Bike Service in Morocco

[Betty Swollocks]

I'm heading on my first trip to Morocco in March.... bike is a 1200 GSA, still in warranty. It's almost due a 24K service, but not for a couple of thousand miles yet. Because of the warranty, I want to get it done at a BMW dealer.

I could get it serviced before I go, at UK prices and 2K earlier than it really has to... but I kinda like the idea of a BMW Casablanca service stamp in the book.

I know Tim has posted contact details for the Casablanca Dealer (Smeia), but I am wanting to hear if anyone has used them or another Morocco dealer... is there any real price saving and can I just turn up and get the job done?

Or should I just pay the £400 or so and get it done at home?

 

[Timolgra]

Always service your bike before you go

 

[(RIP) petcul]

I used the dealer in Casablanca for a small job. They were friendly, efficient and cheap. I'm not to sure what parts they carry. If they had to order one from Germany it might take time. Tim is probably right.

You could also have it serviced on the south coast of Spain.

If you were having it done in Casablanca or Spain I'd ring first and set it up making sure you were booked in (particularly Spain) and they had all that was needed.

 

[Fanum]

Casablanca has only one thing going for it....its name.

Other than that, it's a shit hole......really overpriced, polluted as fekk, congested, hassle ridden, nasty and in places, quite dangerous.

If you're on your first trip to Morocco.....I'd seriously recommend avoiding the place...there are far far better uses of your time and going there would be an utter waste, give you an impression of the country that isn't representative of the people or the sights and frankly, isn't worth it.

 

[GS TRV]

I'd let Brian at Moto-tech service it before you go and spend the diff between his & Hurst's price on a slap up meal in a location of your choice

 

[(RIP) Nakambale]

Get it done before you go

 

[midnitemo]

autograph

betty can i have your autograph...got all your film's xxxx

 

[Tim Cullis]

If your bike doesn't need servicing yet it would be a real waste of money having it done 2000 miles early.

If I remember correctly the cost of the service including oil and filter was about £60-70. There were several Moroccan-registered 1200GS and GSA bikes in for service at the same time. Yes, an unusual part might need to be ordered it, but I reckon they keep all the usual stuff in stock.

I believe Moroccan dealers are 'controlled' by BMW France.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

If your bike doesn't need servicing yet it would be a real waste of money having it done 2000 miles early.

If I remember correctly the cost of the service including oil and filter was about £60-70. There were several Moroccan-registered 1200GS and GSA bikes in for service at the same time. Yes, an unusual part might need to be ordered it, but I reckon they keep all the usual stuff in stock.

I believe Moroccan dealers are 'controlled' by BMW France.

Thanks Tim... is that Casablanca you're talking about?
After Fanum's recommendation on the city, I was gonna give them a miss.
Marakesh was on my "to visit" list..... do you know if the dealer there is up and running yet?
I leave this saturday, have done the brakes and given the bike a once over... will prob throw an air filter change in tomorrow, but am not due a service for 2.5k miles. It's a biggie, 24000 miles, so prob gonna cost £400 plus. I'm trying to save as much cash as poss for enjoying the trip and would rather get the book stamped somewhere cheaper if possible.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Casablanca has only one thing going for it....its name.

Other than that, it's a shit hole......really overpriced, polluted as fekk, congested, hassle ridden, nasty and in places, quite dangerous.

If you're on your first trip to Morocco.....I'd seriously recommend avoiding the place...there are far far better uses of your time and going there would be an utter waste, give you an impression of the country that isn't representative of the people or the sights and frankly, isn't worth it.

Gotta go with Fanum, for a first visit I'd avoid Casablanca. In fact the plains of the west, whilst interesting in places, are not the most interesting of introductions to Morocco.

Sounds too late to get it done at a UK dealer now Why not change oil and filter yourself and do the balance on your return or get the service done in Algeciras

Andres

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Yip Andres, that's where I'm at. If it was substantially cheaper, I'd whack it on the visa card and get it done in Moroc or Spain. Bike still in warranty, so wanna keep things right. Will try Spain on the way home, as that's prob when the light will come on.
Had a problem with a hired 1200GS in Italy a few years ago... I was shocked how cheap the repair cost was at the nearest BMW dealer. Price was a fraction of a UK dealer and I guess I'm hoping to cash in on this again.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Be careful when you are refitting the intake snorkel that you don't push the filter inside the airbox a wee bit and leave a gap for unfiltered air to get in!

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Be careful when you are refitting the intake snorkel that you don't push the filter inside the airbox a wee bit and leave a gap for unfiltered air to get in!

Still need to see you before I go amigo...... you need to show me the FPC work around and I need to get the handlebar risers fitted

not much of a window left to get stuff done.... let me know if you're heading off the island this week

 

[Crapaud]

The BMW dealer in Algercias is easy to find on main road into town. When we were having Jesus fitting our tyres at the Harley dealer I walked the 200 yards up to the BMW dealer and bought new plugs for my GS.

They seem OK as BMW main dealers go. Personally, I simply do the service myself and know it was done properly.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

The BMW dealer in Algercias is easy to find on main road into town. When we were having Jesus fitting our tyres at the Harley dealer I walked the 200 yards up to the BMW dealer and bought new plugs for my GS.

They seem OK as BMW main dealers go. Personally, I simply do the service myself and know it was done properly.

Cheers Sid,

my prob with DIY is, it's the last service before warranty runs out in July, so I want to keep things right in case I need to claim off them.... it's a 1200 after all...

I'll check out Algecerias on the way down and poss book a service for the following week when I return.

 

[JamesM]

Probably a good idea to contact the dealer by email before you go and arrange it that way. Both BMW dealers in Seville are spanish only speakers.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Cheers James... I intended to call in on the way down and if necessary book a service for the following week and my return.... I "parlez a bitzen" spanish, so should be OK

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Got it done in Marbella

Just a little update for anyone thinking of getting their bike serviced in or on route to Morocco.

I decided to go without servicing 2500 miles early.... booked the bike into BMW Marbella for the return leg of my journey.... which was within 200 miles of the service due mileage. Thus, I'm still OK for my warranty, as it was done at the right time.

Cost was £325, compared to about £400 at home. Without starting a "what oil thread" I insisted on fully synthetic for my 1200 as now required in UK.... un-heard of in Spain, but agreed to do it. This was the most expensive bit of the service Euro 90+ VAT

The bike has still got a BMW service history. It was all done with the help of Hana at http://www.motoadventours.com/
Had my bike been out of warranty, the mechanic who did the job also works evenings for them and would have done the same job at a fraction of the price....... How do I know this.... he fitted my spare tyres in the evening as a homer!