Servicing - Dealer or Myself

[kyrano]

Hi, I have had my 3rd service done by a dealer last year, now....and now its due for its 4th service this year, is it worth continuing using a dealer or service the bike myself (with genuine parts) as I have all the tools and GS911 etc etc

 

[NeilCol]

If you are really competent and have all the tools then crack on, especially f you plan keeping it.
But if not, a compromise would be a good independent.
I reckon I could service myself, I have the Haines and it seems pretty easy really....however I would need to spend probably another £200 on the right tools, then it would take me probably 5 times longer than the good independent as I tend to really take my time with everything to make sure I don't feck it up.
So for me, I took the compromise. Was really impressed with his work, had all the printouts from the Computer software, and a loyalty card entitling me to my 5th service free. (Stamp every £50 you spend with him, just pay for parts) and a LOT less than dealer price.

 

[Pukmeister]

Its probably the simplest of modern motorcycles to look after. I haven't paid for a dealer service in years.

 

[Stevie4scoops]

I do all my own servicing which I find easy and rewarding.

 

[Beemerman59]

I have done my own ever since the bike was out of warranty - just completed my fourth full service and I've done several of the brake flushes. I do it because I enjoy that part of motorcycling and its not really that difficult either. I always planned on keeping the bike a while so it was a no brainer for me. You also make sure everything is as you want it rather than rely on someone else. I don't do it for financial reasons but I must be a grand better off at least taking the tools, GS911 etc I have bought into account. Good rainy afternoon job to do.

 

[Bungy]

I enjoy working on my bike and find it satisfying.

 

[adventuredon]

I would do more of my own servicing if I had a driveway, let alone a garage! I have however done a 24k service at Oval Motorcycle Centre, where they charge £20 per hoo ur for a bench and all tools. But it is cheaper for due to the bench time, to just use a decnt independent. I do however change and service my brake brakes and pads at home as its easier. For the others, its economically not viable for me. But I would if I could......

 

[kyrano]

My bike has ABS, is there any special way of bleeding the brakes or is just straight forward like normal brakes to bleed

 

[mikeyboy]

If you have the kit and a work space, get yourself on a service day , and crack on
The forum will provide all the tech info ever needed,if in doubt RTFM
If you need a confidence boost I can offer one to one tuition.
Mike

 

[adventuredon]

No, you bleed ad normal. I just did my rear for first time and it was simple

 

[Col]

Just had my 08 GS serviced at a main dealer last week. Happy with the service which was, in their words, "the big service". It felt exactly the same on the road when it came back out, although to be fair, there were no issues when it went in. I did find some of the breakdown costs a bit rich, for example £56 for 4ltrs of oil

The reasons it went to the main dealer were that it is still under a PCP until this August and also that I am strongly considering a trade-in for a newer GSA soon so wanted to stay on the right side of the dealer for now.
The service costs were between 10 to 15% higher than last year so BMW must be struggling with the economic downturn worse than most

If I keep it beyond the PCP then I will be carrying out all the future service work myself. Always have done on all the Jap bikes I had and thoroughly enjoy it.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

Did the 12k service on my TC dead easy just printed out the check list and service instruction and followed them I used all OEM parts and kept a log of valve clearances dates mileage etc and receipts and put them all in with the bike documents then clear the service reminder with a 911 when I PX-ed it to the dealer he was fine not bothered at all as he knew it was done right and thoroughly.

The BMW boxers are dead easy to service and doing it yourself gives you a chance to have a good look round the bike and address any other problems at the same time you can spend that bit longer on the job or even spread it out over a few weeks doing a bit each week.

If you have to tools and the basic mechanical skills get a service manual DVD and follow the step by step instructions its dead easy even a BWM apprentice can follow them.

 

[Bendy toy]

The later bikes have a drain plug on the final drive. They benefit from doing the job the old way because that recirculates grease in the U/J and trunnion needle bearings.

 

[Alan R]

Did the 12k service on my TC dead easy just printed out the check list and service instruction and followed them I used all OEM parts and kept a log of valve clearances dates mileage etc and receipts and put them all in with the bike documents then clear the service reminder with a 911 when I PX-ed it to the dealer he was fine not bothered at all as he knew it was done right and thoroughly.

The BMW boxers are dead easy to service and doing it yourself gives you a chance to have a good look round the bike and address any other problems at the same time, you can spend that bit longer on the job or even spread it out over a few weeks doing a bit each week.

If you have to tools and the basic mechanical skills get a service manual DVD and follow the step by step instructions its dead easy even a BWM apprentice can follow them.

I wholeheartedly agree with this post. I service my own and a mates TC. We have both learned a great deal about our bikes and know that the bikes are serviced properly. We also take our time and clean/grease/polish as we go and make a point of looking the bikes over to notice if all is as it should be. We would never make any money as commercial mechanics because we take too long and are too exacting in our work, simply because we take pleasure in maintaining our bikes.
I don't want anyone who is working against a clock or an apprentice in training, touching my bike if I can help it.
Alan R

 

[jogo]

Hi,
if you are unsure about how to do the service, get Jim's great DVD for your specific bike and year of production:

http://www.jvbproductions.com/

It shows and explains all service tasks. On his site you also find many pictorials which guide you through certain service or upgrade tasks and much more usefull information.

 

[MWH]

DIY all the way once out of warranty. Haynes manual for tech info and can't really go wrong. Bleeding is easy, do it as normal then use the gs911 to cycle the ABS then bleed as normal again and job done. Iirc the 911 laptop screen tells you what to do. I drained my FD through the drain hole but later dropped it back to grease uj splines as Bendy mentioned.

 

[kyrano]

Where is the best place to buy all the serving stuff engine oil, gearbox oil, diff oil etc

 

[Bendy toy]

I use a motor factors for the high spec gearbox oil, filters, spark plugs, brake fluid, etc but keep an eye open in supermarkets offers on engine oils.

The air filter is from a BMW dealer or Motorworks. Brake pads wherever I can get a reasonable price.

Suspension bearings ideally need to be grease packed they don't rotate. The rubber seals can be popped off and refitted, but its a lot of work to get at them.

 

[Beemerman59]

Where is the best place to buy all the serving stuff engine oil, gearbox oil, diff oil etc

Oils I get from Opie Oils - they always have some kind of deal going on for something so I buy when those come up not when I need it.

I either use Motorworks or a dealer for the filters etc, depending on what I'm getting.

 

[Fluffy Bridges]

Where is the best place to buy all the serving stuff engine oil, gearbox oil, diff oil etc

Sherlocks.

He'll send you all the stuff you need and at a reasonable price.