BMW Dealer Servicing - bare minimum only
Discussion
Why, when the car is in for a "Service" as per the OBC that they do not perform a Service as I know it.
I know the Condition Based Servicing only highlights what is wrong at any given time but I would at least expect an overall safety check in case something is worn or waring out. Do they trust the readouts on the OBC so much that nothing physically needs looked at until highlighted by the computer?
Took mine in today and all that was needed was a Brake Fluid change -(I could have checked this from the OBC I know)- nothing else evenalthough the last service was over one year ago. This is despite the fact that a local garage I have dealt with and trust has pointed out that the front discs are wearing and need attention. I was waiting for the dealer to point this out and provide a quote but nothing. Also the oil on the OBC was just over 1/2 way between min / max. but not topped up. Same with the washer fluid.
Last time at a different dealer they never checked the tyres at the service despite them being barely legal at the time.
Surely they should check the car over as for some people this would be the only time oil, tyres, brakes etc are looked at apart from MOT time.
I used to like the feel of my car back from an old fashioned service with tightened handbrake, greased hinges, new filters etc. Maybe I'm just old fashioned and modern BMWs don't need this attention now but it certainly felt better vfm.
I know the Condition Based Servicing only highlights what is wrong at any given time but I would at least expect an overall safety check in case something is worn or waring out. Do they trust the readouts on the OBC so much that nothing physically needs looked at until highlighted by the computer?
Took mine in today and all that was needed was a Brake Fluid change -(I could have checked this from the OBC I know)- nothing else evenalthough the last service was over one year ago. This is despite the fact that a local garage I have dealt with and trust has pointed out that the front discs are wearing and need attention. I was waiting for the dealer to point this out and provide a quote but nothing. Also the oil on the OBC was just over 1/2 way between min / max. but not topped up. Same with the washer fluid.
Last time at a different dealer they never checked the tyres at the service despite them being barely legal at the time.
Surely they should check the car over as for some people this would be the only time oil, tyres, brakes etc are looked at apart from MOT time.
I used to like the feel of my car back from an old fashioned service with tightened handbrake, greased hinges, new filters etc. Maybe I'm just old fashioned and modern BMWs don't need this attention now but it certainly felt better vfm.
Christ, that's a Lot of services Wayne!
I agree though, It is a shame if they're not taking the opportunity to "prolong" the life of the car. It's also a missed business opportunity - sell more stuff!
My old school mechanics are great like that. The car comes back with your hinges and cables greased, and the fluid topped up for nothing etc. "She still drives well sir, rear bushes are probably next on your list, but it's in good nick, for the miles..."
I agree though, It is a shame if they're not taking the opportunity to "prolong" the life of the car. It's also a missed business opportunity - sell more stuff!
My old school mechanics are great like that. The car comes back with your hinges and cables greased, and the fluid topped up for nothing etc. "She still drives well sir, rear bushes are probably next on your list, but it's in good nick, for the miles..."
pattyg said:
Last time at a different dealer they never checked the tyres at the service despite them being barely legal at the time.
My dealer always checks the tyres. It's not like they're going to pass on the opportunity to supply some grossly overpriced run flats.Many years ago I had a fairly new company car, a cavalier 1.7TD. This car needed an oil change every 4,500 miles, so every 6 weeks for me at the time. The one time I lifted the bonnet to top up the washer fluid, I noticed a melted hose, but forgot to mention it to the garage.
8 months later, after many more oil changes and at least one proper service, I had a need to pop the bonnet again. The melted hose was still there in full plain view
.Edited by Webber3 on Monday 7th February 22:43
I had the most basic service on my 545i about a year ago - I think it was called an inspection service. This seemed to consist just of looking at the car, not touching anything at all.
Shortly after another service (might have been brake fluid) came up on the display so I had another service a couple of months later. It's a clever way of getting you to go in and spend £200 a number of times each year, thus keeping each bill smaller but making them more regular. I'm glad I swapped back to an older generation with normal servicing patterns, to be honest. Does make me wonder how you check whether a car has a full service history, too.
Shortly after another service (might have been brake fluid) came up on the display so I had another service a couple of months later. It's a clever way of getting you to go in and spend £200 a number of times each year, thus keeping each bill smaller but making them more regular. I'm glad I swapped back to an older generation with normal servicing patterns, to be honest. Does make me wonder how you check whether a car has a full service history, too.
chunkv6 said:
I've just had the microfilter and brake fluid done. The paperwork included what you refer to ie full safety check, brake pad and disc depths, tyre depths and a full wash and Hoover including tyre gel.
Maybe just the dealer you have used??
I get the same sheet when ever my car goes to the dealer. Car went in for a recall fix before Christmas and that sheet was presented to me when I picked it up.Maybe just the dealer you have used??
Contrast the average main dealer experience with my indie experiences -
BMW indie walking me to a car so spotless I didn't recognise it "your rear indicator bulbs are slightly different side to side - one's standard orange and the others a Philips... the spare wheel had quite a bit of condensation on it - I think there may be a slight leak somewhere in the boot... would you like to see all the parts we renewed - we keep them until each car is collected etc etc"
AND it's cheaper
BMW indie walking me to a car so spotless I didn't recognise it "your rear indicator bulbs are slightly different side to side - one's standard orange and the others a Philips... the spare wheel had quite a bit of condensation on it - I think there may be a slight leak somewhere in the boot... would you like to see all the parts we renewed - we keep them until each car is collected etc etc"
AND it's cheaper
pattyg said:
Was offered an outside clean but declined it...no sign of a hoover being used or safety check sheet though.
Should I raise it with DP?
Refering to previous posts my experience with DP's ain't great though.
Does your dealer not make follow up calls to get feedback on the work? Moaning to a DP about the car not being cleaned isn't going to get anywhere IMO. Should I raise it with DP?
Refering to previous posts my experience with DP's ain't great though.
Unfortunately, you are now dealing with an industry that no longer wishes to prolong the life of your car. If they do not tell you your pads are low, they will hopefully fit discs too when they wear through, if they let the oil level drop too low, you may need an engine sooner or wear the engine quicker.
This mentality comes straight from the manufacturer with their longlife oils, filled for life transmission oils and runflat tyres.
Why?
Longlife oils may stay in grade longer but they still get dirty. Result is wear and less regular servicing. Ok for the life of the car under warranty .
Transmission oils filled for life? Not according to the transmission manufacturer who recommends 60000m oil and filter changes.
Runflat tyres? Cannot repair punctures, noisy, harsh and twice the cost of far superior tyres. Manufacturer saves on weight and a spare wheel and tyre.
This is the underlying reason why cars now devalue faster than ever before. They just dont last. Just what the manufacturer wants. Big repair bills or sell new cars.
Rant over.
This mentality comes straight from the manufacturer with their longlife oils, filled for life transmission oils and runflat tyres.
Why?
Longlife oils may stay in grade longer but they still get dirty. Result is wear and less regular servicing. Ok for the life of the car under warranty .
Transmission oils filled for life? Not according to the transmission manufacturer who recommends 60000m oil and filter changes.
Runflat tyres? Cannot repair punctures, noisy, harsh and twice the cost of far superior tyres. Manufacturer saves on weight and a spare wheel and tyre.
This is the underlying reason why cars now devalue faster than ever before. They just dont last. Just what the manufacturer wants. Big repair bills or sell new cars.
Rant over.
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