servicing & warranty dilemma

[Toshi]

I think i know what I am going to do, but thought I'd post the scenario here and ask what you would do in my situation.

I bought a 2008 bike with 6.5k miles in September from a BMW main agent. It came with a 12 month warranty, and I'm aware that having the bike serviced by an independent will invalidate the warranty. It had been serviced at 6.2k miles. My expectations were that it would get little use over the winter, and probably not need a service until the end of the warranty period, so in my mind I'd decided that it would be serviced by an independent and I wouldn't renew the warranty.

Problem is that i love the bike so much I've been on it all winter and it's almost time for it's 12k service (currently at 11.5k miles), with 6 months warranty left. The dilemma is do I (a) suck it up and pay the extra cost for BMW to service it, knowing it will cost me twice what Steptoe would charge me, in order to maintain the warranty, and then go independent for the 18k service, or (b) get it serviced by Steptoe and take the risk that nothing goes wrong in the next 6 months?

So - your opinions please. As I say, I think I've decided already, but it would be interesting to read what you think. If it makes any difference, I have no plans to sell the bike any time soon, and fully expect to keep it for many years.

 

[Wapping]

Option (b)

 

[JPR]

I envy you.
Youve the opportunity to have your bike looked after by Steptoe for the rest of its natural life!
Forget the warranty,and leave it in the hands of the best independent in the country.

 

[Spike]

option B here too.

spike

 

[polecat]

Option (b)

 

[GADGET]

b, with only 12k miles

 

[Toshi]

hmmmm.... that's not as I expected. I was thinking option (a) would have been sensible to maintain the remaining 6 months warranty, and have Steptoe look after it from 18k. I guess I need to give it a bit more thought

Thanks for the replies though - it's appreciated

 

[Fanum]

What makes you certain that having it serviced by an independent will invalidate the warranty

Unless is specifically says so in the blurb, it shouldn't do......as long as you can show that it's been serviced in accordance to the official schedule, using appropriate parts and oils, it shouldn't make any difference.

I'm sure Neil would write down the make of the bits and bobs he might put in, and there's nothing he likes better than being asked 'what oil are you using' as he finishes off the job

They (BMW) would be on very sticky ground if they refused a warranty claim in the short time remaining, especially on something un-related to something done at servicing (EG a frame problem, a bearing failure etc) as long as someone reliable had done the work with proper bits

I'm with the above comments.......don't pay extra, pay smart

 

[Davey B]

It is years since I had a similar issue and it was with a car but the service book kept saying 'should' be serviced by a main dealer. I had it done by an indy and the gear linkage went, I took it in, the dealer initially said I had invalidated the warranty. I then pointed out the difference between should and must. They fixed it under warranty.
Double check exactly what it says in the warranty blurb

 

[ihandyman247]

Well just to give a idea then you do what you think is best for your bike.
I had 1150GSA , I bought the bike from new and service the bike religiously by BMW ,I have done over 45000M , been round the europe meny times , some times I was doing over 1200Mpd and never had any mechanical problem and the dealer knew my inside out . After 5 years I sold the bike at a very good price 7k as the bike it was like new inside out .
I am pretty sure that they are plenty independent mechanic's out there that they can help you at a very convenient price but if you pay for extra warranty on your bike , you will see the benefits in the future when something like much serious problem it will come along and you do not have to spend a P

No disrespect to Steptoe , he is a very good mechanic and he deals with lots off bikes and most off my tosser friends intend to use him but I opt to falow the instruction from the book and go to BMW ,

Good luck and safe ride

 

[GSEddie]

Option (b)

+1 for option b

 

[theoneandonly]

right...listen up you muppets .
you do not have to go to a main dealer to maintain your warranty. it just makes it easier to prove that everyhing was done. also helps if something does go wrong . you do have to have it done by a " competent person " . buy genuine parts and the correct oils ( keep the receipt for the parts ) you are then saving on the labour. if you have a warranty problem , find out if it is a common one , get evidence of this . if it is a one-off this is where it gets tricky and hard work.

major things going wrong ? even after manufacturers warranty has run out , ther is a bit of eu law that states , that they are liable up to 6... yes 6 years . eg crank falling out , things have a service life, they won't do oil seals after 3 years , but they might do your drive box ! if you can prove it has been well maintained. keep all reciepts for everything you do to it . this is evidence ( very important stuff )

 

[Pablo1]

sorry to buck the trend but for me , option a, peace of mind for a few bucks more.

 

[Deleted account 230818001]

I'm in exactly the same position as You Toshi.

I've already decided to take option B, I don't trust the BMW tech's to do the job properly and I believe that good servicing and maintenance is more important than an extended warranty that you pay for both directly and indirectly through service costs.

This is only my opinion, it's what I've decided is best for me, you probably already know what you'd rather do.

 

[Beemerman59]

There is another option...

Option c)DIY. OK, I know its not everyone's idea of a good time but servicing your own bike can bring a lot of satisfaction, knowledge that the job has been done well and make you understand your bike that much better. Yours is an '08 like mine and is relatively easy to service if you're practically minded, have a few tools and willing to give it a go. You'll save a load of dosh, part of which you can put aside just in case you have to replace something and the rest you can put into the petrol tank

 

[seadog]

i would go with either a or b, buy a leopard print scarf and ride the bike like i stole it

 

[Blackal]

right...listen up you muppets .
you do not have to go to a main dealer to maintain your warranty. it just makes it easier to prove that everyhing was done. also helps if something does go wrong . you do have to have it done by a " competent person " . buy genuine parts and the correct oils ( keep the receipt for the parts ) you are then saving on the labour. if you have a warranty problem , find out if it is a common one , get evidence of this . if it is a one-off this is where it gets tricky and hard work.

major things going wrong ? even after manufacturers warranty has run out , ther is a bit of eu law that states , that they are liable up to 6... yes 6 years . eg crank falling out , things have a service life, they won't do oil seals after 3 years , but they might do your drive box ! if you can prove it has been well maintained. keep all reciepts for everything you do to it . this is evidence ( very important stuff )

Yeah - everyone should avoid the main dealers ...................

Then when there are none left in a 200 mile radius of your house - you'll be complaining bitterly - and won't see the connection ............

Al

 

[jwpzx9r]

"some times I was doing over 1200Mpd"

Totally amazing more than 50 mph for 24 hrs!! last year the winning works Kawasaki at the LeMans 24 Hrs only managed 95 mph for the 24Hrs with all that backing and 3 top class racers "chapeau" sir... and of course your bike!

 

[Rasher]

right...listen up you muppets .
you do not have to go to a main dealer to maintain your warranty.

Not Again

Page 20 of the extended warranty booklet:-

Under "WHAT MUST I DO TO KEEP THE WARRANTY VALID"

Point 1 No Less

"When servicing your motorcycle,.......all service and warranty work must be carried out by an authorised BMW Dealer or BMW Service Authorised Workshop"

For that reason I would go with Option A, with summer coming up you will soon have it due another service and in the hands of Steptoe.

In the meantime for the hundred(ish) quid you save an FD failure or such like could cost a load more - and your tempting the laws of Murphy and Sod.

I would also change the FD oil yourself, mine was like sludge despite it supposedly having been changed twice by "Authorisded BMW dealers" and I am never surprised when I read about stealers not doing work they charge for. Since changing the FD oil myself (each tyre change) it comes out pretty clean and I am certain the robbing B'stards had never bothered.

Also check all your nuts and bolts are properly torqued afterwards, I have had mates whose bikes have had sump plugs fall out and calipers drop off and start waving around on the end of the hose (one of them a BMW, on the way home from his "Authorised" dealer after a service) and on my last bike the stealer monkey pushed a nut inside my airbox (on the intake side) which could have wrecked the engine or killed me - never mind he probably got an extra tenners efficiency bonus for not bothering to retrieve it (and many here may argue that is actually more than my life is worth)

Come renewal just throw the £325 fee in the "just in case pot" and take it to someone who gives a shit about how good a job they do and how safe the bike is when it leaves their hands (That probably rules out most "authorised dealers")

 

[ihandyman247]

"some times I was doing over 1200Mpd"

Totally amazing more than 50 mph for 24 hrs!! last year the winning works Kawasaki at the LeMans 24 Hrs only managed 95 mph for the 24Hrs with all that backing and 3 top class racers "chapeau" sir... and of course your bike!

Well from London to Wien is 1000M
I live London Central London at 10pm and in the morning 10am I am in Wien ! Having breckfast at Marriott and around 2pm lunch in Budapest !!
With my previously munched loved R1150GSA fully loded !
I do this every year ! Except last year when I didn't had a bike but now I have a brand new paka 1200 TB GSA and I will do that again .
And yes that thanks to Vines that looked after my bike !