$177 for BMW's Oil Change

[mpvue]

the 1st oil change in my VUE, I had my wife take it to the dealer. bill was around $90, IIRC. all that service dept doublespeak shiznit, check this, check that. never been back since.
for the $177 charge from BMW, maybe they include a reach around with that?

 

[Jett Rink]

Gentlemen,

Nothing like the letters "BMW" to bring out the haters.

The good "Doctor" does not appear to have any particular knowledge of these cars. There are several things that are bizarre about this linked story.

1. He's got a 2002 330ci, and it has a grand total of 10,000 miles? So this guy has gone 6 years and 10,000 miles on the factory fill? It sure sounds like it. Does he ever drive this car? This sounds like a case of severe service to me. I don't have the manual in front of me, but I bet most BMW mechanics (dealer or indy) would suggest he change the oil once a year, or when the service indicator says so. I wonder how much he really cares about this car?

2. No undercarriage shield needs to be removed to change the oil on this car. There is a little mettalic panel that might be there. Take out a screw and it flaps down to let you access the drain plug. At least that is what all the E46s I've seen have. But alot of BMWs appear not to have even included this flap when they left the factory. Whatever, the oil drain plug is not hard to get to or access on a 3 series E46. Since the "Doctor" doesn't know this, it tells me he hasn't seen many of them.

3. If he knew anything about the service indicator system, he'd know that it begins at around 15,000 miles and counts down. At around 15,000 for most cars, it would indicate an "Oil Service" required. 7 quarts of synthetic oil (7 x $6 = 42), an oil filter ($10), and dealer labor ($125/hr) in (what is apparently the New York City area). I can see how that would work out to: $177. What is making this oil service expensive is the dealer labor rate. That's life in the big city for you.

4. As some have already said, you can do this yourself once the free mainteance period is over for about $50. Depending on how you feel about long drain intervals, you should be able to go anywhere from 7,500 to 15,000 miles on this change. If I was either unwilling or unable to do it, a local indy around here would charge $100.

5.There are things about BMW ownership that are pricier than a Toyota. No doubt about that. But I don't think oil servicing falls in that category. More like tires, bushings, control arms/ball joints. You just have to drive it and ask yourself if you can feel a difference. If not, get back in that Camry. If so, learn to do basic mainteance (filters/fluids/brakes/plugs) and let an indy deal with other stuff. It really isn't that bad, if you do.

But if you are going to go to the BMW dealer for every single thing, then don't moan and groan and write letters to newspaper mechanics abour prices. Your labor is alot cheaper than his.

 

[02zx9r]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
I don't like the attitude of some, that "if you can afford the luxury brand, then you can afford all to waste money on the car". I own a Mercedes. Bought used, I paid no more for it than most pay for a modest vanilla sedan. Yet my car will probably outlast most other sedans. Just because someone owns a luxury brand doesn't mean they're foolish with their money.


Not about that at all. It is a known fact that getting a higher end car (bmw, benz, jag, saab etc...) is gonna cost more for repairs, just part of life. You accept that going into it...so dont [censored] and complain about it!

Lady I know has a big [censored] mercedes, broke the mirror in her drivers side mirror. Dealer charged her $900 for a new drivers side mirror.

 

[MCompact]

The prices vary among dealers as well. My local BMW dealer only charged me $110 to change the ATF and final drive oil on my 1997 528i. On the 2004 X3 it was @$270 to change the ATF and the transfer case fluid. That said, I also have an excellent BMW indie shop I use for some services. As for my 1995 3 Series, it now has 113,000 miles and running costs have averaged $45/month ever since I took delivery in October 1995- and that includes three sets of 225/50-WR15 tires(the car is my primary track rat). I do perform the Oil Services myself(I have a Peake Reset/Code Reader). The only repairs have been a couple of idler pullies and serpentine belts. This fall I'll probably take it to Watkins Glen and use it as my instructor car.

 

[blueiedgod]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
$177 for an engine oil service once-a-year or every 15k is quite reasonable.

Lexus requires the vehicle to be serviced every 5k or six months at the cost of about $140 for conventional oil. Nissan, Honda and many others require services at either 7500 or 10k intervals at about the same cost as well.

Scheduled maintenance on European cars actually costs less than most Japanese brands, contrary to popular belief.

The $800 upsell was for Inspection II. That involves more than just inspections.


I can't speak for others, but Honda requires oil change at 5,000 or 10,000 miles depending on the driving conditions. Most dealers charge between $20 and $30 depending on the location. My dealer advertizes 15 minute oil change for $26, plus they send you those coupons in snail and e-mail for $5 off. So, for $21 one can change the oil on a Honda.

New Hondas, with OLM, usually don't require service for close to 10,000 miles on regular dyno oil. So, I think you are terribly mistaken on the cost of ownership for Japanese cars, Honda in particular.

 

[blueiedgod]

Originally Posted By: chet2
i dont have a lot of sympathy for people who buy imports, but that is getting hosed pretty hard


A lot of "imports" are made domestically out of domestic components.

A lot of "domestics" are made in Mexico or Canada out of foreign components.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: blueiedgod
I can't speak for others, but Honda requires oil change at 5,000 or 10,000 miles depending on the driving conditions. Most dealers charge between $20 and $30 depending on the location. My dealer advertizes 15 minute oil change for $26, plus they send you those coupons in snail and e-mail for $5 off. So, for $21 one can change the oil on a Honda.

New Hondas, with OLM, usually don't require service for close to 10,000 miles on regular dyno oil. So, I think you are terribly mistaken on the cost of ownership for Japanese cars, Honda in particular.

Dealers here charge about $40 for the oil and filter service. The 10k and 20k services involve a tire rotation and inspections as well. The dealers charge about $140-$160 for those.

If anything, the OLM has significantly decreased the service interval on the newer Hondas. There are quite a few members over on AcuraZine with the TSX that have owned both the 2004 and 2006 models. Owners that previously fell under the "normal" schedule (10k interval) are now getting change engine oil message around 6k.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Nothing to do with BMW, but since Honda was brought up I will give you my experience with them. Was going to take my son's Honda Element in for it's 30K service. Money is a little tight right now so I called them to find out what they do at the 30K service and what it would cost. They know I always bring my own oil. For the service they change the oil and filter, change the air and cabin filters, rotate the tires, check all fluid levels, check hoses and belts, and take it for a test drive. All for $199.00, what a deal. I went to the local parts store and bought a WIX air and cabin filter. I had my own oil and filter at home, and I had the Firestone store do my FREE rotation. I changed the oil and filter, replaced the air and cabin filter, checked the fluid levels, hoses, and belt, and I even took it for a test drive. Total cost, $34.00

You need to do a brake system flush as well. Honda requires it every three years.

Sears can do this for you. They charge $35 around here.

 

[aquariuscsm]

When I had my 3000GT,the dealer sent me "service appointment" cards in the mail all the time to the tune of $150 or so. Out of sheer curiosity,I called them to see what exactly their "service" included. They changed your oil with Valvoline conventional oil,checked your tire pressure,looked at your drive belts,looked at your air filter,and filled your windshield washer reservior (spell check????). In other words,you`d be paying them to bend you over.

 

[ThirdeYe]

My Acura dealership sends me those cards all the time too. I believe they charge around $30-50 for the full oil change special. Honda OEM motor oil (Mobil Drive Clean I think?), OEM Honda Filter, Car Wash, Washer Fluid, Checking Tire Pressure, Check Air Filter, Checking Brake Pads, Checking Battery, Vacuuming Interior, etc. I'm really surprised the Mitsubishi one was so expensive, as Acura is the one that's considered the "luxury" dealership.

 

[Cutehumor]

$40 oil changes every 3k miles is expensive that's for sure

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Nothing to do with BMW, but since Honda was brought up I will give you my experience with them. Was going to take my son's Honda Element in for it's 30K service. Money is a little tight right now so I called them to find out what they do at the 30K service and what it would cost. They know I always bring my own oil. For the service they change the oil and filter, change the air and cabin filters, rotate the tires, check all fluid levels, check hoses and belts, and take it for a test drive. All for $199.00, what a deal. I went to the local parts store and bought a WIX air and cabin filter. I had my own oil and filter at home, and I had the Firestone store do my FREE rotation. I changed the oil and filter, replaced the air and cabin filter, checked the fluid levels, hoses, and belt, and I even took it for a test drive. Total cost, $34.00


Aha, the Critic's info in practice, and not in CA!

But everybody knows that Honda only has your best interest in mind, and everything that they reccomend is honest and true. So you should get it done... After all, Honda and Toyota buyers are much smarter than buyers of other cars, and so you have to do the smart thing...

JMH

 

[Dyoel182]

Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
$40 oil changes every 3k miles is expensive that's for sure


Why would they change the oil that soon?

 

[globey]

Originally Posted By: blueiedgod
Originally Posted By: chet2
i dont have a lot of sympathy for people who buy imports, but that is getting hosed pretty hard


A lot of "imports" are made domestically out of domestic components.

A lot of "domestics" are made in Mexico or Canada out of foreign components.


While this may be partly true, go to any auto parts store and buy a part for a domestic and the same part for an import and see which one will cost you more.

 

[globey]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Johnny
Nothing to do with BMW, but since Honda was brought up I will give you my experience with them. Was going to take my son's Honda Element in for it's 30K service. Money is a little tight right now so I called them to find out what they do at the 30K service and what it would cost. They know I always bring my own oil. For the service they change the oil and filter, change the air and cabin filters, rotate the tires, check all fluid levels, check hoses and belts, and take it for a test drive. All for $199.00, what a deal. I went to the local parts store and bought a WIX air and cabin filter. I had my own oil and filter at home, and I had the Firestone store do my FREE rotation. I changed the oil and filter, replaced the air and cabin filter, checked the fluid levels, hoses, and belt, and I even took it for a test drive. Total cost, $34.00


Aha, the Critic's info in practice, and not in CA!

But everybody knows that Honda only has your best interest in mind, and everything that they reccomend is honest and true. So you should get it done... After all, Honda and Toyota buyers are much smarter than buyers of other cars, and so you have to do the smart thing...

JMH


This is just oozing with sarcasm. Of course, I own a domestic, so I was barely able to pick up on it.

 

[Dyoel182]

Originally Posted By: globey


While this may be partly true, go to any auto parts store and buy a part for a domestic and the same part for an import and see which one will cost you more.


That just depends on the car, not on the make of the car. Sure pieces for a Mustang or Chevy 1500 will be dirt cheap and available but a piece for your Cavalier will probably cost more than your Civic.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: globey

While this may be partly true, go to any auto parts store and buy a part for a domestic and the same part for an import and see which one will cost you more.


Depends on the parts and the cars. My 1984 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe beater cost about as much to run as my 1988 M6 track rat.
My Club Sport has proven very inexpensive to run, and even if it cost a bit more, it would be worth the added expense. Ditto for my X3, Mazdaspeed3, and Speed Triple. As for my Wrangler TJ, it hasn't proven to be any less expensive to run than my other cars. It's been the only one in the fleet that has needed an exhaust manifold, a radiator and t-stat, and front anti roll bar links. That said, it does exactly what I need it to do, so I think it's been worth the added expense.

 

[JHZR2]

thatr could be because if you use a jeep for its intended purpose, chances are its used in more straining conditions for parts like anti roll bar links, and if youre crawling under high load, very slow, perhaps there was more degradation of the coolant, leading to radiator failure.

Point is, or really, question is, do you really think that the jeep is an apples to apples comparisson when considering type of use?

JMH

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
thatr could be because if you use a jeep for its intended purpose, chances are its used in more straining conditions for parts like anti roll bar links, and if youre crawling under high load, very slow, perhaps there was more degradation of the coolant, leading to radiator failure.

Point is, or really, question is, do you really think that the jeep is an apples to apples comparisson when considering type of use?

JMH


Yes I do, I bought the Jeep to get around on the farm and in winter conditions. No towing, mud bogs, rock crawling, or extreme axle articulation. In fact, one link popped as I was turning into my son's school one morning. The truck is maintained by the book. If any vehicle in the fleet should require extra repairs it should be the ti, since it has 113K miles on the clock and it's tracked and autocrossed on a regular basis. All it ever needs is scheduled maintenance and tires. Oh yeah, the front brakes last 50K, the rears 100K.

 

[Loobed]

Originally Posted By: Greggy_D


The "Doctor" is a moron.


And new Cadillacs come with Mobil 1 (synthetic) as factory fill. The doctor needs his license taken away.

They might have used the high dollar German synthetic oil @ $10+ liter. oil filter is $20, plus $100+/hr labor rate.