BMW service prices

Scuzi

Scuzi

Scuzi

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Car is a 2007 330d and requires an oil service. I called Scothall Hampshire, expecting something around the £200 mark.

"£440 sir. That's because it needs a new microfilter."

As far as I'm aware, a "microfilter" is a pollen filter - about £20.

To rule out any possibility of a language or accent barrier I emphasised it was only an oil service, not an inspection service. Yes, £440.

Since when did service prices increase so much? I seem to remember an oil service on my Z4 was well under £200. Is this the new norm?

Bartley BMW in Totton want £120. I think I'll let them do it!
 
Some of the oil services have additional items in them, ie on a petrol engine the third one includes the plugs. Get them to clarify exactly what the quote includes.
 
3rd oil service is indeed the most expensive one. To try main dealer discounts website to see if anyone local will do it cheaper for you


Edit just realised someone else will do it for £120 make sure they're aware its a 3rd oil service :)
 
Ahh, I didn't realise they differed so much. I need to check the service book to see if it is the 3rd oil service since the car only has 40k on it. If it is the 3rd oil service, is £440 a reasonable price?

One more question which I don't want to start a new thread for. When going over speed bumps or any sort of harsh bump, the front suspension makes a creaking noise. It has always done this and I seem to recall the Z4 doing something similar. It has been bugging me more recently which leads me to believe it is getting louder. Is it normal or is it a sign of something going?

pepsilol - Bartley BMW are a BMW specialist, not a dealer, hence the price.

Thanks :)
 
Ah ignore my post then.

Creak is going to be a bushing, maybe a spring.

If you push the car side to side is there any creak? If not then I would look at a bushing making a creak.
 
The microfilter is around £45 iirc. The third oil service is something that only the diesels have to worry about as i believe they change the fuel and air filter too. Obviously changing the air filter on petrol variants is a good idea also, but no need if it isn't dirty.

The oil for your car alone will make up about £115 of the price they have quoted you, so if you can get it done for around £150+microfilter cost that'll be a good price.

If it is indeed your third oil service, you'll need to factor in an air filter (about £20 inc the very labourious task of fitting iirc) and fuel filter (not how much this is).

And easy way to massively reduce the cost of a service with BMW is to supply your own oil!
 
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[TW]Fox;23127886 said:
No it's not, third oil service on your 335i includes plugs as well.
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No it doesn't. Spark plugs are a CBS item only - there is no requirement to have these changed at a 3rd service at all and it is a common misconception that i researched when i had my car serviced. The only thing that the petrol cars need that is extra at a 3rd oil service is a visual check of the air intake element and if it is found to be dusty/dirty it is to be replaced at an extra charge.

At the 3rd oil service for diesels, they also have their air filter element checked and replaced if necessary, however they must have their fuel filter changed (more often if the diesel quality is poor) at an extra charge.
 
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If you keep receipts and do the changes yourself, and keep the old air filters/other parts, it looks good on resale. Write the mileage on receipt or take photos showing proof if you want.

I'd trust it more then main dealer which is just a rip off.
 
AshD93 said:
If you keep receipts and do the changes yourself, and keep the old air filters/other parts, it looks good on resale.
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No, it looks terrible on resale and will put off more people than it impresses. Most people equate DIY with bodge/cheapskate and want the stamp irrespective of how talented the the guy at the dealer generally isn't.
 
Philz0r said:
£400 for an oil change, sheesh.
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Every thread somebody does this - it isnt JUST an oil and filter change. It's expensive and he can do better but they are not charging £400 to drop the oil and put a new filter on. It's called an 'Oil Service' but it includes more than just this.
 
£400 for a service at bmw, yet toyota will give you the oil for free (if buying a service kit from them and doing it yourself)

I'd prefer receipts for work done or service items bought, any monkey can stamp a book and do nothing to the car. I've came across several people that will sell you any manufacturer dealer stamps you want in my reasonably brief time in the motor trade, which basically means now I'd never trust a service book, if you had the receipts from the dealer to back up the stamps mind you then it's a different story.
 
realscot said:
£400 for a service at bmw, yet toyota will give you the oil for free (if buying a service kit from them and doing it yourself)
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Shock as BMW charge more than Toyota. Next you'll be telling us that Kia are cheap to service.

I'd prefer receipts for work done or service items bought, any monkey can stamp a book and do nothing to the car. I've came across several people that will sell you any manufacturer dealer stamps you want in my reasonably brief time in the motor trade, which basically means now I'd never trust a service book, if you had the receipts from the dealer to back up the stamps mind you then it's a different story.
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You are in the minority - most used car buyers are far less clued and are obsessed with things like FSH and low mileage.

That said I'm not generally interested in cars without full main dealer history as I prefer to buy from people with more money than sense who bought them new and never once thought about doing it a cheaper way.
 
[TW]Fox;23129147 said:
That said I'm not generally interested in cars without full main dealer history as I prefer to buy from people with more money than sense who bought them new and never once thought about doing it a cheaper way.
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if you can afford it, go for it.

if i seen 2 cars for sale and 1 was part service history and another was a few £££ more for fsh i would go for fsh everytime (obviously depending on the rest of the cars condition)
who wouldn't?

my sx is getting on 16 years old and has fnsh till 2010 which i thought was pretty good going for its age.

i do all my services myself, its not exactly hard to check a spark plug, change a few filters, fluids and oil some door hinges.

but my £4000 weekend toy is different then if i was buying a £15k family car that i intended on selling a few years down the line.
 
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