Another Inspection II thread

[Stuart Truman]

So while #69 was in having her new Steering Column fitted (and no sticky steering today after sitting in the sun all day ) I saw two Inspection II posters for BMW fixed rate servicing. What interested me was that an M5 was less than an M3 by hundreds of pounds. Turns out they don't need their valve clearances doing when the M3 does. So as mine will need doing in about 4000 miles and I think I'd better start saving, I asked what the damage would be for an Alpina Roadster S, including the +4 10% discount.

Anybody want to guess?...

 

[mrlozzer]

Four figures?

 

[original guvnor]

Well the M's are about 800-900 so I'd hope the Alpina was no more than 600. However much they quoted, ring at least two other dealers regardless of whether you intend using them or not. Then use the quotes to bargain with your local dealer.

 

[Stuart Truman]

£450 including parts, labour and VAT

 

[original guvnor]

Good price Stuart! That can't be a lot dearer than the 3.0 Zeds?

 

[Wobblewing]

I presume that was a BMW dealer?

 

[deej78]

Inspection 2. Touch everything, find something wrong, charge customer for looking + repair. Smacks of scam to me.

 

[Stuart Truman]

I presume that was a BMW dealer?

Yes, Dick Lovett Swindon

Inspection 2. Touch everything, find something wrong, charge customer for looking + repair. Smacks of scam to me.

My warranty is my friend

 

[srhutch]

Inspection 2. Touch everything, find something wrong, charge customer for looking + repair. Smacks of scam to me.

My warranty is my friend

BMW extended warranty doesn't cover wear and tear though.

 

[original guvnor]

Inspection 2. Touch everything, find something wrong, charge customer for looking + repair. Smacks of scam to me.

My warranty is my friend

BMW extended warranty doesn't cover wear and tear though.

To be honest if a dealer was predisposed to deliberately look for chargeable work they are more likely to look for warranty work than excluded items because a) they get paid more; b) they won't have an irate customer and c) less chance of a second opinion being sought by the vehicle owner.

I understand the cynicism some express but so far in 8 years of owning BMW's and having them serviced in the dealer network there have been very few occasions when my car has been in for service and needed anything "extra" doing.

 

[Stuart Truman]

I'm happy with that price. Considering my BMW insurance backed warranty mandates servicing at a dealer, and the great experiences I've had over the years with both Dick Lovett Swindon (Mini and BMW) and Sytner Sunningdale I have no complaints

If the Inspection II covers labour, they can look for problems and if they find them it's my choice whether I opt for an Indi or let them fix it. They won't charge for looking on a fixed rate service. I'm sat in their customer reception using their free wireless and drinking their free coffee. (The reason I'm here is the PDC is still messing about so they're checking it again and resetting the PDC module after replacing 2x sensors last time)

 

[bcworkz]

To be honest if a dealer was predisposed to deliberately look for chargeable work they are more likely to look for warranty work than excluded items because a) they get paid more; b) they won't have an irate customer and c) less chance of a second opinion being sought by the vehicle owner.

Interesting angle on that! I'm not convinced their feeble little minds work that way. I think it's more like: Tech finds something needs doing. He doesn't care one whit who pays for it, he's paid the same either way. In his mind, work needs doing, end of story. SM does care who pays, if warranty work doesn't meet specific criteria, he doesn't get reimbursed and he's screwed. Customer's money is usually good, and most know nothing about mechanicals, so it's guaranteed income. He will of course do warranty work if it clearly meets criteria. For the few that go somewhere else, no big deal, they lose no money not doing work. From prior behaviour, most BMW $tealers do not seem to be too worried about angering customers or the opinions of those sub-human non-factory trained mechanics.

 

[2alpsade]

Stu, I paid about £300 for ours on an I2, but supplied my own oil and fitted my own sparks. Your quote was spot-on as that's what ours would have been with oil and sparks supplied by the dealer. No extras were found or suggested, either...work done at Sytner Cardiff, and happy with what they did, even though I was only paying for a book-stamp, really.

None of that silly 'M'-tax with an Alpina

 

[Stuart Truman]

This was Dick Lovett. I haven't asked about supplying my own oil and plugs. Dumb really as I just bought 8 litres using the ECP 30% off code. Still, 4000 miles to run so not for a few months yet. What plugs did you buy, I was wondering about getting some better ones.

 

[moonshine]

My local indi buys oem oil from the dealer as the dealer gets it so cheap due to the volume the use. It is cheaper than standard wholesale rate!

 

[Stuart Truman]

My local indi buys oem oil from the dealer as the dealer gets it so cheap due to the volume the use. It is cheaper than standard wholesale rate!

Yep, but they sell it to us at higher than we can buy it online for! They'll often price match when challenged with the "can I supply my own oil and plugs"

 

[2alpsade]

Plugs I used are NGK Iridium from Jayar carparts (www.jayar.co.uk) and they are part number BKR6EIX, which is NGK6418 Iridium plugs. They are superb. Cost was around £33 for 6, delivered. I think someone posted a cheaper supplier, but it was by pennies.