Inspection details

[left98204]

Help needed!

I have looked throughout the forum as I'm sure I've seen this somewhere, but can't find it anywhere.

Can someone point me in the direction of a description of each of the service inspections (Oil, 1 & 2 ), with what is done on each?

Thanks in advance

[R60BBA]

Your service book.

[skelters]

Put the registration into the BMW servicing part of their website.

It gives you costs and all the details.

[Trav]

I just used the lookup on BMW's website. A bit disgusted. 1200 quid and below is what they say is done on an inspection 2

Engine oil service with microfilter, air filter & spark plugs
Engine oil is drained and the engine is refilled with BMW approved oil
Oil filter is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW oil filter
Microfilter(s) is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW microfilter
Air Filter is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW air filter
Spark plugs are removed and replaced with BMW approved spark plugs
For vehicles over 10 years old this may be referred to as an Inspection Il service. Please refer to your owner's manual or speak to your service advisor for more information
Relevant service light reset
Recommended every 18,000 miles or 2 years from last inspection. To alternate with and Inspection l service if applicable

I think thats pretty poor.

[wonkydonkey]

£1,200 for oil, filters and plugs? Holy moly

[Zedtastic]

£1200 seems crazy. Coopers in Chelmsford just did an inspection 2 on mine for £395.

[ph001]

What a massive rip!!!

This thread shows what is concerned in each of the inspections (note the sparkplugs aren't officially called up on the BMW info for insp2 but seem to get done anyway)... viewtopic.php?f=2&t=104949&hilit=inspection

[skelters]

I just used the lookup on BMW's website. A bit disgusted. 1200 quid and below is what they say is done on an inspection 2

Engine oil service with microfilter, air filter & spark plugs
Engine oil is drained and the engine is refilled with BMW approved oil
Oil filter is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW oil filter
Microfilter(s) is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW microfilter
Air Filter is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW air filter
Spark plugs are removed and replaced with BMW approved spark plugs
For vehicles over 10 years old this may be referred to as an Inspection Il service. Please refer to your owner's manual or speak to your service advisor for more information
Relevant service light reset
Recommended every 18,000 miles or 2 years from last inspection. To alternate with and Inspection l service if applicable

I think thats pretty poor.

Alpine white Z4MR

You have a Z4MR as per your signature and previous posts?

That's the BMW servicing costs for an M Roadster.

The M part of the forum will no doubt tell you what you need to get done.

Most of us in here aren't allowed on that part of the forum. Something to do with the purer oxygen or something!

[Trav]

I just used the lookup on BMW's website. A bit disgusted. 1200 quid and below is what they say is done on an inspection 2

Engine oil service with microfilter, air filter & spark plugs
Engine oil is drained and the engine is refilled with BMW approved oil
Oil filter is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW oil filter
Microfilter(s) is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW microfilter
Air Filter is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW air filter
Spark plugs are removed and replaced with BMW approved spark plugs
For vehicles over 10 years old this may be referred to as an Inspection Il service. Please refer to your owner's manual or speak to your service advisor for more information
Relevant service light reset
Recommended every 18,000 miles or 2 years from last inspection. To alternate with and Inspection l service if applicable

I think thats pretty poor.

Alpine white Z4MR

You have a Z4MR as per your signature and previous posts?

That's the BMW servicing costs for an M Roadster.

The M part of the forum will no doubt tell you what you need to get done.

Most of us in here aren't allowed on that part of the forum. Something to do with the purer oxygen or something!

Yes, I was making a point about what is listed for 1200 quid. I thought inspection 2 involved tappet clearance checks etc. None of that is mentioned. What was listed was something an apprentice could achieve in an hour. Maybe the listing is wrong on the bmw page. I just cut and paste what it said. My E70 is going in for a recall so I will enquire at the service desk.

[mmm-five]

There is anecdotal evidence to say that BMW aren't listing the valve clearance, because they aren't doing it. It takes a long time (which they're billing for), but it's seen as 'free money' to them.

ALWAYS request a valve clearance report when the car is booked in, and when it's dropped off. Be polite about it, but insistent...tell them you've heard reports of it being missed off or forgotten and that you'd hate being charged £400 of the Inspection for the MOST IMPORTANT part of the inspection if it was never done.

If you're not sure if it will be done or not, then do what I did to check...and park the bolt positions, gasket, spark plugs, air filter, etc. with UV ink/paint and see if they've replaced. I started doing this because I was phoned back the day after I was due to pick it up (after booking it in 4 weeks previously) to say they needed a cam cover gasket to complete the service - and the service advisor said that they only replace it if it's needed (BUT YOU'RE STILL CHARGED FOR IT) - and what else is only replaced if needed???

If you don't get one then REFUSE to pay the full price - and don't let them fob you off with some excuse about the technician not being available to find it for you, as they'll simply get him to write a false one the next day (which can be more dangerous than assuming they were never done - as you get false sense of security).

If that's the case, why are gullible punters paying an extra £400 for a job that isn't being done - which is what some 'specialists' were accused of when the e46 M3s started going out of the dealer network.

Even the price difference between an Insp.I to Insp.II is nonsensical - as the only difference is spark plugs and diff/gearbox oils - and they want £400-£600 more for those parts and an hour's extra labour

[skelters]

Take it to your local Indy BMW garage and get a price from them. You'll probably be shocked at the difference!

[Spaniarduk]

I just used the lookup on BMW's website. A bit disgusted. 1200 quid and below is what they say is done on an inspection 2

Engine oil service with microfilter, air filter & spark plugs
Engine oil is drained and the engine is refilled with BMW approved oil
Oil filter is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW oil filter
Microfilter(s) is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW microfilter
Air Filter is removed and replaced with a Genuine BMW air filter
Spark plugs are removed and replaced with BMW approved spark plugs
For vehicles over 10 years old this may be referred to as an Inspection Il service. Please refer to your owner's manual or speak to your service advisor for more information
Relevant service light reset
Recommended every 18,000 miles or 2 years from last inspection. To alternate with and Inspection l service if applicable

I think thats pretty poor.

And no mention to valve clearance check?? BMW will pay for this in the long run. Only snobs and clueless individuals will think a BMW service stamp represents any value for money.

[R60BBA]

There is anecdotal evidence to say that BMW aren't listing the valve clearance, because they aren't doing it. It takes a long time (which they're billing for), but it's seen as 'free money' to them.

ALWAYS request a valve clearance report when the car is booked in, and when it's dropped off. Be polite about it, but insistent...tell them you've heard reports of it being missed off or forgotten and that you'd hate being charged £400 of the Inspection for the MOST IMPORTANT part of the inspection if it was never done.

If you're not sure if it will be done or not, then do what I did to check...and park the bolt positions, gasket, spark plugs, air filter, etc. with UV ink/paint and see if they've replaced. I started doing this because I was phoned back the day after I was due to pick it up (after booking it in 4 weeks previously) to say they needed a cam cover gasket to complete the service - and the service advisor said that they only replace it if it's needed (BUT YOU'RE STILL CHARGED FOR IT) - and what else is only replaced if needed???

If you don't get one then REFUSE to pay the full price - and don't let them fob you off with some excuse about the technician not being available to find it for you, as they'll simply get him to write a false one the next day (which can be more dangerous than assuming they were never done - as you get false sense of security).

If that's the case, why are gullible punters paying an extra £400 for a job that isn't being done - which is what some 'specialists' were accused of when the e46 M3s started going out of the dealer network.

Even the price difference between an Insp.I to Insp.II is nonsensical - as the only difference is spark plugs and diff/gearbox oils - and they want £400-£600 more for those parts and an hour's extra labour

Or just take it to a competent Indy and avoid these scenarios altogether.

[Trav]

In the interest of fairness, I did follow up at the service desk. I asked about what is listed for a service 2 on my M. I was told that it must be that the valve clearance check would just be listed as labour. Ivan at Grassicks said he hadnt seen one in a while. They keep the car overnight to ensure the engine is cold for the check. He even described the procedure. I did mention that the BMW web page does not mention it. He was sure it would be done.
So thats direct from my local Beemer sevice desk for fairness.

[R60BBA]

In the interest of fairness, I did follow up at the service desk. I asked about what is listed for a service 2 on my M. I was told that it must be that the valve clearance check would just be listed as labour. Ivan at Grassicks said he hadnt seen one in a while. They keep the car overnight to ensure the engine is cold for the check. He even described the procedure. I did mention that the BMW web page does not mention it. He was sure it would be done.
So thats direct from my local Beemer sevice desk for fairness.

Give it another 5/10 years and I reckon that the BMW techs who are familiar with servicing pre-2007 M engines will no longer work at main dealer. They will most probably either retire or set up their own independent (like Kevin and Lee at BMS Surrey did).

When this happens there will be a void in knowledge and experience on our cars. Which is why I reiterate to build a good relationship with a solid independent from now so that you won’t have these issues.

Plus you’ll also save a ton of money and probably learn more about how your car works, rather than sipping coffee and playing candy crush.