E70 X5 Brake fluid change - BMW or specialist?

[pdavison]

As the title suggests my 2007 X5 is due a brake fluid change and I wondered what everyone thought of having this done at a specialist rather than at a main dealer?

I will probably have the main servicing still carried out at a main dealer but wondered what peoples thoughts were regarding the effect on resale if the brake fluid change wasn't?

[chrisx666]

The fluid change on my old 645 was around £60 inc vat IIRC. Main dealer. Not worth missing out on a full set of BMW stamps on a car this age (in my opinion), and it kept the AUC warranty valid.

[pdavison]

I've been quoted just shy of £100, do different dealers price differently for this kind of work?

[8Tech]

A brake fluid change is such a straightforward job, I see no issue using an independant using quality fluid and stamping the book for you. having a stamp from a dealer is irrelevant for that straightforward task as is the coolant change.
I also feel that after the 3 years is up, the service book being stamped by a reputable independant, not a fast fit outlet, will not adversely affect the resale value.

[chrisx666]

pdavison said:

I've been quoted just shy of £100, do different dealers price differently for this kind of work?

It's common for people to think they are 'going to BMW', when actually they are going to a private garage approved by BMW. They can, within reason, charge what they like. My local dealer in Bradford is resonable.

Are you likely to be PX'ing back to a BMW dealer, or still under (or considering buying in the future) a BMW warranty? If so I would pay the extra £50 or so and keep it in the network for now.

[pdavison]

I tend to sell privately rather than part ex which is one of the reasons I wanted to see what people thought of there being a specialist stamp for this rather than the main dealer one.

The headlight washer jets have just stopped working too so I would need whoever was doing the brake fluid change to have a look at that as well. Not sure what a main dealer would fleece me for to investigate this but I don't suppose I'll consider it a bargain!