Servicing and Resale Value

[jim123]

I have a 2006 R1200GS, with 6,000 mls on the clock. I look like doing about 2,000 per year. My bike looks like new and I will keep it that way. I get it serviced by the BMW Dealer each year at around £220 a time, which is where I have a question.

I'll probably sell the bike when it is around 5 years old and will naturally be looking for the best price. My problem is that I'm unconvinced that BMW Dealer Servicing is worth the amount it costs. I'd also feel happier doing my own Servicing knowing that there is no question over the quality of the work done.

The only thing I'm not sure about is that when I come to sell the bike would the lack of a complete dealer Service History make a big dent in the residual value of the bike. My thinking is that I'll sink about £750 into Dealer Servicing costs betwen now and then, and don't know if doing my own Servicing would have that much impact on a pristine bike that is 5 years old.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

 

[Big Lee]

Why not use a trusted independant?
If it was me and there was 2 identical bikes I`d buy the one with the stamped up book of service history as I think it would be easier to sell on when I`m done with it.

 

[cusi]

There are/will be lots of GSs out there. I would always go for the one with a service history. Moreover if you are unlucky enough to suffer a mechanical failure you will find it harder to pursue a goodwill claim from a dealer without a service record.

I agree with BL find a trusted independent to keep down costs.

 

[ianboydsnr]

There are/will be lots of GSs out there. I would always go for the one with a service history. Moreover if you are unlucky enough to suffer a mechanical failure you will find it harder to pursue a goodwill claim from a dealer without a service record.

I agree with BL find a trusted independent to keep down costs.[/QUOTE

I allways buy the best I can for the least money

 

[High-Tower]

I would rather buy a bike with a full history every time, but I'm not bothered if its done by BMW or an independant. I always think a nice folder full of receipts for everything done to the bike shows a caring owner and is almost as good as a fully stamped service book. An annual service by BMW for a bike only doing 2000 a year is hellish expensive viewed on a cost per mile basis. (Use it more). Why not do an annual oil / filter / etc. job yourself every year and let BMW see it every 6000 miles.
There's no way you'd get back the money spent on servicing either as a trade in or a private sale.
For what its worth my bike gets alternate services by me and a trusted independant mechanic and I keep all the receipts. Mind you, mine does 15000 miles or so a year and that would cost a fortune if I had it all done by a dealer.

 

[peepingtom]

dont waste your money......service it yourself, it certainly wont loose as much as £1100(minium) that youll be paying to your dealer over 5 years. I know theres alot of people on here and bmw owners in general who like to play it safe and really would buy unless it has fsh. But there will be plenty of other people out there who will want a low milage bike with fsh.

 

[theop]

it will definitely lose more than £1100 of your purchase price dealer or not.. I d go independent for most things - they stamp books too. There is some saving to be made over the years by that.

Your bike with 12k miles in 2011 will be worth £5k. Condition difference matters on whether you ll be able to sell it in the firat place or not at all.
I d personally buy the better shaped looking bike with independents or personal services, rather than the shagged and tired looking one with the perfect official stamped book.

 

[Gipsy]

Go independant. Not sure if you've got anyone local to you, but there is plenty of information on the site. I would personally reccomend Mike at Cardiff Motorrad if you don't mind the trip to Cardiff. Lots of very satisfied Welsh Tossers go to him. Have a look in the Welsh section, there are several posts singing his praises, along with a link to his website.

 

[GSmonkey]

I personally wouldn't buy a bike with a full service history - dealership if possible. Doesn't mean to say I'd continue to have it serviced at a dealer, but it's a buyers Market.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Service it yerself, keep receipts of bits bought, have a BMW dealer service done just before you sell it.

 

[John Armstrong]

I personally wouldn't buy a bike with a full service history - dealership if possible. Doesn't mean to say I'd continue to have it serviced at a dealer, but it's a buyers Market.

Is the first sentence meant to have "without" not "with"

 

[jim123]

Hey Guys,

Many thanks for the many useful replies and good advice. Much appreciated.
Jim

 

[GSmonkey]

Is the first sentence meant to have "without" not "with"

errrrrrr yes

 

[GSband]

Same here, but one up : I would never buy any means of transport without FSH by dealer network. Independent doesn't cut it for me as a buyer. Alas, BMW bikes have so many recalls, updates and improvements done by dealer that an independent won't know about...

 

[Number 6]

If you service it yourself you'll also get to know it better, you'll have more confidence in it because you know how it works and it will just feel a much more rewarding experience owning and riding it. Mr Pirsig knew this, his friend (typical BMW owner) didn't. Any difference in residual value will be more than compensated by your savings in dealer costs. I reckon you'll be better off financially doing it yourself.

 

[Greg Masters]

I look like doing about 2,000 per year. My bike looks like new and I will keep it that way. I get it serviced by the BMW Dealer each year at around £220 a time ...

Paying 11p a mile just for servicing plus about 10p per mile for fuel, another 2-3p per mile for tyres and maybe 25p per mile for tax and insurance, I wouldn't worry too much about residual value!!

Greg

 

[blackbird]

Get a quote from a independent then ask your local BMW dealer to match it (bet he will)

 

[Bem]

I think having a bone fide service history can only do you good in the long term, but there will soon be Traders of all descriptions clamouring for your business (or go under!).
Given you low annual mileage I would suggest that you look to carry out your own intermediate oil & filter change. The extra £40 per year will be a hidden benefit - and dont forget to change the Final Drive lube too!

 

[Boxerboy55]

I have a 2006 R1200GS, with 6,000 mls on the clock. I look like doing about 2,000 per year. My bike looks like new and I will keep it that way. I get it serviced by the BMW Dealer each year at around £220 a time, which is where I have a question.

I'll probably sell the bike when it is around 5 years old and will naturally be looking for the best price. My problem is that I'm unconvinced that BMW Dealer Servicing is worth the amount it costs. I'd also feel happier doing my own Servicing knowing that there is no question over the quality of the work done.

The only thing I'm not sure about is that when I come to sell the bike would the lack of a complete dealer Service History make a big dent in the residual value of the bike. My thinking is that I'll sink about £750 into Dealer Servicing costs betwen now and then, and don't know if doing my own Servicing would have that much impact on a pristine bike that is 5 years old.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

This could be my bike too. 2006 model bought from main dealer in May 2007 with 4,500 miles on it. Added 1800 miles in 2007 and 2300 miles in 2008. Haven't even had the cover off yet this year - you'll guess I don't get out much

Bike is pristine with a few nice extras and hasn't seen the inside of a dealer since I bought it. With 2 pros in the house + a stash of cheap Castrol, an annual oil change is a piece of cake. I accept the point about main dealers for recalls, updates, etc, but full blown high cost annual services are not value for money (cost per mile) to me.

I don't keep up with the Jones's latest models and also intend keeping it a while and expect it to be relatively worthless in a couple of years, with or without dealer stamps. Most older vehicles tend to sell on genuine history and condition, rather than miles or service stamps alone (some dubious service stamps out there).

Each to his own I suppose.

ps - my day job is all around maintenance + reliability, so I don't have my head in the sand with regard to possible issues in future.

 

[Red Rock]

Do it yourself..

Seriously interested buyers will be looking to buy a nice condition bike at that age, not a book of stamps. If you plan to hang onto the bike for 5 years, anyone buying it will know that the warranty is long gone anyway. As has been mentioned before, if you log your own service history and show receipts, anyone with half an idea of what they're looking at will be able to spot a well maintained good condition bike. If you're the owner from new and know what your talking about I would say that's a much better reason to buy than say 2 previous owners and full BMWSH.

Even if you drop the price a bit you'll still be quids in!