£498.52 First Service - Comments Please

[Neil.M]

Hi Guys

Thank so much for all your input, it’s been a real eye opener to see how many of you responded and viewed my post.

I believe that both BMW and Battersea have now received the message; I received a call from a representative from BMW Park Lane today to discuss the cost of my service. I was told that BMW had called the dealership and asked them to look into the matter. They dug through their paperwork and found my invoice and also read all the comments on the UK GSer's site. It’s really important that you add your views whenever possible; they do get read by BMW and the dealerships.

We went through the invoice in detail and he explained the breakdown of the invoice and what work was done to the bike. The feedback I received was as follows:

• All parts were supplied at the same price as any other dealership in the UK.
• Labour costs are approximately £8 an hour more than the competition due to the London location.
• The replacement of the brake fluid and the brake check are in line with standard BMW servicing requirements (Brake check is something that BMW has asked dealerships to do every two years).

In short, Battersea stand by the invoice and believe that the work performed is in line with what BMW recommend and that apart from the premium on their labour costs are in line with the competition (quoting South London BMW and Coopers Tonbridge Wells).

By the end of the call we agreed to disagree, my eyes still water at the sight of the bill and I will stand by comments at the time of paying the bill, I will not be returning to Battersea.

 

[polecat]

Hi Guys

Thank so much for all your input, it’s been a real eye opener to see how many of you responded and viewed my post.

I believe that both BMW and Battersea have now received the message; I received a call from a representative from BMW Park Lane today to discuss the cost of my service. I was told that BMW had called the dealership and asked them to look into the matter. They dug through their paperwork and found my invoice and also read all the comments on the UK GSer's site. It’s really important that you add your views whenever possible; they do get read by BMW and the dealerships.

We went through the invoice in detail and he explained the breakdown of the invoice and what work was done to the bike. The feedback I received was as follows:

• All parts were supplied at the same price as any other dealership in the UK.
• Labour costs are approximately £8 an hour more than the competition due to the London location.
• The replacement of the brake fluid and the brake check are in line with standard BMW servicing requirements (Brake check is something that BMW has asked dealerships to do every two years).

In short, Battersea stand by the invoice and believe that the work performed is in line with what BMW recommend and that apart from the premium on their labour costs are in line with the competition (quoting South London BMW and Coopers Tonbridge Wells).

By the end of the call we agreed to disagree, my eyes still water at the sight of the bill and I will stand by comments at the time of paying the bill, I will not be returning to Battersea.

Thanks for the update Neil. How did they account for the items charged twice and their inadequate maths ?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Well just goes to show that if it wasn't an honest mistake and that actually is their cost for a service fellow forum users may consider going to alternative dealers and halve their costs. My 6000 mile service was £225 including brake fluid change and a loan bike at Motorad Central East.

 

[moondog62]

Guys
Not sure if I have been over charged for a service. I have typed the invoice contents as I can’t use the attachment functionality on the site. I was invoiced this by BMW Motorrad Battersea. I have a 2006 R1200GS that I purchased from South London BMW when it had 2000 miles on the clock. They serviced the bike prior to me picking it up; I subsequently took it to Battersea with 8000 on the clock for what is effectively the 6000 mile service.

Please note that for completeness I have included the £29.65 for the MOT that I asked for you should discount this when looking at the amounts below.

Please add your comments; it would be great to hear any thoughts / similar experiences on this. I was a bit surprised at the cost as there was absolutely nothing wrong with the bike. It would be good to know if this is the going price.

Invoice Details


BMW service with annual inspection £114.33
Oil change £ 32.67
Gearbox oil change £ 8.17
Changing brake fluid in integral ABS £ 40.83
Ditto £ 40.83
Brake fluid in entire ABS integra £ 24.50
Brake check £ 54.00
Oil filter £ 8.71
Sump Washer £ 0.28
Gskt R12 £ 25.88
Gasket £ 6.22
Take off rubbers £ 1.12
Brake cleaner £ 2.60
Brake Fluid £ 4.42
Filler/drain washer £ 0.18
Sump plug washer £ 0.28
o ring £ 0.43
o ring £ 0.56
self locking nut £ 0.36

MOT £ 29.65

Net total £428.69
VAT £ 69.83
Total £498.52

I was charged £680 for a 12000 mile service by Riders-Cardiff,
I had a new rear tyre which was £98 -the labour charge alone for the service was £400.They caught me once they won't catch me again cos I won't go there no more.

 

[Pukmeister]

The labour charge alone for the service was £400.

What did they do, strip and rebuild the bike ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp6-wG5LLqE

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

If BMW read this.................I wonder if they'd build Steptoe a bigger workshop and make him an Approved BMW Motorrad Service Centre

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

I still laugh at anybody getting a service done before 10000 miles these days.

Whats the first service on most cars these days ? ( 10000 miles ?)

My new tenere had a free first service - cos i bargained it, including labour - and since then and 10000 miles i haven't touched it apart from the chain adjust.

I think BMW are completely over the top on servicing requirements these days - just a complete rip-off.
However - if you don't understand what you're riding , how to look after it and what really needs doing then carry on regardless.

You deserve to be fleeced....at least once.

 

[rudiemoto]

no wonder ktm riders dont loose there dummies

 

[moondog62]

1200gs service 12000mls,rear tyre-£680.00

What did they do, strip and rebuild the bike ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp6-wG5LLqE

Well they changed the oil and filter,changed brake fluid-clutch fluid,plugged a computer in to read any fault codes and a quick look over thats about it.I looked at the service schedule and there isn't really anything big to do on there.I questioned the price at a later date,they said that the price sounded right and would look into it and send me a copy of the workshop report,3 months later im still waiting.Trouble is with Riders-Cardiff they have large overheads and a race team to run,so its people like us they rip off to fund it all.above all the guy on the service dept,who's name is Will is a real tidy fella and very helpful,but the rest of them I don't give a hoot for.

 

[U ralcocks]

Help

Just reading through your comments, I wish I had as much time as you lot! backens! Does Anyone know where I can service my Honda? I'm thinking about riding it through a river this weekend and thought it might be an idea to have it serviced 1st.
Cheers

 

[U ralcocks]

That's expensive for what is basically an oil and filter change with the brake fluid change on top.

Meow!

 

[rudiemoto]

Steptoe a bigger workshop and make him an Approved BMW Motorrad Service Centre
yep steppers has pit me on the right path

 

[Brian ROSEN]

You ndid say "park lane" ?

Wasn't that the blur square next to Mayfair where the rent was $2000? I would stay away from there!

 

[bumpy]

Don't you guys ever get a quote, or do you just hand over a blank cheque?

 

[karnevil]

Bloody hell!

Still was very nice of you to pay for everybody elses first service on that day!

I get a quote first,would love to scan my bills and publish them here but i fear someone may get into trouble for making mistakes!

 

[David Nimrod]

Astronomical BMW service costs are just paying for a dealer network and a corporate structure that demands your money to exist... It's all bollox! Buy an old (er) bike, use independents (or do it yourself), and stay away from rip off dealers... Sounds fairly simple to me

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Confidence

It would never occur to me to get a quote from 'my' dealer when the bike goes in for any routine work; The invoice is clear and states the hours worked etc.and I accept that the total is 'reasonable;' In fact a +10000 km service is about 220€ -less than £200. No extra charge for the fact that the boss always takes the bike out for a final road test. Of course i could get the work done cheaper elsewhere but having paid a VAST amount of money to buy this extravagant toy in the first place, what am I trying to prove?

 

[Wapping]

Astronomical BMW service costs are just paying for a dealer network and a corporate structure that demands your money to exist... It's all bollox! Buy an old (er) bike, use independents (or do it yourself), and stay away from rip off dealers... Sounds fairly simple to me

The significant fault with that obtuse theory is that you clearly rely on the same '....corporate structure and dealer network that demands your money to exist... ' in order to design, test, manufacture and then subsequently update and keep selling the vehicles in the first place..... Just so that you can buy and run them second hand at a price and effort that suits you.

Remove the corporate structure and their dealer network and you dear heart will be left with the square root of feck all when you next come to scour the for sale and wanted ad's. You will also be a touch short of spare parts, too

 

[David Nimrod]

Remove the corporate structure and their dealer network and you dear heart will be left with the square root of feck all when you next come to scour the for sale and wanted ad's.

Yes obviously I can work that out for myself thanks

My point is that one has a choice, and my choice is to avoid dealers...

 

[Wapping]

Yes obviously I can work that out for myself thanks

Good, so we agree then.