Main dealer servicing.....

[tim0409]

Bought a new car last week at auction (2 year old lease BMW), and the service indicator was showing a brake fluid change was due - normally I would either do it myself of go to a local independent, but as I was passing a BMW main dealer I thought I would get the key read and find out what ludicrous price they would charge for the fluid change. Bit of result when the girl told me the lease company had taken out a 5 year/60k service plan so there would be no charge.

Dropped the car off, next day I received a call telling me my rear pads were down to 3mm, and my front discs were below minimum, and I would be killed to death unless I got them changed immediately....I politely declined and said I would take my chances on the drive home.

Whipped the wheels off today and checked the discs with a micrometer - discs are 50% worn at 21mm - the service print out states the minimum is 22.5, even though new discs are 22mm out the box

Plenty life left in the rear pads (car indicator says 2500 miles) with 6mm remaining...

Told the OH, and her response was, "Isn't that fraud..?" She may well have a point.

[Idontdrinkrsmoke]

No wonder they're called main stealers. I was actually pleasantly surprised that my main dealer only charge £240 for new discs and pads. A local mechanic was charging £195 just for front discs.

I quite like the idea of buying cheap at auction then spending the money you've saved getting it up to a good standard - at a garage you can trust of course!

[Charlie Michael]

My Z4M needed an Inspection 1 and the main dealers (x2 local and x1 further afield) wanted £950+ for it.

Went to an indie (TWG) who did a great job and it cost me £465 inc. VAT.

I won't be using a main dealer again for the car. I also don't expect it to affect the resale value as FBMWSH v indie servicing doesn't alter the value massively come resale time in my research.