16 Plate 320d 1st service
Discussion
What's the general consensus on specialists over main dealers when it comes to servicing? Can't help thinking £330 for an oil and filter change (18k first service) is an absolute piss take. I'm not talking a grubby back street garage using inferior oil and parts, I'm talking a BM specialist. I'm planning to keep the car for a while so while I know a main dealer might knock a bit off trade in without main dealer stamps, but I'm hoping by the time I come to sell it that shouldn't be too much of an issue
SuperAd said:
What's the general consensus on specialists over main dealers when it comes to servicing? Can't help thinking £330 for an oil and filter change (18k first service) is an absolute piss take. I'm not talking a grubby back street garage using inferior oil and parts, I'm talking a BM specialist. I'm planning to keep the car for a while so while I know a main dealer might knock a bit off trade in without main dealer stamps, but I'm hoping by the time I come to sell it that shouldn't be too much of an issue
I work for a car buying company and on a car under 5 years / 50,000 miles the lack of a main dealer history would lower our valuation by anywhere from £500 because it means we have to exclude our franchised buyers when selling it on. And they are our best buyers.How much would you save going to an indy? £100? £150? On a £25k BMW? Not worth it IMO.
Psychologically I'd also be worried that if anything went wrong with the engine and I needed to make a warranty claim, they would make it difficult for you (even though the Block Exemption says they can't).
Funny this popped up, I have a minor oil service due on my 420d coupe (12,000 miles).
Only rang Sytner so far who have given me a 'nationwide' price of £267.77 incl VAT for oil, filter and microfilter
Does anyone know any other main dealer around the Midlands that is competive? Rang Benham and they put the phone down.. must be lunch time
Only rang Sytner so far who have given me a 'nationwide' price of £267.77 incl VAT for oil, filter and microfilter
Does anyone know any other main dealer around the Midlands that is competive? Rang Benham and they put the phone down.. must be lunch time
do they allow you to do that with the oil?
it feels like a total racket, they must be charging nearly £280 labour for a half hour oil change, but if you dont pay that they will devalue the car.
Half tempted to cut my nose off to spite my face and get it done by a specialist just to deny them the chance to rip me off
Feels like a Watchdog investigation is called for.
it feels like a total racket, they must be charging nearly £280 labour for a half hour oil change, but if you dont pay that they will devalue the car.
Half tempted to cut my nose off to spite my face and get it done by a specialist just to deny them the chance to rip me off
Feels like a Watchdog investigation is called for.
SuperAd said:
Annoyingly, the service pack I've been offered is 499 for 36k miles 3 years. As my cars got to 18700 before it needed the first, and they won't give it the second service unless the service light is on, it's not gonna need another service until the packs run out. Ridiculous.
I might be wrong, but pretty sure the 'Oil + Filter' service intervals operate independently to the 'Brake Fluid' service and the 'Inspection' service, both of which might creep into the first 36 months based on your mileage.The latter costs a lot.
Keep to main dealer and let them supply parts
Come warranty time their good as gold, but don't give them any excuse it's really not worth it on such a new car.
Its counter intuitive as you're devaluing the car and risking wriggle room come claim time
Also, if and when you move to an insured warranty I'm sure they insist on dealer servicing before accepting you.
Come warranty time their good as gold, but don't give them any excuse it's really not worth it on such a new car.
Its counter intuitive as you're devaluing the car and risking wriggle room come claim time
Also, if and when you move to an insured warranty I'm sure they insist on dealer servicing before accepting you.
T16OLE said:
Keep to main dealer and let them supply parts
Come warranty time their good as gold, but don't give them any excuse it's really not worth it on such a new car that potentially could give you aggro at any time (its A BMW after all)
Its counter intuitive as you're devaluing the car and risking wriggle room come claim time
Also, if and when you move to an insured warranty I'm sure they insist on dealer servicing before accepting you.
ETACome warranty time their good as gold, but don't give them any excuse it's really not worth it on such a new car that potentially could give you aggro at any time (its A BMW after all)
Its counter intuitive as you're devaluing the car and risking wriggle room come claim time
Also, if and when you move to an insured warranty I'm sure they insist on dealer servicing before accepting you.
Quick update. Went to the local dealership, they came back with a service package available at any time before your 1st service, £499 for both 1st and 2nd services, which is apparently a BMW package not a dealer package, so I can get the 2nd service at any dealership in the country. Not bad considering it was going to be £300 for 1st and £420 for 2nd. When you factor in that comes with the courtesy car, which other places want £20 for its no more expensive than my focus was to service at a main dealer. Very happy with the deal.
SuperAd said:
Quick update. Went to the local dealership, they came back with a service package available at any time before your 1st service, £499 for both 1st and 2nd services, which is apparently a BMW package not a dealer package, so I can get the 2nd service at any dealership in the country. Not bad considering it was going to be £300 for 1st and £420 for 2nd. When you factor in that comes with the courtesy car, which other places want £20 for its no more expensive than my focus was to service at a main dealer. Very happy with the deal.
isn't that the same package as you mentioned previously - ie it's limited to 36K/3yrs? If your mileage and type of use is such that the second service doesn't fall with 3yrs then you'll lose out..
More generally, it's always struck me as ridiculous that if the dealers will service cars under these manufacturer schemes then why don't they offer more competitive pricing and take the business themselves? On one of our VWs the dealer by mistake gave me a copy of the 1st service invoice they send to VW - it was for £68.
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