Service myself vs dealer

[seags]

Hi all,

I was just wondering on what you think about whether to service a bike yourself or go to a dealer to maintain the service history. I have a 2005 1200GS with 30k and a full bmw service history, the question is on a bike worth say £4k is it worth paying a dealer to do jobs like oil changes etc when I can do them myself, how much impact does it have on resale value on a bike of this age?

 

[cookie]

In your case, I'd certainly do it myself.

 

[Fanum]

In your case, I'd certainly do it myself.

Keep receipts for parts to show proper bits used, mileages that you do stuff and so on, and you'll save far more than you'll lose on resale

 

[jonnie comet]

In your case, I'd certainly do it myself.

+1...If you can do it, do it....Keep receipts....Zero impact (if I was buying it) on a bike of that age....

 

[Shunt]

I'm in a similar boat as yerself.

But when I saw the last service bill from Linds, £92 per hr. Fook them!! I'll do it myself especially after changing the fd oil which was minging to find my shaft splined we're as dry as a nun's ....

I'll keep the receipts, write in the book myself an save some cash an a lot if hassle.

Anyone here reckon it's actually worth havin full bmw history on a 8 year old panzer?

 

[B4ndit]

Do it yourself. Its easy to see if a bike has been looked after as a buyer. Use the correct parts and keep the receipts and make notes of mileages etc.

 

[trainman]

Hi all,

I was just wondering on what you think about whether to service a bike yourself or go to a dealer to maintain the service history. I have a 2005 1200GS with 30k and a full bmw service history, the question is on a bike worth say £4k is it worth paying a dealer to do jobs like oil changes etc when I can do them myself, how much impact does it have on resale value on a bike of this age?

I have a 2006 and do most service and consumables myself, I leave brake bleeding and valves to a local main dealer (not the BMW one) when MOT is done

if you think you are paying too much for labour its worth ringing round as most big dealers and many independents will easily cope with a GS bar maybe the diagnostic thingy (but some have those too)

I think at this sort of age any form of receipts will be ok, whether done by you, an independent or a dealer - that's my view

 

[STUBBS]

diy and keep records mileage and receipts

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

DIY for sure. Use best oil you can buy. Check rear disc carrier for cracks around the disc mounting bolts. (My 2005 had this fault.)

 

[Bobbin-Man]

I bought my '06 bike 2 years ago and it had a full BMW service history.
The choice between dealer servicing and home servicing seems an odd one ... I chose the in-between option and went for a good independent, in my case ABW because they're only 10 miles up the road and were recommended on here. The better-value work enabled me to have a full bells & whistles initial service (whether it needed it or not) and now happy to go with whatever they recommend needs doing every 12 months

 

[Bendy toy]

At that age its (probably) not going to interest a dealer so their valuations will be low. But private buyers will be interested. A service history of receipts and ideally a notebook diary of what's been done and the bike wont lose any value. To my mind, it shows a genuine seller & better value than some dealer stamps in the booklet.

 

[tunnie]

I'm in the same position, I DIY all work on my cars as they are worth sod all!

Parts at trade prices from various sources, doing work myself saves big bucks.

Bike was worth lot when I got it, now down to around £4/5k, I'm thinking the same. Need to invest in a few thing specific for GS like it oil filter tool.

But you can chuck standard 10/40 semi oil in the bike, same as car, so it's a no brainier really.

Mine's a 56 Plate GS with 40k miles....

 

[fireman]

I'm in the same position, I DIY all work on my cars as they are worth sod all!

Parts at trade prices from various sources, doing work myself saves big bucks.

Bike was worth lot when I got it, now down to around £4/5k, I'm thinking the same. Need to invest in a few thing specific for GS like it oil filter tool.

But you can chuck standard 10/40 semi oil in the bike, same as car, so it's a no brainier really.

Mine's a 56 Plate GS with 40k miles....

Make sure you buy a filter tool off the tinternet matey. I asked williams in manchester for a price on one......sit down and take a deep breath....£49.47 ohh and vat on top...ebay£8.99...its also much more fun doing your own as you get to know the bike.

 

[Time Traveller]

Apart from the initial warranty year(s), I serviced my own bikes.

I keep a detailed log (I use a dedicated A5 notebook) of everything, good and bad that happened to the bike - even stuff I checked out as suspect, but turns out to be okay.

date, mileage, comments.

all receipts stapled in the book. I've never had an issues selling getting top prices.

Mind you my caveat is that anything that does need specialist tools / diagnostics or beyond my ability, the bike goes to a qualified (normally main) dealer

 

[Pukmeister]

Anyone here reckon it's actually worth havin full bmw history on a 8 year old panzer?

Not really, no. I traded my '04 bike with partial dealer service history and my local dealer didn't bat an eyelid. They put it in a van with many other bikes and sent it abroad to sell. It was immaculate and maintained more regularly than the manufacturers recommendations.

I do all my own maintenance on my GSA with genuine parts and the best spec oils, I have all the specialist tools I need and anything starting to show signs of wear gets done early eg tyres, pads etc. if you take a little pride in your machine it shows.

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

If you're not comfortable doing it yourself a good indie rather than a main dealer would be my suggestion.

 

[Boxerboy55]

Keep receipts for parts to show proper bits used, mileages that you do stuff and so on, and you'll save far more than you'll lose on resale

+1. It's a no brainer on an older bike. I'd much rather buy a well maintained bike of any age than one that simply showed "dealer stamps". Inside the warranty period for a new bike I suppose few would step outside the comfort blanket provided by dealer stamps, but outside warranty, you're simply burning time and money going to the dealer. All assuming you can DIY of course, or have a friend who can.