Advice on independent or BMW service

[MrBeEmW]

Hi all , hope you’re well. Got my first BMW G30 and I would like to do an oil, oil filter and cabin filter service. BMW is charging less surprisingly than my local independent specialist. I have seen online some people saying BMW don’t always change the filter. Is this really true? Has anyone experienced this? And what route would you recommend I take in terms of oil service. Thanks all.

[danb79]

If your indy's doing a good deal go with that; or DIY it

If your indy can update the iDrive then great; if not and you want that doing, it'll have to be BMW

Otherwise just keep the paperwork/invoices etc

[Aletank]

I've always found BMW to be a similar price to a Indy, Indy's sometimes try & talk you out of having things not done to bring the price down eg leave the Microfilter.
BMW provide a courtesy car if booked about 5/6 weeks in advance, always nice to have a day in a new BMW & saves dropping off / pick up transport.

[MrBeEmW]

I’m happy going to BMW. I’m just a bit confused as someone online said independent do a better job and BMW don’t always change your filter as they have targets to fit a certain number of cars in a day. Surely seems false ?

[VeeTenM]

If your local $tealer is cheaper then go with them. You can always take the filter out mark with with a pen and see if it gets changed...

I always buy my own stuff and give it to my indy to do the work, ex-BMW master tech and can do all the computer stuff to update the system.

[Mr Tidy]

If your car has full BMWSH I'd definitely be going to BMW to maintain that, as most buyers like to see that.

My BMWs are both in their teens now so I use a local BMW Indy Who worked at Sytner for 15 years before starting out on his own. The biggest benefit is he will do jobs BMW won't, like refreshing transmission fluid when BMW claim it is filled for life, removing Clutch Delay Valves, etc. plus he is much cheaper.