BMW Dealer diagnostic costs
Discussion
Just looking for some idea of the cost for diagnosing the intermittent loss of power on my 330ci based on the time it takes to run diag routine... On an earlier post someone stated that it could be the inlet cam sensor. Anyway the problem is getting worse if not almost a solid problem now so I have booked it into my local dealer Friday morning...
I suppose my concern is that there is no Check light illuminated and this could run into one of those chuck parts at it type fix...
Any view on this greatly accepted if only to put my mind at rest on what it will cost...
I suppose my concern is that there is no Check light illuminated and this could run into one of those chuck parts at it type fix...
Any view on this greatly accepted if only to put my mind at rest on what it will cost...
The dealer I work at usually charge half hour diagnosis sometimes an hour that is usually enough to locate 80% of faults.
If it is harder to locate the hour should point you in the right direction, they may carry on and swallow the cost or phone you for further investigation, if they do it usually means they have spent a couple of hours on it all ready.
If it is harder to locate the hour should point you in the right direction, they may carry on and swallow the cost or phone you for further investigation, if they do it usually means they have spent a couple of hours on it all ready.
How does it take 30 mins to run a diagnostic check? I have a fault code scanner at home and it takes 30 seconds.
I also have a copy of carsoft. it takes 2-3 mins MAX. Just wondered what else they do on thease "checks"?
do they check emmissions? and have a good look over the car or just plug the tool in and run?
I also have a copy of carsoft. it takes 2-3 mins MAX. Just wondered what else they do on thease "checks"?
do they check emmissions? and have a good look over the car or just plug the tool in and run?
Edited by David87M3 on Thursday 19th July 12:31
Thanks David thats the kind of time I would have expected it to take... The problem is that I do not have an any check lights illuminated and am concerned that this will not be any easy fault for them to locate if there is no fault information...
An earlier post suggested Inlet Cam sensor, BMW garage said this would have the check light illuminated...
An earlier post suggested Inlet Cam sensor, BMW garage said this would have the check light illuminated...
No light eh....
I have had a duff injector... No light (fault stored)
Duff O2 sensor go on guess...... No light (fault stored).
I have ran the car with MAF disconnected thats right no light (fault stored).
Vanos disconnected, Exhaust cam sensor removed and no light... this was when I was trying to trace a poor running fault and a pinging rattle under load. Still not 100% fixed but changing intake gaskets helped.
If the maf is failing that could casue loss of power so I understand, I read somwere on the www that if you unplug the maf and drive the car and it feels normalish the maf could be failing and by un plugging the maf the car runns on a default value setting.
for your info mine is a 1999 523
I got my tool from peake research £120. I think euro car parts sell a code reader for £250. shows live data and codes on all sorts of cars. My code reader is limited to BMW
I have had a duff injector... No light (fault stored)
Duff O2 sensor go on guess...... No light (fault stored).
I have ran the car with MAF disconnected thats right no light (fault stored).
Vanos disconnected, Exhaust cam sensor removed and no light... this was when I was trying to trace a poor running fault and a pinging rattle under load. Still not 100% fixed but changing intake gaskets helped.
If the maf is failing that could casue loss of power so I understand, I read somwere on the www that if you unplug the maf and drive the car and it feels normalish the maf could be failing and by un plugging the maf the car runns on a default value setting.
for your info mine is a 1999 523
I got my tool from peake research £120. I think euro car parts sell a code reader for £250. shows live data and codes on all sorts of cars. My code reader is limited to BMW
Edited by David87M3 on Thursday 19th July 13:56
Thanks again... I was surprised at the reponse from BMW man when he said that.. Especially given that the power loss apears to be only up to 3000rpm (Which I believe is where the VANOS operates).. If I drive in manual mode and keep the revs above 3K the power delivery is as I would expect...
johnmaddox said:
Why do some people think they are ripped off by BMW - try running your own business with all the costs involved and see what you want to charge !!
I do....And I charge £100 for diagnosing and replacing an inlet cam sensor.
It takes about 2 minutes to plug in the scanner to diagnose the problem and 25 minutes to replace the sensor.
Mind you, I don't run my own Formula 1 team, sadly.......
johnmaddox said:
Why do some people think they are ripped off by BMW
becasue we are... £100/hour for labour. silly amounts of £££ being added to the price of oil they sell and other parts and 1 hour to run a diagnosis check that anyone with a scanner can do in 2 mins.I was quoted over £450 for an insp 2 on my 523. local indy who is BMW trained did it for £200.
Edited by David87M3 on Tuesday 24th July 16:12
Ripped off - Maybe!!!!
But the car is my work hack, all the time it is of the road it is an inconvenience and a potential loss of revenue therefore commision to me...
The beemer dealer fixed the car while I waited, they had the parts to hand etc.. While I sat around for 2 hours drinking copious amounts of their coffee. Started at 8:00 and back on the road, car valeted, by 10:00..
I am prepared to pay a premium for that service...
However, where I feel a bit miffed is that they then gave me a report on the other potential defects.. Bearing in mind I had asked them to diagnose the engine fault only..
These potential defects or advisories included:-
Tyres - Close to the limit.. Thanks but quite capable of managing my own tyre wear..
Washer jets blocked - Wanted to charge £20 to fix - Been here before with this £20 to stick a pin down the hole - No thanks...
Discs worn to limit - My favourite, these are the same discs that I have an advisory on over 60K miles ago with worn to limit...
Brake pads 70% worn front 65% rear - Amazing considering I changed them three months ago.. Checked myself and they look more like the above figures but % left...
Front suspension balljoint excessive play - Happy with this one as it explains the occasional knock on steering - So thanks wil be done next service..
So part of my labour time must have included the time to inspect these problems when I had only asked for the engine problem to be looked at..
Now I can cut some slack that the mechanic must have waited for the engine to cool down, but could the labour have been cheaper if the above were not investigated.?
But the car is my work hack, all the time it is of the road it is an inconvenience and a potential loss of revenue therefore commision to me...
The beemer dealer fixed the car while I waited, they had the parts to hand etc.. While I sat around for 2 hours drinking copious amounts of their coffee. Started at 8:00 and back on the road, car valeted, by 10:00..
I am prepared to pay a premium for that service...
However, where I feel a bit miffed is that they then gave me a report on the other potential defects.. Bearing in mind I had asked them to diagnose the engine fault only..
These potential defects or advisories included:-
Tyres - Close to the limit.. Thanks but quite capable of managing my own tyre wear..
Washer jets blocked - Wanted to charge £20 to fix - Been here before with this £20 to stick a pin down the hole - No thanks...
Discs worn to limit - My favourite, these are the same discs that I have an advisory on over 60K miles ago with worn to limit...
Brake pads 70% worn front 65% rear - Amazing considering I changed them three months ago.. Checked myself and they look more like the above figures but % left...
Front suspension balljoint excessive play - Happy with this one as it explains the occasional knock on steering - So thanks wil be done next service..
So part of my labour time must have included the time to inspect these problems when I had only asked for the engine problem to be looked at..
Now I can cut some slack that the mechanic must have waited for the engine to cool down, but could the labour have been cheaper if the above were not investigated.?
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff