BMW Parts Pricing
Discussion
I am sitting here puzzling over what just happened, or in reality, gobsmacked!
History: I bought my X5 M Sport F15 last year, but without a towbar [a failure on my part].
I have investigated different options to the towbar, for transporting cycles, none of which are suitable with this car / dog / cycle combinations.
So with optimism, I sought an aftermarket option.
Option one was Westfalia removable swan neck from a reputable towbar specialist, price fitted £525 [fitted at your home or at centre, 4 hours] with canbus loom.
Option two was a BMW re-badged Westfalia removable swan neck from a BMW garage, price fitted £3900 [fitted at garage, 2 days]
When I asked what the split was, £2000 parts / £1900 labour [8 hours apparently as need to reprogramme system for parking sensors etc, on a canbus system?].
I went into buying a BMW with my eyes open, expecting reasonably high prices but taking the P?
Has anyone else experienced similar price discrepancies?
History: I bought my X5 M Sport F15 last year, but without a towbar [a failure on my part].
I have investigated different options to the towbar, for transporting cycles, none of which are suitable with this car / dog / cycle combinations.
So with optimism, I sought an aftermarket option.
Option one was Westfalia removable swan neck from a reputable towbar specialist, price fitted £525 [fitted at your home or at centre, 4 hours] with canbus loom.
Option two was a BMW re-badged Westfalia removable swan neck from a BMW garage, price fitted £3900 [fitted at garage, 2 days]
When I asked what the split was, £2000 parts / £1900 labour [8 hours apparently as need to reprogramme system for parking sensors etc, on a canbus system?].
I went into buying a BMW with my eyes open, expecting reasonably high prices but taking the P?
Has anyone else experienced similar price discrepancies?
Monty Python said:
I'm surprised you're surprised - I though it was common knowledge that franchised dealers treat their "customers" as cash-cows when it comes to servicing/parts. All they care about is selling you the car - after that they don't give a s***.
My local BMW dealer needs to turn over >£130,000 a week in the workshop. I know that because the whiteboard with the targets are visible on the wall when you stand at the parts desk. And with targets like that, it's no wonder that they are squeezing the bone marrow out of thier service customers...I was in exactly the same position 5 months ago.
BMW quoted £1500 all in PF Jones installed the same swan neck removable bar for £515 (or close to that amount I can't remember exactly).
The rear bumper already has the cut out and it's a 3 hour job. No coding, I have surround cameras and everything works a treat. My dealer confirmed as an aftermarket fit it would not affect my warranty either.
Job done.
Edited to add I purchased the Atera STRADA DL 3 to 4 bike carrier which is a great bit of kit - not sure if you have the rack already?
It slides away from the rear of the car even with bikes attached to allow access to the rear of the vehicle (I also have a dog!) and secures 4 bikes with ease. The kit is supplied with straps to secure to the roof of the vehicle however you don't need to use those. I bought mine from roofbox.co.uk with the 4th bike option. I leave it on the car when we're about or if I feel the need to it fits within the boot space and is a 5 minute job to remove from the ball.
BMW quoted £1500 all in PF Jones installed the same swan neck removable bar for £515 (or close to that amount I can't remember exactly).
The rear bumper already has the cut out and it's a 3 hour job. No coding, I have surround cameras and everything works a treat. My dealer confirmed as an aftermarket fit it would not affect my warranty either.
Job done.
Edited to add I purchased the Atera STRADA DL 3 to 4 bike carrier which is a great bit of kit - not sure if you have the rack already?
It slides away from the rear of the car even with bikes attached to allow access to the rear of the vehicle (I also have a dog!) and secures 4 bikes with ease. The kit is supplied with straps to secure to the roof of the vehicle however you don't need to use those. I bought mine from roofbox.co.uk with the 4th bike option. I leave it on the car when we're about or if I feel the need to it fits within the boot space and is a 5 minute job to remove from the ball.
Edited by HoHoHo on Friday 2nd June 09:20
That Atera STRADA DL 3 to 4 bike carrier looks the nuts.
Given I will be only using the towbar for cycle carriers and small trailers, is it better to get the 13 pin or 7 pin wiring loom?
It looks like PFJ are going to get the order with a BMW wiring loom; or I could always get another car!?
Given I will be only using the towbar for cycle carriers and small trailers, is it better to get the 13 pin or 7 pin wiring loom?
It looks like PFJ are going to get the order with a BMW wiring loom; or I could always get another car!?
carinatauk said:
That Atera STRADA DL 3 to 4 bike carrier looks the nuts.
Given I will be only using the towbar for cycle carriers and small trailers, is it better to get the 13 pin or 7 pin wiring loom?
It looks like PFJ are going to get the order with a BMW wiring loom; or I could always get another car!?
As I understand it the 13 pin gives you power to a fridge in a caravan and also reversing lights.Given I will be only using the towbar for cycle carriers and small trailers, is it better to get the 13 pin or 7 pin wiring loom?
It looks like PFJ are going to get the order with a BMW wiring loom; or I could always get another car!?
I don't have a caravan and don't worry about reversing lights so went for 7 pin.
With the bike carrier roofbox.co.uk provide you with a free 7 to 13 pin adaptor.
I use it a lot and with four bikes there's definitely a knack to getting them all on without damaging them however once you've done it it's simply a matter of taking a photo to remind you how they all went together
HoHoHo said:
As I understand it the 13 pin gives you power to a fridge in a caravan and also reversing lights.
I don't have a caravan and don't worry about reversing lights so went for 7 pin.
With the bike carrier roofbox.co.uk provide you with a free 7 to 13 pin adaptor.
I use it a lot and with four bikes there's definitely a knack to getting them all on without damaging them however once you've done it it's simply a matter of taking a photo to remind you how they all went together
That's all good info, thanksI don't have a caravan and don't worry about reversing lights so went for 7 pin.
With the bike carrier roofbox.co.uk provide you with a free 7 to 13 pin adaptor.
I use it a lot and with four bikes there's definitely a knack to getting them all on without damaging them however once you've done it it's simply a matter of taking a photo to remind you how they all went together
Most BMW Dealers subcontract out their towbar fitment to a local fitter - the dealer then charges at least 100% more than you'd pay the fitter to do the Job. OR, they do the job themselves but takes twice as long and use their hourly rate and then inevitably doesn't come up with a job as good as the fitters as they have little experience in doing so. But it never surprises me how many people, even armed with this Information, which comes straight from the horses mouth, will proceed with a dealer fit through gritted teeth since it must be the best option for their pride and joy because it's through a dealer.
Don't know where you're based, but if you're Essex/S Cambs/E Herts - give Essex Towbars a call. I've had them fit towbars to four vehicles (inc. a Family member) and their work is top notch. And as importantly - between 450-750 quid depending on the vehicle and using Westfalia (i.e. OE) parts and BMW specific electrics.
Don't know where you're based, but if you're Essex/S Cambs/E Herts - give Essex Towbars a call. I've had them fit towbars to four vehicles (inc. a Family member) and their work is top notch. And as importantly - between 450-750 quid depending on the vehicle and using Westfalia (i.e. OE) parts and BMW specific electrics.
Im aware it's from another era, but I have a 2004 e46 330i touring that had a tow bar fitted at a main dealer in 2008.
Invoice in the service history for a removable westfella came to around £1000 supplied and fitted including the rear bumper lower section.
Wonder what's happened between then and now in the land of tow bars?
Invoice in the service history for a removable westfella came to around £1000 supplied and fitted including the rear bumper lower section.
Wonder what's happened between then and now in the land of tow bars?
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