F10 - M5 £1,060.00 FIRST SERVICE!!

[DIMBA]

Hi All, I contacted Halliwell Jones Chester yesterday and asked for a quote for my M5's first (proper) service 16,300 miles, and was quoted £276.00 which I thought was cheap.
I asked them to double check the price, they confirmed so I booked, asking them to make a note of the quoted price.
I arrive this morning and hand over the keys, prior to leaving with my lift, I ask them to triple check the price.
The assistant comes back and calmly says the price is £1,060.00, to which I say shove it, why did you quote blah blah.....anyway I left without getting the service.
I have established that the car needs:
Standard service
Engine Oil
Brake fluid
Vehicle check
Air filter
Spark plugs
Micro-filter

Is this the norm? has anyone else had the above done at this mileage? Can anyone recommend an alternative in the NW?

Thanks in advance

[Panthro]

Seems extremley excessive for a 1st service and only 16k miles. Sure the vehicle check is not required so soon. Someone who owns an M5 will be along soon to enlighten you more than me

[Driver101]

Spark plugs after 16,000 miles?

[DIMBA]

I know its bo!!ox

[Burwood]

Poster Johnny TVR was charged £900 for a big service. Sounds like they are claiming yours is 'big' cf hoho had his done £300. At 16k miles unless you've ragged it I cant see it being a biggie so would shop around. Plugs should last 40k+ I call bks too

[theboss]

Sounds steep to me. I know it's not going to be helpful to ask why it doesn't have service inclusive, if you bought it new... but did you buy it used? I only ask because BMW's own systems aren't completely accurate. My dealer tried to charge me for my running in service, insistent that it was chargeable according to their records (despite supplying the car only a month prior ). I had to produce the original invoice to prove the car was ordered with the service pack. If I'd bought used and I didn't have that original order info to hand, I'd probably have just coughed up indifferently, so worth checking if relevant.

[DIMBA]

Hi, bought? new on contract hire with no service pack, wasn't offered to be fair.
The car is returned to BMW, in November after 24 months on 10k/year so I was hoping that with luck I may not need the service anyway!
I just cant see how it needs spark plugs so soon.

[Wills2]

Seems odd, first service should just be oil and filters.

That sounds like a major service + inspection.

Never had the spark plugs changed on a car, ever!

[theboss]

Wills2 said:

Seems odd, first service should just be oil and filters.

That sounds like a major service + inspection.

Never had the spark plugs changed on a car, ever!

I'm actually looking forward to changing spark plugs (even x8) - it will symbolise the final transition from driving diesels for God knows how long.

[Krupp Stahl]

Izzacockup.

It sounds like crossed wires at the dealership. If I were you, I'd phone up and seek clarification.

It would be worth it just to hear how they seek to justify new spark plugs at that mileage.

[HoHoHo]

Plugs are completely unceccessary at that mileage and the cost for the first service should be around £300 max.

[DIMBA]

Williams have offered service without plugs at £425, I'll shop around tomorrow and see.
Thanks for all the input much appreciated

[forest172]

Quoted £418 from Stratstone Chesterfield

[Wills2]

Did you ask them if plugs were part of the 1st service scope?

[forest172]

Wills2 said:

Did you ask them if plugs were part of the 1st service scope?

i saw the schedule on the dealers screen and plugs defo weren`t in that I only asked for a price as my m5 was recalled, and due service in July

[-Z-]

See here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I had the same problem a few weeks ago. Initial dim service advisor insisted spark plugs were due "because the key says so", I didn't believe her, spoke to someone else and they confirmed not due.

Seems to be very commonplace, quite a convenient 'bug' to have for a main dealer. Speaking to friends all of them would have paid it in the same position as they do not know enough about cars to challenge them.

Might be worth a email to Watchdog, so anyone who has paid this unnecessarily can get a refund!

P.s. I paid £390 for the service itself.

Edited by -Z- on Thursday 30th April 00:49

[W8PMC]

No way the car would need Spark Plugs at it's 1st service, this is a 30-40k item at worst. Also pretty sure Brake Fluid should not be there either as that too would surely be an age thing & i'd have thought 2-3yrs old at worst.

Saying that i've no idea how you drive your car so perhaps the Brake Fluid is needed, but i'd doubt it's a service item on a 1st service.

[Vee]

Someone has mistaken 16k for 60k.

[HoHoHo]

Vee said:

Someone has mistaken 16k for 60k.

I'm told it's the car key giving false information to the service dept and they need to manually override it.