Service Costs

[gooseman]

Sorry if this is old hat but I need peoples help.
Just booked my 1200 in for a 12k service with a reputable dealer and they have estimated the cost at £300 to £350. Being new to owning a Beemer can you answer a few questions:

1. Is this a lot (my car cost less!)?
2. If you use an independant mechanic who uses BMW parts is the warranty covered?
3. Does anyone know of a cheaper/reliable place to get your bike serviced in the herts/north london area?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Gonzo]

1. Yes it's a lot but whether it's the going rate, can't say!! only done 6k.
2. Moot point - legally yes your warranty should remain valid, but have they invested in the equipement required to meet "BMW Warranty" standards? The bike is a little complex so needs electronic stuff to, er, service it? (You can tell I'm right up to scratch on the technical side of things).
3. No. I live in Essex, work in West Sussex so naturally have my bike serviced in Surrey!! Vines of Guildford are doing the 6k today, and they've been highly recommended by the good members of this forum.

I've tired Cannons of Chelmsford (but won't again) and Park Lane Battersea (OK, but not really convinced) - then I read what people were saying about Vines. Hopefully worth the trip.

 

[Mouse]

The 12k service cost me about £150, at Southport Superbikes. Try Steptoe, although you'll probably have to get an official dealer to deal with the electronic bits.


Alternatively, download the service schedule from the 1200 FAQ in the FAQ section and try it yourself

 

[Abelrider]

Just booked my 1200 in for a 12k service with a reputable dealer and they have estimated the cost at £300 to £350.

How old is the bike?
Im guessing around a year old?

I think BMW servicing is done on mileage AND time.
So if your 12K service falls around the year old mark it will need the Annual service doing too, so that would account for the high cost. I may be talking bolox tho.

HTH either way.

 

[birdseye]

I guess your location is the answer to your question - London area prices. You're all wealthy down there, lots of money to throw about etc!

Have you thought of getting the service done by a dealer out in the sticks somewhere. Take a couple of days off, book into a small hotel overnight, get your service done and have a short riding holiday all for the same money as a service down there! Sounds like a better deal to me.

The roads in Wales are brilliant.

 

[Tricky]

Have you thought of getting the service done by a dealer out in the sticks somewhere. Take a couple of days off, book into a small hotel overnight, get your service done and have a short riding holiday all for the same money as a service down there! Sounds like a better deal to me.

The roads in Wales are brilliant.

Nice idea Birdseye!

Will be due 6k service in next couple of months or so and parents live on North Welsh border........
Anyone recommend a good dealer in that area?
Only prob i can see is that most BM dealers give a discounted service rate for customers that bought the bike off them..

 

[L]

If...

You're going to sell the bike in the future, a full BMWSH will certainly help as most people will ask for it. That said, not everyone will - especially if you're selling to an old hand who knows BMW.

If you're gonna keep the bike till it falls apart, then learn how to do it yourself!

As for dealers, its not necessarily true about getting a better deal where you bought it from, but its definitely the case that you get a better deal with a dealer you have built a relationship with.

I now live in Chesham and have a good relationship with Wollastons in Northants. I bought my first bike from them and have been going back there for 5 years now. Ok, its 45 miles or so each way, but I do get looked after and I trust them. I get a hire bike for the day so I still get a full days work in London.

The only time I've been to another dealer (sawbridgeworth) for warranty work, they had never seen a techlusion unit before and so made me pay towards the warranty claim! I know that Wollastons wouldn't have and I would have been £145 better off.

So the key is to find a dealer you like and stick with 'em! You may not see the benefits the first time, but after a while you will.

 

[Yellow Peril]

IMHO Ellis is right ! I know my local annoyed me a wee bit which is a thread elsewhere on here, but they have worked very hard to get the good will back, now I am quite happy to go to them not only for servicing but for the next bike.

Roll on the gs12 ADV as long as it ain't too tall.

 

[BlackBetty]

Re: Re: Service Costs

How old is the bike?
Im guessing around a year old?

I think BMW servicing is done on mileage AND time.
So if your 12K service falls around the year old mark it will need the Annual service doing too, so that would account for the high cost. I may be talking bolox tho.

HTH either way.

That sounds about right. Williams in Manchester are doing a 12k and annual on my GSA for £300 plus extras.

Bloody expensive when you concider it will work out the same as my Comp insurance, which also has to be renewed and then there is road tax. Bike bill for this month is going to be a few pennies short of £750.

 

[laughingBob]

Bad timing

 

[clerici]

12k and annual and 2 new tyres.....£500

So not too bad - remember servicing at 6k and not 4k as many other bikes, my original tyres did me proud at 12k (Tourances).
New rear brake pads but the fronts are still OK and should last until the 18k service....(from new)

So it's the most I have ever paid for a service but probably OK in terms of value for money given the whole picture

...and what a bike!!!! (red of course)

 

[GSmonkey]

£175 for a 12k service at Vines (Guildford) +£25 for 'courtesy' bike insurance. I did my own oil & pads.

 

[BBB61]

Did they stamp your service book for you?

Bob

 

[Abelrider]

Had my 12K done at Balderstons today.
A caliper had seized on the front so one pad had worn badly, the rest had plenty left, but all needed changing, as you do.






Total bill for the service and pad change?











£300



The pads were £79!

 

[GSmonkey]

Did they stamp your service book for you?

Bob

....yes, why wouldn't they???

 

[BBB61]

I just wondered. Some dealers can be a bit funny about that sort of stuff. Its good to know that BM dealers will do the honours in that respect.

Bob

 

[Mouse]

I always do my own oil and pad changes too, and Southport Superbikes have happily stamped the service book after doing the rest of the service.

 

[gooseman]

Gang, thanks for your help - service is booked for next month and Sawbridgworths have guaranteed it won't be more than £295 so am going to go with it.
They have replaced a load of bits (wheels peeling paint, cylinder and engine cover corrosion & left indicator switch) all under warranty - and after a lot of moaning have just agreed to cover the bike for an extra year's warranty to make up for the hassle. So I will stick with them for the minute!

Thanks again.

 

[Mr K]

£224 for a 6K at Mill, Boldon.
Centrestand and timing cover to be replaced under warranty....

Never mind! Cheaper than me 650!!