Deleted account 221212001
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Always negotiate a free first service at the point of purchase of a new bike. I even negotiate discount off my first service on used bikes!!
First Service
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It's literally 20 minutes work
Oil change, filter and bevel gear oil change. Plug it in, set your service light and check your tyre pressures.
In the busy summer months, we could do three an hour.
Don't forget, you pay £20 per litre for that £5 per litre re-branded oil.
However, it's not exactly cheap running those huge dealerships. You're paying for all the fanfare that goes with keeping that going. Staff, business rates, free coffee, training, pensions, etc, blah blah blah.
I charge £90 for a first service. Because I don't feed you croissants and give you a leather couch to sit on. Although if you ask nicely I'll make you a cuppa and might even wash the cup
Oil change, filter and bevel gear oil change. Plug it in, set your service light and check your tyre pressures.
In the busy summer months, we could do three an hour.
Don't forget, you pay £20 per litre for that £5 per litre re-branded oil.
However, it's not exactly cheap running those huge dealerships. You're paying for all the fanfare that goes with keeping that going. Staff, business rates, free coffee, training, pensions, etc, blah blah blah.
I charge £90 for a first service. Because I don't feed you croissants and give you a leather couch to sit on. Although if you ask nicely I'll make you a cuppa and might even wash the cup
My post was tic , playing on the shaft drive etc,but I see that you’ve assumed the role of protective parent and won’t have a bad word said against your little baby.
How sweet !
And I’m very enamoured with my BMW GS sat in the garage,thanks.
You do not need to use a BMW main dealer to maintain your warranty. It's the biggest lie in the business. You must use equivalent grade and quality fluids and a genuine filter though. And it must be performed by a qualified professional.
The japs have got onto this. They offer their standard two year warranty on their bikes no matter who does the servicing. However, they give you an extra year warranty for free if you keep it in their network.
Deleted account 210609001
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It's literally 20 minutes work
Oil change, filter and bevel gear oil change. Plug it in, set your service light and check your tyre pressures.
In the busy summer months, we could do three an hour.
Don't forget, you pay £20 per litre for that £5 per litre re-branded oil.
However, it's not exactly cheap running those huge dealerships. You're paying for all the fanfare that goes with keeping that going. Staff, business rates, free coffee, training, pensions, etc, blah blah blah.
I charge £90 for a first service. Because I don't feed you croissants and give you a leather couch to sit on. Although if you ask nicely I'll make you a cuppa and might even wash the cup
Wash the cup? Ya big wuss...
Deleted account 210609001
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I'm more than happy to consider the good and bad points of the bike and BMW ownership. But it'd be like me logging on to a KTM site just to slag off KTM. Not sure why you'd want to do that.
Deleted account 210609001
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I understand that, as do most people these days I think (although I read somewhere that the EU rules on this were specifically about cars rather than all vehicles). Whatever, my reasoning for going with the dealers is that if anything goes bang and it's been serviced elsewhere or by me - no matter how competently - it gives them a foot in the door to begin arguing about it. It might begin a saga of letters and evidence that would take days or weeks, and I need my bike to be on the road. For an additional cost of around £100 a year, that seems like a reasonable price to pay. Probably money down the drain, but might save a load of hassle.
I've used a local independent for work in the past when the bike is out of warranty and will continue to do so.
I enjoy doing simple tasks on the bike and while I might not have it down to 20 minutes, I enjoy a happy hour doing the oil changes. Except on the R1150GS where the final drive oil change meant dropping the final drive unit from the shaft and spending an hour or two swearing trying to get the fucking shaft back in.
EDIT: Here's what White Dalton said about dealer servicing back in 2013. (Things might well have changed since then but Google doesn't throw up anything obvious that is more recent.)
"The short answer is that if you have your bike serviced by a perfectly reputable, fully qualified mechanic using all the appropriate parts and specified fluids, the exemption that applies to cars under the Office of Fair Trading guidance, which led to the OFT threatening to take all major motor manufacturers to Court, does not apply to motorcycles."
I understand that, as do most people these days I think (although I read somewhere that the EU rules on this were specifically about cars rather than all vehicles). Whatever, my reasoning for going with the dealers is that if anything goes bang and it's been serviced elsewhere or by me - no matter how competently - it gives them a foot in the door to begin arguing about it. It might begin a saga of letters and evidence that would take days or weeks, and I need my bike to be on the road. For an additional cost of around £100 a year, that seems like a reasonable price to pay. Probably money down the drain, but might save a load of hassle.
I've used a local independent for work in the past when the bike is out of warranty and will continue to do so.
I enjoy doing simple tasks on the bike and while I might not have it down to 20 minutes, I enjoy a happy hour doing the oil changes. Except on the R1150GS where the final drive oil change meant dropping the final drive unit from the shaft and spending an hour or two swearing trying to get the fucking shaft back in.
EDIT: Here's what White Dalton said about dealer servicing back in 2013. (Things might well have changed since then but Google doesn't throw up anything obvious that is more recent.)
"The short answer is that if you have your bike serviced by a perfectly reputable, fully qualified mechanic using all the appropriate parts and specified fluids, the exemption that applies to cars under the Office of Fair Trading guidance, which led to the OFT threatening to take all major motor manufacturers to Court, does not apply to motorcycles."
Yes. But that was 8 years ago and literally just semantics of legal text from one solicitor. In the real world, according to BMW, it doesn't matter.
That could be a new tag line.
“BUY A GS AND GET SHAFTED....IN EVERY WAY”
9000 mile service on my KTM was £277, which for an oil and filter change is rather ripe. It's not just BMW dealers who are doing the shafting.
Yes. But that was 8 years ago and literally just semantics of legal text from one solicitor. In the real world, according to BMW, it doesn't matter.
If you watch the 44 teeth channel you will see that same solicitor talking about a case he is fighting with Triumph very recently over warranty and non dealer work on a bike. Basically Triumph said the warranty was void. I also had a Ducati warranty radiator refused because I did my own fork oil change ? to save a few quod as it’s part of the big service. Fork servicing was part of my job at second level sport and I have manufacturer certs but it didn’t help.
So it can and is being used if dealers or manufacturers want to play hard ball. It’s the “if” potential that keeps people paying dealer prices.
I have no idea what you’re on about.
This is forum based around the GS.
Many members are on here but no longer own a GS.I do own one.
That’s ridiculous !!
Mine too, negotiated in the price when old one traded in
That was a well regarded KTM dealer too. I was somewhat surprised when I was presented with the bill.
Triumph have been playing that game for years. They turned down claims I made for corrosion and poor finish related issues and told me I should have followed the instructions in the owners manual about using a cleaner with a corrosion inhibiter when I cleaned the bike. I went through the handbook and found the only mention of the use of a corrosion inhibitor was in relation to the anti-freeze and using one with a corrosion inhibitor. I pointed this out to them and the silence in response was deafening.
Deleted account 210609001
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As I said before, if you negotiate on one element you're probably losing out on another. Save £72 on first service labour and they'll knock £72 off part-exchange or discount or something else.
Actually, given that it doesn't have any direct cost to them beyond half an hour's pay for the mechanic, your probably better off asking for the money off the overall deal rather than free service.
No-one ever really knows how good a deal we get when we buy a new bike. I came away from my negotiations feeling very pleased, but who knows whether as soon as I put the phone down the salesman didn't break into hysterical laughter?
Funny story: when I bought my F700GS back in 2013 I stuck to my guns on what I was prepared to pay and what I wanted for it. From memory, p/ex on my completely knackered F650 plus £7,000, for the ex-demo bike plus a top box and handguards. The reality was that that was all I had. Salesman tried to argue the price up and I was able to say in all honesty that I thought what he was asking was reasonable but I didn't have any more money so I'd have to leave it. And I would have had to do just that. He disappeared to discuss with the manager, who came out and stood behind me and made a very obvious fake call to his wife saying "Sorry, love, we'll have to cancel the meal we had booked for tonight. The customer is driving a hard bargain so I can only afford to get us a McDonalds on the way home." All done in very good humour and we all laughed... I paid the deposit.
On the day I went to collect it a week later, I was looking through the invoice and noticed they'd done the sums wrong and I was going to be £500 better off than I thought. Before I could stop myself I said "I don't think this is right." Salesman looked all concerned and explained exactly why it was right, by which time I realised I was going to be better off so shut up and signed the invoice before they had chance to check it in more detail. They never contacted me - I'd have paid the correct amount if they had - so it seems that after my ruthless bargaining there was still another £500 in it for them!
Sorta correct, though 'throw in the first service and you have a deal" usually comes after you've shown how hurt you've been by the low-ball trade-in offer, as well as the look of disappointment at the paltry discount off the new bike. It's a bit like the full tank and car mats on a car deal.
i used to be a Guzzi dealer .
Labour rate when i left was £70 / hr ( 08/13 )
1st service , bike sold by us , 4 hours + parts
1st service , bike not sold by us ,6 hours +parts
why the difference you ask ..... we would spend between 4-6 hours doing the PDI , and fixing all the little things that WILL go wrong ...like activating your warranty ,
drilling key pivot points , painting under mudguards , greasing key bolts , copperslipping bolts, that won't need to come out for ages ,setting up the fuel injection properly .
buying from a dealer who doesn't know his product .......all these things will need doing .
you can do 1st services really quick .....if you don't mind having corners cut.
do you want to be ripped off ? get your bike serviced at a shop , somewhere near Aylesbury
a customer didn't like my quote , so i asked him to return with his invoice from them . They charged almost as much as i quoted , but he
was there for 2 hours ...start to finish .
They charged £40/ litre for engine oil , customer hadn't realised , he didn't go there again.
Labour rate when i left was £70 / hr ( 08/13 )
1st service , bike sold by us , 4 hours + parts
1st service , bike not sold by us ,6 hours +parts
why the difference you ask ..... we would spend between 4-6 hours doing the PDI , and fixing all the little things that WILL go wrong ...like activating your warranty ,
drilling key pivot points , painting under mudguards , greasing key bolts , copperslipping bolts, that won't need to come out for ages ,setting up the fuel injection properly .
buying from a dealer who doesn't know his product .......all these things will need doing .
you can do 1st services really quick .....if you don't mind having corners cut.
do you want to be ripped off ? get your bike serviced at a shop , somewhere near Aylesbury
a customer didn't like my quote , so i asked him to return with his invoice from them . They charged almost as much as i quoted , but he
was there for 2 hours ...start to finish .
They charged £40/ litre for engine oil , customer hadn't realised , he didn't go there again.
I have just copied and pasted this from BMW's website. You can download the PDF in a link at the bottom of the page.
https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/service/warranty.html
This motorcycle is warranted by the Retailer whose name appears overleaf, to be
free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 36 months from the
date of sale, with no mileage limitation.
Remedial work under warranty may be carried out by a BMW Authorised
Motorcycle Retailer at whose sole discretion any defective parts will be repaired or
replaced. Parts for which replacements are made become the property of BMW
(UK) Limited.
Your motorcycle may be taken to any convenient BMW Authorised Motorcycle
Retailer for warranty work to be carried out.
These warranty terms are applicable providing your vehicle has been serviced in
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended schedules and timescales.
proof of adequate servicing will be required in the event of a warranty claim. This
should contain the details of work carried out, the specification of the lubricants
and parts used, the type of service carried out and the vehicle’s mileage.
We believe that Authorised BMW Retailers are best equipped to meet your service
and maintenance requirements. However, your Retailer warranty will not be affected
should you decide to have servicing carried out by a non-BMW authorised workshop.
Can we all stop quoting bullshit, old wives tales and rumours now. This is BMW's official stance. In black and white. From THEIR website. If other manufacturers want to take a different stance, that's irrelevant. This is a BMW forum and the OP was talking about a service on his BMW.
https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/service/warranty.html
This motorcycle is warranted by the Retailer whose name appears overleaf, to be
free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 36 months from the
date of sale, with no mileage limitation.
Remedial work under warranty may be carried out by a BMW Authorised
Motorcycle Retailer at whose sole discretion any defective parts will be repaired or
replaced. Parts for which replacements are made become the property of BMW
(UK) Limited.
Your motorcycle may be taken to any convenient BMW Authorised Motorcycle
Retailer for warranty work to be carried out.
These warranty terms are applicable providing your vehicle has been serviced in
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended schedules and timescales.
proof of adequate servicing will be required in the event of a warranty claim. This
should contain the details of work carried out, the specification of the lubricants
and parts used, the type of service carried out and the vehicle’s mileage.
We believe that Authorised BMW Retailers are best equipped to meet your service
and maintenance requirements. However, your Retailer warranty will not be affected
should you decide to have servicing carried out by a non-BMW authorised workshop.
Can we all stop quoting bullshit, old wives tales and rumours now. This is BMW's official stance. In black and white. From THEIR website. If other manufacturers want to take a different stance, that's irrelevant. This is a BMW forum and the OP was talking about a service on his BMW.
Deleted account 210609001
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I read that in the paperwork with my bike. It doesn't change my stance. There's plenty of wriggle room in there.
If there's a major problem at the very least I'd expect to have to go to some lengths to provide the "proof of adequate servicing." What are the chances of being able to do that nearly three years time when I have a receipt from a local independent mechanic that says "engine oil and filter changed" rather than specifying the oil etc. If it's all been done at the dealer that worry just disappears.
Hopefully will never be an issue and would probably be completely irrelevant for most warranty claims (which seem to be based around electronics) but I would imagine BMW would be willing to spend a bit on their employed lawyers to get away from a £10k warranty claim for a seriously knackered engine.
Each to their own of course, and I'm not recommending anyone or everyone should do the same as me.
If there's a major problem at the very least I'd expect to have to go to some lengths to provide the "proof of adequate servicing." What are the chances of being able to do that nearly three years time when I have a receipt from a local independent mechanic that says "engine oil and filter changed" rather than specifying the oil etc. If it's all been done at the dealer that worry just disappears.
Hopefully will never be an issue and would probably be completely irrelevant for most warranty claims (which seem to be based around electronics) but I would imagine BMW would be willing to spend a bit on their employed lawyers to get away from a £10k warranty claim for a seriously knackered engine.
Each to their own of course, and I'm not recommending anyone or everyone should do the same as me.
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