BMW M4 Coupe Servicing querys

[andyman_2006]

Hi All,

I'm going to look at a BMW M4 on Saturday, and have done an initial query with my local BMW dealer re: Services. The car has a 5 year service pack, so next one is free, car done less than 25K miles, last service this year.

Been advised:

-Minor service is £435
-Major service is £878

Brake fluid £99 every 2 years

Service intervals, 18K miles, or 2 years (whichever is soonest)

Does anyone have any other prices, options, for me this seems a little pricey given the less complex nature of this engine when compared to say the S54 engines (i.e no tappets to do)

I was told those prices are discounted under the 4+ scheme as well.

My next step may be to speak with the independents and see how they compare.

I was genuinely surprised at the cost of the major service, as spark plugs were also extra, at this rate Audi currently charge less to service a V10 R8!

Andy

[graylag]

The rates seem fairly normal to me for an M car, which are by definition stupidly expensive to service at a main dealers. I’d go down the Indy route if I were you for a vehicle outside warranty. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the more palatable rates.

I’ve got the all inclusive on mine for 3 years as I break even on it after the first normal service.

The pricing is a bit nasty overall in my opinion.

[andyman_2006]

graylag said:

The rates seem fairly normal to me for an M car, which are by definition stupidly expensive to service at a main dealers. I’d go down the Indy route if I were you for a vehicle outside warranty. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the more palatable rates.

I’ve got the all inclusive on mine for 3 years as I break even on it after the first normal service.

The pricing is a bit nasty overall in my opinion.

Thanks, i appreciate if they are doing more work (tappets like with older M engines) but with no tappets to do, just dont see what they are doing for £878 on a major service, I've asked for the schedule/tick list of what is done, but yet to receive it!

[graylag]

andyman_2006 said:

Thanks, i appreciate if they are doing more work (tappets like with older M engines) but with no tappets to do, just dont see what they are doing for £878 on a major service, I've asked for the schedule/tick list of what is done, but yet to receive it!

The answer will be about £800million per hour labour

Seriously, I got quoted nearly £3000 by a main dealer on my old M3 V8 coupe for a 40000mile service and pads and discs. Paid around £1200 at a well respected local Indy for the same work.

[Wills2]

£435 is probably £100 more than you'd be able to pay they should come down on that, the major service cost looks about right (if they include the spark plugs) they have to remove the intercooler to get at them so the labour hours go up that's what causes the high price.

[andyman_2006]

Wills2 said:

£435 is probably £100 more than you'd be able to pay they should come down on that, the major service cost looks about right (if they include the spark plugs) they have to remove the intercooler to get at them so the labour hours go up that's what causes the high price.

I think greylag may have summed it up with high labour prices, but with all the tools, workshops, ramps the knowledge (having assumed they have done these before) I can't imagine it takes that long to remove the inter cooler and do the 6 plugs, I'll be interested to see what else the schedule has on it that's taking time, and a parts count, if they send me a copy of the document that is!, either way it shouldn't cost the same to service a 3.0 turbo as v10 lambo engined car! Takes the piss a bit I feel.

Meanwhile I'll get in touch with an Indy and see their thoughts, and comparable prices.

[Wills2]

All depends what they have to do with that v10 and how long it takes, the car will take up a bay and a tech for x amount of time, it's parts+time regardless of the car.

[andyman_2006]

Wills2 said:

All depends what they have to do with that v10 and how long it takes, the car will take up a bay and a tech for x amount of time, it's parts+time regardless of the car.

Something just doesn't add up that's all, the major service didn't include plugs he quoted £325 for that on top (if/when it needed them as per the schedule)

Just the v10 has more oil, more plugs, so surely must cost more to service (in my mind) that said now I've seen service costs for this M4, the V10 R8 looks reasonable - both costs were within the odd £1 of each other based on fixed price minor/major servicing (granted V10 if it goes wrong will cost more I appreciate that) but we are talking regular standard service work here.

I do however accept some complex cars will cost more to service (my Ferrari 348 needs engine drop for belts) but I did expect a S6 turbo bm to be more reasonable than it is that's all.

I seem to have underestimated how much BMW charge for servicing it's newer generation models!

[Wills2]

andyman_2006 said:

Something just doesn't add up that's all, the major service didn't include plugs he quoted £325 for that on top (if/when it needed them as per the schedule)

Just the v10 has more oil, more plugs, so surely must cost more to service (in my mind) that said now I've seen service costs for this M4, the V10 R8 looks reasonable - both costs were within the odd £1 of each other based on fixed price minor/major servicing (granted V10 if it goes wrong will cost more I appreciate that) but we are talking regular standard service work here.

I do however accept some complex cars will cost more to service (my Ferrari 348 needs engine drop for belts) but I did expect a S6 turbo bm to be more reasonable than it is that's all.

I seem to have underestimated how much BMW charge for servicing it's newer generation models!

The major service does include plugs and you get that for around £850-900, like I said it's time+labour regardless of the car.

[anonymous-user]

I haven't had a major service on the F80 yet, but the equivalent of the old 'Inspection 1' was £279 recently at BMW, 19000 miles. That doesn't seem too bad, considering.

In fact, that you can go 19000 miles/ 2 years on a car of this potency in between services is pretty incredible. I realise it's turbocharged, but it's still 150bhp per litre.

[rassi]

janesmith1950 said:

I haven't had a major service on the F80 yet, but the equivalent of the old 'Inspection 1' was £279 recently at BMW, 19000 miles. That doesn't seem too bad, considering.

In fact, that you can go 19000 miles/ 2 years on a car of this potency in between services is pretty incredible. I realise it's turbocharged, but it's still 150bhp per litre.

But would you really go 19000 miles between services? Only on a lease car, surely anyone who is in for long term ownership would halve that interval?

[Rob747]

BMW also charge approx £23 per litre of Castrol.

Just turn up with some you’ve bought from Opie oils and provided it’s the correct grade/spec they’ll use it in the service.

Can save £££’s

[thatdude]

rassi said:

But would you really go 19000 miles between services? Only on a lease car, surely anyone who is in for long term ownership would halve that interval?

I think if I were intending on keeping the car a fiar amount of time, I'd do an intermediate oil and filter change (9000 miles).

Worth remembering that BMW specify things like dif oil changes on their M cars reasonably frequently.

[anonymous-user]

rassi said:

But would you really go 19000 miles between services? Only on a lease car, surely anyone who is in for long term ownership would halve that interval?

BMW are happy with it. Why shouldn't I be? I'm not a powertrain engineer. More tellingly, unlike BMW, I'm not on the hook for warranty costs, either.

Some people (not aimed at anyone on this thread) are far too precious over changes to car servicing habits.

[SPORTSTER]

janesmith1950 said:

BMW are happy with it. Why shouldn't I be? I'm not a powertrain engineer. More tellingly, unlike BMW, I'm not on the hook for warranty costs, either.

Some people (not aimed at anyone on this thread) are far too precious over changes to car servicing habits.

19,000 miles!!! why would you let a car go so long without an oil change? and an M car too
Id hate to open up the internals in your engine

[anonymous-user]

SPORTSTER said:

19,000 miles!!! why would you let a car go so long without an oil change? and an M car too
Id hate to open up the internals in your engine

I service it when the manufacturer (via the car) tells me to, on the button. Running in service at 1200 miles, oil service 19000, next service will be when it tells me, probably another 19000 miles.

I could pretend I know better and service it more often then BMW tell me their product should be, however I suspect I'd be funding the dealership Christmas party for no discernible benefit.

[Theone8181]

SPORTSTER said:

19,000 miles!!! why would you let a car go so long without an oil change? and an M car too
Id hate to open up the internals in your engine

What makes you think it's too long?

[PorkInsider]

graylag said:

I’ve got the all inclusive on mine for 3 years as I break even on it after the first normal service.

The pricing is a bit nasty overall in my opinion.

I’ve also got the 3yr pack, but wish I hadn’t.

I only do around 4,000 miles per year in this car so all I’ll get for the money is the RIS and 1 x minor service, which is nowhere near the cost of the pack.

[Scrubs]

Had the major service done on my M4 at Douglas Park Glasgow few months ago. All i'll say is I'm glad whoever purchased the car from new added a service pack. The bill was just over 900 quid!