Is £500 (incl. VAT) for a main service at an Indie, fair?

[wax lyrical]

Just wondering. Car is a 2008 335i. Oil, filters, spark plugs and ‘vehicle check’.

Thanks All.

[oldaudi]

I’ve been quoted £508 for a 2007 630i by BMW Bristol and Bath. Different car of course but same number of plugs and can’t be much difference in oil usage! this quote was at a main dealer. Air filters and cabin filters are easy to replace so I shan’t be going for this deal!
Engine oil service with microfilter, air filter & spark plugs*
What's included?
Price
£508.23
Engine oil is drained and the engine is refilled with BMW approved oil
Oil filter is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW oil filter
Microfilter(s) is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW microfilter
Air Filter is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW air filter
Spark plugs removed and replaced with BMW approved spark plugs
For vehicles over 10 years old this may be referred to as an Inspection l service. Please refer to your owner's manual or speak to your service advisor for more information
Relevant service light reset
Recommended every 18,000 miles or 2 years from last inspection. To alternate with an Inspection l service if applicable

Edited by oldaudi on Thursday 19th November 19:31

[wax lyrical]

Thank you. That’s helpful.

[mickyh7]

That does seem a lot to me, from an Independent.
Plugs, oil and filters then a quick look around?

[edthefed]

They will be charghing you ,£25 a litre for oli.
Provide your own of the right spec. Save yourself £70

[wax lyrical]

It's about £180 labour plus £220 parts, they said - plus VAT.

mickyh7 said:

That does seem a lot to me, from an Independent.
Plugs, oil and filters then a quick look around?

[g3org3y]

wax lyrical said:

It's about £180 labour plus £220 parts, they said - plus VAT.

mickyh7 said:

That does seem a lot to me, from an Independent.
Plugs, oil and filters then a quick look around?

I'd be interested to see the parts price breakdown. Bit mark up on the oil I'd have thought.

[wax lyrical]

Oil filter £15
Engine Oil £65
Microfilter 37
Enviro charge £5
Air filter £31
Spark plugs £70
Screen wash £1.25

g3org3y said:

wax lyrical said:

It's about £180 labour plus £220 parts, they said - plus VAT.

mickyh7 said:

That does seem a lot to me, from an Independent.
Plugs, oil and filters then a quick look around?

I'd be interested to see the parts price breakdown. Bit mark up on the oil I'd have thought.

[mike9009]

I am sure my 2007 330i was about £420 inclusive from BMW last year. I can check the invoice if really interested??

[wax lyrical]

Did that include all the above, or just an oil change? Thanks.

mike9009 said:

I am sure my 2007 330i was about £420 inclusive from BMW last year. I can check the invoice if really interested??

[TedStriker]

First questiions I'd be asking is what oil and plugs are they using, and are they fitting genuine parts.

[sbk1972]

Been a long time since I've used a main dealer but £500 for a basic plugs / oil service ? Good god. Do they even check the brakes or is that extra ?

Why don't you try doing it yourself ? Oil / plug service is easy. Search on youtube and you will be amazed at how simple it is. Also, if you wait for a Europarts ( the DSFS version of a car part seller) deal then its about £75 in parts.

SBK

[Jakg]

wax lyrical said:

Oil filter £15
Engine Oil £65
Microfilter 37
Enviro charge £5
Air filter £31
Spark plugs £70
Screen wash £1.25

wax lyrical said:

It's about £180 labour plus £220 parts, they said - plus VAT.

I think the book time for the above is 1.8 hours.

I guess if the independants labour charge is £80ph it might be reasonable but that sounds a little high to me.

[4rephill]

Jakg said:

wax lyrical said:

Oil filter £15
Engine Oil £65
Microfilter 37
Enviro charge £5
Air filter £31
Spark plugs £70
Screen wash £1.25

wax lyrical said:

It's about £180 labour plus £220 parts, they said - plus VAT.

I think the book time for the above is 1.8 hours.

I guess if the independants labour charge is £80ph it might be reasonable but that sounds a little high to me.

The indy's location could make a difference.

An indy in London is highly likely to charge more than an indy in a more rural location, due to the cost of their overheads, but could still be undercutting the local BMW dealership by a large margin.

What seems a high price to you, could be another persons bargain price

[royobannan]

Seems more expensive than having it done at the Mai dealer!

[Monty Python]

Cabin and air filter are easy DIY jobs.