oxforshirerider
Registered user
Hey all,
Just organised for my 16' GSA to be serviced. Asked for price from dealership I have been loyal to for 5 years (pervious bike and current bike both purchased from them), I take it to them once every 4 months for servicing due to mileage. Turns out, this sort of loyalty and money spend doesn't get you any loyalty in return.
I was a bit shocked by their latest service quote so decided to ring round another couple of dealers. Turns out my dealership who I trusted and spent thousands of pounds with, is actually pulling a bit of a fast one! I called 3 other official BMW dealerships and all3 of them were cheaper than my dealership, for like-for-like service. £85 cheaper, thats £255 across a year of servicing 3 times a year!
I contacted my dealership and asked for justification, at which they responded that other garages may have different labour rates or re-using parts to save money! Not sure I believe either of these excuses as some dealerships I called that were cheaper were in far more expensive areas of the country and secondly would a real BMW dealer cut corners and risk loosing franchise?
Needless to say I have booked in with one of the other 3 now, yes its 1.5hrs for me to get there instead of 45mins, but even with the extra petrol (I estimate about a tenner) I'll be quids in.
I haven't named and shamed because I know dealership loyalty is a big thing to some people and I respect that and don't want an argument online.....but if you want to save some pennies, make a couple fo phone calls. I know its obvious, but I had overlooked and now feel a bit of a fool for paying so much over the years!
Just organised for my 16' GSA to be serviced. Asked for price from dealership I have been loyal to for 5 years (pervious bike and current bike both purchased from them), I take it to them once every 4 months for servicing due to mileage. Turns out, this sort of loyalty and money spend doesn't get you any loyalty in return.
I was a bit shocked by their latest service quote so decided to ring round another couple of dealers. Turns out my dealership who I trusted and spent thousands of pounds with, is actually pulling a bit of a fast one! I called 3 other official BMW dealerships and all3 of them were cheaper than my dealership, for like-for-like service. £85 cheaper, thats £255 across a year of servicing 3 times a year!
I contacted my dealership and asked for justification, at which they responded that other garages may have different labour rates or re-using parts to save money! Not sure I believe either of these excuses as some dealerships I called that were cheaper were in far more expensive areas of the country and secondly would a real BMW dealer cut corners and risk loosing franchise?
Needless to say I have booked in with one of the other 3 now, yes its 1.5hrs for me to get there instead of 45mins, but even with the extra petrol (I estimate about a tenner) I'll be quids in.
I haven't named and shamed because I know dealership loyalty is a big thing to some people and I respect that and don't want an argument online.....but if you want to save some pennies, make a couple fo phone calls. I know its obvious, but I had overlooked and now feel a bit of a fool for paying so much over the years!
