Sawbridgeworth (Hertford)

[kallie121]

Hi there everyone, I took my R1150GS to Sawbridge BMW last week for a service. Original quote 500 - 550 pounds. Ended up being 1226.17 pounds. And now the worst part, since I've had the bike back it's giving me problems that I never had before i.e 1. Making a horrible crunching noise when I start it in the morning, 2. Once it starts it sounds like they left a spanner in the engine, clunking sound as though it's not firing on all cylinders, 3. The ABS lights do not flash in unison, only after you have started the bike 5 -6 times do they flash in unison and lastly, 4. The bike stutters badly now and again, especially between 3rd and 4th gear.
I took it back to them this morning and now they even want to charge me more money saying it needs this and that. THE BIKE WAS GOING FINE UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THEM!!!!! ALL I WANTED WAS A 25 000 MILE SERVICE. I knew it was not going to be cheap, but to be fair, after you spend 1 200 pounds on the bike, you would expect it to go like a dream, NOT worse than before!!! It used to ride like a dream, but at the moment it's turning into a nightmare. I will keep everyone informed of what happened next.........

 

[kallie121]

Update

Hi everyone

I said I will keep you updated and here it is. I just want to thank Kevin, the service manager and the technicians at Sawbridge BMW for sorting my bike out free of charge and bringing a smile back to my face. The bike is going like a dream once again!!!!

 

[darkhorse]

Good to hear.

I have always found them to be vey helpful at SBW

 

[Keith Chapman]

Kal,
Do let on, How come your service cost £1200? and wht did SBW do to rectify the problems ?

 

[allthegearnoidea]

Kevin and the lads at SBW look after my 1200GS. I have always found them to be excellent, reasonable about warranty claims and very helpful in sorting out any problems with the work. I think they are a good bunch of guys.

They are a little pricey and sometimes I detect a conflict between their better conscience and pressure from their boss to get more money in. Every time this has happened to me I have found that a reasonable accommodation can be reached before the bill is settled.

All in all compared to most bike dealers have used I think they are a great bunch.

I'm really glad Kev got your problems sorted.

 

[kallie121]

Kal,
Do let on, How come your service cost £1200? and wht did SBW do to rectify the problems ?

Hi Keith

It was a (40 000 km) 25 000 mile service. Parts came to 337.81 and labour to 705.74 pounds.
The only thing out of the ordinary they had to replace was the "ball joint fork bridge at the top" which cost 50.64 but the labour fot that came to 148.50. They also replaced a rear ABS brake disc,121.71.

To rectify the problems they fitted a new fuel regulator, said the old one was cracked and let in water when the bike was washed.

It was still a heavy bill and came as a shock. Hopefully all will be well.

 

[BBB61]

Hopefully they phoned you in advance for you to authorise all the extra work prior to going ahead and doing it?

 

[kallie121]

Hopefully they phoned you in advance for you to authorise all the extra work prior to going ahead and doing it?

Yes, they did. How much does a service like that normally costs if all is well????

 

[BBB61]

A lot less than £1200!

The 24k service on the 1150 includes the fuel filter replacement, so that adds to the cost, as it is located inside the fuel tank. Another factor would be if your 1150 has the servo brakes. If it does and the brake fluid was replaced that adds about one hour of labour costs to the bill. It depends on the dealer but I would estimate that you are looking in the region of £350-400 if no additional work is required. If the bike is out of warranty then it's worth looking at a good independent like Steptoe to do the servicing for you.

 

[Seamaster]

Being in or near London I`m surprised you did not tolk to this man: http://gsshop.co.uk/
Edit, Sorry Bob, did not read all your post.

 

[kallie121]

A lot less than £1200!

The 24k service on the 1150 includes the fuel filter replacement, so that adds to the cost, as it is located inside the fuel tank. Another factor would be if your 1150 has the servo brakes. If it does and the brake fluid was replaced that adds about one hour of labour costs to the bill. It depends on the dealer but I would estimate that you are looking in the region of £350-400 if no additional work is required. If the bike is out of warranty then it's worth looking at a good independent like Steptoe to do the servicing for you.

Thanks Bob and Seamaster for the advice. Next time I'll know what to do. I thought about selling the bike as the service costed me so much, but then I thought I might as well use it to the full, do a few good trips on her, and meet some really nice people like all the users on this website!!!