service costs

[Murph]

Being still relatively new to the M'biking game (5 yrs) and newer to GS (2 yrs) I tend to go to dealer for service to keep up the warranty and because I'm terrified of the DIY option ! For the 1150GS I've just been quoted £400 for two year / 12k service. As I also need new tyres (the T66s have lot's of thread left but are slippier than soap) I was quoted £290 for a set of Tourances. Is this pretty much par for the course with BMW services ?

 

[iangough]

Murph,

Dont expect to pay more than 200 quid for a pair of tyres. And that's a ride in, ride out cost.

About 170 is the going rate for Anakee's from my experience.

"GS motorcycle" tyres charged me 216 for a home fitting service. Excellent value as the attention to detail and care was outstanding.

GS tyres

 

[Shep]

Was quoted £175.22 for a pair of Tourances fitted ride in ride out, Micheldever Tyres.

Shep

 

[Paul Wakefield]

That's probably about par for dealer tyre prices. They very rarely can match the specialists but make sure whoever you choose know what they are doing. My vote is with Shep for Micheldever Tyres. Excellent prices and good knowledge and care.

Paul

 

[Captain Beaky]

Crikey - you guys are paying a lot for tyres.
Get on to wheelhouse tyres in Brum or Busters in Swansea.
Also try Sherlocks (devon)

Last time I bought off-road type tyres for the beemer, it cost 115 for a PAIR for TCK's

You should not be paying much more than 60-70 quid for a tyre.

I'm now running 17" front and back on mine, and pay less than 90 quid A PAIR (unfitted)! for Dunlop D207's but these are really road biased....

Unless you fancy spending lots of money - do a bit of shopping around dealers are not the best value.

If you are capable, take the wheels off, rather than the whole bike.
My local dirt bike shop charges 25 quid per wheel fitting on the bike!
(But only do this if you know what you are doing....)
I rather take the wheels off myself, as I know what I have done, and I take a lot of care.

Re:- servicing, you can keep costs down by taking your own oil, plugs, filters etc in - BMW can charge silly amounts per litre! But the oil must be the right grade, ditto the plugs and filter(s)

Also - don't be afraid to ask for a breakdown of costs to justify a seemingly high service cost.

These bikes are not complex machines - they are relatively simple, so for servicing out of warranty, your local bike mechanic should be able to cope with it with ease.

I know I might come across as a bit - errm - Tight with the money, and anti-dealerships but after seeing the mechanic at clarkes checking the starter wiring on my 1150GS, and shorting the battery several times, I vowed never ever to go clarkes again unless desperate.

Anyway - that's my two pennies....

 

[Murph]

thanks for the comments guys - i'll check out the tyre dealers

 

[Brian V]

Hi Murph,
Don't know where you are in London, but Watling Tyres in Catford have always been pretty good on price and speed of fitting, gets busy on Saturday mornings. If you do decide to use them, give 'em a call to check availability sometimes GS size tyres seem rarer than the proverbial hen's teeth (and they'll be even rarer if bird flu arrives!)

Cheers Brian V

 

[Deleted Member I]

For tyres and servicing ... check this out.

http://www.spc-bmw.co.uk/news/news.php?offers=1

 

[The Slow Granger]

SPC had a deal on a couple of weeks ago about £180 - I got rid of the soap slick 66's still with loads of tread on and posted my joy of discovering the tourances for the first time. No regrets.

 

[BBB61]

Murph,

Essential Rubber in Islington/Dalston borders are very good. I was charged £95 for a rear Tourance not so long ago and that was an all in price. I would think they can do a pair for about £170-180 including wheel removal. Thbeir telephone number is 0207 241 0055. They also stay open until 8pm in Wednesdays.

 

[loosenuts]

i totally agree

Crikey - you guys are paying a lot for tyres.
Get on to wheelhouse tyres in Brum or Busters in Swansea.
Also try Sherlocks (devon)

Last time I bought off-road type tyres for the beemer, it cost 115 for a PAIR for TCK's

You should not be paying much more than 60-70 quid for a tyre.

I'm now running 17" front and back on mine, and pay less than 90 quid A PAIR (unfitted)! for Dunlop D207's but these are really road biased....

Unless you fancy spending lots of money - do a bit of shopping around dealers are not the best value.

If you are capable, take the wheels off, rather than the whole bike.
My local dirt bike shop charges 25 quid per wheel fitting on the bike!
(But only do this if you know what you are doing....)
I rather take the wheels off myself, as I know what I have done, and I take a lot of care.

Re:- servicing, you can keep costs down by taking your own oil, plugs, filters etc in - BMW can charge silly amounts per litre! But the oil must be the right grade, ditto the plugs and filter(s)

Also - don't be afraid to ask for a breakdown of costs to justify a seemingly high service cost.

These bikes are not complex machines - they are relatively simple, so for servicing out of warranty, your local bike mechanic should be able to cope with it with ease.

I know I might come across as a bit - errm - Tight with the money, and anti-dealerships but after seeing the mechanic at clarkes checking the starter wiring on my 1150GS, and shorting the battery several times, I vowed never ever to go clarkes again unless desperate.

Anyway - that's my two pennies....

yep i dont see the point in paying through the nose, paying £26 quid for oil seems a bit rich for me. if the warranty isnt effected ,use a local bike shop.

I also dont like how these dealerships clean down the bikes afterwards using preasure sprays even though the hand book tells you not to. Its ok if you do it your self i suppose and take great care arround the sensative areas,but how many dealers will get the "young lad" to wash the bikes , if it comes back with electrical problems etc. who cares , its under warranty! I DO

 

[solemnboy]

Tyres in Central (ish) London

tru grip
near vauxhall tube
Always been good to me. will often cut a deal. reliable, honest and do a good job. In my experience.