F10 M5 - service schedule before hand back (contract hire)
Discussion
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
"...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.
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.
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.
Inspection is done. Rather bizarrely two different contractors turn up independently to inspect the car and both appear to check pretty much the same thing (except one also takes a video).
I was alarmed to have a significant windscreen crack pointed out to me in the top left corner (passenger side) and having read PH horror stories about replacement windows for M5s, I feared outrageous costs for damage. Thankfully both inspectors decided as it was not visible from the driver's seat they would not note it. Phew.
The only item of note was a minor scratch to one wheel for which they charge £26. I consider that a good result.
They did note, however, that the M series running in service is "missing" (obviously there is no physical stamp but there will be an electronic record somewhere) and that the service history is also missing. "BMW FS to review and advise" is their note on the report. I did query whether if BMWFS view the report on 1 March that they would then deem me to be overdue but they assured me that today was the recorded handover date and that should not be an issue.
I was alarmed to have a significant windscreen crack pointed out to me in the top left corner (passenger side) and having read PH horror stories about replacement windows for M5s, I feared outrageous costs for damage. Thankfully both inspectors decided as it was not visible from the driver's seat they would not note it. Phew.
The only item of note was a minor scratch to one wheel for which they charge £26. I consider that a good result.
They did note, however, that the M series running in service is "missing" (obviously there is no physical stamp but there will be an electronic record somewhere) and that the service history is also missing. "BMW FS to review and advise" is their note on the report. I did query whether if BMWFS view the report on 1 March that they would then deem me to be overdue but they assured me that today was the recorded handover date and that should not be an issue.
I was told I would be charged pro rata at the same rate for any time beyond the end of the agreement. It wasn't clear to me how long they would allow this to go on for but previous conversations with the finance guy at the dealership suggested they would let me extend by 3 to 6 months. So perhaps there are no hard and fast rules.
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