k/month depreciation 
Fox- said:
Yes - the E39 has two microfilters, the E46 has one. But the X5 has two as well..
Same as the E38. These are only cheap items to replace and literally a 5 minute job to change. It must be something else that boost up the costs. Dependent on the model of course but it does share a lot of components with the E38. Oil, air and fuel filters, plugs, discs and pads are the same in the V8s as far as I know. Maybe its just the target markets. The E46 is a car owned by whole range of people where as the E39 is more focused in the middle class and more specific age groups. 
Fox- said:
HRG said:
The six cylinder E39's have a larger sump IIRC, that pushes the fluids price up a bit.
Really? The capacity of the E39 M54B30 is 6.5 litres. What is the capacity of the M54B30 in the Z4 or X5? Why is it different? Surely its 6.5 litre for a reason?richyb said:
Fox- said:
HRG said:
The six cylinder E39's have a larger sump IIRC, that pushes the fluids price up a bit.
Really? The capacity of the E39 M54B30 is 6.5 litres. What is the capacity of the M54B30 in the Z4 or X5? Why is it different? Surely its 6.5 litre for a reason?He was charged for 8L of oil in a 3.0 5 series. He did some research and ond its true - the 5 series has a bigger oil capacity.
Vee said:
I had this with a chap at work, who's normally wrong about everything.
He was charged for 8L of oil in a 3.0 5 series. He did some research and ond its true - the 5 series has a bigger oil capacity.
I can assure you that the M54 in the 5 Series takes 6.5 litres of oil and not 8 litres.He was charged for 8L of oil in a 3.0 5 series. He did some research and ond its true - the 5 series has a bigger oil capacity.
a) All the technical documents relating to the car state 6.5 litres
b) My BMW dealer billed me for 6.5 litres of oil when I had an oil service and didnt supply oil
c) My BMW left 1.5 litres in the can when I supplied 2x4 litre bottles at my last Inspection 1
d) Haynes says so (lol)
Fox- said:
Vee said:
I had this with a chap at work, who's normally wrong about everything.
He was charged for 8L of oil in a 3.0 5 series. He did some research and ond its true - the 5 series has a bigger oil capacity.
I can assure you that the M54 in the 5 Series takes 6.5 litres of oil and not 8 litres.He was charged for 8L of oil in a 3.0 5 series. He did some research and ond its true - the 5 series has a bigger oil capacity.
a) All the technical documents relating to the car state 6.5 litres
b) My BMW dealer billed me for 6.5 litres of oil when I had an oil service and didnt supply oil
c) My BMW left 1.5 litres in the can when I supplied 2x4 litre bottles at my last Inspection 1
d) Haynes says so (lol)
Simply passing on a comment I heard. I didn't see what his research was.
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