Has Steptoe started servicing WCs yet?

[MaxB]

Nuff said...

Plenty of warranties will be coming to an end by now - anyone else started using/thinking of using independents for servicing?

 

[Magnon]

Yeah I have considered an independent but just have nagging feeling I should have BM Dealer do one more service to help maintain possibility of goodwill assistance from BM UK should anything need doing to a major part.

April 2013 WC

I would be more than happy to get Mikeyboy (Overland and Classic) of this parish to service mine in the future, he can learn on mine

 

[GSMartin]

I don't know if it will be an issue in the future, but BMW update the software, so unless you go to a franchised dealer, you will have the older versions. My indy says he gets the updates through the company that supplies his diagnostic equipment, but this is for the older models.

Get the mechanicals done at an indy and then a trip to the dealer for software update...at a price?

 

[Mad_Accountant]

I have a truly fantastic service from my dealer and, having had a bike destroyed in front of my eyes by an Indie who should have known better, I would not consider taking my bikes anywhere else.

That's just me and I fully respect that many people who populate this Forum will disagree to the point of serious abuse, threats of beheadings and dubious packages though my mail.

I have two c1s, an r100r, a K100rs 16v and a 2013 GSA Triple Black, they are all serviced strictly on mileage apart from the GSA which is also serviced with its annuals. It works very well for me and is an essential element of my biking world. Yes there at occasional mishaps or disagreements but with goodwill from both sides they are always resolved.

 

[Neil W]

Problem is that BMW are introducing service software updates all of the time ...................(even on 64 plate bikes and they can effect the esa, engine settings ,traction control etc , how will independents be able to get these updates).............. and trust me on the GSA lc (or at least mine) they were needed

 

[MaxB]

I have no axe to grind with dealers in general - the well known outfit in Guildford who supplied my 2013 WC have been fine.

It's just that Steptoe serviced my Hexhead for years, a situation that I was happy with because:

a) I like to talk to the bloke who has done the work on my bike

b) It saved me many a sackload of cash

Happy to do the same again when BMW have lost interest in me as the owner of an 'old' bike.

Re the software - don't the factories have to make this stuff available so that they don't have a monopoly on servicing? No idea if I've just made that up...

 

[Fanum]

Re the software - don't the factories have to make this stuff available so that they don't have a monopoly on servicing? No idea if I've just made that up...

Yes....it was part of the OBD2 introduction that the software had to be available, and the OBD ports themselves standardised.
(I think the standardisation of the ports didn't apply to bikes when it was brought in though)

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

......................

Re the software - don't the factories have to make this stuff available so that they don't have a monopoly on servicing? No idea if I've just made that up...

I *think* that refers to the source code/encryption rather than the actual updates themselves?

Andres

 

[jimbo]

As the bike matures the number of software update usually grow fewer and less urgent. there is no reason why a bike that has been happily working for 5 years will suddenly need a software update.
I sometimes wonder if there is an element of marketing in the area? at the end of the day, a basic service is pretty simple, Adding in software updated adds some mistique and apparent value add.

I'm not trying to knock main dealers - their's is a different and 'premium' model, which those focused on cost reduction can decide to avoid.

 

[stonehenge]

As the bike matures the number of software update usually grow fewer and less urgent. there is no reason why a bike that has been happily working for 5 years will suddenly need a software update.
I sometimes wonder if there is an element of marketing in the area? at the end of the day, a basic service is pretty simple, Adding in software updated adds some mistique and apparent value add.

I'm not trying to knock main dealers - their's is a different and 'premium' model, which those focused on cost reduction can decide to avoid.

Correct and unless the bike side is different, there is no automatic software updating done (with BMW cars - I assume same for bikes) as part of a service. Software updates are completed for early fixes and glitches and after a while; left well alone.

 

[jimbo]

I sometime here people comment that their car/bike needs a good service, or runs better after having had one. I suspect this is largely the placebo effect, as the things that form part of a service are unlikely to affect any tangibles to the driving experience.

 

[Nutty]

I took my bike to Vines a couple of weeks ago for a replacement LED spotlight, and while it was there, they did a full software update, as there was a new version release in February (bike was built in September 2014). It was a pretty thorough update, as the list was 3 pages long. I couldn't notice any difference whatsoever! My point (in a very convoluted way), is that they are always bringing out software updates, so it's whether or not you're bothered about them, will determine whether you keep in touch with the main dealer or not.

 

[Nutty]

I sometime here people comment that their wife/ girlfriend needs a good service, or runs better after having had one. I suspect this is largely the placebo effect, as they're normally more annoying afterwards

Fixed for you!

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Is anybody doing their own servicing... it's pretty easy, even the valve clearance is easy on the boxer.

What does the extended BMW warranty cost these days?

I can understand if you have a warranty(extended) and getting the dealer or your independent mechanic to do it to preserve the warranty but otherwise I'd be doing it myself.

 

[Packer]

.............................. It was a pretty thorough update, as the list was 3 pages long. I couldn't notice any difference whatsoever! ....................................

I'm not surprised, you didn't even notice that the original WC gear change was crap

 

[ossa eck]

My bike is now over 2 years old, so will be servicing it myself.
Was quoted £333 for an extended warrantee, will need a service soon, so that's £500 saved so far.

I have access to diagnostic equipment and can reset service light, also probably get any updates in future if this is necessary .

Updates are a funny thing ,I do many on cars as part of my job, many vehicles will never need one but it can be a quick solution to any foibles that occur with age and mileage.

 

[Decster]

So has Neil started servicing toilets yet............

 

[MaxB]

A timely return to the key point, Decster. Or any other independents, for that matter. No evidence of it so far as a result of this thread...

I might give Neil a ring if this goes on for much longer and get the info direct from the source.

 

[Decster]

My guess is Neil can easily service WCs.

If you do ring him and get a positive answer, be kind and let others know

 

[Wapping]

A timely return to the key point, Decster. ......No evidence of it so far as a result of this thread...

I might give Neil a ring if this goes on for much longer and get the info direct from the source.

A genius decision, which (if carried out on day one) would have saved two pages of valuable bandwidth. Seize the moment, before you forget and some other bod jumps in about software and how his bike was destroyed before his eyes. I'm still trying to work out if the latter had his bike destroyed by an independent dealer who then went on to blind him, or something else. Either way, it's a story worth hearing and the chap's left us dangling.

Report back with the good fellow's answer....