BMW repair costs

[ASSE]Hinchy · 17 Aug 2011 at 14:20

Hi all

Took my 2008 1 series into a BMW service garage yesterday when the steering system failure light came on on the dashboard. I've just heard from BMW who have informed me that the car requires a new steering rack. I have been quoted £2400 for the part and labour. I understand the labour is around 90% of this.

This just seems obscene when the part appears to be around £150 from a quick google search.

Am I the pawn in the middle of a battle for money between the garage and BMW? The quote sounds obscenely high.

TheDean · 17 Aug 2011 at 14:23

an '08 would still be under warrenty surely? Or just out? Either way, I'd expect BMW to be making a good will gesture of some sort

[ASSE]Hinchy · 17 Aug 2011 at 14:32

The warranty expired May 2011 unfortunately. I should also add however that I had the warning light flash up June 2010, but the next day the problem had disappeared and I had my power steering back. On this occasion I called BMW Warranty services so they should have it on record?

The customer service at the garage are approaching BMW about a good well gesture as I have had a lot of problems with the car since buying it May 2010. That is why I am wondering if they have quoted high to get money about of BMW, then charge me less?

Sin_Chase · 17 Aug 2011 at 14:50

If you did not buy it from a BMW dealer and are looking for goodwill I would be very very surprised if you get it.

If it's been outside of the BMW network of servicing you are likely in a worse position to barter for goodwill than if it was on a full BMW FSH.

It seems you did not buy from the BMW garage you approached for the fix. At least this is what I understand from what you have posted. A goodwill gesture would be a direct arrangement between you and BMW, not your garage and BMW.

[ASSE]Hinchy · 17 Aug 2011 at 14:55

Sin_Chase said:
If you did not buy it from a BMW dealer and are looking for goodwill I would be very very surprised if you get it.

If it's been outside of the BMW network of servicing you are likely in a worse position to barter for goodwill than if it was on a full BMW FSH.

It seems you did not buy from the BMW garage you approached for the fix. At least this is what I understand from what you have posted. A goodwill gesture would be a direct arrangement between you and BMW, not your garage and BMW.

I bought the BMW from Haliwell Jones BMW in Chester but as I live much further North, I have had it MOT'd and all repair works done at Blue Bell in Wilmslow. Since owning the car it has not required a service.

Both are BMW dealerships. The car also has a full BMW service history.

Sin_Chase · 17 Aug 2011 at 14:58

Should be alright then if BMW are feeling generous.

[ASSE]Hinchy · 17 Aug 2011 at 15:03

Fingers crossed, thanks! The car certainly hasn't been too generous to my life expectancy to date......

panthro · 17 Aug 2011 at 15:32

If you dont get any goodwill from BMW, I wouldnt even bother getting the repair done by them. Take it to a well known reputable independent BMW garage, who will do exactly the same job, and charge you a lot less.

[TW]Fox · 17 Aug 2011 at 15:37

I would be amazed if you don't get goodwill for this.

Joe T · 17 Aug 2011 at 15:39

panthro said:
If you dont get any goodwill from BMW, I wouldnt even bother getting the repair done by them. Take it to a well known reputable independent BMW garage, who will do exactly the same job, and charge you a lot less.

This

[TW]Fox · 17 Aug 2011 at 15:43

Also, I don't understand why you didn't take the invitation to renew the warranty. It's trivially cheap on a 1 Series.

[ASSE]Hinchy · 17 Aug 2011 at 15:44

I thought the same thing this afternoon Fox. About £500 isn't it? Immediate thought when I had the letter in my hand was no, but my god I wish I had done now and in future I will do.

[TW]Fox · 17 Aug 2011 at 16:00

I think its a bit less for a 1 series.

You can still do it, and I recommend you do. Sadly it won't cover the current issue.

NVP · 17 Aug 2011 at 17:59

This whole "good will gesture" thing... do dealers actually do this? On what basis would they be able to implement a discount? Just because a customer kicks up a fuss about costs? Or because they are only just out of warranty?

In this case here I don't see it, they're a business after all.

Not having a dig or anything, just curious about the "good will" aspect of it. Good luck BTW.

[TW]Fox · 17 Aug 2011 at 18:04

NVP said:
This whole "good will gesture" thing... do dealers actually do this? On what basis would they be able to implement a discount? Just because a customer kicks up a fuss about costs? Or because they are only just out of warranty?

The dealers dont do it - BMW UK does it for cars just out of warranty.

In this case here I don't see it

BMW UK paid 100% of the repair costs on my E39 when the car was out of warranty.

Gaygle · 17 Aug 2011 at 18:05

NVP said:
This whole "good will gesture" thing... do dealers actually do this? On what basis would they be able to implement a discount? Just because a customer kicks up a fuss about costs? Or because they are only just out of warranty?

Yes, but even with their goodwill gestures, it's still going to be expensive. If they cover 75% of the cost, the OP will still have to pay out £550 from his own pocket.

NVP · 17 Aug 2011 at 18:40

Oh ok I see, that's quite nice of them. Do most brands do this sort of thing?

Joshy · 17 Aug 2011 at 18:48

NVP said:
Oh ok I see, that's quite nice of them. Do most brands do this sort of thing?

The VAG group do.

APPARENTLY it doesn't have to be just out of warranty on certain items either, providing it has been kept within the main dealer network throughout its life.

DRZ · 17 Aug 2011 at 18:57

My sister has just had 100% of the cost of repairing her 2002 MINI Cooper paid by BMW UK after it caught fire earlier this week.

Never seen the inside of a main dealer, barely even been serviced by anyone and certainly not well looked after or 'cherished'...

mattx2 · 17 Aug 2011 at 18:58

[ASSE]Hinchy;19852316 said:
Hi all

Took my 2008 1 series into a BMW service garage yesterday when the steering system failure light came on on the dashboard. I've just heard from BMW who have informed me that the car requires a new steering rack. I have been quoted £2400 for the part and labour. I understand the labour is around 90% of this.

This just seems obscene when the part appears to be around £150 from a quick google search.

Am I the pawn in the middle of a battle for money between the garage and BMW? The quote sounds obscenely high.

Was the warning light yellow or red ?

Sometimes just a ecu re-set will get rid of the yellow error, the steering rack is a known weakness on the 1 series. If you haven't already have a look over at babybmw.net there's a few people on there that have had the same issue

Also do you often park with the wheels turned ? as this seems to be one of the possible causes of the issue