Clock Change

[Hunda]

I have recently had my clocks on my 1200GSA changed from the original German set to a UK set. I supplied the dealer with the new UK set and he charged me £200 to fit and program them. Now the fuel consumption figure is in mpg but the odometer, trip meters and average speed are all in km still. The dealer sas he has been in contact with BMW UK but no one seems to know how to do the programing. To me £200 (3 hours labour) seems a bit steep as I'm guessing nothing has really been done as I suspect the fuel consumption figure is calculated inside the clocks. Anyone have any experience of changing the clocks? Anyone know of a dealer that has already done this?

Also does anyone want to buy a set of German spec. clocks?

 

[Pukmeister]

I'm off to Australia where everything is in KMs. Mines a UK bike so I could do with a swap over from miles to KM.

How much are you asking ???

 

[Pukmeister]

FWIW I believe the clocks are controlled via the main ZFE computer, hence you still have KM on the display.

I believe that Wollaston Motors in Northampton and Bahnstormer (formerly SPC) near Alton may know how to do the reprogramming. Maybe calling them direct and having a chat would be worth it. I doubt that BMW(GB) would normally get involved in such things so probably won't know the answer to your question without doing some legwork (yeah, like thats gonna happen).

 

[SteveW19]

I too am off down under, but to New Zealand, and taking the bike with me. So would also be interested in the clocks - depends on price. Cheers

 

[Yoda]

It can be done.

My first 12GS started life in Das Faterland and had some black magic performed to make it work in miles.

When I had it serviced it got the usual software upgrade which consequently buggered up the settings.

Two months and several attempts later the dealer still hadn't been able to re-crack the code. By which time the bike was two years old and I did a deal for a shiny new one.

 

[Hunda]

I know it can be done - the question is do BMW know how? Someone in BMW must know how but finding them is the difficult bit. At the moment I preferred it the way it was i.e. all in km's and not this strange mixture. The last few weeks excuse has been the guy who knows how to do in BMW UK is on holiday. I also don't want to pay any more money towards getting this done. I will phone the dealer again this week and see what he says.

 

[Wizard]

Surely the dealer has failed to do the work which they undertook, at which point they can't justify charging you? I'd be having a wee word with Trading Standards..........

 

[big simp]

£200 for fitting and to program a set off clocks, are they having a laugh, doubt i would be ringing a few guys in head office for sure.
Steve

 

[harry]

£200 to change the clocks is robbery plain and simple. I could do that on a 12 in20 min. Wizard is right, go back to your dealer and get him to do the job properly.

 

[nedflanders]

£200 to change the clocks is robbery plain and simple. I could do that on a 12 in20 min. Wizard is right, go back to your dealer and get him to do the job properly.

20mins, that must include a brew as well. 2 bolts for the headlight/clocks, £200 I'd have hit the roof
Very interested in this I'll be importing mine back into the UK next year, so who wants to swop clocks and headlight? clocks have 8500kms at the minute.

 

[Hunda]

Yeh I agree - they claim the 200 quid is for programming the clocks and that they have some success because the fuel consumption now reads in mpg!

 

[nedflanders]

'some success' sounds like half a job, I'd ask the manager if he would be happy with half a service being carried out on his car and getting a bill for a full service

 

[Jon P]

I can confirm that the 'parameters' can be changed. I currently live in the US and I wanted my new GSA to show ambient temperature in oC not oF - NO problem, it took my dealer all of two mintes to plug in and change. They told me that you they can change any parameter, including miles to kms and fuel consumption etc etc...........

Maybe you should look your delaer in the eye and ask him if he has the BMW factory scan tool? Not all dealers have all the factory tools!

I know from experience that my old UK dealer did not (at that time at least) have several of the required BMW tools. I remember asking him about the BMW factory brake bleeder, his reply............"don't have one, don't need one!"

 

[Hunda]

Well dealer has told me now that they have received "a new software update from BMW" in order to make the changes but there is no guarantee that this will work. I'm told they have the right tools for the job. I have spoken with BMW UK and they say it is between me and the dealer.

BMW UK say it is a dealer problem and the dealer says it is a BMW problem.

 

[theEnglishman]

Well dealer has told me now that they have received "a new software update from BMW" in order to make the changes but there is no guarantee that this will work. I'm told they have the right tools for the job. I have spoken with BMW UK and they say it is between me and the dealer.

BMW UK say it is a dealer problem and the dealer says it is a BMW problem.

Well, BMW are right - it is between you and the dealer as they're the one's you're paying.

If they don't do it this time, start putting everything in writing and see if you can build a case - like getting permission to use someone else who's successfully had the work done to provide prima facae evidence that it can be done (here's one that was done earlier...)

 

[Jon P]

Well dealer has told me now that they have received "a new software update from BMW" in order to make the changes but there is no guarantee that this will work. I'm told they have the right tools for the job. I have spoken with BMW UK and they say it is between me and the dealer.

BMW UK say it is a dealer problem and the dealer says it is a BMW problem.

New software update they say - to make these changes?? Rubbish! They are leading you up the garden path!

As k to see the BMW scan tool - ask to see what it is they do - any reputable dealer would understand your concern and shoul be pleased to show you what it is they do for your money. Just remember the 'golden rule'............always be very polite and retain a smile and a sense of humour - it'll keep you out of trouble and open most doors!