Would you buy a bike that needed a service?

[GSite]

You could price the bike as if the service has been done and state in the advert that is not due a service yet but you will get it done prior to sale or if buyer prefers they can take it as is with a reduction of say £500 (or whatever figure seems reasonable).

As ever, the headline price in your advert will be what draws most folks' initial interest so consider if a higher price when serviced will do this.

So many times I have been there and you often get folk who say they are an"engineer" and can service the bike themselves so are not bothered if you service it and many folk who want a fully up to date service history with all the dots and tees so to speak.
I had one bloke who scrutinised invoices and because an anti-seize compound was not itemised, he used this as a reason to walk away saying he needed to be sure it had been used. I kid you not !

He then bought another bike which cost him dear in corrective works, apparently with the most comprehensive service history you ever saw according to him.

Whatever you do there will be buyers (or notj that are looking for something else.

Personally I would buy when a service is due with a correction in price, then I know it will be done properly either by a trusted professional or myself depending on what is required and need to maintain a servoce history.

I do feel that you buy into the seller as much as the bike itself.

GLWTS

 

[Bem]

I am just about to get my 36 and a bit service, along with the shaft replacement.
Like you I ummed and aaahed but took the view that a 36k service and shaft replacement would be more attractive to a prospective purchaser.
Your fundamental reasons are almost opposite to mine, but the "presentation to market" can only be enhanced by the work.
Getting rid of the bike at an acceptable price is better than not selling at all.

 

[er-minio]

I wouldn’t mind.

I am (was) in the habit of having the bikes serviced after buying just to get a baseline.

If appropriately priced, I see no issue.

 

[yoyo]

Thanks for all of the replies, lots to think about. The drive shaft was replaced just before I bought it 2yrs ago.

I may well put it up for sale to test the water, need to get one of the boys around to help me clean it next!

Sent from my SM-S921B using Tapatalk

 

[MotoRevive]

I do feel that you buy into the seller as much as the bike itself.

GLWTS

This is so true..

The used GS is plentiful. Tons of choice and lots of competition.

So a buyer can be more fussy.

On the flip side of that coin. The used GS market is desirable. I don't think any GS takes long to sell if priced correctly.

 

[younger06]

inspection due as soon as practical and a replacement if needed

replacement mandatory at 37500 miles even if it looks okay on inspection

most dealers would combine this with the 36k service as "close enough." Sytners did for me on my R1200RS last year. I see the OP's next service is due at 37k anyway.

I got a replacement shaft in the main dealers, during a service on my R1200RS a couple of weeks ago.

Bike only has 14k kms on it.

The €550 service turned out to be very good value

It's my understanding that the bikes will keep getting shafts replaced....right up to the 60k kms mileage mark. (what I mean by that is..same bike...multiple shafts, if needed)

Xiaomi M14U

 

[Pukmeister]

I do my own servicing.

If I was trading a bike with a dealer, it would go to them “as is” (note I always keep my bikes in good order).

If I was selling it privately, it would be fully serviced with good tyres and a fresh tank of fuel. I would want the next owner to enjoy the bike and have no comeback at me once it’s changed hands.

 

[younger06]

To answer the question.....yes, I would buy a bike that was due a service.....but it would be negotiated from the asking price.

Xiaomi M14U

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I got a replacement shaft in the main dealers, during a service on my R1200RS a couple of weeks ago.

Bike only has 14k kms on it

It's my understanding that the bikes will keep getting shafts replaced....right up to the 60k kms mileage mark. (what I mean by that is..same bike...multiple shafts, if needed)

Xiaomi M14U

What happens after 60,000kms?

Does the driveshaft magically get better and never need replacement ever again ?

 

[younger06]

What happens after 60,000kms?

Does the driveshaft magically get better and never need replacement ever again ?

I would assume it's the point that they have decided they are no longer responsible for it.

You will get one at 60,000kms.

There must have been some whopper of a lawsuit.......this is a global campaign.

 

[MotoRevive]

I got a replacement shaft in the main dealers, during a service on my R1200RS a couple of weeks ago.

Bike only has 14k kms on it.

The €550 service turned out to be very good value

It's my understanding that the bikes will keep getting shafts replaced....right up to the 60k kms mileage mark. (what I mean by that is..same bike...multiple shafts, if needed)

Xiaomi M14U

The shaft is free... Parts and labour paid for by BMW. Not your dealer.

 

[MotoRevive]

What happens after 60,000kms?

Does the driveshaft magically get better and never need replacement ever again ?

You get another free one 60,000 later. And every 60,000 for the life of the bike. Obviously not many bikes are ever going to see 120,000KM. BMW aren't worried.

 

[twizzle]

My GSA is on 34k - full BMW service history by previous owner.

Drive shaft has been inspected according to BMW

So assume this will be replaced at 36k service - question

Can an independent do this? Or do I need to stick to a main dealer?

 

[twizzle]

Oh - as above I bought a bike that was near a service!!

But the history was impeccable and it had two new tyres!!

 

[MotoRevive]

My GSA is on 34k - full BMW service history by previous owner.

Drive shaft has been inspected according to BMW

So assume this will be replaced at 36k service - question

Can an independent do this? Or do I need to stick to a main dealer?

The shaft test and replacement is a campaign/recall. So it can only be done by a main dealer.

It is 100% free. As is the test before hand. And most dealer will do this for free. One or two unscrupulous dealers (I won't name here) will con you. Saying it can only be done as part of a paid service.

 

[The Other PaulG]

From the perspective of a potential purchaser, yes it's fine to discount the price by the cost of the service, but it's at services when you sometimes get that phone call "we've found something that needs attention...". I'd rather pay the higher price for a bike that has just had a (reputable) service, and by association also given a clean bill of health.

 

[gabriel_gs]

If it's due a big service I wouldn't touch it personally.

I'm talking from experience

 

[Owen2737]

Wouldn't bother me to buy a bike that's due a service providing it's priced accordingly.Means you can use your own trusted mechanic and you'll know everything is done to a standard you can trust.

 

[the woodster]

If priced accordingly, and as long as it has a long MOT, many people wont be put off with it needing a service, used bikes I have previously purchased always get a full service by me after purchase, before taken on the road.
Even with the service history book which appears stamped up to date, some I have experienced, been filled in by the seller before the sale, its here say when seller says, " Yeah Mate, its just been fully serviced, trust me, its good".
Example I had, After buying my bike unseen apart from a good video from a dealer, saying yes we service all our bikes before we sell them.
I found very little brake fluid in rear brake master, due to low pads, rear shock was bust, requiring a replacement, Ignition switch was intermittently faulty, requiring a new switch. This was from a dealer, hmm.
Fully checked and serviced after my purchase, with a stern letter to the dealer that sold it too me.

'We service all our bikes before we sell them' is the equivalent of 'The cheques in the post' or 'I won't *** in your mouth'. I would never take this seriously and have always taken the necessary action after purchase.

 

[MotoRevive]

I've been following this thread with interest.

When you buy a bike "serviced" from a non BMW dealer, it's likely you'll just get an oil and filter change and a tyre kick. A BMW main dealer has to have the bike serviced to schedule before sale. Or at least they're meant to.

I service A LOT of BMWs. It's my job.

I often service bikes for folk who have just bought the bike from people who service their own bikes. Sometimes I'm impressed. A lot of care and attention has been taken. There are some excellent DIY mechanics out there. Kudos.


But more often I'm shaking my head. Everything is overtightened. Oil filters tightened with breaker bars etc. Engine bar bolts cross threaded. Coils inserted with a gallons of copper grease (because plastic goes rusty right)

The list goes on and on.

So my advice to anyone who buys a bike from a DIY home servicer is to just assume it hasn't been done at all. Or perhaps the bike has been damaged by a 'have-a-go hero'.

It's just safer to assume that. Unless you know and trust the seller.