£700 for sump plug

R

Red Law

Member
 Yorkshire
So I take the Z in for an Inspection 1, break fluid change and MOT and brace for about £350 from a BMW dealer.

Roll forward a few hours and I get a call - the sump plug isn't fitted properly - can I authorise a forced removal, but there's a chance the threads will nacker and a new sump would be required. could be about £400. Feeling lucky? Not particularly, you're a stealer.

I got the Z in April and have done about 15k miles. I got a 12 month warranty from a.... Honda dealer. So hoping to claim it off them (they also have BMW dealerships so a bit odd selling from their Honda outfit - the first oil service was not by BMW so maybe that's why). Anyway the same Honda dealership also did the last oil change, so fingers crossed they'll accept it under the used car warrantry. Otherwise will probably refer to an indie.

Having said no to the sump plug, just give me an estimate, I get a call 20 minutes later - MOT fail as a tyre just below legal limit £166 please.

Anyway, back to the plug. The estimate is £1.42 for a new plug. :thumbsup:

Plus £249 oil pan, £19 gasket, £306 labour, VAT £115. Total £691. :thumbsdown:

Does that sound right? Does it really need all that - or could the plug just be drilled out and a new one put in?

So that's after my £437 for an MOT, tyre, break fluid and insepction 1 without oil change. Oh, and as they put a new micro-filter in my heating now only does hot at full on, or cold on every other notch.

:headbang:
 
I think they must have been looking to you for their Xmas bonus.

Pity you don't live down south, last MOT in Oct cost me just over £50 notes, no cautions whatsoever & my local indie charging a fraction of the costs I hear many on here are paying...

Deep breath, stay safe

J
 
Unfortunately, any fine thread can be crossed. You've been unlucky. :o

Drill it out? Nope - only if you want a bottom end rebuild when some of the swarf gets into your lube system. Needs to be removed 'professionally' not by an amateur else it'll cost you big-time. You need to talk to your last oil service-monkey, esp as they provided the warranty. Good luck.
 
There must be a over size self tapping plug that will fit the Zed. On this side of the pond they are around $10.00...
 
Thanks guys, my old man had the same views and offered to help with the self-tapping approach if needed.

Supplying dealer (Honda) to call back Monday, think I'll ask for it to be referred to a BMW dealership in their group for the actual work though.

Whilst the servicing dealer (BMW, different group) didn't (couldn't) charge me for oil I just realised they still charged the full inspection 1 fee, including oil disposal!

Don't you just love main dealers. :x
 
So today I went to the supplying dealer (Honda), who promply dismissed the servicing dealer's (BMW) assessment pending removal of the rougue plug.

It needs to be booked back in as could be needed for a day or two IF the plug has damaged the threads, in which case they advised a heli-coil manouvre would suffice and would be £70 as they need to get someone in to do it and wasn't covered by warranty. Having pointed out that in that eventuality it would have been them that caused it with their pre-sales servicing as per log book we agreed to split it at £35.

They would also do the oil and filter change for £99 (instead of £120) and would include a courtesy car for a couple of days if they need to keep it in pending inspection after removal of the plug. Can't grumble at that instead of £700 without any actual oil change. :thumbsup:

Having then called the servicing dealer to express views from the supplier, friends and here to confirm their view (e.g. in case of any risk) there was no challenge. Quite a change from stating that all this definately needed to be done :telloff: , however they agreed to stamp the full service and reset the key once done.

So hopefully should be sorted for a reasonable price now so Christmas is back on :D .
 
Far more sensible outcome, and the helicoil is definitely the right answer (if required). Hope all goes well, now.
 
Red Law said:
So today I went to the supplying dealer (Honda), who promply dismissed the servicing dealer's (BMW) assessment pending removal of the rougue plug.

It needs to be booked back in as could be needed for a day or two IF the plug has damaged the threads, in which case they advised a heli-coil manouvre would suffice and would be £70 as they need to get someone in to do it and wasn't covered by warranty. Having pointed out that in that eventuality it would have been them that caused it with their pre-sales servicing as per log book we agreed to split it at £35.

They would also do the oil and filter change for £99 (instead of £120) and would include a courtesy car for a couple of days if they need to keep it in pending inspection after removal of the plug. Can't grumble at that instead of £700 without any actual oil change. :thumbsup:

Having then called the servicing dealer to express views from the supplier, friends and here to confirm their view (e.g. in case of any risk) there was no challenge. Quite a change from stating that all this definately needed to be done :telloff: , however they agreed to stamp the full service and reset the key once done.

So hopefully should be sorted for a reasonable price now so Christmas is back on :D .
Click to expand...
Tried a helicoil on my VW Bora, it failed due to the alloy sump and steel helicoil expanding at different rates, the Honda dealer is trying to fob you off, it will have to be a new sump
 
Honda did the helicoil a couple of weeks back (agreed to split the cost so £35) plus discounted oil service at £99. Have only done a couple of hundred miles since but seems to be holding.

Back at the BMW dealer tomorrow to check it over and stamp the book seeing as they charged me for the rest of the service other than the actual oil.

Doesn't seem to be losing any oil judging by my driveway, so think I'll chance it and save the £700 for the sump etc, carry some spare oil and upgrade my breakdown cover.

If it comes to it I'd rather trade in for another Z now I've appreciated even having just 4 pots for nearly a year. :lol:
 
Darkman said:
Tried a helicoil on my VW Bora, it failed due to the alloy sump and steel helicoil expanding at different rates, the Honda dealer is trying to fob you off, it will have to be a new sump
Click to expand...

BMW dealer checked it out... appears to be some leakage already so now more concerned with that solution after your comment, especially in anticipation of some long roadtrips and hopefully Alps etc again this year.

When you say this failed on your Bora, did it lose oil rapidly?

Going to clean it up and check again after a run, looks like probably back to the supplying Honda though. :pinch:

Think I'll take up the discounted AA offer that just came though the post just in case I need it whilst I get this sorted.
 
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