What do you think of this dealer recommendations at her mileage?

[Nick1994]

Sounds like the regular luxury car tax to me. The "vehicle check" sounds stupid to me though.

What's BMWs intervals for maintenance? I can't find it online. My aunt's Avalon wants a cabin air filter every 10k per the manual. Engine air filter is 30k. Toyota doesn't care about brake fluid though.

 

[NormanBuntz]

That sounds felonious to me, and I've owned a 328i and a 530i.

 

[wtd]

She can afford the cost of the suggested services, but she was questioning why all of those things had to be done on a car that is only three years old and with 17,000 miles on it. That is why I told her to look in her owner's manual for when services needed to be done so that she is not having them done before they are due.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

She can afford the cost of the suggested services, but she was questioning why all of those things had to be done on a car that is only three years old and with 17,000 miles on it. That is why I told her to look in her owner's manual for when services needed to be done so that she is not having them done before they are due.

“All this stuff” is really just normal maintenance though. Could probably get away without the air filter for now but the cabin filter, oil change and brake fluid are likely (over)due.

 

[Malo83]

The Critic is correct. These are not out of line for a BMW dealer service, except the cabin filter.
Those who think otherwise have never owned a BMW, Mercedes, or Porsche.

And don't want to.

 

[MattPersman]

Oil changes are much more than 100 bucks for full syn typically at a dealer on a “luxury” brand vehicle.

Heck VW start at 90 and vw is just a common man car

Guy I work with has an a7 and said they (the Audi dealer) wanted more than 100 just for the oil itself not labor or filter

 

[GMFan]

Are the services expensive to a DIYer?. Sure. But this is a BMW dealership. What else would be expected? I’m sure to many BMW owners it’s chump change and comes with the territory of owning a luxury car. It is a business after all. Paying for any service is almost always more expensive than doing it yourself.

You don’t get marble floors, free loaner cars, luxury lounges, free espresso and snacks and high end experience paying $49.99 for an oil change.

 

[RaymondP]

Sadly, I have to agree with CleanSump. Cost of ownership on a German/Euro vehicle is significantly higher if you are unwilling or not capable to DIY. From my experience these costs are very much in line with dealership charges. Found it a good idea to find a local specialist Euro/German shop as an alternative, but no guarantee it will prove advantages. They know what dealerships charge and will bill accordingly. However, some are willing to negotiate for "regular" customers. .Do NOT take it to your friendly local shop unless they have solid experience with your brand. Don't ask me how I know

Also, I'm assuming all replacement parts quoted are BMW, and as a result premium priced. Most if not all can be purchased at a significantly lower cost, OEM or other manufacturer. Dealership oil change on my 328i is $160 with coupon. What a deal!

When it comes to brakes you need the right equipment to deactive parking brake, bleeding and more. Assuming the cost quoted includes the pads this is really not a bad price. Good idea to check the pad wear/thickness and condition of the rotors before committing to the brake service. I would expect the final charge to be more after completion due to other parts needing replacing.

Always hate to read owners over a barrel, but as we all know labor cost continue to rise, as does everything else.

 

[Tdbo]

My sister texted me the other day saying that the dealer wanted to charge her over a $1,000 when she took in her 2019 BMW X3 with 17,000 miles. She took it in for an oil change and they said that she needed to have these other things done.

Oil Change: $250 but they said they would give her a discount and only charge her $160.
Vehicle check: $269. She wasn't sure what that all encompassed.
Air Filter: $251.
Micro Filter: $165.
Brake fluid: $273.

I told her she probably didn't need those other services yet but if the Micro filter is the Cabin air filter, she is probably getting close to needing that. I told her to get in her owner's manual to see what the service recommendations are at what mileage.

I'm not familiar with BMW's or her vehicle so I don't know what the service intervals are for them. I think she refused everything but the oil change.

Tell her to find a good independent BMW specialist in her area

 

[chrlsful]

every wolwo visit (mid 80's - Y2K) was 350$ (unless a big deal like a hung up caliper, these were more). So went else where (guy was not 'approved' by them by pretty much worked on them alone). Still got 20 yr out of the car. Saw him every 3 - 6 mo for a check-up &/or oil change. He'd take me under while on-life, point out up-comming issues. I'd come back then, when they went.
Form a relationship w/the mechanic. Develop 2-way trust. Use the smaller places. Life's too fast already~

 

[wtd]

I'm not questioning the costs but I'm just wondering if all of those other things other than the oil change and possibly the cabin air filter need to be done with only 17,000 miles on the car and the car only being three years old.

The brake service quoted was for a fluid flush and not new pads.

 

[tyman]

By refusing those services is this something the dealer can use down the road to deny any warranty work.

No because maintenance isn’t required to be completed at the dealer for warranty. It can be done by the layperson or a mechanic at an independent shop.

 

[CleanSump]

I'm not questioning the costs but I'm just wondering if all of those other things other than the oil change and possibly the cabin air filter need to be done with only 17,000 miles on the car and the car only being three years old.

The brake service quoted was for a fluid flush and not new pads.

Brake Fluid flush is every two years by BMW service schedule.
Oil change is by the oil monitoring system or every two years by the BMW service schedule.
Filter changes are in the owners manual, which is available free online if she didn't get one.
The inspection is standard BMW dealer practice with any major service, such as oil change to make sure there are no unnoticed problems that will bring the car back (or not). Part of BMW "specialness" in that "We take care of you." and reduces customer dissatisfaction when a problems come up. So brakes, steering, suspension, light bulbs, etc. all get checked as routine maintenance.
Remember, BMW target clientelle is people who know nothing, want to do nothing themselves, and can comfortably spend the BMW dealer maintenance charges. BMW is not interested in the used cars buyers who can't afford the snob appeal tax.

I do all my own work. Hence, I can afford these cars on my salary. I also keep them 20 years and get a decent ROI.
Parts don't have to cost the dealer premium, nor the premium some sellers tack on to the the brand name association.

 

[BHopkins]

If it were my sister, I would tell her to hold off on the brake fluid and air filter to 30k miles. It seems way too early for both of those, even if it has been 3 years. Neither should be more miles based service, instead of time based.

 

[CleanSump]

If it were my sister, I would tell her to hold off on the brake fluid and air filter to 30k miles. It seems way too early for both of those, even if it has been 3 years. Neither should be more miles based service, instead of time based.

Brake fluid flush is time based because water absorption and corrosion are time based, not mileage based.

 

[ctrcbob]

Friend has a Porsche SUV. (Forget what it’s called. Cxxxx). Quoted him $2800 for service visit.

It’s not that my friend can’t afford it, but he is not about to get ripped off. He is in the construction business so he will use his contacts to get a reasonable price.

Just spoke to her husband. Porsche dealer wants $2800 for a 40k miles service. It’s a 2019 SUV.
Said his work truck, also a 2019, has 80k miles.

 

[RaymondP]

"The brake service quoted was for a fluid flush and not new pads."

Thought as much. Add at least $400 to $500 if front and rear pads are to be changed.

Not suggesting anyone else do it, but unless I am tracking the car or planning a long trip, I wait until the brakes feel a bit less than super strong before flushing. Usually, 3 or 4 years. I recognize the fluid absorbs moisture reducing efficiency/effectiveness. BMW has the "M Sport" brake package. Story for another day!

 

[wtd]

Brake Fluid flush is every two years by BMW service schedule.
Oil change is by the oil monitoring system or every two years by the BMW service schedule.
Filter changes are in the owners manual, which is available free online if she didn't get one.
The inspection is standard BMW dealer practice with any major service, such as oil change to make sure there are no unnoticed problems that will bring the car back (or not). Part of BMW "specialness" in that "We take care of you." and reduces customer dissatisfaction when a problems come up. So brakes, steering, suspension, light bulbs, etc. all get checked as routine maintenance.
Remember, BMW target clientelle is people who know nothing, want to do nothing themselves, and can comfortably spend the BMW dealer maintenance charges. BMW is not interested in the used cars buyers who can't afford the snob appeal tax.

I do all my own work. Hence, I can afford these cars on my salary. I also keep them 20 years and get a decent ROI.
Parts don't have to cost the dealer premium, nor the premium some sellers tack on to the the brand name association.

I guess I'm just surprised that brake flushes are recommended so soon. I go years before doing brake flushes and only do them when I change pads and I never have any brake related issues. Granted I don't own BMW so things may be different for them.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Brake fluid flush is time based because water absorption and corrosion are time based, not mileage based.

This has become a "thing" for all dealers. It must be great money.

Buy a tester or some test strips. Dumping brake fluid every 2 years because the manual says so is no different than changing full synthetic oil every 3000 miles because speedy lube says so.

Unless its DOT 5 silicon based, in which case I have no idea what breaks that down?

 

[wemay]

OP, try downloading the Owners Manual for confirmation of miles/time for recommended service.