£40 Diagnostic Fee?

£40 Diagnostic Fee?

Author
Discussion

DavidLScott

1,048 posts

225 months

Thursday 5th March 2009
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I'll tell myself off then!!

TheEnd

15,370 posts

189 months

Thursday 5th March 2009
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HRG said:
mikez328 said:
TheEnd said:
BMW like to run a "front of house/back of house" garage for rich idiots who don't like the smell of oil.
They'd do everything in their power to keep you from laying eyes on the mechanics, and just have a woman on reception who will do no more than book a car in.
As a result, you're unlikely to get a mech to walk round, take a quick look and let you know what is wrong, which is what you'd get in most other non sales/ car repair places.

If you went to almost any independent garage, you get to chat with some guy, he'd probably say how he had one in last week with something similar, bring it in on Tues and they'll get it sorted.
At BMW, they'd flip through a chart, give you a day to drop it off, then send you on your way.
Oh dear, you sound like a "clone" of myself! For God's sake don't get tarred with the same brush as me or you will have a torrent of abuse rained down. Be VERY careful what you say on this forum as it is inhabited by some peculiar "experts". - As are most automotive forums, in fairness. Everybody seems to know more than the last poster... You have to sort the wheat from the chaff. Best of luck, but I think that you are now yet another target for the idiots.........
But that is how BMW dealerships are... Absolute crap if you actually know anything about cars. If I take my car to the garage I want to talk to the bloke who is going to work on my car, not oggle some birds tits while it gets booked in.
Absolutely, some people take an interest in what has been done, or will be done, others won't even open the bonnet.
I don't like people who don't have the faintest clue about engines, but accept that some people are happy to just write a cheque and let someone else fight with inaccessible rusted bolts. Not everyone thinks engines are amazing, i don't find football interesting so there is a good few people who think i'm odd.
I suppose there is a sliding scale, i'm midway through a clutch change which isn't fun, but interesting all the same, so that puts me at a level where i'd do most things myself, but there are some awkward jobs i'd rather just pay someone to do and come back, hand over money and not hear about the struggles and blood /sweat /tears etc

What i don't like about BMW is they go out of the way to hide the service depot, usually round the back with a separate entrance, so you'll never see any technicians, but if people prefer it like that, that is their choice.
I'll quietly think they are a little odd, but it's a free world!

mrtrimble

5 posts

124 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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To be honest, I am fine spending £30 for a diagnostic Check, BMW will charge you over £100 and then hundreds again to do a physical inspection before they give you a quote.
BMW service is taking vulnerable people for a ride, no wonder people are turning to honest garages who will look at your car and give you a quote

BFleming

3,611 posts

144 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Must be a new record, thread resurrection after 11 years!

Pistonheader101

2,206 posts

108 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Gone up from £40 to £99 in 9 years. What.

cossy400

3,165 posts

185 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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BFleming said:
Must be a new record, thread resurrection after 11 years!
hehe

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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cossy400 said:
BFleming said:
Must be a new record, thread resurrection after 11 years!
hehe
laugh

Same posters, same arguments, could have been yesterday, yet 11 years ago.

AndyM31

817 posts

206 months

Friday 28th February 2020
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The diagnostic costs are ridiculous for the reading of a key or plugging in of a computer. I have a car on warranty and needed the oil changed, filter and filters. While making online bookings, I discovered that there is a big price difference between dealer service costs. On was as much as close to £200.

In addition recently, I got a visit of the indoor parking of the garage that I went to for some body work. As I walked by the main hall at the back, there was a LED screen saying how much labour charge the target was for the day. This particular place read £10,000.

skylarking808

802 posts

87 months

Friday 28th February 2020
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My local indy has charged me for a diagnostic check before, although they have thrown in a freebie on another occasion..

They are generally busy, so I fully respect that their time; even if its less than 30mins should be paid for.

I am also happy to know they have the latest reliable equipment and expertiese and experience of my car to help with any diagnosis.

However DIY is the obvious option if you were not wanting to pay out at a garage.